Archived decisions

Contact: Chris Lait, tel: 01329 824485

1. Summary

1.1 This report covers the following issues:

(i) Traffic Regulation Order Programme;

(ii) Low Cost Casualty Reduction Programme 2002/03;

(iii) Bridge Works Programme 2002/03;

(iv) Intelligent Transport Systems Programme 2002/03;

(v) South East Hampshire Transport Strategy Scheme Report;

(vi) Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme; and

(vii) Development Related Works.

2. Traffic Regulation Order Programme

2.1 Investigations are ongoing with regard to the traffic regulation order programme. An update is given in Appendix 1.

3. Casualty Reduction Programme 2002/03

3.1 An update on the current casualty reduction programme within Gosport is included within Appendix 2.

3.2 It is worth noting the installation of ripple print as part of a national trial of the process has taken place in Rowner Road and Tukes Avenue. Some difficulty has been encountered in laying the material to the correct profile in Tukes Avenue and remedial measures are being discussed with the contractor. These schemes will be monitored as to their effectiveness.

3.3 An important element of the casualty reduction strategy is the expansion of the use of safety cameras on routes with a serious accident record. Hampshire Constabulary, in partnership with the County Council and the other highway authorities in Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight, are expanding their fixed and mobile safety camera operations as part of the national cost recovery system, whereby fine revenue can be used to fund enforcement costs.

3.4 The sites and routes chosen are where there is a history of speed-related accidents and high numbers of drivers exceeding the posted speed limit. New camera enforcement operations are under consideration at the following locations:

(i) B3037 Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh;

(ii) A35 Totton Causeway, New Forest;

(iii) A32 Gosport Road, Fareham;

(iv) Highlands Road, Fareham;

(v) Grange Road, Gosport; and

(vi) A337 Setley, New Forest.

3.5 New route sections for mobile camera operations under detailed investigation are on the A30 at Hook and Blackwater and the A339 at Lasham. The 11 existing routes for mobile camera enforcement will continue. They have shown encouraging results so far, initial monitoring giving significant reductions in total casualties and particularly in speed-related accidents, which have reduced on average by over 30%.

4. The Bridgeworks Programme

4.1 The Bridge Section of the Department is responsible for inspection and maintenance, load assessment and strengthening of all existing county highway structures, together with new structures built as part of road improvements, housing schemes and industrial developments. This includes 1,400 road bridges, 300 footbridges and numerous ancillary structures, such as retaining walls and gantries.

4.2 The majority of bridge maintenance, assessment and strengthening is capital funded via the Local Transport Plan (LTP), but inspections, routine maintenance, footbridges and environmental maintenance of subways are revenue funded.

4.3 Bridge maintenance covers regular routine items, such as vegetation and drainage clearance, repairs to accidental damage, major and minor structural maintenance identified from the annual cycle of bridge inspections, and environmental maintenance of subways. The latter includes graffiti removal and cleaning under a three year term contract with a firm called Graffiti Solutions. Raynesway Construction Southern Limited carries out the majority of other maintenance, although some specialist or larger jobs go out to tender.

4.4 A programme of load assessment and strengthening was instigated by EU legislation that allowed 40 tonne lorries on British roads from 1 January 1999. The assessments are now complete and strengthening of sub-standard bridges is ongoing. About 50 bridges remain subject to interim measures, such as weight limits or monitoring, which will be strengthened over the next five to six years, funding permitting.

4.5 Following the Selby crash in February 2001, parapets and safety fences at road/rail interfaces, mainly bridges, are being evaluated and prioritised with a view to establishing a rolling programme for protective measures.

2002/03 Schemes in Gosport

4.6 There are no major bridge schemes programmed, but liaison is ongoing between the Bridge Section and the South Hampshire Rapid Transit (SHRT) team concerning the existing and proposed structures on SHRT Phase 1: Fareham-Gosport-Portsmouth. There are also feasibility studies proposed for Ann's Hill and Alver bridges.

Ann's Hill Bridge

4.7 This bridge carries Ann's Hill Road over the disused railway line, which will be used by SHRT in 2007. The visual appearance is poor, with notable deterioration of the precast concrete fence panels and evidence of rotation of the piers. The condition is being monitored to ensure safety and a programme for repair/replacement is now being investigated.

4.8 Approximately 10% of the panels were replaced in 1992/03 at a cost of £40,000, giving a pro-rata estimate of £500,000 to £600,000. The repairs will be phased over several years, as it is unlikely that sufficient funds will be available to complete all the works in one financial year.

Alver Bridge, Alverstoke

4.9 This bridge is sub-standard by current assessment standards with respect to load carrying capacity, and the existing reinforced concrete is showing corrosion and spalling. The most economical solution in the long term is replacement, and it is intended to start the feasibility study this financial year.

