AT A MEETING of the NEW FOREST TRANSPORATION STRATEGY PANEL held at The Castle, Winchester on Wednesday 6 November 2002.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); Mrs P.G. Banks; J.E. Coles; B.D. Dash

Councillors M.J. Kendal and Mrs E.M.F. Randall were also in attendance.

New Forest District Council

Councillors: D.F. Burdle; M.H.G. Fidler; M.J. Shand; Mrs P. Wyeth

Councillor F.R. Harrison was also in attendance.

Test Valley Borough Council

Councillors: B.I. Palmer; D.G.C. Roach

Observer

Councillors: J.P. Johnson (Wiltshire County Council); Capt. J. Lofts (Dorset County Council)

18. DECLARATIONS ON INTEREST

There were no declarations made under this item.

19. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

20. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman informed the Panel that the County Planning and Surveyor Departments were currently undergoing a reorganisation. Both departments had merged to become the Environment Department. Mrs Alison Quant had been appointed as the Director of Environment and Mr David Tarrant as her deputy.

21. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

22. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN - TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME AND ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2002

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the delivery of the Local Transport Plan and the content of the County Council's second Annual Progress Report submitted to the Government Office for the South East and the Department for Transport on 31 July 2002.

The Director of Environment reported that current forecasts for capital expenditure on transport in 2003/04 were showing an excess of spending over resources. A formal response on the Annual Progress Plan was expected in December. In the likelihood of extra funding not being made available, the Area Transportation Strategy Panels would be requested to review their programmes for 2003/04.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

23. NEW FOREST TRANSPORT STRATEGY PROGRESS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on progress made in developing and implementing schemes within the New Forest Transport Strategy area. The following matters arose (inter alia) in the course of the ensuing discussion:-

(i) Colbury Right Turn and Ashurst Traffic Calming Measures

The Director of Environment reported that, following approval of the Project Appraisal by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on 11 July 2002, it was envisaged that the scheme would be out to tender during November 2002. Work was likely to commence late January 2003 and be completed by late May or early June 2003.


(ii) High Street, Fordingbridge

Further to initial consultations, a site visit by Councillors Estlin, Heron and Shand had taken place and a public exhibition had been held.


(iii) Lyndhurst to Ashurst Cycle Route

During July and August a Phase 1 ecological survey on the northern verge of the A35 was completed. Meetings had been held with New Forest District Council, Forest Enterprises and English Nature to discuss the results. Further work was ongoing.


(iv) Ringwood Cycles

A working group, consisting of County Council Members and officers, New Forest District Council and Ringwood Town Council were preparing a draft Ringwood Cycling and Walking Plan for consideration by the Panel prior to consultation.


(v) Footway Improvements in Sway

A feasibility study was currently underway to investigate other measures to provide safer routes to schools in Sway. A report on the findings was expected by the end of November.


(vi) Lyndhurst Cycles

Following a safety audit of the cycle route scheme proposed for Lyndhurst, which identified a number of issues, additional preliminary design work was to be undertaken. Consultation with the public, parish council and local Member would be carried out early in 2003.


(vii) Parking Decriminalisation and Traffic Management

Mr Nick Hunt, Principal Engineer, New Forest District Council advised Members that consultation on traffic management measures was currently underway. Surveys had been sent to local residents and the deadline for reply was 7 November. A report would be submitted to the district council's Cabinet in January 2003 for consideration. Implementation was likely to be June 2003.


(viii) Parish Partnerships

The Chairman advised Members to contact officers direct with any questions regarding individual schemes included in the programme.


RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

24. COASTAL TOWNS STRATEGY PROGRESS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) which updated on the Local Transport Plan Capital Programmes for 2001/02, 2002/03 and 2003/04 within the Coastal Towns Transport Strategy area.

The Director of Environment reported that the initial problems with signal phasing at the Ashley Road/Spencer Road junction had been resolved.
Councillor Mrs. Banks advised that New Milton Town Council would appreciate further discussions with officers in relation to the Old Milton Road/Gore Road/ Whitefield Road junction scheme.

