AT A MEETING of the CENTRAL HAMPSHIRE AREA RURAL TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY PANEL held on Tuesday, 22 October 2002 at The Castle, Winchester.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); P.K. Mason; Sir James J. Scott

Also in attendance: Councillor J.K. West

Winchester City Council

Councillors: Mrs. C. Bailey; Mrs. C. Sutton; R. Knasel

Also in attendance: Councillors: B. Lipscomb; J. Beveridge; P. Davies

East Hampshire District Council

Councillor: Mrs. S. Halstead

Also in attendance: Councillors: Mrs. E. Cartwright; Mrs. A. Storey; I. Godfrey

19. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations made under this item.

20. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 15 March 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

(i) Minute 13 (B2177 Route Corridor Strategy) - Councillor Mrs. Sutton requested an update in respect of this item. The Chairman confirmed that this would be covered under Item 10 of the agenda.

21. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no issues arising under this item.

22. DEPUTATIONS

No requests to make deputations had been received.

23. TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Panel received the report of the County Surveyor (Item 5 in the Minute Book) informing Members of the progress of the schemes included in the Central Hampshire Rural Transportation Strategy Programme for 2002/03 and 2003/04.

Councillor Knasel requested information in respect of the B3354/B2177 Fishers Pond junction improvements as mentioned at the recent Winchester Highway Management Advisory Panel. Officers agreed to investigate and respond to Councillor Knasel in due course.

Officers amplified areas of the report and answered Members' detailed questions.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

24. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2002

The Panel considered the report of the County Surveyor (Item 6 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the progress of the delivery of the Local Transport Plan, which demonstrated to Government how well Hampshire was implementing the plan.

It was noted that a deficit was being experienced in respect of roads and footpaths maintenance and that this was being brought to the attention of other Cabinet Members as a matter of urgency.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

25. TAPESTRY - UPDATE

The Panel received the report of the County Surveyor (Item 7 in the Minute Book) updating Members of progress on TAPESTRY (Travel Awareness, Publicity and Education supporting a Sustainable Strategy in Europe) and in particular drew Members attention to the campaign objectives as detailed in paragraph 2.3 of the report.

The Panel were made aware that a leaflet entitled "Do More, Do Less" was in the process of being printed and would be sent to all Members of the Panel as soon as possible. The County Surveyor confirmed that the leaflet would also be distributed to Parish Councils.

The Panel noted an amendment to the penultimate sentence of paragraph 6.2 of the report as follows:-

"During the month of July questionnaires were sent out to 600 out of 5,000 households in the Study area".

RESOLVED:

That Members note the progress on the TAPESTRY project and that a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Panel.

26. BANK STREET, BISHOPS WALTHAM - TRAFFIC CALMING

The Panel received a report of the County Surveyor (Item 8 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the traffic calming scheme in Bishops Waltham. The County Surveyor stated that a trial scheme was due to have started in August 2002 but due to unforeseen circumstances this had been delayed and was due to start as soon as possible. During the discussion Members reiterated the importance of consultation with Planning Officers at district level. The County Surveyor noted this and would liaise with Members direct.

RESOLVED:

That the progress on the Bishops Waltham traffic calming scheme be noted.

27. STEEP TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Panel received the report of the County Surveyor (Item 9 in the Minute Book) informing Members about the Steep Traffic Management Plan 2002 which evolved from the Parish Council's work on their village design statement. Members acknowledged the effort that had gone into the production and presentation of this plan which was produced solely by the Parish Council.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that a funding allocation for Steep will be required from the Transport Capital Programme.

28. B2177 ROUTE CORRIDOR STRATEGY - TWYFORD VILLAGE CONSULTATION

The Panel received a report of the County Surveyor (Item 10 in the Minute Book) summarising the responses to the B3335 Twyford Village Traffic Management Scheme. In particular, the County Surveyor drew attention to Section 5 which detailed the suggestions for modifying the scheme as a result of consultation.

The Panel viewed the report as encouraging and were impressed with the meticulous detail presented to Members of the public during the consultation process.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the Panel note the outcomes of the consultation.


(ii) That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the Panel:


(a) note the proposed modifications;


(b) ask that the detailed designs be undertaken to take the scheme forward to implementation; and


(c) ask that work be undertaken to investigate pedestrian crossing facilities at the traffic signals in the village centre.

29. POLICY AND SCHEME UPDATE

The Panel received a report of the County Surveyor (Item 11 in the Minute Book) detailing the progress on several studies and schemes being undertaken to implement the Central Hampshire Rural Transport Strategy.

Members suggested that there was a need for public consultation. The County Surveyor reported that a scheduled meeting with the Highways Agency on the A3 Hindhead scheme would discuss the issues raised.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

30. ALTON TRANSPORT PROPOSALS - DRAFT PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The Panel received the report of the County Surveyor (Item 12 in the Minute Book) summarising the draft Alton transport proposals being prepared for public consultation.

The Panel noted the importance of this consultation and requested further information. The County Surveyor was invited to attend a forthcoming meeting of the Alton Local Area Committee as part of the consultation process.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised to endorse the draft Alton transport proposals for further development as part of the forthcoming public consultation.

31. DATE, TIME AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED:

It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Panel would be held on Wednesday, 19 February 2003 at 2.00 p.m., at a venue to be confirmed.

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