Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

10 December 2002

Project Appraisal - Fareham Town Centre Direction Signing

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 6

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

FAREHAM TOWN CENTRE - DIRECTION SIGNING

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

DECEMBER 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 Nov 02

(at Nov 02

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Construction

135

150

Fees

15

150

150

Less developers/

other contributions

150

150

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

150

(b) Other

150

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

150

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

Nil

Nil

Capital charges

11

0.011

TOTAL net expenditure

11

0.011

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

In December 1998 Fareham Borough Council's Highway and Engineering Services Committee considered a report which outlined problems associated with access to the town centre service areas. Specific loading areas were difficult to locate due to an incomplete system of signing and this in turn had led lorry drivers to turn by mistake into residential roads. At that time, the Committee approved proposals to alleviate the problem by the introduction of a new lorry routeing strategy and signing scheme, subject to appropriate funding being made available by the County Council.

In March 1999 Fareham Borough Council commissioned Mouchel International Consultants to reappraise the earlier work and produce a technical appraisal of three specific elements of signing. These were:

(i) the routeing of goods delivery vehicles previously considered by the Highway and Engineering Services Committee;

(ii) tourist signing; and

(iii) existing direction signing in and around Fareham town centre.

The consultant's report 'Traffic Signs Review Fareham' included a preliminary signing scheme for the town centre. It emphasised the need for a comprehensive and rationalised system of signing, the need to update the existing direction signing system to local and strategic destinations, and bring the signs into line with strategic routeing policies. Clear and concise directions to town centre service areas were included in the scheme.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County network and policies

The scheme has been designed to accord with both National and County Council policies for the signing of local and strategic routes.

Details of scheme and design standards

The area covered by the new signing scheme is indicated on the attached location plan and includes Fareham town centre and all approach roads from the M27, A27 and A32. As part of the initial review, all destinations required to be signed were identified and a strategy developed to ensure continuity of signing and the provision of directional information on the most appropriate routes. The range of destinations vary from more strategic centres such as Southampton and Portsmouth to local attractions including the town centre itself, tourist destinations and service delivery areas. The system of signing has been designed in accordance with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994 and the relevant chapters of the Signs Manual.

Environmental impact

The scheme will result in fewer signs and neater sign assemblies and hence reduce the impact of sign clutter. In addition, improved signing will contribute to better management of traffic and this will assist in the removal of extraneous traffic, particularly heavy goods vehicles, from residential roads.

Land requirements

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

Statutory procedures

No statutory procedures are required to implement the scheme.

Public consultation

Extensive discussions have been held with the Fareham Town Centre Management Steering Group which has considered the proposals in detail and supports the signing strategy. The scheme was approved by Fareham's Planning and Transportation Sub-Committee on 22 January 2002.

Local Member's View

Councillor Ellis was consulted by Fareham officers and supports the signing strategy proposal.

Facilities for the disabled

Not applicable.

Maintenance implications

Lower maintenance costs will result from the use of replacement, modern signing, particularly since some older signs are nearing the end of their design life.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

Sustainability

The scheme will promote a safer and more efficient use of the local road network and reduce the incidence of unnecessary mileage through drivers becoming lost or using inappropriate routes.

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.

FILE

LOCATION

Fareham Town Centre

Signing Strategy - scheme file

Department of Planning and Transportation

Fareham Borough Council

Civic Offices, Civic Way, Fareham

Traffic Signs Review, Fareham - report by Mouchel International Consultants for Fareham Borough Council

As above