Archived decisions

Contact: Lionel Newman, ext 6051

1. Summary

1.1 On 10 September 2002 the Executive Member for Environment approved amendments to the 2002/03 transport capital programme by increasing allocations for Winchester Station Interchange, Chandlers Ford Rail Station, the A33 in Basingstoke and Petersfield town centre. The current forecasts for capital expenditure on transport in 2003/04, including preparation costs of Phase 1 of the South Hampshire Rapid Transit project, show an excess of spending over resources. Although additional resources are being sought from the Department for Transport (DfT) through the Local Transport Plan (LTP) process, a contingency plan needs to be prepared in case extra funding is not made available. The Area Transportation Strategy Panels were therefore requested to review their programmes for 2003/04 and 2002/03 schemes not yet committed, and to advise the Executive Member for Environment on priorities for early implementation.

1.2 This report reviews progress on the schemes included in the North East Hampshire Transport Strategy (NEHTS) programme for the years 2002/03 and 2003/04 agreed by this Panel on 13 February 2002.

2. County-wide Overall Funding Position

2.1 The current forecasts for 2003/04 for transport, including South Hampshire Rapid Transit preparation, integrated transport (area strategies and county-wide programmes) and structural maintenance of highways and bridges show an excess of spending over resources. Additional funding is being sought through a major scheme bid with respect to the A3 Bus Priority scheme, and also through the LTP process, but it is necessary to consider a contingency plan in case the funding is not made available for 2003/04. Decisions are expected from the Government in December 2002 on the funding support available for the County Council in 2003/04.

Progress on the County-wide 2002/03 Programme

2.2 The 2002/03 capital programme was approved in January 2002 and amended at the Executive Member meeting in May 2002. A number of schemes were carried forward from the 2001/02 programme, and some credit approvals were carried forward into 2002/03.

2.3 In summary, the 2002/03 transport capital programme position (credit approval funded schemes only) is now as follows:

Spending Forecast (includes spending from schemes started in 2001/02 and before, and fees for future schemes)

Resources Available (to cover spending in 2002/03)

2.4 Additional resources have been sought to cover the difference between the forecast and the resources. In the event of no additional resources becoming available the 2002/03 integrated transport spending will be held at no more than £17.1 million so that spending balances resources. This will result in an additional £4.3 million integrated transport spending being incurred in 2003/04.

3. County-wide Funding Position 2003/04

3.1 The County Council has indicative allocations of Government funding through the LTP process for the period 2003/04 to 2005/06. These allocations do not include any increased allocations that may come forward as a result of the latest Annual Progress Report (APR) submission, through the single capital pot or as a result of the major scheme bid made for the A3 Bus Corridor project.

Indicative allocations are:

3.2 The current spending forecasts (assuming a £17.1 million spend in 2002/03 on integrated transport) and full implementation of the currently approved programme, plus the A3 and Light Rapid Transit/SHRT projects, are:

3.3 The above totals show a forecast spending above minimum resource levels. Information will not be available until mid-December 2002 concerning any additional funding for 2003/04 from the LTP process, specific support for major schemes (SHRT or A3 corridor) or funding through the single capital pot. The Hampshire programmes have been deliberately prepared above these minimum resource levels so that the County Council is in a good position to respond to any new initiatives and funding sources.

4. NEHTS Capital Programmes 2002/03 and 2003/04

4.1 The transport programmes for 2002/03 and 2003/04 for the NEHTS area, as advised to this Panel on 13 February 2002, are set out in the attached appendix. The programme was planned to produce annual spending in accordance with LTP funding available each year. The appendix also includes schemes to be funded from external sources, principally developers' contributions. These schemes are generally included only for 2002/03 to 2003/04, as beyond this date there is less certainty about the likely availability of funding, which is usually related to the progress of the development.

4.2 Since the 13 February 2002 meeting, schemes have been developed, some in outline and others to a more advanced stage, such as the Bus Service 1 Priority Route in Farnborough. Progress on the 2002/03 schemes in the programme, excluding those externally funded, is as follows:

(i) A325 Corridor, Blackwater Valley Bus Service 1

(a) The project appraisal for the £3 million scheme was approved by the Executive Member for Environment in May 2002, and subsequently by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on 13 June 2002;

(b) works are planned to start on the ground in early October, initially between Boundary Road and Pinehurst roundabout. This section is subject to a sectional completion of 10 weeks;

(c) the remainder of the works, up to Bradfords roundabout, will be commenced in late November, with a construction period estimated to last 38 weeks.

(ii) North Camp Regeneration with Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) project

(a) Feasibility study completed, two options for Camp Road;

(b) discussions with traders and residents in September;

(c) public consultation/exhibition early October;

(d) possible scheme start date March 2003.

(iii) Intelligent Transport Systems

Bus departure information screens at Aldershot bus station and Kingsmead, Farnborough implementation before March 2003, to assist Blackwater Valley Bus Service 1.

(iv) Village Traffic Management

(a) South Warnborough

This village lies astride the B3349 which links the M3 at junction 5 with Alton. In cooperation with the Parish Council, a scheme is currently being developed which, it is hoped, will reduce traffic speeds so that the current 40 miles per hour (mph) speed limit may be reduced to 30 mph. The proposals include revised road markings, a pedestrian refuge and three traffic islands which will improve conditions for local pedestrians, including schoolchildren.

(b) Hook

Old Reading Road is a shortcut between the A30 in the centre of the village and the B3349 towards Reading, and is thus prone to relatively high volumes of through traffic. In order to address this issue trials using temporary kerbs to form priority build-outs and pinch-points are currently under way. Discussions with the Parish Council as to both effectiveness and acceptability of the measures are continuing.

(c) Odiham

A preliminary informal meeting with representatives of the Parish Council will be held in the near future to identify local priority issues.

(d) North Warnborough

This village is within Odiham Parish, so the above comments also apply.

4.3 As regards schemes included in the 2003/04 programme, feasibility or initial design work has started on the following:

(i) North Lane (at the railway bridge), Aldershot; traffic management scheme;

(ii) wider North Camp area traffic management to build on 2002/03 North Camp ROUA scheme;

(iii) B3272/A327/A30 Eversley to Blackwater Route Management Strategy (including Yateley town centre and safety schemes; see also agenda item 10);

(iv) Fleet town centre scheme (see also agenda item 7).

4.4 It would be regrettable, given the work already undertaken on the 2003/04 schemes, if funding were to be delayed. Any delay in funding would obviously have a significant effect on future years' programmes and ultimately implementation.

5. Conclusion

5.1 Implementation of the schemes listed in paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3 needs to progress in order to meet the objectives of NEHTS. At this time it is proposed to continue work on the schemes but Members should be mindful that due to the potential pressures on the county-wide 2003/04 budget there may need to be changes to the programme.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

7344/LN

APPENDIX

North East Hampshire Transport Strategy (NEHTS)

Programmes 2002/03 and 2003/04