AT A MEETING of the TEST VALLEY HIGHWAY MANAGEMENT ADVISORY PANEL held at the Guildhall, Andover on 15 November 2002.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: M J Woodhall (Chairman); P A Pierce; Mrs P A West

Test Valley Borough Council

Councillors: N R Arnell; R J Bailey; M D Hatley; S F Leach; J E Taylor

9. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

10. MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 July 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

11. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications.

12. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations received.

13. ENVIRONMENT GROUPING REORGANISATION

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment on reorganisation of the County Council's former Environment Grouping and progress on the Traffic Management Partnership Agreement and Development Control Review. (Item 5 in the Minute Book).

The new organisation and structure of the Environment Department and local points of officer contact were explained so far as the management structure was concerned. Further details on other staff contacts would follow later.

Parish Councils and the public would be informed of the arrangements and eventually a single telephone contact was planned, which would route enquiries to the appropriate destination. The Hampshire Highways West e-mail address is :

[email protected]

The Director of Environment was to investigate methods of notifying members of items such as speed limits and winter maintenance. The Test Valley Borough Council Members Information bulletin was suggested.

A report had been prepared on the options for the delivery of the Development Control Service. A final report was to be taken to the County Council's Environment Policy Review Committee and the Executive Member for Environment and consideration would need to be given to wider Member consultation.


RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

14. HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME STATUS REPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) updating on the current situation regarding organisation, programme of events and budget for Hampshire Highways, Test Valley.

The vacancies reported to the Panel's last meeting on 22 July 2002 had been filled and the office was fully staffed.

The Revenue Budget for routine maintenance (£800,000) was committed in line with the spend profile and progress on the ground was as planned.

Progress on the capital maintenance programme for principal and non-principal roads routine structural repairs was on schedule.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

15. MINOR WORKS PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on progress made on the 2002/03 minor works schemes and the rolling programme of such schemes for prioritisation for 2003/04.

Schemes in the current year's Minor Works Programme included schemes at East Dean, Mottisfont and Andover.

The Minor Works Rolling Programme was compiled from suggestions for schemes under £10,000 from elected Members, Police, Parish Councils, Resident's Associations, the public and mobility groups, etc.

Members were asked to consider the following schemes compiled from the Appendix attached to the report:-

a) A3090 Winchester Road, Crampmoor - new footway £5,000

b) A3057 Romsey Road, Rownhams - new footway £6,000

c) C13 Charlton Road, Andover - new footway £5,000

d) B3402 Weyhill Road, Andover - Kerbing and new footway £6,000

e) U386 Shepherds Spring Lane, Andover - new footway £8,000

Total £30,000

RESOLVED:

a) That the report be noted.

b) That Members indicate their preference for which schemes should be included in the

2003/04 minor works programme.

16. OTHER PROGRAMMES AND SCHEMES - STATUS REPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Items 8 in the Minute Book) setting out the current position of various programmes and schemes with the Test Valley area.

The Panel received a presentation on street lighting - community safety initiative by the Director of Environment on various street lighting items.

The Casualty Reduction Programme within Test Valley included five schemes in 2002/03. An important element of future proposals the expansion in the use of safety cameras. Overall a 30% reduction in speed related accidents had been recorded on existing camera routes.

It was reported that some traffic calming schemes might slip from 2002/03 to the following year. Further discussion was required on the proposed Kings Somborne (Eldon Road) scheme, and on Balmoral Way, Bakers Drove and Horns Drove, Rownhams. The difficulty for some of the smaller parishes to fund other than small schemes was raised, for example, Monxton. The Director of Environment was to investigate possible alternative sources of funding.

A programme of load assessment and strengthening of bridges was reported. This action had become necessary due to the increase in weight of vehicles being raised by EU legislation to 40 tonnes. The assessments had been completed and remedial work would be carried out as appropriate over the next few years.

A visit was to be arranged by the Director of Environment, to the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Group facility in Winchester.

Reference was made to the South West Hampshire Transport Strategy Schemes Capital Programme 2002/03. Public consultation had been completed in respect of the Romsey Movement and Access - Town Centre Environmental Enhancement Scheme. A decision would be made by the Executive Member for Environment in the New Year.

It was reported that a decision letter had been received from the Secretary of State in respect of the proposed Town and Country Planning Act Order for Andover High Street.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

17. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting be held on Friday, 28 February 2003 at 10.00am, at Test Valley Borough Council Offices, Weyhill Road, Andover.

4JM911202