Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

12 November 2002

Project Appraisal: North Waltham - Traffic Calming

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 10

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

NORTH WALTHAM - TRAFFIC CALMING

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

NOVEMBER 2002

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 2003

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

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Oct 02

(at Oct 02

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

nil

nil

Construction

62

65)

Fees

3

)

65

65

Less developers/

other contributions

Developer Funding

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

10

45

10

45

10

10

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

10

(b) Other

10

2.

From other resources

(a) Developer contributions

10

(b) Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

45

TOTAL

65

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £nil

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

nil

nil

Capital charges

5

0.005

TOTAL net expenditure

5

0.005

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

A composite scheme for traffic calming is proposed for North Waltham (see attached location plan) following a series of meetings with the Parish Council to determine local priorities. These priorities have focused on the perceived need to reduce vehicle speeds within the centre of the village where vehicles increase speeds on the wider roads after having negotiated the narrower country lanes which approach the village. The second aim is to provide safer facilities for pedestrians who, without separate footways on the older roads in the village, are presently required to walk in the road. A speed survey undertaken in March and April 2001 identified that southbound speeds on Church Road are high for local circumstances, and in the absence of footways pedestrians perceived that walking in the village is hazardous.

An analysis of the accident records indicates that two injury accidents occurred within the village in the three year period up to 31 August 2002, events which can be attributed to inappropriate speeds and the need to marshal traffic more effectively.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County network and policies

The proposals are consistent with the aims set out in the Hampshire Local Transport Plan 2001-2006 for the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport, ie to reduce the harmful effects of transport, to improve the safety of all travellers and to reduce dependence on the private car.

Details of scheme and design standards

The works will improve the safety of pedestrians and reduce the impact of vehicles which pass through the village. They are:

Location

Proposal

Popham Lane

new footway, carriageway narrowing

Waltham Lane

new footway, carriageway narrowing, revised parking

Steventon Road to Mary Lane

new footway

Church Road/Yew Tree Lane/

Popham Lane

junction narrowing, change priority

Steventon Road/Mary Road

junction narrowing

Waltham Lane/Steventon Road

junction narrowing

Waltham Lane, Steventon Lane, Maidenthorn Lane, Fox Lane, Popham Lane

gateways to enhance existing 30 miles per hour speed limit

The design standards adhere to Hampshire County Council standards and national guidance. The designs will be safety audited.

Environmental impact

The scheme has been designed to minimise any visual impact on the environment and should reduce the effects of traffic on the village.

Land requirements

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

Statutory procedures

Not applicable.

Public consultation

A meeting was held with North Waltham Parish Council on 25 February 1998 which identified a list of issues that the Parish Council wished to address. This resulted from inappropriate vehicle speeds in the village and the effect on pedestrians, especially children. A letter to the Parish Council in February 2001 explained that the proposals had progressed on a preferred scheme based on carriageway narrowing, to be funded by Section 278 works from housing development in the village. In November 2001 Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council was asked to progress the scheme including changing priority at the Popham Lane/Yew Tree Lane junction together with additional footways suggested by the Parish Council. The Borough Council introduced footway construction into the scheme and has increased its funding contribution to cover the costs. The scheme now has the approval of all parties.

Local Member's View

Councillor Mrs McNair Scott supports these proposals.

Facilities for the disabled

Disabled pedestrians will benefit from the provision of the footways by not having to walk in the road. Dropped kerbs will be provided.

Maintenance implications

Maintenance costs should slightly increase compared to the existing situation.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

Sustainability

The works will enhance the environment for walking and reduce dependence on the private car.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

No suitable alternatives.

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

North Waltham

Environment Department

Sheridan House