Archived decisions

Contact: Jonathan Crabb, ext 6047

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides Members with an update on the Local Transport Plan (LTP) Capital Programmes for 2001/02, 2002/03 and 2003/04 within the Coastal Towns Transport Strategy (CTTS) area, attached as an appendix.

2. Schemes in the 2001/02 Capital Programme

2.1 The revised 2001/02 CTTS Capital Programme was agreed by the Executive Member for Environment on 25 January 2002, as follows:

- Lymington Quay £50,000

- Milford Village £10,000

- Avenue Road, Lymington £110,000

- Safer Routes to School (SRTS)

- Railway Stations £20,000

2.2 Schemes within the 2001/02 CTTS programme have all been completed.

3. Progress on Schemes Programmed for 2002/03

3.1 The 2002/03 CTTS Capital Programme was agreed by the Executive Member for Environment on 25 January 2002, as follows:

- Station Road, New Milton £37,000

- Old Milton/Gore Road/Whitefield Road, £100,000

New Milton

- Ashley Road/Spencer Road, New Milton £90,000

- North Street, Pennington £30,000

New Milton Schemes

3.2 Members supported the recommended prioritisation of the New Milton Town Centre Improvement schemes at a previous meeting. The following priority order has been set:

(i) Pelican crossing at Station Road;

(ii) Mini-roundabout and junction alteration at Old Milton Road/Gore Road/Whitefield Road; and

(iii) Traffic signals at Ashley Road/Spencer Road junction.

3.3 The proposed Pelican crossing on Station Road north of the railway line on Station Road, New Milton was re-advertised on 2 August 2002. Public comments received have been sent to the local Member, Councillor Rice. Discussions are continuing on this crossing, to resolve comments received.

3.4 The Old Milton Road/Gore Road/Whitefield Road junction is part of the town centre traffic management and also provides access to Arnewood School for cyclists from the eastern part of New Milton. A cycle assessment and safety audit have been carried out for the scheme. These assessments raised a number of safety concerns which have been addressed by officers from the County and District Councils. Public consultation is currently planned for December 2002. The scheme is being progressed in liaison with the District Council.

3.5 The traffic signals at the Ashley Road/Spencer Road junction in New Milton have been implemented.

Lymington Schemes

North Street, Pennington

3.6 Preliminary plans have been drawn up in consultation with residents for the environmental enhancement scheme on North Street in Pennington/Lymington. It contains speed humps and build-outs spread over the whole length of North Street. The scheme has been moved from the 2001/02 to the 2002/03 programme and the budget has increased from £10,000 to £30,000.

3.7 A safety audit and more detailed costings are being undertaken to enable the full extent of the scheme to be assessed.

Future Schemes

Pedestrian Facilities Capital Programme 2002/03

3.8 The Toucan crossing on the A337 outside Priestlands School in Pennington, Lymington is included in the 2002/03 Pedestrian Facilities Capital Programme (£55,000). Two designs for the Toucan crossing (north and south of the school) have been completed and are being consulted on. New Forest District Council supports the option of a crossing to the south of the school. A public notice will be prepared when the cycle links have been designed and equipment ordered following project appraisal. An allocation of £50,000 is included in the 2003/04 programme for cycle linkages to Priestlands School.

3.9 The 2004/05 programme includes £160,000 for cycle schemes in Lymington. The proposed crossing is included in the feasibility studies being undertaken in Lymington for the following routes:

(i) Pennington to Southern Lymington (connecting with A337 crossing);

(ii) Lower Buckland Road/Avenue Road; and

(iii) Pennington to the town centre.

Cycle Schemes in New Milton and Pelican Crossing on A337 Christchurch Road, New Milton

3.10 To prepare for future years' funding and the development of externally funded schemes for cycle routes in New Milton, feasibility studies are being undertaken for the following routes:

(i) Old Milton to North Milton cycle link: Christchurch Road to Marryat Road (to include puffin/toucan crossing on A337 Christchurch Road) which has been delayed to fully assess the safety implications of crossing the main road;

(ii) Ashley Common Road to town centre link via Manor Road (external funding received from site in Ashley Common Road); and

(iii) (a) North Milton to town centre (via Gore Road);

(b) link to railway station via Albert Road; and

(c) link into Tesco via Mendip Close.

Southern Lymington - Rookes Lane/Ridgeway Lane Scheme

2003/04 - £140,000

3.11 Following discussions between County Council and New Forest District Council officers the alignment of the new road will now follow approximately the line of the existing road. As a result, encroachment onto the town council's land has been minimised. The footway will be along the northern side of Rookes Lane and the eastern side of Ridgeway Lane. The scheme has been designed to discourage drivers from speeding, as well as improving footway provision for pedestrians.

3.12 A revised layout drawing is being prepared and will form the basis of the scheme, which has been prepared by New Forest District Council. It is anticipated that local consultations will be undertaken within the next few months. Results on these consultations will be taken into account by the County Council. The scheme has been provisionally programmed for 2003/04.

Recommendation

That the position on the schemes within the Coastal Towns Capital Programme be noted.

7459/JC