Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

16 July 2002

Project Appraisal: Abshot Road/Warsash Road, Fareham, Junction Improvement and Associated Traffic Management on Warsash Road, Fareham

Report of the County Surveyor

Item 11

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

ABSHOT ROAD/WARSASH ROAD JUNCTION IMPROVEMENT AND ASSOCIATED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES ON WARSASH ROAD, FAREHAM

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

SEPTEMBER 2002

COMPLETION DATE:

DECEMBER 2002

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2002/03

7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

Warsash Road is an increasingly important east-west local distributor route through the southern area of the Western Wards of Fareham. It provides access between Warsash village centre and the A27 and thence to the central area of Fareham. A location plan is attached.

The route is generally of a rural nature over the eastern part of its length from its junction with the A27 before meeting the urban edge around the Abshot Road/Warsash Road junction. A 40 miles per hour (mph) speed limit is applied from west of this junction. A short distance west of the Abshot Road/Warsash Road junction and between the Sovereign Crescent junctions, a 30 mph speed limit is applied and extends over the remainder of this route through to the centre of Warsash.

Abshot Road, the northern arm of the junction, is a local road which provides access into part of the residential area and also leads to St John the Baptist Church of England Infants' School. Little Abshot Road, the southern arm of the junction, provides access to essentially the agricultural land which borders the southern limits of the developed area of Warsash and Fleetend.

Visibility from Abshot Road is limited by the hedges and fences of properties built on the corner.

Speed along Warsash Road is at or above the speed limit of 40 mph and is a significant factor in the number of accidents which have taken place at this junction.

The combination of speed and lack of adequate visibility make this an extremely difficult junction to exit, and presents particular difficulties for cyclists. The present record shows five personal injury accidents occurring at this junction over a three year period, and mainly involved vehicles exiting Abshot Road.

In order to improve the accident record at this site, there is a need to better define the junction and to reduce the speed of traffic in the area approaching it in both directions.

7.2

Details

The proposal to build a mini-roundabout at this junction was adopted following a detailed examination of a number of options. However, it is not acceptable to provide a mini-roundabout where the speed limit exceeds 30 mph. As a result, a further review of the traffic management conditions was undertaken. It was concluded that the 30 mph speed limit should be extended to the east of this junction and further refuges included in the approach section of road to the junction.

Within the last 18 months, a further small roundabout has been provided at the Warsash Road/Locks Road junction, together with street lighting improvements. Since this is only some 600 metres to the west of this proposed junction, it is therefore also proposed to upgrade the street lighting between the two junctions. This work is included in the scheme. It will provide a common standard of street lighting and enhance the prospects of improved road safety.

7.3

Standards

The design fully adheres to the Design Manual for Roads and Bridgeworks (DMRB) issued by the Department for Transport. It also complies with County Council standards where these supersede those in the DMRB.

7.4

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

In order to implement a better traffic management of the network in the area, the existing 30 mph speed limit will be extended some 400 metres to the east of its present position and located some 150 metres east of the new junction layout. This order will be processed to coincide with the completion of the works.

A consultation exhibition was held in July 2001 when the proposals were put before the public. The proposals were generally welcomed.

7.5

Policy Considerations

This improvement to the junction fully accords with the objectives of promoting road safety and also, by creating a reduced speed area, will offer a safer use of the highway for cycles.

7.6

Environmental Impacts

There is not expected to be any significant impact arising from the construction of this scheme. Speed of vehicles on Warsash Road will certainly be lower which will result in a slight reduction in noise levels. In addition, air quality will also be improved by the reduced emission of slower moving vehicles.

7.7

Land Requirement

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

7.8

Alternative Arrangements

A number of schemes were examined which ranged from mini-roundabout, small roundabouts and various arrangements for traffic signals.

The small roundabout scheme would have resulted in considerable land acquisition being needed and created a significant impact on the community. It would also have resulted in considerable loss of the local woodland and caused major environmental damage.

A number of traffic signal arrangements were also tested but these resulted in unsatisfactory and unsafe layouts which were potentially difficult to overcome. As a result of the tight geometric conditions which prevail, the stop lines would have had to be set back some distance from the junction and in operation would give rise to an inefficient operation and cause unnecessary delays.

The intuitive scheme for a mini-roundabout had been set aside because the existing speed limit on Warsash Road was 40 mph. It is recommended that mini-roundabouts are not installed where such speed limits apply. As a result this scheme had not been considered appropriate. However, in light of the difficulties arising from the other schemes, it was necessary to review this initial decision and consider introducing additional traffic management solutions.

The other solutions were also reviewed in light of this change of the traffic management regime but these schemes could not be significantly improved as a result. For this reason, these other solutions were set aside.

7.9

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Estlin, fully supports these proposals.

7.10

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

7.11

Sustainability

The proposed scheme will provide a significant improvement in safety for all users of this junction. In the reduced speed environment there will be a greater opportunity for cyclists to use the route and pedestrians will find crossing the road easier and safer.

8.

Financial Arrangements

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

32

Developer Funding

249

Supervision

7

Project Works

210

Land

None

____

____

Total

249

Total

249

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

1.0

0.001

Capital Charge

17.0

0.018

____

____

Total Expenditure

18.0

0.019

____

____

8.3

Maintenance Implications

There will be minimal revenue implications of this proposal and they will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

None