Archived decisions

Contact: Jonathan Crabb, ext 6047

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides an update on the development and implementation of the Southern Test Valley Quality Bus Partnership (QBP) and the Eastleigh QBP.

2. Eastleigh Bus Quality Partnership and Bus Station Improvement

2002/03 £100,000

2.1 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 Aims and Objectives.

2.2 The partners are already working together to deliver a high quality and reliable bus service on Solent Blue Line routes 41, 48 and 29/29A and on First Southampton Service 16.

2.3 A programme of works to improve roadside infrastructure on the above routes has already been agreed by the partners, and the County Council's former Roads and Development Sub-Committee approved a project appraisal on 24 July 2001. Improvements include better bus stop poles and information cases, new bus shelters, raised access kerbs and improvements to lighting and footways. It is intended that some of these will be implemented before the end of this financial year.

2.4 The Executive Member for Environment endorsed a recent study on the development of Quality Bus Partnerships within Hampshire. Service 48 was ranked at number 8 in the priority list within the county.

2.5 A separate interim report has been prepared proposing that route 48 (Fair Oak-Eastleigh-Southampton) be prioritised as the route with the most potential for improvement. Roadside infrastructure improvements are being implemented by Eastleigh Borough Council, with priority given to route 48. A number of junctions have been identified as in need of improvement to help facilitate enhanced movement by buses. These are:

(i) Riverside Road/Bishopstoke Road;

(ii) access to Eastleigh Bus Station (right-turn);

(iii) Bishopstoke Road/Chickenhall Lane; and

(iv) Romsey Road/Station Hill.

2.6 Junctions (i) and (ii) above have been through the preliminary design process. Atkins has therefore been instructed to proceed with the detailed design of these junctions. Junctions (iii) and (iv) have not been taken forward, due to uncertainties regarding the proposed Chickenhall Lane Link Road. In light of this, and due to the need to maximise enhancements to route 48, an Officer Steering Group has recently considered the need for other improvements which can be taken forward in the short term.

2.7 There is the need for additional bus priority measures on route 48 at the junctions of:

(v) Derby Road/Southampton Road;

(vi) Derby Road/Passfield Avenue; and

(vii) Nightingale Avenue/ Passfield Avenue.

Following the design process, the relative merits of the additional three junctions will be assessed as to their contribution towards the aims of the QBP.

3. Southern Test Valley Bus Quality Partnership

2002/03 £50,000

3.1 A project appraisal for the roadside infrastructure side of this scheme was approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 10 September 2001. It is hoped that construction on the improvements (raised kerbs, new bus shelters and improvements at Romsey Bus Station) will begin before the end of this financial year.

3.2 Initial outcomes from the work have identified junction improvements and/or bus priority measures on key junctions, or the potential to partially re-route the Solent Blue Line Service 15. Junctions which have been investigated are:

(i) Rownhams Lane/Botley Road;

(ii) Luzborough Lane roundabout;

(iii) Winchester Road/Botley Road;

(iv) Palmerston Street/Broadwater Road; and

(v) Re-routeing of service along Rownhams Lane.

3.3 These improvements are being coordinated with the Romsey Movement and Access Study and the Halterworth and Mountbatten Safer Routes to School Projects. Consultations are taking place with the Borough Council, Town Council, Police and Parish Councils.

3.4 Junctions (i) and (ii) have been progressed to preliminary design stage. For junction (i) it is proposed to remove the deceleration lane westbound on Botley Road to aid the egress of buses from Rownhams Lane onto Botley Road. This is being taken forward to detailed design.

3.5 For junction (ii), Luzborough Lane roundabout, there is the problem of buses turning east from Botley Road, through the roundabout. It is proposed to reduce vehicle speeds coming along the A27, entering the roundabout on the western arm, by enhancing the deflection, and reducing it from two lanes to one.

3.6 On the eastern arm it is proposed to enhance the central island to provide greater cycle and pedestrian access across Botley Road. These schemes are being progressed to detailed design.

3.7 The option of re-routeing the buses along Fleming Avenue to remove the need to queue on Rownhams Road has been considered. A central white line will be introduced on Rownhams Road to enable improved left turn movements for buses.

3.8 Junctions (iii) and (iv) have not been progressed at present due to the environmental enhancements in the town centre, the development of the Waitrose supermarket and the longer term development of signalised junctions as part of the Romsey Movement and Access Study.

Proposed Agreement

3.9 There is an umbrella agreement between Hampshire County Council and Solent Blue Line (SBL) and it is proposed to sign a formal agreement for this route the County Council, Test Valley Borough Council and SBL. A draft agreement is being prepared.

Recommendation

That the report be noted.

7359/JC