Archived decisions

Contact: Sheila Henley, ext 5189

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, shows an excess of spending over resources. Although additional resources are being sought from the Department for Transport (DfT) 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 the South East Hampshire Transport Strategy (SEHTS) 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 by the Executive Member for Environment 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. South East Hampshire Transport Strategy Capital Programme Scheme Progress 2002/03 to 2005/06

4.1 The transport programme for 2002/03 to 2005/06 for the SEHTS 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 key 2002/03 programmed schemes, excluding those externally funded, is set out in the following paragraphs.

Harts Farm Way, Broadmarsh and Havant Bus Station

4.3 On 9 September 2002 an informal meeting of this Panel was held to discuss options for improvements to Harts Farm Way and Havant Bus Station, and adjustments to funding of the programme. Notes of the meeting are attached as Appendix 2 and a background report entitled `Broadmarsh Strategy - Harts Farm Way Reconstruction and Havant Bus Station', which was presented to the meeting, is attached as Appendix 3.

4.4 As reported to the previous meeting on 14 March 2002, preliminary design investigations have been undertaken for a scheme along Harts Farm Way, between the A27 exit/entry roundabout 700 metres eastwards to a point east of the bridge at Hermitage stream. Initial assessments identified engineering complications in determining the most appropriate solution for reconstructing the carriageway, which regularly requires maintenance due to problems of subsidence.

4.5 The need for significant infrastructure improvements to provide adequate access to both existing and proposed future employment in the Broadmarsh area, together with the poor nature of ground conditions, was identified as issues which needed to be taken into account when determining the most appropriate solution.

4.6 Consultants have recently been appointed, acting on behalf of interested businesses and landowners, to establish the overall infrastructure requirements for the area, and also how contributions towards off-site highway works can be apportioned between different developers. The aim of the study is to determine the most appropriate way forward for all parties.

4.7 The Informal Panel was advised of a number of options for regulating and reconstructing Harts Farm Way at a cost of between £300,000 to £4 million. A review of the cost-effectiveness of the solutions and the wider development proposals for the area was highlighted. A total of £900,000 has been identified through the SEHTS programme for a scheme during 2002/03, providing insufficient funding for reconstruction, but allowing surface maintenance to continue and giving the opportunity to reallocate some £600,000 to other schemes. Regarding Havant Bus Station, the Informal Panel reviewed the four options identified for its improvement and noted the funding allocation of £100,000 in 2002/03, with Havant Borough allocating another £80,000 from its capital programme. The major upgrade, Option 1, at a provisional cost of £550,000 was approved as the preferred scheme by Havant Borough Council Members, with a consequent shortfall over the allocated expenditure of £370,000, and the need to adjust the programme for construction of the building to 2003/04 to meet design and planning requirements. Members were asked to provide a view on reallocating funds from Harts Farm Way to meet the preferred option for Havant Bus Station and to consider their priorities on two other schemes. These were a controlled pedestrian crossing on the B2149 Petersfield Road, close to Havant College, and the provision of a ticket office at Havant Rail station for London-bound passengers.

4.8 The Informal Panel unanimously agreed that the:

(i) present arrangements for regulating the settled areas of Harts Farm Way be continued at a provisional cost of £300,000;

(ii) major improvement at Havant Bus Station be put forward as the preferred scheme, provisionally estimated to cost £550,000;

(iii) merits of a crossing on Petersfield Road be carefully examined; and

(iv) contribution towards the ticket office at Havant Rail Station be considered, subject to further investigation of the estimated costs.

4.9 Since the Informal Panel met, further investigation of solutions for Harts Farm Way has taken place and, prior to the completion of the Consultants' Study and any improvements associated with future developments, a low-cost maintenance scheme, to be funded out of capital monies, has been identified as a short term, interim solution. The scheme will regulate the carriageway pavement to provide an acceptable longitudinal profile which will help maintain the surface for the next three to five years. It is anticipated that external funding may come forward to provide a longer term solution after this time. The short term scheme is estimated to cost in the order of £110,000 (including £22,000 external funding) and it is intended to complete the works by the end of this financial year.

