Archived decisions
Hampshire County Council Executive Member - Environment 10 September 2002 South Hampshire Rapid Transit - A3 Portsmouth-Waterlooville-Horndean Public Transport Priority Corridor - Progress Report and Section 2b Project Appraisal Report of the County Surveyor |
Item 5 |
Contact: Geoff Topps, ext 7959
1. Summary
1.1 The following decision is sought:
That the progress report for the A3 project be noted and the attached Project Appraisal for Section 2b Purbrook to Waterlooville be approved, subject to the approval of the Executive Member for Policy and Resources.
2. Reason
2.1 Construction of Section 1 Widley to Purbrook will be completed in early 2003 and in order for advanced site clearance and diversionary works to be completed ahead of the main construction of the second section of the corridor, approval of the Project Appraisal for Section 2b is required.
3. Other Options Considered and Rejected
3.1 Various options for a north-south link between Portsmouth and Horndean were studied as part of the transportation studies undertaken for the South Hampshire Rapid Transit network. Neither an off-road solution nor an on-road tram-based system were very feasible and an on-road bus system with priority features using the A3 corridor was recommended as the most suitable solution.
4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer Consulted - None.
5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.
6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.
Approved by: Date:
Councillor K B Estlin
7. South Hampshire Rapid Transit
7.1 South Hampshire Rapid Transport (SHRT) has evolved from the transport strategy for South Hampshire which is underpinned by a number of transportation studies. SHRT is intended to provide an integrated multi-modal network of public transport services as an alternative to the use of the car. The current road network is overloaded at peak hours and this will worsen with increasing growth in demand. The first phase of the SHRT network is the Fareham-Gosport-Portsmouth Light Rapid Transit system, tenders for which are due to be returned in December this year. The second phase of the network is the development of the A3 Public Transport corridor, and construction is already under way for Section 1 from Widley to Purbrook.
7.2 The A3 corridor has been developed through various partnerships, the most significant being between Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council, to create the highway infrastructure, and First (the main bus operator along the route) to provide the improved services. This has been supplemented by partnership support from Havant Borough Council, East Hampshire District Council and the Hampshire Constabulary, as well as the bus shelter company Adshel.
8. A3 Public Transport Priority Corridor Development
8.1 In January 2001 the County Council's former Planning and Transportation Committee approved the start of the first section of the A3 corridor at Widley. While advanced diversions of underground pipes and cables were being carried out by statutory undertakers, an innovative construction contract was prepared for the highway construction. In December 2001 and January 2002 the Executive Members for Environment and Policy and Resources respectively approved the new contract, which is based on a combination of price and quality and involves partnering between the County Council and the contractor during the construction process.
9. Construction Contract
9.1 The A3 corridor is being developed, designed and constructed in sections over a five year period. The Project Term Contract (PTC) has been created to allow the appointment of one contractor to carry out all highway construction work though not all has yet been designed in detail. This provides continuity for those managing and carrying out the construction, a stable workload for the contractor, an ability for the contractor to influence the construction design and detailing, and economies of scale for such a large amount of work.
9.2 After assessing the tenders the contract was awarded to Dyer and Butler Limited. This firm has a very good reputation for highway works within the county and has set out to work with the County Council in delivering this public transport project in the best way possible. Work commenced on site on Monday, 8 April 2002 and Section 1 is due for completion by early 2003.
9.3 The development of the programme for the PTC has resulted in a refinement of the sections and numbers of the route. The old and new section numbers and descriptions are shown below:
Old New Description
Section 1 Section 1 Widley to Purbrook
Section 2 Section 2a Purbrook village
Section 3 Section 2b Purbrook to Waterlooville
Section 4 Section 3 Waterlooville town centre
Section 5 Section 4 Waterlooville to Cowplain
Section 6 Section 5 Cowplain to Horndean.
10. Section 1 Widley to Purbrook
10.1 The extent of Section 1 has been increased to include works within the boundary of Portsmouth City Council (at the top of Portsdown Hill). These provide continuity for the bus lanes over a short stretch of existing dual carriageway. Inevitably, temporary traffic control is needed during the roadworks and, while some delays are being experienced, an advisory alternative route has been provided to offer drivers a different option.
