Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

12 November 2002

Project Appraisal: Hedge End Area Transport Strategy - Itchen Valley Country Park, Allington Lane Cycle Access

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 12

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

ITCHEN VALLEY COUNTRY PARK - SHARED CYCLEWAY ACCESS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

DECEMBER 2002

COMPLETION DATE:

FEBRUARY 2003

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2002/03

7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

This Project Appraisal details proposals to construct a shared cycleway/ footway alongside Allington Lane from the termination of the existing facility at the M27 overbridge to the entrance to Itchen Valley Country Park.

7.2

Details

The shared facility will be constructed on the existing verge/margin on the western side of Allington Lane, as shown on drawing no. E/EC/96/001 which will be displayed at the meeting. A location plan is attached.

The highway along this length is on an embankment and a low `Birdlip' fence will installed along the top.

7.3

Standards

The design standards adhere to Environment Department's standards and national guidance on cycleway provision. The project has also been safety audited at appropriate stages and all issues raised have been satisfactorily resolved.

7.4

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

Hampshire Cycling and Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind have been consulted and neither raised any objection to the proposal.

Public Notices advertising the proposal were erected along the proposed route. One letter of objection has been received. This requested that a grass verge be provided between the footway/cycleway and the carriageway. To do this would involve extending the existing embankment at considerable expense, as well as a loss of mature planting with some effect on the ditches/drainage at the base.

7.5

Policy Considerations

The proposals are consistent with the aims and objectives of the South West Hampshire Transport Strategy, including measures to promote greater road safety and the promotion of travel by modes other than the private car by providing safe cycle and pedestrian routes.

7.6

Environmental Impacts

The new facility is to be constructed along an existing verge. Consideration has been made to reducing the need for removing any further `soft landscaping' by rejecting the segregated facility option.

7.7

Land Requirement

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

7.8

Alternative Arrangements

On-road facilities were considered and rejected as this type of cycleway is usually provided to guide cyclists through junctions over short lengths, or where no safer alternative exists.

Consideration has been made to reducing the need for removing any further `soft landscaping' by rejecting a segregated facility option.

The current proposal is considered the most appropriate way to deliver this facility in this location.

7.9

Local Member's View

Councillor Mrs Boulton supports the scheme.

7.10

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

7.11

Sustainability

Community cooperation - consultation with relevant user groups has taken place. One letter of objection has been received in response to Public Notices.

Water, Air and Soil - a segregated facility was rejected because of the extensive embankment works required and the effect this could have on ditches/drainage at the base.

Biodiversity - a segregated use facility was rejected due to the need for extensive embankment works.

Improving health and social well-being - by its nature, this cycleway will encourage more people to cycle or walk to the Itchen Valley Country Park.

Travel and Transport - this project aims to promote sustainable development by providing a shared use cycle facility into the Itchen Valley Country Park.

Climate Change and Energy Use - there are opportunities to reduce pollution through encouraging modal change from cars to cycles for young people.

8.

Financial Arrangements

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

12

Developer Funding

45

Supervision

3

Eastleigh Borough Council

20

Project Works

50

Land

Nil

____

____

Total

65

Total

65

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

2

)

)0.01

Capital Charge

10

)

____

____

Total Expenditure

12

0.01%

____

____

8.3

Maintenance Implications

The scheme will result in an increase to the maintenance budget of £2,000 per annum and will be taken into account in the setting of the annual budget.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

None