5. Intelligent Transport Systems Group Programme

5.1 The Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Group was formed in January 2000 and manages all aspects of traffic control and information systems throughout Hampshire. It is responsible for the policy, research, development, design, implementation and operation of all signals, traffic control and information systems in the county. This includes Pelican, Puffin and Toucan pedestrian and cycle crossings.

5.2 The group is located in Monument House in Winchester which houses the Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system, from where it coordinates and controls traffic signals in Winchester, Eastleigh, Havant, Fareham, Gosport and Basingstoke through a central computer. This system not only controls traffic signals but also car parking information, priority facilities for emergency vehicles and specific priority for other vehicles, such as buses. Remote monitoring is used to immediately detect faults in signal equipment in any part of the county, facilitating swift response times.

5.3 The ITS group is also responsible for the operation, management and fault reporting for the traffic control elements of the Area 3 Commission for the Highways Agency. This work extends the area of responsibility for traffic systems management to include high profile sites on the motorway and trunk roads network in the Area 3 Super Agency.

5.4 The Traffic and Travel Information Centre (TTIC) at Monument House is directly linked to the original TTIC in Southampton (ROMANSE project) and it collects, collates and disseminates information in a variety of ways. A number of individual systems have been developed and are currently in operation:

(i) STOPWATCH real-time bus passenger information system;

(ii) Variable Message Signs;

(iii) TRIPlanner information terminals for pre-trip planning; and

(iv) Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) for network monitoring.

5.5 Traffic and Travel information is passed to the media, Police and motoring organisations as well as being disseminated through the ROMANSE on-line website (www.romanse.org.uk). Existing systems are being extended and new technologies and systems are being researched to ensure an efficient sustainable transport system for Hampshire.

5.6 Works identified within the ITS Capital Programme in Gosport for 2002/03 are:

(i) Privett Road/Browndown Road - upgrade cycle crossing to Toucan;

(ii) Cherque Farm - new traffic signals north junction (developer funded);

(iii) Bury Road/Ann's Hill Road - refurbish existing signals; options to provide pedestrian crossing facilities will be subject to further consultation; and

(iv) CCTV links to TTIC in Winchester to improve traffic monitoring and information.

6. South East Hampshire Transport Strategy Scheme Report

6.1 The 2002/03 programme of South East Hampshire Transport Strategy schemes included within the LTP is set out in Appendix 3.

6.2 Browndown cycletrack is substantially complete, however, additional works are proposed at the Wootton Road pedestrian refuge to enhance safety. This includes additional signing, lining and coloured surfacing.

7. Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme

Trinity Green Phase 2

7.1 Works are currently progressing on-site to rekerb and resurface footways adjacent to Holy Trinity Vicarage, and on walls and railings to the north side of the churchyard. Works are due to be completed by the end of this month.

Stoke Road Phase 4

7.2 Included in this phase are works to complete the upgrading of footways in the conservation area between Peel Road and Elmhurst Road. Works are programmed to start on-site in March 2003. Single Regeneration Budget funding of an additional £25,500 has been secured for the scheme. Designs for Christ Church and the United Reform Church frontage (west end of Stoke Road) are being progressed and specialist lighting contractors are advising on a floodlighting scheme for the tower of the Methodist Church. In addition, discussions are now underway with landowners at the east end of Stoke Road to identify potential improvements to enhance this area.

8. Development Related Works

Priddys Hard Link Road

8.1 The Priddys Hard Link Road opened on 31 July 2002 and a number of issues have been identified that are currently being addressed:

(i) The Grove Road junction has a number of proposals at various stages of advancement. These include additional signing for ahead only, changed traffic light timings to improve pedestrian safety and reduce speed, modified terminal ends to noise walls to assist visibility and amended street lighting positions and shields.

(ii) The need for additional road markings on the A32 to improve driver awareness and lane discipline.

(iii) The need for speed recording on the first section of the Link Road to assess current speeds and enable review of the speed limit.

(iv) The need to monitor turning movements at Elson Road junction.

The road will continue to be monitored from both a maintenance and performance perspective to ensure remedial works are identified in the maintenance period.

Cherque Farm Link Road

8.2 Works are currently ongoing to construct the first phase of the Link Road, including the north junction with Broom Way. This includes the realignment of Shoot Lane and a new signalised junction on Broom Way. Work commenced on Broom Way at the end of August and temporary traffic control has been in operation to enable the safe construction of these works. Utility works have also been necessary alongside the highway works, which have suffered some minor delays. Street lighting is due to be connected by mid-November and works completed by December 2002.

Royal Clarence Yard

8.3 Refurbishment of the two existing barrack blocks is progressing, together with the new residential development close to the Forton Lake Opening Bridge. The reconstruction of substantial parts of Weevil Lane is in progress to bring the road up to adoption standard. The detailed design of the Weevil Lane/Mumby Road junction is being progressed by the developers in consultation with the County Council.

Recommendation

That the report be noted.

7513/CL

APPENDIX 1

ONGOING TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS (9.10.02)

NB All proposals are waiting restrictions

Informal consultation is carried out with residents prior to advertising