10.2 Dyer and Butler Limited has proposed the use of a precast concrete panel system to save time constructing the accommodation works retaining wall at Christ's Church. A sample panel cast with a flint facing has been approved by the Church and the new walls are currently being constructed. Advanced diversion of British Telecom fibre optic cables has taken longer than expected but this has not delayed the main works. Recycled materials are being used where possible and existing redundant concrete kerbs have been crushed in situ and used in the new construction. Environmental enhancements outside the Lansdowne Avenue shops have been completed quickly and to the satisfaction of the shop owners.
11. Section 2a Purbrook Village (Formerly Section 2)
11.1 Development of this section of the route has taken place after the former Section 3 because it is small and offers very little scope for bus priority features. Its development has now been accelerated so that it can be combined in the second phase of construction.
11.2 Public consultation for this section of the corridor took place in October 2001 centred on a three day public exhibition. The key issues raised by local residents and businesses relate to on-road parking. These are now being developed in the detailed design and new Traffic Regulation Orders will be advertised in September. The final details will be reported in a separate progress report and Project Appraisal for Section 2a in November 2002.
12. Section 2b Purbrook to Waterlooville (Formerly Section 3)
12.1 Section 2b contains significantly more highway infrastructure works than 2a Purbrook village and in order to get the benefit of these as quickly as possible they have been prepared first. Section 2a is now being developed rapidly so that it can be included in the same phase of construction to give better overall continuity. This approach also complements the programme for the PTC which is being used to acquire the construction work. Advanced preparations and underground utility diversions will commence this autumn, with the main roadworks scheduled to start in early 2003.
12.2 The Project Appraisal for Section 2b is attached as Appendix 1. Advanced works are planned to start in September 2002 to aid statutory undertakers' diversions and create an easement working zone in the adjoining field during the fallow period. The main Section 2b works are expected to follow the completion of Section 1 in early 2003.
12.3 The public consultation for this section centred on a three day public exhibition which started on 30 November 2000 and was held locally at the Methodist Church Hall, Stakes Road, Purbrook. This was supplemented by follow-on meetings with interested parties and correspondence as necessary. Two main points were identified during this process: the proposed 'bus gate' just north of Purbrook and the removal of verges within the highway boundary to maximise the amount of road space available.
Bus Gate
12.4 The proposed bus gate is a bus activated traffic signal for southbound vehicles approaching the northern entrance into Purbrook village. When a bus approaches, the signals briefly stop the southbound carriageway traffic and allow the bus to merge into the single carriageway through Purbrook. The signal operation would be quick, less frequent than junction signals, and would not provide for pedestrians to cross the A3.
12.5 All local residents who would be directly affected by the construction of the proposed signals (approximately 50 metres either side of the signals and some further beyond) are extremely concerned about the safety implications of getting vehicle access to and from their properties and the impact on the quality of their home environment. They have specific worries about waiting to turn right into and out of their driveways when the existing carriageway width is reduced to create the southbound bus lane and traffic signal islands.
12.6 The local Member, Councillor McIntosh, has expressed his concern at the proposal and many residents have indicated that they will seek compensation if the bus gate is installed.
12.7 It is acknowledged that constructing the bus gate and southbound bus lane will change the existing conditions for vehicular access to adjacent properties. However, when considered with the benefits created by the reduced speed limit, new gaps in traffic flows created by the bus gate signals and additional vehicle detection to help emerging vehicles (by operating the bus gate signals), the overall impact is considered acceptable. The proposal has passed safety audits and the Police have not expressed any concerns.
12.8 Suggestions that the bus gate should be omitted so that buses would have to merge unaided with normal traffic, with the assistance of a variable message sign advising drivers to make way for buses, are not supported. This would be a significant change to the original proposal that would address only some of the residents' worries and would offer far less priority for buses. It is considered that the bus gate should be installed but be subject to an 18-month trial period (post completion). Its actual operation can then be reviewed before it is either made permanent or altered in any way.
Land Take Beyond the Existing Highway Boundary
12.9 At the public exhibition the preliminary design suggested that the dual bus lanes for this length of the route could be accommodated within the existing highway boundary. In developing the detailed design it became evident that this could only be achieved by constructing retaining walls to support the adjoining land.
12.10 Retaining walls are expensive, and would create quite a visual impact along the field edge boundary. Their construction would remove the existing hedge and trees along the highway boundary. An alternative solution to a retaining wall has been proposed which involves taking additional land and creating a sloping earth bank which could be planted to re-create the existing scene. The adjoining owner has agreed to make a dedication of the necessary land in return for accommodation works to replace the existing timber post and rail boundary fence, and the provision of new tree and hedge planting for the length of the whole boundary.
