AT A MEETING of THE SOUTH WEST HAMPSHIRE TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY PANEL held on Thursday, 24 October 2002 at The Castle, Winchester.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); C.R.H. Davidovitz; A.G. Dowden; P. Luffman.

Eastleigh Borough Council

Councillors: D.J.A. Airey; Ms. G. Connell; C. Thomas; Mrs A. Winstanley

New Forest District Council

Councillor F.R. Harrison

Test Valley Borough Council

Councillor N.C. Lewis

11. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations made under this item.

12. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on Thursday 7 March 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

13. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported that Alison Quant had been appointed to the post of Director of Environment for Hampshire County Council with effect from Monday 28 October 2002. The Chairman also reported that David Tarrant had been appointed to the post of Deputy Director of Environment.

14. DEPUTATIONS

No requests to make a deputation had been received.

15. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2002

The Panel received a report of the County Surveyor (Item 5 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the progress of the delivery of the Local Transport Plan which demonstrates to Government how well Hampshire is implementing the Plan. It was noted that a deficit was being experienced in respect of roads and footpaths maintenance and this was being brought to the attention of other Cabinet Members as a matter of urgency. It was reported that additional funding was being sought from the CIVITAS European project and that the Government Office for the South East and the Department for Transport were now considering the Annual Progress Report and a formal response was expected in December 2002.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

16. HAMBLE AREA TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY - DRAFT STRATEGY FOR CONSULTATION

The Panel received the report of the County Surveyor (Item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising the draft Hamble Area Transportation Strategy being prepared for consultation.

The Panel welcomed this report and looked forward to receiving a progress report at a future meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the Panel endorses the Hamble Area Transportation Strategy for consultation purposes.

17. CENTRAL EASTLEIGH TRANSPORT STRATEGY

The Panel received a report of the County Surveyor (Item 7 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the development of the Central Eastleigh Transport Strategy. The County Surveyor drew attention to Section 4 of the report which detailed how the scheme will take place. Attention was also drawn to Appendix 1 of the report which set out the framework for the Eastleigh High Street categorisation.

The Panel welcomed the report and commented on the range of information that was included.

The Panel noted an amendment to Appendix 2 as follows:-

"Junction of Southampton Road and Chestnut Avenue".

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the Panel endorse the principles of the Draft Strategy for consultation purposes.

18. STRATEGY PROGRESS AND ISSUES

The Panel received a report of the County Surveyor (Item 8 in the Minute Book) detailing the progress on the 2002/03 South West Hampshire Transportation programme and other key strategy issues.

The Panel welcomed this report and were pleased with the detail included.

The Panel noted an amendment on the title of paragraph 6.44 as follows:-

"Twyford Road/Romsey Road Junction"

RESOLVED:

That the Panel:

(i) Support the position of the schemes within the Capital Programme.


(ii) Agree the Priority Assessment within the Totton and Waterside Cycles Priority assessment.

19. HEDGE END AREA TRANSPORT STRATEGY

The Panel received a report of the County Surveyor (Item 9 in the Minute Book) setting out the developer-funded Hedge End Area Transport Strategy which was a result of an area-wide study reflecting the aspirations of the local community, businesses and the County Council's transport policies.

Members voiced their concern with the progress on some of these schemes.

The Panel noted an amendment to the figures in the table in paragraph 2.2 as follows:-

"Total Estimates and Fees £353,700"

paragraph 2.3 as follows:-

"Total Package Fee Commitment £41,000"

paragraph 3.2 as follows:-

"Total Commitments to March 2003 £462,200"

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

20. CHANDLERS FORD RAILWAY STATION

The Panel received a report of the County Surveyor (Item 10 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the current position regarding the South Hampshire Crossrail Service and the re-opening of the Chandler's Ford Railway Station. It was brought to the attention of the Panel that the plan referred to in paragraph 3.3 was not available.

Work was due to start early next year and an opening date of 10 May 2003 had been set. The Panel welcomed this report and saw it as a good opportunity for an integrated public transport system.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel support the significant work done by all parties on this project.

