Archived decisions

Contact: Chris Lait, tel 01329 824485

1. Summary

1.1 This report covers the following issues:

(i) Bridge Works Programme 2002/03;

(ii) Intelligent Transport Systems Programme 2002/03;

(iii) South East Hampshire Transport Strategy Scheme Report; and

(iv) Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme.

2. The Bridge Works Programme

2.1 The Bridges Section of the Environment Department is responsible for inspection and maintenance, load assessment and strengthening of all existing county highway structures, together with new structures built as part of road improvements, housing schemes and industrial developments. This includes 1,400 road bridges, 300 footbridges and numerous ancillary structures such as retaining walls and gantries.

2.2 The majority of bridge maintenance and assessment and strengthening is capital funded via the Local Transport Plan, but inspections, routine maintenance, footbridges and environmental maintenance of subways are revenue funded.

2.3 Bridge maintenance covers regular routine items, such as vegetation and drainage clearance, repairs to accidental damage, major and minor structural maintenance identified from the annual cycle of bridge inspections and environmental maintenance of subways. The latter covers graffiti removal and cleaning under a three year term contract with a firm called Graffiti Solutions. Raynesway Construction Southern Limited carry out the majority of other maintenance, although some specialist or larger jobs go out to tender.

2.4 A programme of load assessment and strengthening was instigated by EU legislation that allowed 40 tonne lorries on British roads from 1 January 1999. The assessments are now complete, and strengthening of sub-standard bridges is ongoing. There remain about 50 bridges subject to interim measures, such as weight limits or monitoring, that will be strengthened over the next five or six years, funding permitting.

2.5 Following the Selby crash in February 2001, parapets and safety fences at road/rail interfaces, mainly bridges, are being evaluated and prioritised with a view to establishing a rolling programme for protective measures.

2.6 There are three schemes within Havant in the 2002/03 programme:

(i) St Clares Avenue South

This scheme involves the infilling of a subway which will be carried out when improved safety and traffic calming has been completed on the road.

(ii) Farringdon Road

This bridge is subject to a temporary weight limit. It is intended to replace this bridge at the beginning of the financial year 2003/04 and remove the weight limit.

(iii) Langstone Bridge

This is the subject of a separate report on the agenda.

3. Intelligent Transport Systems Group Programme

3.1 The Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) group was formed in January 2000 and manages all aspects of traffic control and information systems throughout Hampshire. It is responsible for the policy, research, development, design, implementation and operation of all signals, traffic control and information systems in the county. This includes Pelican, Puffin and Toucan pedestrian and cycle crossings.

3.2 The group is located in Monument House in Winchester which houses the Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system from where it coordinates and controls traffic signals in Winchester, Eastleigh, Havant, Fareham, Gosport and Basingstoke through a central computer. This system not only controls traffic signals but also car parking information, priority facilities for emergency vehicles, and specific priority for other vehicles such as buses. Remote monitoring is used to immediately detect faults in signal equipment in any part of the county, facilitating swift response times.

3.3 The ITS group is also responsible for the operation, management and fault reporting for the traffic control elements of the Area 3 Commission for the Highways Agency. This work extends the area of responsibility for traffic systems management to include high profile sites on the Motorway and Trunk Roads network in the Area 3 Super Agency.

3.4 The Traffic and Travel Information Centre (TTIC) at Monument House is directly linked to the original TTIC in Southampton (ROMANSE project) and it collects, collates and disseminates information in a variety of ways. A number of individual systems have been developed and are currently in operation:

(i) STOPWATCH real-time bus passenger information system;

(ii) Variable Message Signs (VMS);

(iii) TRIPlanner information terminals for pre-trip planning; and

(iv) closed circuit television (CCTV) for network monitoring.

Traffic and Travel information is passed to the media, Police and motoring organisations as well as being disseminated through the ROMANSE on-line web site (www.romanse.org.uk). Existing systems are being extended and new technologies and systems being researched to ensure an efficient sustainable transport system for Hampshire.

3.5 Works identified within the ITS Programmes in Havant for 2002/03 include:

(i) refurbishments of Pelican crossings at Crookhorn Lane, Purbrook Way and Bedhampton Lane; and

(ii) links between Havant CCTV cameras and TTIC in Winchester to improve traffic monitoring and information.

4. South East Hampshire Transport Strategy Scheme Report

4.1 The 2002/03 programme of South East Hampshire Transport Strategy schemes included within the Local Transport Plan is set out in the attached appendix.

4.2 It should be noted that it is to be proposed at the next meeting of the South East Hampshire Transportation Strategy Panel, following a recent informal meeting between Hampshire County Council and Havant Borough Council Members, that programmes for 2002/03 and 2003/04 are adjusted. Extensive investigations have indicated that the present regulation of Harts Farm Way (through `topping up') represents the preferred method of maintaining this carriageway. This would be at a lower cost than the allocation within 2002/03. A recent study has demonstrated the benefits of a major improvement at Havant Bus Station. The cost of this improvement would be higher than the allocation within the current programme and would be likely to commence in 2003/04. These suggested changes would result in lower expenditure in the current year than previously proposed. Hence it is also proposed to consider the funding of a possible crossing on Petersfield Road, subject to feasibility studies, and a contribution towards an additional ticket office at the railway station. These changes would be subject to the approval of the Executive Member for Environment.

5. Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme

North Street, Emsworth

5.1 The implementation of environmental improvements in North Street, Emsworth is substantially complete. The work includes new lighting, brick and stone paving and street tree planting. The contractor is Caroway Contractors Limited and the total value of the works is £263,000, of which the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas programme is contributing £85,000. An opening ceremony is being held on 13 November.

Havant Station

5.2 A partnership approach to environmental improvements on the north side of the station is currently being discussed with the operator, South West Trains. The work will include enhancement to the setting of the buildings, improved access and new surfacing and street furniture in the street leading up to the station. The project is integrated with other initiatives to improve access to the station.

London Road, Waterlooville

5.3 In partnership with Havant Borough Council and Winchester City Council, the County Council is preparing long term planning, design and management guidance for the regeneration of Waterlooville town centre. The guidance will cover land and buildings in both public and private ownership, and set out a framework for improving pedestrian, cycling, bus and vehicular access throughout the town centre. The work is integral to the emerging proposals for the Major Development Area and the A3 bus quality partnership initiative.

Recommendation

That the report be noted.

7429/CL