12.11 The current proposals with the land dedication provide a reasonable solution for both problems - priority replacement planting and avoiding costly and unsightly retaining walls.
12.12 Both the retaining wall and land dedication issues have been communicated to the local Member as they developed. He has expressed concern that these are major changes that have not been subject to local public consultation and that local residents would not support the road widening land dedication and loss of trees involved. The essential road widening proposal has not changed but the means of achieving it have. In place of retaining walls, which would have removed the existing trees and hedges, the current proposal provides an opportunity to retain or enhance the existing vegetation. The proposals will retain and improve the local boundary character but this was not made clear when shown at the public exhibition. The photo-montages shown at the exhibition for the works just north of Purbrook do however remain a fair illustration.
12.13 The local Member, Councillor McIntosh, has requested that, if possible, the west side footway be set back behind the new boundary hedge planting to create a more rural footpath for local residents and save the existing trees and hedge. Most, if not all, the existing trees and hedge would still be lost due to the road widening and a much wider and continuous strip of land would have to be dedicated for highway use. The landowner would not accept this proposal and it would not be possible to secure a dedication of the land required. Such a rural footpath could be provided later as part of the planning for the major development area west of Waterlooville.
Consultation
12.14 The plan shown at the public exhibition did not indicate the need for a land take beyond the highway boundary. It was only later when more detailed design was undertaken that the need was identified. The local Member, Councillor McIntosh, was advised but no further public consultation was undertaken until the alternative land dedication/sloping earth bank/accommodation works planting could be investigated and concluded.
12.15 Councillor McIntosh is very concerned at the potential loss of the existing hedge and trees. He has requested that the west side footway be moved away from the roadside to form a `rural' footway set back behind the existing hedge, to save the vegetation and provide a nicer walking environment. Unfortunately, this would not be enough to save the existing hedge and trees, whether or not the retaining wall is provided and, if applied to the land dedication option, would require more land along the whole of the route - which would not be forthcoming by agreement. Councillor McIntosh was provided with plans of the proposed dedication land and, at his request, with additional plans showing the impact of the proposals to all the existing verge, hedge and trees. Councillor McIntosh has used this plan for his own consultation.
12.16 This consultation did not make reference to the background or the options considered, nor the positive details associated with the proposed land dedication accommodation works. It focused on the loss of the existing hedge and trees as a result of the road-widening, and has given rise to 30 objections and representations about the design change and the environmental impact.
Representations
12.17 The representations are summarised in Appendix 2 and in the accompanying project appraisal. Each objector and local resident has now been contacted with a full explanation of the matter and complete details of the proposals. While there is still concern at the loss of existing hedge and trees, the need for and details of the changes resulting from the detailed design have been explained and the extra landscaping that can be provided in mitigation.
Statutory Undertakers' Works
12.18 As with Section 1 there is a need for diversionary works to Statutory Undertakers' underground services to achieve the road-widening. For similar reasons of practicality and safety it is desirable to do as many of these works as possible before the main highway works start in January 2003. Therefore advanced diversionary works will be ordered as soon as the Project Appraisal has been approved.
12.19 The Project Appraisal for Section 2b is attached as Appendix 1 and drawings 17/A3/77/2B/023 and /024 will be displayed at the meeting.
13. Section 4 Waterlooville Early Consultation Response
13.1 Plans of the preliminary proposals for Waterlooville town centre were put on display for public consideration and comment in April 2002. The final results of this exercise will be the subject of a separate report but the main initial details relate to the use of Swiss Road as an alternative route for all bus services in the town centre and the extension of the London Road pedestrian zone.
13.2 The use of Swiss Road was supported by the South East Hampshire Transportation Strategy Panel in 2000 and developing this concept has determined that it would result in the loss of most, if not all, the existing 77 car parking spaces in Swiss Road (outside ASDA). Havant Borough Council owns the car park land but leases it to ASDA who, although initially receptive to the concept, has now stated its objection to the loss of any parking here. There is little or no scope to replace this parking elsewhere via accommodation works and the cost of compulsory purchase would be very high. It now seems that this is not a viable solution in the short term. Long term negotiations may produce a suitable result but this is unlikely within the current A3 programme.
13.3 The exhibition included a temporary alternative that allows the pedestrian zone to be extended, but bus access be retained across it from St George's Walk to Stakes Hill Road. This received significant support at the exhibition and is likely to be the most feasible way to achieve works in the short term and create time to further investigate Swiss Road to see if a long term solution can be found. This event will not delay the A3 corridor works in the town centre. Waterlooville is a major destination along the route and it is important that a good solution is adopted; a short term temporary solution that achieves the majority of the requirements without prejudicing the long term solution will be beneficial to all.