4.10 Members are asked to endorse the proposed changes to the SEHTS programme to allow the underspend from Harts Farm Way to be reallocated to allow a major improvement of Havant Bus Station to come forward in year 2003/04, and indicate their priority for expenditure on a new crossing at Petersfield Road, and for the provision of a ticket office at Havant Rail Station, before appropriate approvals for the various works are sought from the Executive Member for Environment at a future date.

Service 23 Leigh Park Quality Bus Partnership

4.11 Raised boarding kerbs have been fitted at 40 bus stops along the route within Havant Borough. These raised kerbs provide level access to Stagecoach's low-floor buses, particularly benefiting passengers with buggies and in wheelchairs. Accompanying works have included widened footways, hardstandings and safer crossing points. There are five remaining pairs of bus stops to be completed in 2002/03.

4.12 Twenty-six new bus shelters were installed on route 23 within Havant Borough during July and August 2002. The shelters are of a new robust design incorporating lighting and timetable information, and are capable of accommodating Real Time Passenger Information in the future, should funding permit. Five of the new shelters are equipped with solar-powered lighting as a trial. A number of the old shelters that have been removed are suitable for further use and are being sent to bus stops elsewhere in Havant Borough at the discretion of Havant Borough Council officers.

4.13 To ensure that the partnership is delivering improvements, independent consultants have been carrying out monitoring of Service 23, including punctuality, journey times, driver customer care skills, ride quality and vehicle cleanliness.

4.14 Electronic ticket machine data provided by Stagecoach indicates that passenger numbers have increased by over 30% since the beginning of the partnership in November 2000.

4.15 The Service 23 Quality Bus Partnership has been entered in the Bus Industry Awards 2002 under two categories (Infrastructure and Accessibility). These were joint bids by the County Council with Stagecoach and Havant Borough Council. An oral report on the outcome of these bids will be given at the meeting.

Cycle Network Priority Assessment

4.16 Assessment work involving site visits and meetings with district officers and other consultees is now complete. A Study Report is in preparation and on target for draft completion by the end of October 2002. As a consequence, the full discussion planned for this meeting of the Panel is deferred until it next meets in the spring.

Hayling Billy Trail Cycle Route

4.17 The first section of this trail between New Road and the A3023 Langstone Road was completed in August 2002. Preparatory works on the next stage, between New Lane and Havant Railway Station, have commenced. This will provide a continuous high quality shared use cycleway and include:

(i) the provision of a new access from New Lane in the station car park;

(ii) modifications to the eastern end of the car park;

(iii) new surfacing;

(iv) signing in New Road;

(v) new lighting;

(vi) closed circuit television;

(vii) fencing and landscaping;

(viii) cycle road markings/surfacing; and

(ix) vehicle speed restrictor pads.

4.18 This stage is expected to cost £100,000. Works on-site are anticipated to start in February 2003, subject to approvals and consents being obtained, and be complete in June 2003.

4.19 A further phase, subject to funding in 2003/04, will involve the provision of a contraflow cycleway over a one-way section of car park. This will require the rearrangement of the existing car parking spaces, new car parking areas, cycle and motorcycle parking, and a possible cycle shop.

4.20 A key feature of this project has been the integration with other scheme programmes to achieve added value and enhanced partnering arrangements. This has continued into this stage. The Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) programme to improve the north side of Havant railway station has brought together Hampshire County Council, Havant Borough Council, South West Trains and Network Rail (formerly Railtrack). Proposals have been prepared for the up platform, foyer and setting down areas. Consultation with local residents is soon to take place, led by Havant Borough Council. The overall cost of improvements outlined in the proposals is estimated at £175,000, with the Rail Partnership Project contributing £75,000 and Network Rail £10,000. A further £45,000 may be available from the South West Trains Investment Board, subject to a decision in early November. Other contributions from the LTP are being explored, such as that towards the new ticket office mentioned in paragraph 4.8. Once the necessary approvals have been given, works could begin before April 2003.

4.21 Much further into the future, post 2007, are proposals to refurbish the station footbridge by carrying out some structural repairs, undertaking canopy and mesh replacement and repainting the whole structure, at a preliminary estimated cost of £550,000 (current rates). Funding sources are yet to be fully identified, but Network Rail has expressed a willingness to make a significant contribution to the cost of the scheme.

