Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

10 September 2002

Project Appraisal: A33 Corridor Improvements (Phase I) Basingstoke

Report of the County Surveyor

Item 4

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

A33 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS (PHASE I), BASINGSTOKE

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

JULY 2003

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

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2002

(at 2002

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

1,600

1,600

Fees

100

100

1,700

1,700

Less developers/

70

70

other contributions

1,630

1,630

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

1,630

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a) Developer contributions

70

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

1,700

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £ nil

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

46

0.062

Capital charges

272

0.284

TOTAL net expenditure

318

0.346

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

The A33 corridor improvements from Basingstoke to the county boundary at Riseley are a key part of the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport (BEST). The A33 corridor proposals meet with the objectives of BEST and include:

(i) traffic signals at major junctions within urban Basingstoke to provide better management of traffic movements, improve road safety and provide controlled pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities;

(ii) new pedestrian and cycle routes along the corridor to provide links between residential, employment and retail areas;

(iii) improved public transport facilities (eg bus priority measures and a new railway station at Chineham); and

(iv) a new more appropriate speed management strategy for this corridor, together with minor localised improvements on the rural section of the A33.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County network and policies

The A33 corridor improvements meet the policy aims of the County Council's Local Transport Plan and the Road Traffic Reduction Act to maintain the integrity and ensure safe operation of the transport network. The scheme also meets the objectives of BEST to improve transport choice and promote alternatives to the car.

Details of scheme and design standards

A detailed plan of the scheme will be displayed at the meeting.

This project appraisal deals with Phase I of the A33/A339 Ringway (Reading Road roundabout) junction proposals (see attached location plan) which include traffic signals on all six arms of the existing roundabout, with some additional carriageway widening. Cycle and pedestrian crossing facilities will be accommodated at the junction, linking with a segregated cycle route alongside the A33 to link Chineham with Basingstoke (Phase I includes the section between Norn Hill and Popley Way). The existing link onto the roundabout from Norn Hill will be enhanced by the introduction of traffic signals to provide greater priority for buses and taxis. The proposed traffic signals can be operated within the County Council's urban traffic control system. Closed circuit television monitoring will be provided to assist in maximising the efficiency of the signals and to address and report any traffic incidents.

The A33 Reading Road/Popley Way junction will be altered to allow all turning movements under traffic signal control.

Environmental impact

Only minimal environmental impact is expected to arise from this proposal as the works are within the highway boundary.

Land requirements

To achieve consistent segregation between the cycle route and the dual carriageway limited land take is required from Chineham Park Primary School. As this land is owned by the County Council, the Estates Practice is arranging for a dedication of highway rights to enable the land to be used as highway.

Statutory procedures

A 30 miles per hour limit is to be introduced on the Reading Road roundabout. Due to the existing street lighting a traffic regulation order will not be required.

Public consultation

Public consultation on the concept of the A33 corridor proposals was undertaken in July 2001. A series of exhibitions was held throughout the area. Approximately 450 letters publicising the consultation events and drawing attention to the proposals were sent to local County Council and Borough Council Members, parish councils, community groups, transport operators, emergency services, adjacent local authorities, cycle groups, representatives of disabled people, community transport providers, local businesses, members of the Basingstoke Business Travel Forum and others. Advertisements were placed in the Basingstoke Gazette and the Basingstoke Observer and a press release was circulated to the local media. An estimated 500 people attended the exhibition and 142 questionnaires were returned.

The results of the public consultation exercise indicated broad support for the A33 corridor proposals. A summary of the responses to the questionnaire was reported to the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport Members' Panel on 14 November 2001.

The local Members, Councillors Chapman and Mrs Frankum, support these proposals.

Facilities for the disabled

Tactile surfaces are to be provided at pedestrian crossing areas to assist people with visual impairment. The cycle routes can be used by disabled people with mobility wheelchairs.

Maintenance implications

Maintenance implications will be taken into account at the setting of the annual budget. The provision of additional infrastructure, including footways, a cycle route, traffic signals, kerbing, lighting, signing and anti-skid surfacing, is expected to incur additional costs of around £46,300 per annum.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The accommodation works at the new boundary line to the Chineham Park Primary School are by agreement to incorporate a secure fence. This is to answer concerns raised from the school about unwanted access.

Sustainability

The scheme will assist with managing traffic delays at the junction to optimise the efficient movement of vehicles. The improved pedestrian areas and cycle facilities with safer crossing locations will help to encourage walking and cycling. Bus access from Norn Hill will be enhanced.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

None.

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