14. Project Related Issues
14.1 The County Council already has a Quality Partnership with the bus operator First which has helped establish the working partnerships on this project. A Quality Bus Partnership is now being prepared specifically for the A3 corridor to categorise and quantify the infrastructure and service improvements being delivered by the local authorities and bus operator respectively. These are being introduced incrementally over the five year programme of construction so that the mutual benefits achieved are greater than the sum of the individual parts.
14.2 The A3 corridor is a major element of the SHRT network which, as it develops, is most likely to grow to include network-based branding and marketing. In the meantime there is a need to herald the changes that are starting to take place on the A3, and the County Council is working with Portsmouth City Council and First to create a short term branding to reflect this and be used for immediate marketing. This will include new bus livery and coordinated bus shelter branding to start showing that the corridor service is more than just another bus route.
14.3 Real-Time Passenger Information (RTPI) is being developed for the A3 corridor to provide high quality, accurate bus arrival information. It will form one of the first elements of a county-wide system that is being designed to meet national guidelines. It will be compatible with the similar new system being developed by Portsmouth City Council and it is intended that it will be provided at all bus shelters along the A3 corridor. It is planned to let the contract for this work in early 2003, with the first RTPI signs being installed the following year.
14.4 A closed circuit television (CCTV) system is being developed for the A3 corridor for use in both traffic monitoring and pedestrian security. This is supported by both Havant Borough Council and Hampshire Constabulary and negotiations are under way to clarify what the system's priority role will be, who will operate the pan, tilt and zoom cameras, and how the needs of other parties will be reconciled. It now seems most likely that security of passengers at bus stops will be the primary function for the CCTV, which could be managed by the Havant Borough Council control room, with a link to the Police for law enforcement and another link to the County Council's traffic control in Winchester for traffic monitoring.
14.5 New, high quality bus shelters are being ordered for the A3 corridor to improve waiting facilities and create a distinct character along the route. These will complement new shelters being ordered by Portsmouth City Council, which are made from similar materials but of a different design more appropriate to a city centre. Innovative floor level lighting is being considered for Section 2b bus stops to assist the visually impaired.
14.6 Significant work is being undertaken on issues related to sustainability and these are described in Appendix 3.
15. Portsmouth City Council
15.1 Portsmouth City Council has been progressing elements of its work on its part of the corridor:
(i) the Cosham compound is to be rebuilt as a better interchange with the rail station. Inquiries are ongoing to get the existing listed tram shelter relocated to Gun Wharf or some other location where it can be reused and maintained;
(ii) the Coach and Horses roundabout and Hilsea to Doyle Avenue bus lanes have been the subject of two public consultations and have now been constructed;
(iii) Doyle Avenue to Torrington Road bus lanes have been exhibited to the public recently and it is planned to construct these before the end of 2002;
(iv) consideration is being given to what measures can be employed at North End; and
(v) bus lanes and improved pedestrian access from the Civic Centre to Southsea Station are being created by reconstructing Isambard Brunel Way. Funding of approximately £900,000 has been acquired for this and work has already started.
15.2 The City Council will continue to develop elements for its part of the route over the remaining Local Transport Plan (LTP) period. Recently, it has been awarded special capital funding for Intelligent Transport Systems within the city and some of the resulting improvements (eg bus-mounted tracking systems for RTPI) will be shared with the A3 corridor and other bus services that go beyond the city boundary.
16. Future Funding
16.1 Since preparing the financial bid for the A3 corridor works for the 2001- 2006 LTP more detailed design with additional integrated improvements has been completed, allowing a more accurate project cost estimate to be determined. This is significantly more than provided for in the LTP settlement; therefore, a Major Scheme Bid was prepared for the A3 corridor and submitted to the Department for Transport on 31 July 2002. At present there is sufficient capital funding for the first two sections of the corridor and, if successful, the bid will fund all scheme costs from April 2003. If it is not successful a bid may be resubmitted in July 2003 before alternative options are explored.
17. Overall Programme
17.1 A copy of the current project programme is attached as Appendix 4. The site start of Section 1 was delayed while the PTC was finalised but this is not expected to significantly affect the final finish date.
