Contact: Caroline Bonner, ext 6592

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 (SHRT) 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 Central Hampshire Rural Transport Strategy (CHARTS) programme for the years 2002/03 and 2003/04 agreed by this Panel on 15 March 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.

The 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. CHARTS Capital Programmes 2002/03 and 2003/04

4.1 The transport programmes for 2002/03 and 2003/04 for the CHARTS area, as agreed on 15 March 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 An additional £200,000 has been allocated to the CHARTS 2002/03 programme for Petersfield town centre improvements and the 20 miles per hour zone. The increased allocation will meet the cost of the environmental improvements for The Square and High Street. This increased allocation is in addition to £365,000 extra funding previously allocated to the 2001/02 programme for the same scheme, which was approved by the Executive Member for Environment in October 2001 (reported to Members in March 2002) (see paragraph 4.3 for details on this scheme.)

4.3 Since the meeting on 15 March 2002 schemes have been developed, some in outline and others to a more advanced stage. Progress on the 2002/03 schemes, excluding those externally funded, is as follows:

(i) B2177 Corridor, Twyford to Wickham

(a) The first village to be looked at as part of the route corridor is Twyford village. A traffic management scheme for Twyford has been designed and was consulted on in July 2002.

(b) The results of the consultation are the subject of a separate report on the agenda.

(c) The next village along the route corridor to be progressed will be Colden Common.

(ii) Denmead Village

(a) The previous ideas put forward by Winchester City Council concentrated solely on the centre of the village. However, following a site visit with Parish Councillors the area has been extended to include priority issues within the whole village.

(b) Issues raised as a priority include a safe crossing point on Hambledon Road by the health centre, traffic circulation around The Green, and safe crossing points outside the schools on Hambledon Road.

(c) The preliminary ideas will need some initial feasibility work which will be developed with the assistance of Winchester City Council.

(iii) Village Traffic Management

(a) West Meon - A scheme has been approved by the Parish Council and Atkins is carrying out detailed design.

(b) Hambledon - Atkins is working on the detailed design for a scheme to enhance the pedestrian facilities to cross the B2150. The design has been approved by the Parish Council and the details are being finalised prior to implementation.

(iv) Integrated Access Demonstration Project

As part of the Coast to Countryside project to promote bus travel from the urban fringe on the south coast to the countryside, including the East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, bus shelters have been installed on the A3 at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

(v) TAPESTRY - European Transport Project

(a) In conjunction with the marketing campaign being developed as a part of Stage Two of the project, improvements will be carried out at the bus stops in each of the ten villages in the study area.

(b) This will include new bus timetable display cases, several new bus stops and two solar powered bus stops and shelters.

(c) The details of this project are the subject of a separate report on the agenda.

(vi) Petersfield Area Transport Strategy

Various schemes are being implemented as part of the Petersfield Area Transport Strategy with funding from 2000/01 to 2001/02. Scheme progress is as follows:

(a) Penns Place to rail station cycle route - Stage 1 Penns Place to Pulens Lane is completed, the remaining three stages are with Atkins for detailed design.

(b) Shopmobility - scheme up and running.

(c) Pedestrian improvements for mobility impaired - dropped kerbs to be constructed following consultation with disability groups.

(d) Passenger transport improvements at rail station - bus shelters in forecourt renewed with improved and increased cycle parking.

(vii) Petersfield Town Centre Improvements and 20 mph Zone

This scheme consists of a 20 mph zone for the `historic core' with associated environmental improvements in The Square, High Street, St Peter's Road and Hylton Road.

(a) St Peters Road was the first phase of the scheme to be started and was completed in July 2002.

(b) Works commenced in The Square at the start of September 2002 and are expected to be completed by the end of October 2002.

(c) Works in the High Street are due to start early January 2003, subject to project appraisal approval in November 2002.

(d) The Hylton Road traffic calming scheme was consulted on in July 2002. Detailed design work is currently being worked on for implementation in spring 2003.

(e) The 20 mph zone will be implemented in spring 2003 once the works in The Square, High Street and Hylton Road are completed.

(viii) B2070 Petersfield

Proposals will now be developed following the monitoring of Tesco, likely to focus on pedestrian and/or cycle facilities.

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

(i) Bishops Waltham, Bank Street footway - a trial traffic calming scheme is to be implemented shortly. The details of this scheme are the subject of a separate report on the agenda.

(ii) Village traffic management scheme at Clanfield - an outline scheme has been approved by the Parish Council and Atkins is working on detailed design and cost.

(iii) CHARTS cycle schemes - feasibility reports on the programmed cycle schemes are expected November 2002.

(iv) Draft proposals for Alton town centre are being prepared for a public consultation (this is the subject of a separate item on the agenda).

4.5 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 4.3 and 4.4 needs to progress in order to meet the objectives of CHARTS. At this time it is proposed to continue work on the schemes but Members should be aware 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.

7409/CB

APPENDIX

Central Hampshire Rural Transport Strategy (CHARTS)

Programme 2002/03 and 2003/04