Contact: Jonathan Crabb, ext 6047

1. Summary

1.1 This report outlines the results of the latest round of biennial monitoring of the New Forest Transport Strategy (NFTS). Surveys were also undertaken in the Coastal Towns Transport Strategy (CTTS) area in August and October. However, data collected in October was not available at the time of writing. The programme of surveys is extensive, covering road traffic, cycling, pedestrian activity, bus patronage, train use and air quality.

2. Introduction

2.1 Monitoring and evaluation forms an intrinsic part of the Hampshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2001-2006 and Road Traffic Reduction Act (RTRA) 1997 processes. It is part of the County Council's holistic view of transport and is strongly linked to the targets set for the county as a whole and for the individual area transport strategies.

2.2 The development of the NFTS has involved considerable survey work and monitoring since its inception, including comprehensive transport monitoring since 1996. This is the first year of the monitoring programme for the CTTS. The monitoring fulfils the requirements of the RTRA which obliges local authorities to assess levels of traffic in their area. The LTP has required additional monitoring to be undertaken to establish how the strategy is performing in relation to its objectives and to ensure that the measures implemented are having the anticipated impact.

2.3 The biennial monitoring programme for the NFTS began in 1996, and surveys were again undertaken during March and August 2002. In the coastal towns area the surveys were undertaken in August and October 2002. In both cases comparisons between off-peak and peak transport trends can be made. The biennial surveys will take place next in 2004, when both sets of surveys will be undertaken in March and August.

3. Surveys Undertaken

3.1 A range of sources was used to provide information, including the following:

(i) Road traffic counts were undertaken at several sites. Where appropriate equipment exists, automatic counts were undertaken, supplemented by manual classified counts (see Figure 1, attached). In addition, some counts were undertaken to assess car occupancy.

(ii) Monitoring of the number of bus users on key routes.

(iii) Monitoring of rail usage (including cyclists) at key stations.

(iv) Monitoring of cycle use off-road and on-road.

(v) Monitoring of pedestrian movements in Brockenhurst, Lyndhurst, Lymington and New Milton.

(vi) Monitoring of trends in animal accidents.

(vii) Air quality information recorded by the District Council.

4. Survey Results - New Forest Area

4.1 Table 1 shows data from the permanent traffic count sites from 1996 to 2001. At comparable sites the traffic counts indicate an increase in flow of 8.2% from 1996 to 2001. Sites on the A31 and M27 show the greatest increases in traffic volume, between 10.8% and 13.5%. On several of the main routes into the heart of the forest there has been a significant decrease in the volume of traffic, which is probably attributable to the outbreak of 'foot and mouth' in 2001. Therefore, accurate comparisons in overall traffic volume change cannot be drawn at this time.

Table 1: Permanent Count Site Traffic Data (24 hour Average Annual Daily Total)

* 1998 - 2001 % change

4.2 It should be noted that information in Tables 2 to 12 is based on a single 12 hour manual classified count for each year. Therefore weather, incidents or events in the surrounding area can affect the survey results obtained on that particular day. Table 2 shows the traffic flows recorded at each of the main cordon points in March and August for 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002 over a 12 hour period (0700- 1900 hours). Of the sites counted on all occasions, traffic levels have increased by 1% from March 1996 to March 2002, and by 1.4% from August 1996 to August 2002. During 2002 there was an increase in traffic flow of 24% between the surveys in March and August, so demonstrating the impact of tourism on the New Forest.

Table 2: Traffic Flows at Key Cordon Points 1996-2002

4.3 The surveys also recorded vehicle occupancy levels at sites on the A35, U106 and U145. These show significant increases in the number of persons per vehicle in August over March (see Table 3), possibly due to larger numbers of groups travelling together on leisure trips.

Table 3: Vehicle Occupancy Levels 1998-2002

	March 1998	August 1998	March 2000	August 2000	March 2002	August 2002
A35 East of Lyndhurst	1.28	1.59	1.19	1.45	-	1.62
U106	2.36	N/A	1.78	2.18	1.58 (s)	2.22 (s)
U145	2.01	N/A	1.89	2.54	1.83 (s)	2.18 (s)

4.4 Table 4 shows the number of passengers recorded on bus services in the New Forest. The figures show an increase in patronage of 21% between March 1998 and March 2002. In August 2002, data is not available for the bus routes along the A35 west of Lyndhurst and C10 Burley. However, the surveys indicate an increase in bus patronage of 36.9% on comparable routes between August 1998 and 2002. On the days of the surveys bus patronage levels were significantly higher along A35 east of Lyndhurst.