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 |
A3 Bus Priority Corridor Scheme Files 13/3/33 |
County Surveyor's Department Bureau/Implementation Team |
7307/GT
APPENDIX 1
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT |
PROJECT APPRAISAL |
_____________________________________________
10 SEPTEMBER 2002
_____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
PROJECT: |
SOUTH HAMPSHIRE RAPID TRANSIT A3 PORTSMOUTH-WATERLOOVILLE-HORNDEAN PUBLIC TRANSPORT PRIORITY CORRIDOR SECTION 2B PURBROOK TO WATERLOOVILLE |
____________________________________________________________________
COMMENCEMENT DATE: |
APRIL 2003 |
COMPLETION DATE: |
NOVEMBER 2003 |
PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2003/04 |
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
1. |
FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer) |
____________________________________________________________________
Current |
Capital | ||||
Estimate |
Programme | ||||
(at Feb '02 |
(at Feb '02 | ||||
prices) |
prices) | ||||
Capital Expenditure |
£'000 |
£'000 | |||
Land to be purchased |
Nil |
Nil | |||
Construction |
4,250 |
4,250 | |||
Fees |
350 |
350 | |||
4,600 |
4,600 | ||||
Less developers/ |
Nil |
Nil | |||
other contributions |
|||||
4,600 |
4,600 | ||||
Financial provision for total scheme |
Total Cost | ||||
1. |
From Committees own resources |
||||
(a) Capital programme (as above) |
|||||
2002/03 |
0 |
4,600 | |||
(b) Other |
|||||
2. |
From other resources |
||||
TOTAL |
4,600 | ||||
Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £ - Public highway only | |||||
Variations from capital programme |
|||||
Revenue implications |
£'000 |
% variation | |||
to Committee's | |||||
budget | |||||
Net current expenditure |
3 |
0.004 | |||
Capital charges |
442 |
0.462 | |||
TOTAL net expenditure |
445 |
0.466 | |||
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
2. |
STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT (Client Department) |
____________________________________________________________________
Local and national need to develop sustainable transport and reduce and manage traffic growth has created a clear demand for public transport alternatives to car and road travel. Transportation studies and investigations have resulted in the South Hampshire Rapid Transit (SHRT) network, which is a system of public transport schemes for southern Hampshire to help relieve and supplement the existing road network. The A3 corridor has been identified by SHRT as a route requiring a high quality public transport service to help manage travel demand in line with corporate strategy aims. | |
Section 1 Widley to Purbrook of the A3 corridor was approved by the former Planning and Transportation Committee on 22 January 2001, together with the proposal to use an innovative Project Term Contract (PTC) to procure the construction of all sections of the route. The details of the PTC were approved by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources in January 2002 and the contract was subsequently let to Dyer and Butler Limited. The project appraisal for Section 2b Purbrook to Waterlooville must be approved before the advanced site preparation and diversionary works can start in September 2002 and the main works in early 2003. | |
A project appraisal for Section 2a Purbrook village is planned for November 2002 so that the relatively small amount of highway work can be included in the second section of the main roadworks. |
____________________________________________________________________
3. |
ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department) |
____________________________________________________________________
National/County network and policies | ||
The promotion and enhancement of public transport is one of the key methods of achieving a sustainable transport network. The creation of improved, high quality bus services and infrastructure is identified in the County Council's Road Traffic Reduction Act Report 2000 as the type of measure necessary to achieve this objective. | ||
Details of scheme and design standards | ||
Section 2b was previously referred to as Section 3 but because Purbrook village involved little highway construction Section 3 has been brought forward to provide a significant second phase for the construction work. Section 2 has been renamed 2a so that it can also be included in the second phase of construction. | ||
Section 2b of the A3 corridor starts immediately north of Purbrook village and extends 1,300 metres north to just south of Waterlooville. Section 2b and the corridor generally consist of: | ||
(i) |
3.65 metre wide shared bus and cycle lanes for approximately the whole length of Section 2b; | |
(ii) |
a traffic signal bus gate for southbound vehicles just north of Purbrook. This includes new traffic islands for the traffic signal poles but no facilities for pedestrians to cross (refer to display plan for greater detail). While built of permanent construction it will undergo 18 months of operational trials, after which its performance will be reviewed to determine if it is to remain a permanent feature; | |
(iii) |
new high quality bus shelters with seating, lighting and public information terminals at important stops. A Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) system is being established for southern Hampshire and the A3 corridor will incorporate the first elements of this system. In addition, CCTV surveillance is being provided for traffic monitoring and passenger security at bus stops; | |
(iv) |
single lane carriageway for all other vehicles, with right-hand turn lanes for suitably busy side road junctions; | |
(v) |
two new pedestrian refuges to assist crossing the road; | |
(vi) |
a reduction in speed limit from 40 miles per hour (mph) to 30 mph to improve road safety and the local environment, especially for pedestrians and cyclists; and | |
