Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

12 November 2002

Project Appraisal: Fair Oak Road, Eastleigh - Cycle Route

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 11

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

FAIR OAK, EASTLEIGH - CYCLEWAY

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 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 new shared use cycleway along Fair Oak Road, from Allington Lane to Wyvern School complex, as shown on drawing E/HC/51/008 which will be displayed at the meeting. A location plan is attached.

7.2

Details

The proposed cycleway covers three different areas of construction, as described below.

Area 1 is the southern side of Fair Oak Road, between Allington Lane and Fratton Way. A shared use cycleway is to be provided by narrowing the existing carriageway and widening the existing southern footpath. This section will extend an existing route from Bishopstoke to Fair Oak that currently terminates at the junction with Allington Lane. This junction is to be improved with a new 2.4 metre wide central refuge to facilitate crossing of this busy junction.

This area also includes provision for a new Toucan crossing into Hawthorne Close on the northern side of Eastleigh Road. The existing footway is to be widened and converted to a shared use facility, linking to a new advisory route in Hawthorne Close.

The Wyvern School Travel Plan has indicated that between 800 and 900 pupils travel to school along this section of Fair Oak Road. Currently 12% of pupils cycle; 28% have indicated that they would like to. A survey undertaken by Wyvern College on the morning of 18 September 2002 identified 273 pedestrians and cyclists crossed Eastleigh Road between Hawthorne Close and Oak Drive.

Area 2 is to provide an on-road advisory route along Dean Road, Dell Close and Fratton Way/Dell Close by means of road markings and signing. This section will also provide a link with an existing cycleway opposite the Dean Road/Allington Lane junction.

Area 3 is the construction of a new 2.5 metre wide shared use cycleway through the open space and school playing fields between Fratton Way and the school complex. Minimal lighting is to be provided along this route.

7.3

Standards

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

A PV² analysis has been undertaken showing an average of 1.61 E10⁸ which justifies the installation of a Toucan crossing at the planned location.

7.4

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

Eastleigh Borough Council has undertaken extensive consultation with residents, disabled groups, cycle user groups, Hampshire Constabulary, and Wyvern School and Technical College.

In December 2001 Local Area Committee Members considered objections and approved the proposed scheme.

Public Notices were posted in August for a period of 28 days at the location of the proposed Toucan. Two objections were received from local residents. Both objected to the noise of the bleeper but this may be resolved by restricting the bleeper to daytime use only. The suggestion to move the location of the proposed Toucan to the east of Fratton Way would be a deviation of the established travel pattern and would not encourage maximum use. Crossing of Fratton Way near the junction with Eastleigh Road will be reduced as the route continues off- road on the western side south to a convenient point where cyclists can safely move onto the road and use the advisory route. The issue of increased traffic congestion is acknowledged during the two peak hours generated by the schools. The proposed location of the Toucan may improve egress from Fratton Way by creating breaks in traffic flow. The Toucan will be clearly marked with carriageway surfacing and standard lining. It is not anticipated that there will be any increase in accidents as a result of installation.

7.5

Policy Considerations

The proposals are consistent with, and are included in, Eastleigh Borough Council's Local Plan and the South West Area Transport Strategy. These policies are reflected in the Wyvern School Travel Plan.

7.6

Environmental Impacts

A new shared use facility is to be constructed through the open space to the existing path on the boundary of the playing fields which will also be improved. The new facility crosses a line of mature trees and there is a high embankment at the northern end leading up to the playing fields. Consideration has been made to minimise the need for extensive earthworks by creating a slight `dog-leg' around the highest part of the embankment, and by choosing a natural break in the trees. Refer to paragraph 7.11 for details on sustainability.

7.7

Land Requirement

No land acquisition is required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits, land owned by Eastleigh Borough Council and within the school playing fields, with the agreement of the school.

7.8

Alternative Arrangements

Provision of an off-road shared cycleway along Allington Lane to its junction with Dean Road and an on-road advisory section to the school complex via Dean Road, Dell Close, Selhurst Way and Elland Close was considered. This option was rejected as it is not a direct route to the college and does not follow the main existing travel desire line from the west and north to the Wyvern School complex.

Consideration was also given to using the footpath alongside Dean Road to the Wyvern School complex via an area of undeveloped land. This option was rejected as a section of this route passes through a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, street lighting would need to be provided on the boundary with the countryside, and there would be a significant increase in construction costs.

7.9

Local Member's View

Councillor Mrs Boulton supports the proposals.

7.10

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

There is a short section of secluded cycleway planned through to the rear of the school. In order to reduce the fear of crime, lighting is planned in order to alleviate some risk, and the Police, having been involved in consultations, are aware. The Wyvern School complex will monitor the effectiveness of the new cycleway.

7.11

Sustainability

Community cooperation - consultation with the local community, relevant user groups and the local Member has taken place. The project has changed as a result of feedback to ensure a balance of identified stakeholder needs and policy objectives.

Water, Air and Soil - consideration has been made in planning the new cycleway to removing the need for extensive earthworks by creating a `dog-leg' around an existing embankment.

Biodiversity - in the development of this scheme a route that cuts through a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation was rejected. Steps have also been taken to reduce the need for extensive earthworks and tree removals in the final proposal.

Improving health and social well-being - by its nature, this cycleway will encourage more people to cycle or walk to school. This scheme aims to influence pupils of the school complex to use a cycle, or walk. 28% of pupils in a survey at the Wyvern College said that they would like to cycle. Provision of a safe and continuous route may ultimately improve the general health of the pupils and provides access to the leisure and learning facilities for the whole community.

Social inclusion - this scheme improves access to services for the younger and older community.

Travel and Transport - this project aims to promote sustainable development by providing a continuous shared use cycle facility from Bishopstoke, to Fair Oak, and on to the Wyvern School complex in order to encourage more pupils to cycle to school. A survey conducted by the Wyvern College identified over 270 pupils crossing the main road at the location of the proposed Toucan. Local shops are situated on the north side, the proposed Toucan will improve access to these for residents in the south of the village. The Wyvern School Travel Plan was prepared in consultation with the local community, and the objectives of this project are closely linked with this Plan.

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

20

Developer Funding

158

Supervision

5

Eastleigh Safer Routes to Schools

60

Project Works

190

Land

nil

____

____

Total

215

Total

218

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

3

)

)0.036

Capital Charge

34

)

____

____

Total Expenditure

37

0.036

____

____

8.3

Maintenance Implications

The scheme will result in an increase to the maintenance budget of £3,000 per annum, including the new Toucan crossing, 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.

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LOCATION

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