RESOLVED:

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

25. NEW FOREST DISTRICT - STRATEGIC CYCLE ROUTES - SUGGESTIONS FROM A WORKING GROUP

The Panel considered a presentation by Mr Patrick Hughes, Planning Officer, New Forest District Council, on proposals for strategic cycle routes in the New Forest area. A working group had been set up to investigate various routes. A draft document and map setting out a strategic network of existing and proposed cycle routes would be circulated to Members in the near future. Public consultation was envisaged to take place in the new year.

26. `STRATEGY FOR THE NEW FOREST': THE REVIEW PROCESS PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND LINKS WITH THE REVISED NEW FOREST TRANSPORT STRATEGY

The Panel considered the report of the Chairman of the New Forest Committee (Item 9 in the Minute Book) which set out progress made on the `Strategy for the New Forest' document. A working draft of the Strategy was produced for public consultation and a full analysis of responses currently underway. Publication of the final document was planned for early 2003.

RESOLVED:

That progress of the strategy document be noted.

27. NEW FOREST TRANSPORT MONITORING 2002

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) which outlined the results of the latest round of monitoring for the New Forest Transport Strategy area.

RESOLVED:

That the results of the 2002 New Forest Transport Strategy surveys be noted.

28. DIBDEN TERMINAL - TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSALS

With the concurrence of the Chairman under Section 100(B) (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 this matter was included on the agenda to facilitate the County Council's response to the proposed legal submission to be made by ABP with regard to transportation infrastructure proposals for the proposed Dibden Bay development.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) which advised Members of the arising issues in relation to the Dibden Terminal Inquiry.

The Director of Environment reported that should no agreement be reached on transport and other issues between the local authorities and Associated British Ports (ABP), it was likely that ABP would submit a unilateral undertaking for the measures it considered appropriate. The Inquiry Inspector would then consider these, and if accepted by the Secretary of State, the County Council would have no alternative but to accept the findings. He stressed that it was therefore important that the Inquiry be made aware of the County Council's views prior to its completion, which was currently scheduled for the end of November/ December 2002.

The Chairman advised the Panel that a report would be submitted for consideration to the County Council's Cabinet on 18 November and full Council meeting on 28 November. A report would also be submitted to New Forest District Council's next Cabinet meeting.

Due to the number of outstanding issues Members requested a further opportunity to discuss the relevant issues. The Chairman agreed to advise the Leader of the necessity of a briefing for all County Councillors prior to the Council meeting on 28 November. He advised District Councillors to ensure their Cabinet Members were made aware of any views.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the content of the report be noted.


(ii) That a further report be presented to the next available Cabinet and full County Council meetings.

29. TRAFFIC AND ENVIRONMENT ISSUES IN LYNDHURST

The Panel received a presentation by Councillor M.J. Kendal on traffic and environmental issues in Lyndhurst. A traffic and environmental study for Lyndhurst had been undertaken in 1994 to agree a strategy of measures for the area. The majority of the agreed measures have since been implemented and monitoring undertaken.

Councillor Kendal believed that congestion in Lyndhurst High Street for traffic travelling east would continue even after the Colbury Right Turn scheme was implemented as it would only assist with westbound traffic. He proposed two possible solutions, the first of which would be to provide a relief link road between the A337 Brockenhurst Road and Beaulieu Road. The second option would be for the relief road to commence in A337 Brockenhurst Road and continue under Beaulieu Road to its junction with Southampton Road.

The Chairman advised Members that any possible proposals for Lyndhurst would require further investigation and as any proposal would inevitably be a major capital scheme would also require government approval. Environmental issues were likely to be significant. The formation of the New Forest National Park would be an additional complication.

Members agreed that initially accurate monitoring of the various traffic measures should be carried out following completion of the Colbury Right Turn scheme. In the meantime a press release would be issued to keep the public informed as this had already become a well publicised issue.

30. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting of the Panel be held in The Chute Room, The Castle at 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday 18 March 2003.

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