(vii) |
fencing and off-site planting accommodation works associated with the dedication of three small strips of land on the west side of the road, to facilitate continuity of the northbound bus lane and avoid the need for retaining walls. | |
The design adheres to national and Hampshire County Council standards and specifications. Refer to display plans for Section 2b details and attached location plan for Section 2b within the corridor. | ||
Environmental impact | ||
The proposed works will require the removal of some existing hedges and trees. Three short hedges approximately 35, 50 and 20 metres in length were assessed according to the Hedge Row Regulations and found to have no ecological importance. None of the trees have Tree Preservation Orders. It is proposed to provide new hedge planting and trees to replace those lost, and also to extend the hedge to be continuous between Purbrook and Waterlooville. This will result in an overall environmental benefit. The need for retaining walls has been avoided by agreeing land dedications so that sloping grass banks can be used instead. No planning permissions are required. | ||
Land requirements | ||
All works are to be confined within the highway boundary with the exception of three strips of adjacent land on the west side of the A3. These are being dedicated for highway use by the landowner in order to avoid the need for retaining walls, which would be needed to support the higher adjacent land after the road has been widened. The strips are not essential to the scheme but add financial and environmental benefit and can be achieved with simple negotiation, since the landowner supports the proposal. | ||
Consideration was given to a set back rural footway along the west side of the road but the landowner was not supportive of the much greater land dedication required. There may also be personal security problems when footways are not part of an open streetscape. | ||
Statutory procedures | ||
Traffic Regulation Orders are required to create the bus and cycle lanes, restrict parking and loading in the new lanes and reduce the speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph. Appropriate plans and details were advertised and displayed between 27 June and 18 July 2002. Three objections and two letters of support were received. Additional objections have been received about the proposed bus gate and while this does not require an Order the issue warrants similar consideration. Details of the objections and responses can be found in Appendix 5 and the Orders are to be made under delegated powers. | ||
Public consultation | ||
Regular progress reports have been made to the South East Hampshire Transportation Strategy Joint Members' Panel over the last two years about the principles and progress of the A3 corridor and the sections being worked on. | ||
Bi-monthly Steering Group meetings have been held with representatives from Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Havant Borough Council, East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire Constabulary and First (the main bus operator for the route) to discuss and develop the proposals. | ||
All residents fronting this section of the A3 or living locally were invited to a public exhibition of the preliminary proposals on Thursday, 30 November, Friday, 1 and Saturday, 2 December 2000 at the Methodist Church Hall, Purbrook. This was the second in a series of exhibitions being carried out (one for each section of the route). The event was reasonably well attended by local residents and from questionnaires 89% were in support of the proposals. | ||
Following this, meetings have been held with local residents living adjacent to the proposed southbound traffic signal bus gate to discuss their concerns about access to their properties and the general impact on their way of life. Details of this are included in the covering progress report and it is proposed to build the bus gate now but review its performance after 18 months. The potential to use a variable message road sign as part of the works will be investigated. | ||
The local landowner has been approached to enquire if he would consider dedicating some strips of land on the west side of the road to avoid the need for retaining walls. This has been agreed to in exchange for appropriate fencing and hedge and tree planting accommodation works. | ||
The local Member, Councillor McIntosh, supports the principles of the A3 Bus Priority Corridor as a means of promoting public transport to make it a viable alternative to using the car. However, he shares the concerns of local residents about the impact of the bus gate on their ability to access and enjoy their homes and has submitted a deputation to the County Surveyor containing 30 objections to the loss of existing trees and hedge and the preference of many for a rural west side footway. The bus gate is being proposed as a trial, the rural footway is not feasible without the landowner's support and the existing trees and hedge can only be retained by excluding most, if not all, of the northbound bus lane in Section 2b. A summary of the representations received is set out in Appendix 2. | ||
Facilities for the disabled | ||
The local Access Group in Havant has been consulted and supports the features being included. All bus stops are being upgraded to include raised kerbs for level access to the buses and an audio version of the RTPI will be provided for the visually impaired. Generally the footway surface and kerb crossings will be improved as part of the works. | ||
Maintenance implications | ||
