Archived decisions

Contact: Lionel Newman, ext 6051

1. Summary

1.1 This report sets out progress on several studies and schemes being undertaken in the North East Hampshire Transport Strategy (NEHTS) area, as follows:

(i) Blackwater Valley Bus Service 1 Priority Route

(ii) Farnborough Town Centre Signing

(iii) North Camp, Farnborough

(iv) Blackwater Valley Mass Transit Study

(v) Fleet Town Centre Improvements

(vi) Project Connaught (oral update from Rushmoor Borough Council)

2. Blackwater Valley Bus Service 1 Priority Route

2.1 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. Works are planned to start in early October at the southern end, at Boundary Road, and proceed northwards along Farnborough Road to Pinehurst roundabout. This work is scheduled to be completed in ten weeks. The remainder of the works northwards to Bradfords roundabout will commence in late November, with a construction period estimated to last approximately 38 weeks. Advanced publicity for Phase 1 of the scheme was issued after the exact start dates and programme arrangements had been agreed. Extensive publicity on the further phases of the scheme will be published throughout the contract.

3. Farnborough Town Centre Signing

3.1 The existing direction signing in Farnborough town centre has evolved over a number of years without any strategic plan and, as a result, there are many anomalies and inconsistencies leading to driver confusion and frustration. Additionally, in recent years there has been significant development in Farnborough and the signing system needs to be updated to reflect the changes and improve clarity.

3.2 A study has been carried out by the County Council's term consultants, Atkins, and a strategy for re-signing Farnborough has been developed in consultation with Farnborough Business Park, TAG (operator of the Aerodrome), QinetiQ (formerly DERA) and Rushmoor Borough Council. The main aims of the strategy are to improve clarity and consistency of the direction signing and ensure that the main business and Ministry of Defence (MoD) sites are adequately signed. A plan showing the proposed signing strategy will be displayed at the meeting. The strategy provides for the construction of the new Kennels Lane link road and options will be considered to change the signing if and when the new road is completed.

3.3 Implementation of the scheme is estimated to cost approximately £120,000 and will be funded from developer contributions. Work is currently ongoing to produce detailed sign designs and the scheme will be subject to a full project appraisal later this year.

4. North Camp, Farnborough

4.1 Hampshire County Council (through its Local Transport Plan and Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) programme), in partnership with Rushmoor Borough Council (through the North Camp Action Plan), is seeking to develop and implement transportation measures which, alongside streetscape improvements, will act as a catalyst towards revitalising the shopping area of North Camp.

4.2 A Sustainable Suburbs Study was commissioned from the Civic Trust by Hampshire County Council and Rushmoor Borough Council in 2000. This study identified ways of improving the quality of life and sustainability of North Camp and involved the community in decision making. Through community workshops, priorities and actions for the North Camp Action Plan were developed, which include a programme for implementation of actions with continued community involvement.

4.3 Atkins has undertaken a study of North Camp town centre, namely Camp Road and Lynchford Road. The initial recommendation is to continue the Camp Road treatment undertaken in 2000 and extend the style to Lynchford Road.

4.4 Currently there are two traffic management options under consideration. The first is the introduction of a one-way system through part of Lynchford Road and all of Camp Road. This option would include significant widening of footways and major reallocation of on-street car parking spaces. The second option is the retention of the existing two-way traffic on Camp Road, with enhanced pedestrian facilities in the form of pavement widening in Lynchford Road and more discrete pavement build-outs in Camp Road, and some changes to car parking allocation. Both options include new or improved pedestrian and cycling facilities in the centre, along with proposals to encourage better use of the two car parks available. The latter is to be achieved by addressing perceived security and safety issues within the car parks and their access. Both options would help to create an environment more conducive to shopping and pedestrian promenading, and could facilitate the development of a `café culture'.

4.5 To complete the treatment, it is proposed to develop a gateway to North Camp at the junction of Camp Road and Old Lynchford Road, with a pedestrian crossing speed table at the junction, and a prominent entrance feature on the St Albans open space. Further gateway/branding measures at other entrance points are also suggested.

