Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

10 September 2002

Project Appraisal: Hatch Warren to Basingstoke
Town Centre Cycle Route

Report of the County Surveyor

Item 3

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

HATCH WARREN TO BASINGSTOKE TOWN CENTRE CYCLE ROUTE

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

NOVEMBER 2002

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 2003

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

7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

Hatch Warren is a recently developed residential area with regular journeys undertaken to and from Basingstoke town centre.

In accordance with the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport (BEST), and with the benefit of developer funding, it is proposed that a cycle route be provided to encourage sustainable and environmentally friendly transport between Hatch Warren and the town centre. This route will also provide an attractive alternative to the motor car and assist vulnerable road users in general.

7.2

Details

The scheme details are shown on plan WSA04013 which will be displayed at the meeting. A location plan is attached.

The route is predominantly off-road and includes two Toucan crossings and some traffic calming. The Toucan crossings are to be located at the following locations:

(i)

(ii)

Hatch Warren Lane, adjacent to Viables Roundabout; and

The Harrow Way, adjacent to Golden Lion Roundabout.

Pedestrian and cyclist crossing movements were monitored at these locations in June 2002, these showed there was very little use at present. This is to be expected as there is currently no formal route which pedestrians and cyclists can follow. Consideration has been given to waiting until the rest of the route was completed and pedestrian and cyclist levels increased to values when a Toucan would be required. This was rejected as the Toucans are located where the cycle route has to cross busy roads with relatively high 85%ile speeds. Without assistance in crossing the road, pedestrians and cyclists would be discouraged from using the route and the aims of the scheme might not be achieved. It is expected that the provision of the Toucans as part of the scheme will encourage the use of the route, and crossing movements are likely to increase to levels where a Toucan crossing would normally be considered appropriate.

The 85%ile speeds measured are as follows:

(i)

(ii)

Hatch Warren Lane - 40 miles per hour (mph) north-east bound and 39 mph south-west bound; and

The Harrow Way - 42 mph in both directions.

The proposed traffic calming is throughout the length of Cliddesden Road and is to take the form of speed cushions so cyclists are not disadvantaged. This will also address local concern about the speed of vehicular traffic using Cliddesden Road which has the combination of being narrow with parked cars along most of its length and a higher than normal percentage of inexperienced younger drivers from Queen Mary's College.

Alternative forms of traffic calming were considered, but the physical constraints of the road and driveway locations made other solutions inappropriate.

7.3

Standards

The scheme meets the design requirements of all relevant Departmental and County Council standards.

7.4

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

A comprehensive public consultation on the proposed route was held during October 2001. Manned exhibitions were held at Queen Mary's College and St Mark's School and unmanned exhibitions at Sainsbury's store and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council offices. A total of 60 questionnaire forms were returned from the exhibitions with five letters of comment. The evaluation report shows that local residents considered the route would be used and that slowing traffic would improve road safety. Of the respondents who supported the cycle route a large proportion felt that it should be segregated from the road.

Notices were placed during May 2002 for 28 days at the proposed Toucan crossing locations and no comments were received.

The traffic calming proposal for Cliddesden Road was formally advertised during June. Of the ten Cliddesden Road respondents six showed support and four objected to the traffic calming proposals.

The emergency services, cycle groups, bus company and Borough Council have also been consulted and do not object.

7.5

Policy Considerations

The cycle route proposal accords with BEST and includes:

(i)

improved transport choice for all, regardless of age, income or mobility;

(ii)

less dependency on cars for travel needs; and

(iii)

improved safety for travellers.

7.6

Environmental Impacts

There is expected to be minimal environmental impact from this proposal as most of the work is on or adjacent to the existing highway. During the construction works any excessive levels of noise and disturbance to residents will be kept to a minimum.

7.7

Land Requirement

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

7.8

Alternative Arrangements

The cycle route as described in this Project Appraisal is the preferred choice. The other options considered were as follows:

(i)

On-road cycle route for the entire length

Not considered appropriate because the aim of the route is to encourage new cyclists as well as improve conditions for existing cyclists. The public consultation response also favoured segregation from traffic.

(ii)

Link through to Loggon Road

Not considered appropriate as the route would involve potential third party land acquisition and the route through Loggon Road and Sheppard Road was considered too narrow and tortuous to provide a safe route.

(iii)

Do nothing

Not appropriate as this could result in the loss of developer funding.

7.9

Local Members' Views

The local Members, Councillors Heath and Gurden, have been consulted and are supportive of the scheme.

7.10

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

7.11

Sustainability

The proposed cycle route will promote sustainable forms of transport by encouraging cycling.

8.

Financial Arrangements

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

100

Developer Funding

750

Supervision

-

Project Works

650

Land

-

____

____

Total

750

Total

750

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

7

0.009

Capital Charge

120

0.123

____

____

Total Expenditure

127

0.132

____

____

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

Hatch Warren to Basingstoke Town

Centre Cycle Route - Cliddesden Road, Traffic Calming, Summary of

Consultation on proposals - File PT/10/3/T22340N

Hatch Warren to Town Centre Cycle

Route Evaluation Report Questionnaire Analysis - File PT/10/3/AM/DW/40260/3115

County Surveyor's Department Room 415

County Surveyor's Department

Room 415