Structural carriageway repairs and upgraded street lighting are being carried out as part of the construction. The coloured bus and cycle lane surfacing utilises a cement grout to give it rut and chemical resistance. It can be bead blasted to reinstate the colour if it fades through wear and tear or to hide patching repairs. Where possible utility services have been diverted under the footway to minimise the need for future road openings. Existing gully drains will be replaced with linear kerb drains to improve the surface for cyclists and cater for the increased impermeable area. | ||
Crime and Disorder Act 1998 | ||
In order to improve public safety all new bus shelters use clear side wall materials for conspicuity and include lighting. All materials are vandal resistant and help points will be included at busier stops. | ||
Full pan, tilt and zoom CCTV cameras will be used to give security surveillance to the majority of bus shelters. They will be linked to Havant Borough Council's 24 hour control room, which can share security images directly with the Police control centre and traffic data with the Hampshire Traffic and Travel centre in Winchester. | ||
The Police have been consulted regularly about the development of the project and have not raised any issues about crime and disorder. | ||
Sustainability | ||
The creation and enhancement of the public transport network is a key principle in delivering a sustainable transport strategy. | ||
The A3 corridor project features as a leading highway construction scheme within Hampshire County Council's Corporate Strategy for Sustainable Development. It has developed and is employing methods of recycling existing materials in situ, waste reduction, recycling and sourcing materials in an environmentally sensitive manner. A detailed summary of the project related sustainability issues is included in Appendix 3. | ||
___________________________________________________________________
4. |
ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED (Client Department) |
____________________________________________________________________
Various options for a north-south link between Portsmouth and Horndean were studied as part of the transportation studies undertaken for the South Hampshire Rapid Transit network. Neither an off-road solution nor an on-road tram-based system were very feasible and an on-road bus system with priority features using the A3 corridor was recommended as the most suitable solution. | |
The proposed scheme is the second section in the creation of a public transport corridor along the A3. It is a practical and viable solution for the reallocation of existing road space. | |
Land was safeguarded for some time along the A3(T) for the construction of a dual carriageway. The construction of the A3(M) has resulted in this changing to land safeguarded for a public transport scheme, although this land is not part of the current proposals. | |
The long development of this route may ultimately lead to the creation of continuous bus lanes in each direction, perhaps used by guided buses or even trams. | |
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APPENDIX 2
A3 Bus Priority Corridor - Section 2b Purbrook to Waterlooville
Summary of Representations from Councillor McIntosh
In July 2002 Councillor McIntosh undertook an independent consultation of local residents about the road widening proposals for Section 2b. He received 32 letters in response, five from Havant Borough Councillors and 27 from local residents (representing 24 properties). Most responses focused on the issues raised by Councillor McIntosh which can be summarised as (with the number of times raised in brackets):
(i) road widening proposals were not mentioned during the public exhibition or subsequently (17);
(ii) extreme concern at the proposed loss of existing hedgerow and trees, again not mentioned at the public exhibition (27); and
(iii) general support for Councillor McIntosh's proposed `rural' footway (12).
There were some other less frequent comments, typically to do with how the construction of Section 1 is being carried out, general opinions about the scheme concept and specific details relating to their property.
The main points raised are covered in the progress report but summary responses to each are:
(i) the public exhibition was based on the preliminary design and the road widening implications had not yet been identified;
(ii) it is recognised that the hedge and trees have amenity value, which is why the road widening proposals include replacement planting (significantly more than would be removed); and
(iii) the `rural' footway would require a lot of land, which the landowner has not agreed. However, this can still be pursued through the West of Waterlooville Major Development Area.
APPENDIX 3
A3 Bus Priority Corridor - Section 2b Purbrook to Waterlooville
Sustainability
The A3 corridor project features as a leading highway construction scheme within Hampshire County Council's Corporate Strategy for Sustainable Development. The project is continually seeking to progressively develop each of the 12 themes.
(i) Community cooperation - To complement the normal public consultation process of exhibition and public feedback, for each section of the project workshop sessions are held with traders and other key organisations. As the design of each section is developed feedback is given to local residents and traders in the form of letters with larger plans on display in the site offices, Purbrook. Finally, during the construction of each section regular newsletters are distributed.
(ii) Water, air and soil - As the design develops the project endeavours to reduce, reuse and recycle materials.
Through working closely with the main contractor methods have been developed and are being employed of recycling existing materials in situ, waste reduction, stockpiling of surplus materials, removed for future works rather than landfilling as waste, recycling and sourcing materials in an environmentally sensitive manner.