Table 4: Bus Patronage Levels

Site	March 1998	August 1998	March 2000	August 2000	March 2002	August 2002
A35 East of Lyndhurst	157	141	234	202	285	272
A337 South of Lyndhurst	212	124	221	118	205	121
A35 West of Lyndhurst	57	54	126	121	88	-
A337 North of Lyndhurst	1	13	20	1	3	1
B3054 Hill Top	34	36	30	38	20	36
C10 Burley	80	89	114	178	54	-
B3054 Hatchet Gate					34	56
B3347 Avon Causeway					-	48
Total	541	457	745	658	655 (excluding B3054)	430 (excluding B3054 and A3347)

4.5 Table 5 shows the levels of usage in rail services in the New Forest. Ashurst, Beaulieu Road and Sway stations show low levels of usage and the number of passengers boarding at these stations has changed little between 1998 and 2002. However, the level of use at Brockenhurst station increased by 21% between March 1998 and 2002, and 81% between August 1998 and 2002. This large increase may be attributed to the completion of the Brockenhurst Transport Interchange works in spring 2002 and the increased use by visitors during the summer months. The number of cycles taken on trains has increased in both months between 1998 and 2002.

Table 5: Users of New Forest Rail Stations

(passengers boarding, both directions, 12 hours 0700-1900)

4.6 Cycle usage was monitored at each of the cordon sites and showed the numbers of cyclists over a 12 hour day (see Table 6), with August figures being collected for the first time in 2000. All sites show higher use in August than March. At comparable sites the number of cyclists increased by 35% between August 2000 and 2002.

Table 6: Cycle Flows at Key Cordon Points: Number of Cyclists (1996-2002)

4.7 Cycle usage continues to be monitored at permanent count sites in partnership with the Forestry Commission at Beachern Wood, Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, Denny Lodge Inclosure, Hampton Ridge, Long Slade Bottom and Tom's Lane in Linwood. The greatest usage is recorded at Beachern Wood, with an average of 400 cyclists during a 12 hour period in the peak summer period. All sites show a noticeable peak in the summer months, especially during July and August. The sites at Beachern Wood and Rhinefield Ornamental Drive were installed to monitor the usage of the New Forest on-road cycle routes implemented as part of the NFTS.

4.8 Pedestrian counts undertaken at Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst demonstrate high levels of pedestrian activity on the main streets in both villages. Again, the seasonal variation is very apparent, with a difference of 89% in pedestrian activity between March and August 2002. Overall, between 1998 and 2002, pedestrian usage in Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst has risen by 23% in March and by 18% in August.

Table 6: Pedestrian Flows in Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst 1998-2002: Pedestrian Volume (0900-1500 on one day)

4.9 Heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs) were recorded as part of the manual classified counts. Across the New Forest, the proportions of HCVs have remained at an average 4% during the March and 3% during the August surveys. These are low in comparison to the national average, which is in the region of 6%.

4.10 The data suggest that at comparable sites has been an increase in HCVs on the roads in the New Forest from 1996 to 2002. However, comparisons of these sites between 2000 and 2002 suggest a slight decrease in HCV movements during both March and August.

Table 7: Number of Heavy Commercial Vehicles 1996-2002

Animal Accidents (1995-2001)

4.11 The table in the attached appendix shows animal accident figures for the past seven years. The figures are taken from the Commoners' Defence Association Yearbook, which in turn uses data supplied by the Agisters through the Verderers' Office.

4.12 The number of animal deaths fluctuates considerably from year to year, but there does seem to be a decrease in animal deaths and injuries during the past two years. The number of accidents happening at night is very high and in recent years the greater use of reflective collars on ponies has been encouraged. The Reflective Collar Initiative was started in summer 1997 and accurate records of accidents involving ponies wearing collars have been available since 1999. For the last three years, between 8%-19% of ponies killed were wearing collars. The majority of motorists involved in animal accidents are local (ie they live in the New Forest district). It is also suspected that many of the `non-local' motorists are probably from just outside the district and regular commuters on New Forest roads, rather than tourists unfamiliar with the area.

