Contact: Heather Walmsley, ext 6581

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, Chandler's 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 through the Local Transport Plan (LTP) process, a contingency plan needs to be prepared in case extra funding is not made available. The Area 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 on priorities for early implementation.

1.2 This report reviews progress on the schemes included in both the Andover Transport Strategy (ATS) and Western Hampshire Transport Strategy (WHTS) programmes for the years up to 2005/06.

2. County-wide Overall Funding Position

2.1 The current forecasts for 2003/04 for transport, including SHRT 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 together and some credit approvals were also 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 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 or 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. Andover Transport Strategy Capital Programme Scheme Progress 2002/03 to 2005/06

4.1 The transport programme for 2002/03 to 2005/06 for the ATS area is set out in Appendix 1. The programme was planned to produce annual spending in accordance with LTP funding available each year. Appendix 1 also includes schemes to be funded from external sources, principally developers' contributions. Externally funded schemes are included only for 2002/03 to 2003/04, beyond this date there is less certainty about the likely availability of external funding, which is usually related to the progress of the development.

4.2 Progress on the 2002/03 programmed schemes, excluding those externally funded, is set out in the following paragraphs.

Weyhill Road Traffic Management Scheme

4.3 A Project Appraisal on Weyhill Road traffic management scheme was submitted to the Executive Member for Environment on 10 September 2002 and to the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on 12 September 2002. Tender documents are currently being finalised aiming for implementation starting in January 2003.

4.4 Members may recall that following the previous Andover Transportation Strategy Members' Panel on 22 March 2002 Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) were to be advertised for the proposals for the area around the shops adjacent to Meadow Way and also for the controlled crossing between East Portway and Upper Drove. As part of the statutory TRO process local residents and businesses had a further opportunity to comment upon the scheme in these respective areas.

4.5 No objections were received to the controlled crossing at East Portway. Five letters of objection, one of which included a petition with 797 signatures, were received to the proposals for the area around the shops. The objections were duly considered by the Executive Member for Environment on 10 September 2002 and the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on 12 September as part of the Project Appraisal and a suggested minor modification to the scheme in relation to the give way line from Meadow Way was agreed.

Andover Cycling Network - Priority Schemes

4.6 The feasibility report for Andover Cycle Network was completed in March 2002 and identified six priority cycle schemes for progression within the period up to 2005/06. A copy of the feasibility report Executive Summary for the Andover Cycling Network Priority undertaken by the County Council's partner consultant, Atkins, was appended to the previous ATS Panel report. It was recognised at the previous meeting that it might not be possible to implement all of the six schemes within the five year programme due to the relevant timescales required to overcome land and legal issues. It was suggested that precedence should be given to sections of the prioritised schemes which could easily be implemented in the short term, and which were justified on the basis of Safer Routes to School and links from the railway to the town centre. The following three sections were identified for progression in the short term:

(i) Scheme 2 Floral Way section - on carriageway connection to Salisbury Road;

(ii) Scheme 1 Railway station to Junction Road section; and

(iii) Scheme 5 Kiel Drive to Saxon Way section.

4.7 At the previous ATS Panel it was also suggested to Members that approval should be sought from the Executive Member for Environment for:

(i) consultation to be undertaken on relevant schemes in the priority listing of six schemes to determine the views of all interested parties regarding initial route proposals; and

(ii) detailed design work to be progressed at the appropriate time.

Approval was given by the Executive Member on 14 May 2002.

4.8 In relation to the three scheme sections to be progressed in the short term, no further public consultation was undertaken as the schemes were all on-road schemes which were identified as having limited impact on adjacent properties. Further public consultation on other schemes within the overall priority listing will be undertaken as and when appropriate and Members will be advised of relevant dates within forthcoming Panel reports.

4.9 Detail design work has now been completed for the Floral Way section working towards implementation by November 2002. Work is also progressing on the railway station to Junction Road section and the Kiel Drive to Saxon Way section, with completion of detailed design work and implementation by the end of 2002.

4.10 Progress on the 2003/04 programmed schemes, excluding the Andover cycle network as this was outlined above, and also excluding externally funded schemes, is set out in the following paragraphs.

Charlton Road/Foxcotte Road/Foxcotte Lane and Hatherden Road Traffic Management Scheme

4.11 Preliminary design work is currently being finalised for the Charlton Road/ Foxcotte Road/Foxcotte Lane and Hatherden Road traffic management scheme. Detailed design work will be completed by spring 2003, working towards Project Appraisal and Implementation commencing in summer 2003, which is in line with the current programme.

4.12 A number of issues identified at previous Panel meetings, including the hospital area, the northern section of Charlton Road and the area around the ambulance station, will be addressed as part of the progression of design work. It is intended that, prior to the completion of the final preliminary scheme design, discussions will be undertaken with relevant parties, including local parish councils, the hospital and ambulance station.

London Road/Vigo Road Traffic Management Scheme

4.13 As part of the Safer Routes to School section of the ATS programme, a need was identified for a scheme to assist vulnerable road users in London Road and Vigo Road. In particular, pupils attending the Winton Secondary School, Vigo Infants and Junior schools and the Norman Gate Primary School for children with special needs. A number of issues have been identified, including relatively high vehicle speeds and through movements, and also the lack of facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly crossing facilities.

4.14 Atkins was commissioned earlier this year to undertake a feasibility study for the scheme, and draft plans are currently being prepared. Discussions will be undertaken with the schools to ensure that proposed measures support the objectives of school travel plans which will be prepared prior to implementation. Wider consultation with local residents and relevant interest groups will be undertaken as work on the scheme progresses.