4.6 Meetings were held with residents, traders and local councillors in September 2002 to explain the traffic management options for Camp Road and Lynchford Road. Proposals for public consultation have been prepared and the exhibition will be held in early October.

5. Blackwater Valley Mass Transit Study

5.1 Consultants Steer Davies Gleave (SDG) were appointed by Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Surrey County Council and Hampshire County Council in December 2001 to undertake the above study. The brief set out the requirements for a scoping exercise to be carried out as a first stage in investigating whether a mass transit system should be developed in the Blackwater Valley area.

5.2 The study required the consultants to consider the need for a mass transit system for the area and identify the market conditions needed to support it, and to provide an indication of the sort of mass transit system that would be appropriate. The three specific objectives needed to be addressed during the course of the study were:

(i) identify potential routes which would form part of a mass transit system;

(ii) identify a number of scenarios with different levels of provision by different modes, with appropriate cost/benefit analysis; and

(iii) in circumstances where it is considered that mass transit would not be viable, provide an assessment of alternatives which could be introduced to alleviate current road traffic and rail congestion.

5.3 It is anticipated that the study will be completed by the end of September 2002 and Members will receive a presentation of the findings. The study will provide an important link with the Blackwater Valley Sub-Regional study which the local authorities are promoting for the sub-region. Regional Planning Guidance (RPG9) recognises the status of the Blackwater Valley as a special sub-region of economic importance. However, in response to the South East Regional Transport Strategy (see agenda item 8), the County Council has expressed its disappointment that the mass transit system in the Blackwater Valley area is not included as a priority scheme.

6. Fleet Town Centre Improvements

6.1 Following the meeting on 13 February 2002 further consultation has been undertaken and additional work done on the preferred scheme and associated traffic management measures.

6.2 Consultation undertaken between March and August 2002 is summarised below:

March - Hampshire County Council web site established with summaries of reports, also placed in Fleet Library and Hart District Council offices for public viewing.

- Meeting with Fleet Town Centre Management Group (FTCMG).

- 200+ letters delivered to retail/commercial organisations along Fleet Road informing them of proposals.

April - Newsletter 1 distributed to 11,000 households in Fleet and 100 organisations/individuals who had commented.

- Meeting with FTCMG who agreed to set up sub-groups to look at environment, traffic and parking.

- Executive Member decision to abandon Inner Relief Road.

- Meeting with representatives of local Chamber of Commerce and FTCMG.

- Presentation by the County Council to Hart District Council full Council meeting of revised scheme. Proposals displayed in District Council offices.

- Hart District Council formal response, supporting preferred scheme with minor reservations.

May - Meeting with Fleet Civic Society and Fleet Residents' Association.

- Meeting of Parking Sub-Group chaired by Hart District Council's Portfolio Holder for Development.

- Councillor Estlin attended evening meeting/exhibition to answer questions from the public.

June - Meeting between Hart District Council and County Council Executive Members to agree way forward, including consideration of additional FTCMG suggestions.

- NEHTS Panel scheduled for 28 June deferred.

July - Further meeting between Executive Members when Hart District Council agreed to forward to the County Council's FTCMG one-way preferences for technical evaluation.

August - Consultants undertake attitudinal survey to inform considerations of parking/access issues.

- Hampshire County Council received FTCMG one-way preferences and consultants commissioned to re-evaluate.

September - Consultants technical re-evaluation of one-way preferences sent to Hart District Council for consideration.

6.3 At the meetings between Executive Members, Hart District Council agreed to investigate some of the associated traffic management measures. As listed in the consultation, a formal response supporting the revised Fleet Road scheme, with some minor reservations, was received from Hart District Council by the Executive Member in April. Following considerations of the technical re-evaluation of one-way preferences it is hoped that a further letter will clarify the position of Hart District Council to the scheme so that work on design can now be progressed.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

7353/LIN