Air Quality Monitoring

4.13 Air quality monitoring is undertaken by New Forest District Council. There are currently three permanent air quality monitoring stations in the New Forest area. These are located in Fawley, Hythe and Ringwood and measure a range of pollutants as shown below.

4.14 The County Council is currently putting together a package of air quality initiatives county-wide, to improve monitoring and the dissemination of information to the public, and will be working closely with the District Council to identify appropriate measures in the New Forest and Coastal Towns Transportation Strategy areas.

5. Survey Results - Coastal Towns Monitoring

5.1 The coastal towns area of the New Forest was included in the biennial monitoring programme for the first time this year, with surveys being undertaken in August and October. The survey results for August are given in this report and will take into account the tourist activity for the area.

5.2 Manual classified counts were undertaken at eight sites and are shown in Figure 2, attached. A series of permanent count sites are proposed and will be installed later this year. Table 8 shows the 12 hour, two-way flow at the manual survey sites. The proportion of HCVs recorded at each site is below the national average. The sites at the A337 north of Lymington and B3054 east of Lymington show the highest proportions of HCVs. The number of cyclists using each route was also recorded and 244 cyclists were counted along the B3054 east of Lymington.

Table 8. Manual Classified Counts (12 hour, two-way flows)

5.3 Table 9 shows the number of passengers boarding buses at three survey sites.

Table 9. Bus Patronage Levels

5.4 The number of passengers boarding trains at the four stations in the coastal towns area was recorded. By far the highest number of passengers were recorded at New Milton station.

Table 10. Users of Coastal Towns Rail Stations

(passengers boarding, both directions, 12 hours 0700-1900)

5.5 Pedestrian flows were recorded in New Milton and Lymington over a 12 hour period. A total of 18,986 pedestrians was recorded in Lymington High Street and 10,620 in Station Road, New Milton.

Table 11. Pedestrian Flows in New Milton and Lymington (12 hour)

6. Development of a Monitoring Strategy for the New Forest and Coastal Towns

6.1 The biennial monitoring programme for the New Forest began in 1996 and surveys are undertaken in March and August so that comparisons between off-peak and peak transport trends can be made. The coastal towns are also influenced by visitors and it is proposed to undertake the surveys at the same time as those for the New Forest. A monitoring programme was set up this year for the coastal towns, with surveys being undertaken in August and October.

7. Conclusion

7.1 The results of the biennial monitoring programme show an increase in traffic on roads in the New Forest between 1996 and 2002 in both March (1%) and August (1.4%). It should be borne in mind, however, that these surveys are a snapshot of one day's traffic flow and may have been influenced by a number of external factors, including the weather. The permanent counts suggest an overall increase of 8% between 1996 and 2001, with the greatest increases recorded on the A31 and M27. However, some of the main routes into the heart of the forest show a significant decrease, which would have been influenced by the outbreak of 'foot and mouth' in 2001.

7.2 During 2002 there was a difference of 24% in traffic flow between the surveys in March and August, demonstrating the impact of tourism on New Forest roads. Indications are that patronage levels on bus services increased in March and August between 1998 and 2002. The use of the New Forest's rail stations increased considerably between 1998 and 2002, with an increase of 21% in March and 81% in August in passengers boarding. Most notably, Brockenhurst station recorded an increase of 42% between August 2000 and 2002. On-road and off-road cycle use has continued to increase and is most notable during the summer months. Pedestrian counts undertaken in Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst demonstrate high levels of pedestrian activity in the main streets of both villages.

7.3 The data collected will be compared with future surveys to establish trends and changes in transport behaviour and levels of activity, and to provide a strong base for comparison with future surveys. Data will be used in assessing the impact of NFTS and CTTS initiatives over a longer period and in reviewing progress for LTP and RTRA purposes.

Recommendation

That the Panel notes the results of the 2002 New Forest Transport Strategy surveys.

7468/JC

APPENDIX

* Note: In some accidents reported to the police, the animal may not be seriously injured and may run off. Hence the number of accidents may sometimes exceed the number of animal deaths and injuries. This explains the odd figures for accidents at night in 1999.