Major Schemes

4.22 In addition to the A3 public transport corridor, strategic park-and-ride and the wider SHRT network (see items elsewhere on the agenda) there are several other major schemes featured in the SEHTS. A brief description of these schemes is given in the table below.

4.23 Indications from Government are that there is likely to be only limited funding for major schemes until the second LTP period begins in 2006/07. There is funding available within the capital allocation to progress these schemes through to March 2003. However, there is unlikely to be sufficient funding in either capital or revenue budgets in 2003/04 for them to continue without seriously affecting other programmes or services. As mentioned earlier, much will be dependent upon the outcome of the capital settlement to be announced by Government in December 2002, and the acceptance of the A3 bid for 2003/04.

4.24 It is proposed that these projects continue to be progressed during 2002/03, but that no commitments are made into 2003/04 until the January 2003 meeting of the Executive Member for Environment when the financial situation for 2003/04 is known. Members will be provided with an opportunity to discuss priorities more fully at the next meeting.

A32 Bus Priority Study

4.25 Congestion at several points along the A32 corridor between Fareham and Gosport affect bus journey times in the peak. The County Council's partner consultant, Atkins, is presently assessing and determining the benefits of a package of possible measures to give buses priority. Feasibility work is expected to be completed by the end of 2002 and a fuller report will be presented to the this Panel in the spring.

Community Transport

4.26 The outcome of the County Council's bid for Urban Bus Challenge funding for demand-responsive services in the Gosport area will be known in November 2002. If successful, new services will be introduced for hospital, community and commuter trips. The services would be marketed under the `Cango' branding and bookings for services taken by the call centre in Winchester. The bid is valued at £1 million over a three year period. In addition, at the beginning of November new bus services were launched in Leigh Park under the `Cango' brand. These services will allow people to gain access to employment areas and provide a direct service to Queen Alexandra and St Mary's hospitals. Local health centres will also be served.

Safety Camera Deployment and Procurement

4.27 Hampshire Constabulary, in partnership with Hampshire County Council and the other signatories to the Safety Camera Partnership for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, has received approval from the Government for an Operational Case to extend safety camera operations across the Hampshire Constabulary Force area. Such cameras will be deployed to assist in the reduction of speed-related road casualties and, as a result, will assist in the delivery of the County Council's road casualty reduction strategy, the Hampshire Speed Management Strategy and the road casualty reduction target the County Council has set as part of its local Public Service Agreement.

4.28 The following locations have been identified for consideration within the SEHTS area for the placement of fixed site, automatically-operated safety cameras during 2002/03:

(i) C374 Highlands Road, Fareham;

(ii) A32 Gosport Road, Fareham; and

(iii) Grange Road, Gosport.

5. Priorities in Future Years

Fareham-Gosport Peninsula Study Measures excluding Stubbington Bypass

5.1 The A32 Gosport Road/Salterns Lane junction improvements, A32 Fareham Road/Wych Lane bus detection and B3385 Newgate Lane signalisation of Longfield Avenue and Speedfields roundabouts are being progressed through Atkins, with detailed design and cost estimates in preparation. These schemes do not currently fall within the capital programme and are provisionally estimated to cost £200,000, £100,000 and £150,000 respectively. However, funding opportunities are being explored through synergy with other schemes in the locality to enable these projects to come forward within the current LTP period.

Other Schemes

5.2 Other schemes coming forward are Variable Message Signing for car parks in Fareham, provisionally estimated to cost £300,000, and replacement of pontoons at the Gosport Ferry, initially estimated at £2 million. Further feasibility work is required. Members' views are sought regarding future priorities on these projects.

6. Conclusion

6.1 Implementation of the schemes listed in Sections 4 and 5 above need to progress to meet the objectives of the SEHTS. 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 South East Hampshire Transport Strategy.

7488/SH

APPENDIX 1

SOUTH EAST HAMPSHIRE TRANSPORT STRATEGY

PROGRAMME 2002/03

SOUTH EAST HAMPSHIRE TRANSPORT STRATEGY

PROGRAMME 2003/04 TO 2005/06

NB Externally funded schemes are shown in italics.