AT A MEETING of the NORTH EAST HAMPSHIRE AREA TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY PANEL held at the Hart District Council Offices, Fleet on Wednesday

2 October 2002.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); A.P. Collett; J.K. Glen; R.J. Kimber;

M.J. Roberts.

Hart District Council

Councillors: N. Lambert; S.G. Parker; S.A. Wheale

Rushmoor Borough Council

Councillor Mrs P.M. Devereux; R.L.G. Dibbs; J.P. Matthews; A.J. Straker

14. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations made under this item.

15. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

It was noted that the Disability Action Plan had yet to be brought in. Officers would raise the issue with South West Trains.

16. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no issues arising under this item.

17. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

18. TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 5 in the Minute Book) which outlined the progress on schemes included in the North East Hampshire Area Transport Strategy programme for 2002/03 and 2003/04.

The County Surveyor reported that current forecasts for capital expenditure on transport in 2003/04 were showing an excess of spending over resources. Additional resources were being sought from the Department for Transport through the Local Transport Plan process. In the likelihood of extra funding not being made available, the Area Transportation Strategy Panels would be requested to review their programmes for 2003/04 and schemes not yet committed for 2002/03. It was agreed that prioritisation of schemes should be considered as appropriate at the next meeting of the Panel.

It was agreed that the County Surveyor would write to Councillor Glen and Hook Parish Council concerning the trial traffic calming measures in Hook, and to Councillor Lambert regarding the latest position for A287/Redfields Lane junction.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

19. NORTH EAST HAMPSHIRE TRANSPORT STRATEGY - MONITORING UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which set out details of additional monitoring undertaken during May and September 2002 as part of the North East Hampshire Area Transportation Strategy. Following concerns raised by Members over the lack of monitoring sites for the area west of Fleet, four new sites were identified and surveyed. In addition railway stations at Hook, Winchfield and Aldershot had been surveyed. The County Surveyor advised that the new sites would be included in the monitoring programme for future years. Members suggested that the `peak time' for rail travel started before the 0800 to 0900 period.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

20. POLICY AND SCHEME UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 7 in the Minute Book) which set out progress on various studies and schemes being undertaken in the North East Hampshire Transport Strategy area. The following matters arose (inter alia) in the course of the ensuing discussion:-

(i) Blackwater Valley Bus Service 1 Priority Route

The County Surveyor report that works were likely to begin by mid October.

Members raised concerns over the recent reduction in frequency of buses for this route. The County Surveyor advised that the current frequency of every 20 minutes was due to a shortage of drivers. It was hoped that the normal services of every 15 minutes would return by February 2003, following a review of services by the operator. Written confirmation of the


bus company's commitment to return to a 15 minute frequency was being sought.


(ii) Farnborough Town Centre Signing

Concerns were raised over the continued increase of costs for the scheme. The County Surveyor reported that significant development in the Farnborough area had led to the need for initial estimated costs to be revised.


(iii) North Camp, Farnborough

The County Surveyor advised that the meetings with residents, traders and local Councillors due to be held during September had yet to take place.


(iv) Blackwater Valley Mass Transit Study

The Panel expressed their disappointment over the exclusion of the Blackwater Valley Mass Transit Study from the draft South East England Regional Transport Strategy. It was agreed that the County Council need to continue in its efforts to push for its inclusion in the final Strategy.


(v) Fleet Town Centre Improvements

The Panel noted that the formal response received in April from Hart
District Council was in fact a response from the Leader and therefore not
the views of the entire Council.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

21. SOUTH EAST ENGLAND REGIONAL TRANSPORT STRATEGY - CONSULTATION

The Panel considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 8 in the Minute Book) highlighting the key issues of particular interest to North East Hampshire in respect of the draft South East England Regional Transport Strategy. The Panel reiterated its disappointment over the exclusion of the Blackwater Valley Mass Transit Study from the draft Strategy.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

22. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2002

The Panel considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the delivery of the Local Transport Plan and the content of the County Council's second Annual Progress Report submitted to the Government Office for the South East and the Department for Transport on 31 July 2002.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

23. B3272 (INCLUDING A30 AND A327) EVERSLEY TO BLACKWATER ROUTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

The Panel considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 10 in the Minute Book) which summarised the transportation issues and initial proposals for the B3272 between Eversley and Blackwater, the A30 between Hartfordbridge and Blackwater and the A327 Eversley to Hartfordbridge. The County Surveyor reported that the local County, District, Town and Parish Council members were due to be briefed on the draft proposals at a meeting on 8 October.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and the draft proposals for public consultation be endorsed.

24. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting of the Panel be held at Rushmoor Borough Council Offices at 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday 4 February 2003.

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