4.15 The funding allocated for 2003/04 for London Road/Vigo Road currently totals £90,000, including approximately £40,000 of external funding. The cost of the scheme will not be finalised until detailed design stage, however it is likely to be greater than the funds currently available. It is anticipated that, as work is progressed further, external funding is likely to become available in association with proposals for major development in the town. Dependent upon the timescale of forthcoming funding it may be possible to implement the scheme in phases, and if necessary this will be considered at the appropriate time.

4.16 Priorities for the ATS have been established through previous Panel meetings and 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. Members are asked to confirm priorities as set out in Appendix 1.

5. Western Hampshire Transport Strategy Capital Programme Scheme Progress 2002/03 to 2003/04

5.1 The transport programme for 2002/03 to 2005/06 for the WHTS area is set out in Appendix 2. The programme was planned to produce annual spending in accordance with LTP funding available each year. Progress on each of the schemes is set out in the following paragraphs.

Andover to Salisbury Quality Bus Partnership

5.2 New infrastructure is being provided at a number of bus stops along the corridor, including improved waiting facilities, service information, traffic management and raised kerbs. Orders for the equipment were placed in September 2002 and should be introduced on-site in the near future.

A3057 in King's Somborne

5.3 The improvement works (including lining, visual carriageway signing, replacement of signing and widening of the footway outside the primary school) began in the second week of September, scheduled to be completed within six weeks of the start date. Safer Routes to School improvements have been incorporated into the wider village enhancement scheme. This includes widening the footway in front of the school, replacing the pedestrian guard rail and replacing the school signs. It is hoped that the school will be undertaking a travel survey this term. The School Travel Plans Co-ordinator will maintain contact with the school.

Stockbridge

5.4 Initial feasibility work looking at a range of improvement measures has been completed. This included visual carriageway narrowing on the A30 entering Stockbridge from the west, the provision of a pedestrian refuge and improved footway provision between Test Valley School and the village.

Stockbridge Village Centre

5.5 Following consultation with Stockbridge and Longstock Parish Councils, a pedestrian refuge is to be provided in Stockbridge village centre. Design work is in progress and consultation is required with planners to ensure that the design and materials proposed are suitable for use in a conservation area. The anticipated start date on-site will be early in 2003.

Test Valley School

5.6 The school is currently in the process of applying for planning permission to construct a sports hall. Highway improvements will be required if the building works are to go ahead. The situation is therefore being monitored so that any highway improvements can be undertaken to best coincide with construction timescales. This will avoid undertaking any abortive works and will make the best use of available funding. The school is also producing a travel plan which is due to be submitted to the School Travel Plans Co-ordinator shortly. The travel plan is a requirement of the planning application identified above, and any further work done at the school or in the vicinity will be packaged together to provide the best possible improvements for all concerned.

Clatford, Shipton Bellinger and Hatherden Primary Schools

5.7 The feasibility for low-cost safety improvements is still being investigated by Atkins at several schools as part of the Safer Routes to School initiative. A school travel plan has been completed by Clatford Primary School and Atkins has produced proposals and sent them to the school and Parish Council. Meetings will be held to discuss the proposals, which include providing a build-out and footway widening as well as signing improvements. Shipton Bellinger Primary will be developing a school travel plan during the autumn term. The school is supportive of proposals put forward by Atkins. Further discussions are required with the school and Parish Council to discuss the proposals. Proposals include the provision of build-outs at the desire lines for pedestrian crossing movements and school zone signing will also be provided. Atkins has also been looking at proposals for Hatherden Primary School. The school has not developed a school travel plan as yet and its priority is for providing a formal surface dressing on the car park used by parents. However, the Parish Council raised concerns and Atkins is conducting feasibility work. Atkins will meet with the school and Parish Council to discuss proposals, which include the provision of a build-out, school zone signing and white lining to visually narrow the carriageway. The School Travel Plans Co-ordinator will continue to monitor the situation. In addition there is a crossing patrol at Hatherden and a request has recently been submitted for Shipton Bellinger. A survey of the site will be required. There are no patrols at the other schools.

Barton Stacey, Braishfield and Wherwell

5.8 Members may recall that progress being made on a number of partnerships was reported at the former Western Hampshire Transportation Strategy Panel on 5 March 2002. Schemes at Mottisfont and Thruxton have been completed and Highways West has designed schemes for Barton Stacey, Braishfield and Wherwell. Consultation has been undertaken with the respective local communities and work is about to start on-site. The schemes are to provide gateway signs and road markings on the entry to the villages. Details of the scheme for Broughton are being progressed.

5.9 Programmes for 2003/04 onwards have yet to be developed for Western Hampshire. The intention is that these will build upon the initiatives already undertaken but will also be shaped to a large extent by the development of the transport strategy for the area, and will therefore be finalised once the strategy has been adopted in spring 2003.

6. Conclusion

6.14 Implementation of the schemes listed in sections 4 and 5 above needs to progress to meet the objectives of both the ATS and the WHTS, newly combined as the Andover and Western Hampshire Transport Strategy. 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 the contents of this report be noted and Members confirm existing priorities for delivery within the Andover Transport Strategy and Western Hampshire Transport Strategy.

7445/HW

APPENDIX 1

ANDOVER TRANSPORT STRATEGY

PROGRAMME 2002/03 TO 2005/06

N.B. External funding is shown in italics.

APPENDIX 2

WESTERN HAMPSHIRE TRANSPORT STRATEGY PROGRAMME 2001/02 TO 2005/06

The schemes identified for 2001/02 commenced last year and are being completed in 2002/03.

The allocations for 2003/04 to 2005/06 are provisional at this stage. The programmes will be fully developed when the strategy for the area has been finalised.