Archived decisions

Contact: Caroline Bonner, ext 6592

1. Summary

1.1 The purpose of this report is to inform Members about the Steep Traffic Management Plan 2002.

2. Background

2.1 Steep lies to the north of the A3 Petersfield Bypass and includes the area known locally as Little Switzerland (see attached location plan).

2.2 The Village Design Statement was published in July 2001 by Steep Parish Council and this identified the impact of traffic on the community as the single most important issue for the vast majority of households. As a result the Parish Council decided to prepare a Traffic Management Plan, and this work was undertaken by 15 residents representing different areas and interests of the village. A copy of the Parish Council Traffic Management Plan is attached for information.

2.3 A total of 37 proposals emerged from this initiative, on a wide range of topics including traffic calming, speed limits, school travel plans, new footways, minor highway works, signing, highway maintenance, public transport and cycling. These were then summarised in a questionnaire delivered to every household and business in the parish, and nearly 40% were returned. A public meeting was also held by the Parish Council during the consultation period. The results of the questionnaire enabled each proposal to be categorised as either "supported", "needing further examination" or "to be dropped".

2.4 This initiative was undertaken by the Parish Council alone and without reference to the County Council and other relevant bodies. Also the local group did recognise that the proposals would need to be technically assessed, and the issue of funding had not been addressed.

2.5 The finalised Traffic Management Plan was submitted to the County Council in July 2002, and a positive response to one suggestion has already been made. Bus route 95 links Steep and Froxfield with Petersfield and is financially supported by the County Council. Previously it ran through the village only on the C18, but this has now been amended to include a loop into Church Road with a U-turn at Bedales School, which is also about 250 metres from the County Infants School. Besides the potential benefits for school journeys, this routeing will save a walk of up to 500 metres for local residents. The effect on patronage will be monitored.

2.6 Discussions on the rest of the Plan will take place this autumn. Officers from the County Council have met representatives of the Parish Council to discuss some of the outcomes of the study. It is the County Council's intention to adopt a positive, but realistic, approach to the Traffic Management Plan.

2.7 Besides existing highway maintenance and traffic management revenue budgets, funding could be forthcoming from the Village Initiative, Safer Routes to School and Parish Partnership programmes. Funding from the Central Hampshire Rural Transport Strategy (CHARTS) Village Traffic Management heading would have to be assessed against other potential projects. Proposals for funding would also have to be assessed against the other county-wide projects within the Safer Routes to School and Parish Partnership programmes.

2.8 Overall, the initiative and commitment shown by both the Parish Council and the local community is to be commended. When the scale and costs of potential schemes are known funding will be sought from the Transport Capital Programme.

Recommendation

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

7400/CB