Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

10 December 2002

Project Appraisal: Hayling Billy Trail - Cycle and Pedestrian Access into Havant Railway Station

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 5

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

HAYLING BILLY TRAIL - CYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS INTO HAVANT RAILWAY STATION

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

JUNE 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 Mar '02

(at Mar '02

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

63.5

63.5

Fees

36.5

36.5

100

100

Less developers/

other contributions

Nil

Nil

100

100

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme-SEHTS (as above)

100

(b) Other

100

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

100

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

0.25

0.0005

Capital charges

16.0

0.017

TOTAL net expenditure

16.25

0.0175

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

The Hayling Billy Trail provides a primary cycle and pedestrian route between Havant Town Railway Station and Hayling Island. The trail forms part of a comprehensive cycle network identified in the Havant Borough Cycle Plan. It is also a Sustrans (SUStainable TRANSport) Route as part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) and is an integral section of the east-west coastal route in southern Hampshire.

A first section of the trail between New Lane and the A3023 Langstone Road was completed in August 2002. It provides a safer and more direct route for cyclists and pedestrians, particularly disabled users, accessing the town centre and the railway station from the south of the town, thus avoiding the need to use the busy A3023 Langstone Road/A27 Trunk Road junction (see attached location plan). A detailed background report on the Hayling Billy Trail project was considered by the South East Hampshire Transportation Strategy (SEHTS) Joint Members' Panel on 28 February 2001. The completed trail, provided as a partnership project between Sustrans, Havant Borough Council and the County Council, has been constructed to a high standard to also assist disabled users.

Monitoring the use of the trail has shown a total of over 200 cyclists and pedestrians daily recorded at North Halt Langstone prior to the construction of the first section. Surveys have been conducted recently as part of a study to examine options for extending the trail southwards to Hayling Bridge. The results of these surveys together with options will be considered at a future South East Hampshire Transportation Panel.

The aim of the current scheme is to provide a continuous high quality trail between New Lane and the railway station frontage to ensure the route is comfortable, direct and affords personal safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposals are in accordance with the former Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' National Cycling Strategy principles. The Hayling Billy Trail contributes to the delivery of the Havant Borough Cycle Plan and forms part of the Sustrans NCN. The Borough Cycle Plan in turn supports the policy objectives of SEHTS and the improved opportunities for walking and cycling, which are priorities of the Hampshire Local Transport Plan (2001-2006).

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

To provide cycle and pedestrian access to the station frontage involves four principal elements of works to be undertaken in two phases. These are:

Phase One: This largely represents the current project to provide a new access from New Lane into the car park. This includes new surfacing and signing in New Lane, amendments to the eastern end of the car park, fencing landscaping, new lighting and CCTV, cycle road markings/surfacing and vehicle speed restrictor pads. Exploratory works are also required to examine the old platform area to determine the extent and cost of modifications required in Phase Two. A Change Procedure is required through South West Trains Limited that involves the formality of agreeing the changes to the station with other rail operators and Network Rail, and this is processed prior to the commencement of works on the station site. There is no funding contribution from South West Trains Limited to this phase.

Phase Two: This is subject to future funding support and provides a section of contra-flow cycleway over a one-way section of car park. This measure requires a rearrangement of the existing car parking with modification to the old station platform and the provision of a new car parking area. Also provided is a new high quality covered cycle and motorcycle parking area within the station frontage. The aim is to create a partnership with a local cycle shop to manage the cycle parking storage and security of the site, including opportunities for cycle hire. Outline design work of the cycle parking area, including frontage elevations, will be included in Phase One in support of a Planning Application that is required for Phase 2, and this will be submitted by South West Trains Limited. Network Rail (formerly Railtrack) consent is required for the area of land for the new car park and this will be sought together with local consultation with adjoining property owners prior to the Planning Application being made.

Standards

The design standards adhere to the County Council and Department for Transport (DfT) standards for pedestrian and cycle facilities. Works to alter the railway station site comply with Railways Inspectorate Regulations and Railway Operator procedures.

Environmental Impact

The proposal has negligible consequences for the local environment, but there will be some impact from additional signing, carriageway markings and surface treatments. Landscape works are to be provided to improve the appearance of the new entrance at New Lane.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway and land owned by funding partners.

Statutory Procedures

Planning Permission for outline consent is to be sought prior to programming the Phase 2 works.

Public Consultation

Havant Borough Council has consulted district Members, local disability groups, resident associations and the Cyclists' Touring Club. They support the scheme. The Borough Council's Highway Management Panel on 6 November 2002 considered and supported the scheme.

Local Member's View

Councillor Jenny Wride has commented 'This project will be a significant link to the recently completed Langstone Road to New Lane section of the Hayling Billy Trail-Cycle and Pedestrian Route. This next phase will enhance and improve accessibility for cyclists, pedestrians and disabled road users to the station and to Havant Town Centre and I fully support this scheme'.

Facilities for the Disabled

The scheme includes tactile surfacing for the visually impaired at New Lane and the overall link will provide wheelchair access to the railway station.

Maintenance Implications

The scheme involves new surfacing and signing in New Lane which will be taken into account when setting the annual maintenance budget. Works to the station site will be maintained by South West Trains Limited.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

No areas of concern have been raised or reported. CCTV camera operations and lighting at the eastern section of the rail station car park will be reviewed by Network Rail and South West Trains Limited to enhance security at the new entrance.

Sustainability

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Improvements to New Lane and Waterloo Road to widen footways in the vicinity of the junction have been considered and rejected on grounds of traffic access and narrow road width.

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

Havant Borough Cycle Plan

Environment Department

Room 303