(iii) Shaping of surroundings - The project makes provision to protect and improve the quality of the built environment, by assessing and replacing existing street furniture and highway materials that have exceeded their life cycle, to ensure the A3 London Road corridor will have a minimum 20 year maintenance free extension for materials.
A pallet common to materials, types and colours of street furniture has been agreed, giving the corridor local identity. Shortly the entire route from Portsmouth to Horndean will be enhanced further with a branding livery for buses and bus shelters raising awareness of the route.
The project endeavours to protect and improve landspace quality, by retaining existing trees and hedges wherever possible. If partial clearance is required to permit construction works, replacement planting of a higher standard using native and not self-set species is proposed.
(iv) Biodiversity - The scheme seeks to ensure that natural habitats for wildlife and flora are protected. All hedgerows are assessed in accordance with the Hedgerow Regulations and the County Council's Arboricultural Section examines the state of all trees. Where hedgerow management, tree canopy lifting or felling works are carried out, work generally occurs outside the nesting season. Recently, Dyer and Butler commissioned a specialist ornithologist to facilitate the removal of a hedge in Section 1 during the season as no nests were found.
New planting where proposed for field hedgerows in Section 2b will seek to create a new habitat for birds, insects and other wildlife.
Dyer and Butler is using a workforce living locally to the project to minimise the length of the journey.
(v) Purchasing and procurement - The project, wherever feasible, seeks to use recycled or part recycled materials. Dyer and Butler is encouraged through the partnering aspects of the contract to suggest more efficient methods and materials.
(vi) Improving health and social well-being - By providing a bus priority corridor comprising dual bus and cycle lanes for most of its length, supplemented by smaller sections of on and off-road cycle route and improved footways, the key aim of this scheme is partly achieved. The challenge is to ensure use and this will hopefully be achieved through community cooperation, education and publicity.
(vii) Waste - The design process involves the interaction of various design offices both within and outside Hampshire County Council. Email correspondence and electronic transfer of documents is used predominantly to reduce the amount of printed copies.
Under the construction contract Dyer and Butler is required to recycle all materials removed, ideally within the project, and if not through a recycling processing centre.
The contractor has used a kerb planer that pulverises the existing kerbs in situ to a granular material that is then used as base for the new footway. The project is expected to create significant proportions of surplus planings which are due to be stockpiled for future use on other sections.
(viii) Social inclusion - Working closely with local access groups and ROVI the scheme's infrastructure, street furniture, passenger facilities and bus fleet are being developed to ensure equal access for all.
All bus stops have high kerbs to assist low floor buses and new high quality bus shelters. Real-time units and information kiosks are being developed for the corridor.
A trial is proposed for Section 2b for all bus stops to be fitted with solar powered LED discs to guide passengers to the door of the bus. Other technologies to assist passengers with special needs are due to be investigated for the bus stops.
(ix) Developing a sustainable local economy - The project recognises the importance of sustaining the local economy, including supporting village shops. To achieve this, special attention is taken to ensure local shops and other key destinations such as churches retain adequate parking and exist in a pleasant environment. The treatment of private forecourts to blend into the adjoining highway is linked directly with `Shaping our Surroundings'.
(x) Travel and transport - The A3 bus priority project will provide a viable and reliable alternative to car travel. Throughout the design and construction period the project teams from Hampshire County Council, Atkins and the contractor are encouraged to think about the resources, money and time spent on travelling and consider whether a more economical, environmentally friendly way of travelling is feasible.
The intention, wherever possible, is to keep the main site office compound central to the works. However, for Section 2 it is expected that the main office will be retained with a smaller day office/compound, with welfare facilities on the new section to reduce site based journeys.
An electric assisted bike is available for Hampshire County Council site staff to use instead of the car.
(xi) Crime and Disorder - During the selection of a pallet of materials and finishes for the A3 London Road corridor, particular attention has been paid to the vandal-resistant nature of materials chosen for street furniture.
As part of the project, CCTV cameras are proposed to monitor traffic flow. Discussions are currently under way with the Police and Havant Borough Council to change the emphasis to crime prevention first and traffic second. If successfully implemented this will help Hampshire County Council with its duty under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
(xii) Climate change and energy use - Currently investigations are in hand to install clean energy bus shelters for Section 2b. Comprising a combination of solar and wind it is envisaged that sufficient power will be generated for internal lighting, bus kerb disc lighting and the operation of Real-Time Passenger Information.