21. QUALITY BUS PARTNERSHIPS

The Panel received a report of the County Surveyor (Item 11 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the development and implementation of the Southern Test Valley and Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnerships.

Eastleigh Bus Quality Partnership and Bus Station Improvement

It was reported that the budget for the scheme for 2002/03 was £100,000. Hampshire County Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Solent Blue Line and First Southampton have all expressed their commitment to the Eastleigh Area Quality Bus Partnership, its Schedule of Commitment and its Aims and Objectives.

Southern Test Valley Bus Quality Partnership

It was reported that the budget for this scheme for 2002/03 was £50,000. The Panel was advised that no agreement had yet been signed. It was anticipated that a formal agreement between Solent Blue Line, Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council would be agreed and signed by December 2002.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

22. HYTHE

The Panel received a report of the County Surveyor (Item 12 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the developments of the schemes within the Hythe area.

Hythe Interchange

The Panel were brought up to date on the progress made concerning the scheme. Information relating to the current transport interchange had been collected, including bus routes, proposed cycle routes, car park data, traffic counts, air quality data and information on the ferry service itself. Contact had been made with South West Trains about obtaining additional funding for the Hythe interchange.

Hythe Pier

The Panel were updated on the progress of the scheme and the County Surveyor reported that additional funding of £450,000 over a five year period, had been approved by the Executive Member for Environment.

Hythe Town Centre Link Road

The Panel were updated on the progress made on the project and were made aware that the project was being considered in conjunction with other schemes in Hythe, including the interchange.

Hythe Promenade

In a joint venture with New Forest District Council improvements to Hythe Promenade were being planned as part of an overall package of works co-ordinated by the Hythe Steering Group. The scheme will be funded from the Hampshire County Towns Initiatives Programme, Section 106 contribution and highways special maintenance monies and a start date was scheduled for late 2003/04. An exhibition on the proposals was scheduled for November 2002 and public comment would be sought.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

23. EASTLEIGH BOROUGH COUNCIL DECRIMINALISATION OF ON-STREET PARKING ENFORCEMENT

The Panel received a report of the Head of Engineering (Eastleigh Borough Council) (Item 14 in the Minute Book) setting out the Borough Council's proposals to implement a special parking area covering the Borough and requested that funding be allocated from the Local Transport Plan settlement to assist with the capital set up costs.

The Panel expressed their support for this scheme and the methods being used.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the Panel recommend:

(i) the capital funding of the setting up of a Special Parking Area covering the Eastleigh Borough area be supported;


(ii) the funding be considered for incorporation into the Borough's and Hampshire County Council's Capital Programmes when considered in January 2003;


(iii) approval be given for an application to the Secretary of State to designate the Borough of Eastleigh as a Special Parking Area and Permitted Parking Area pursuant to Section 43 and Schedule 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1991; and


(iv) under Section 19 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) Regulations 2000, a separate Agreement be completed between Hampshire County Council and Eastleigh Borough Council to delegate the functions and services given to Hampshire County Council by the Secretary of State in designating the area as a Special Parking Area/Permitted Parking Area.

24. TOTTON TOWN CENTRE

The Panel received the report of the County Surveyor (Item 13 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the development of proposals for Totton Town Centre.

The County Surveyor was currently analysing questionnaires as a result of public consultation and anticipated to report to Members in the new year. Early indications suggested a good level of support for the proposals.

The Panel expressed their support and noted the fact that the proposals for Totton Town Centre were very well received especially by the press. It was reported that the need for change in Totton Town Centre was recognised by members of the public as well as elected members.

Members thanked the officers at both county and district level for the support and hard work put into these development proposals.

RESOLVED:

That the progress on the development of the schemes for Totton Town Centre be noted.

25. DATE, TIME AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING OF THE PANEL

RESOLVED:

The next meeting of the Panel be held on Tuesday 4 March 2003 at 10.00 a.m. at The Castle, Winchester.

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