Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

10 December 2002

Project Appraisal: Regeneration of Older Urban Areas - Rumbridge Street, Totton - Phase 1 - Street Lighting

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 13

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS - RUMBRIDGE STREET, TOTTON - PHASE 1 - STREET LIGHTING

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

APRIL 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

Nil

Construction

65

300

Fees

Nil

65

300

Less developers/

other contributions

65

300

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)*

300

(b) Other

300

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

300

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

Nil

Nil

Capital charges

Nil

Nil

TOTAL net expenditure

Nil

Nil

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Rumbridge Street represents the original `high street' of Totton (see attached location plan). The street retains a strong village character with a predominance of buildings of a late Victorian/Edwardian origin. However, it has a rundown appearance and is suffering the effects of under-investment in the public and private realm.

The street provides important shopping facilities for Old Totton and Eling, and a range of specialist outlets serving the wider area. There is a strong tradition of independent specialist traders operating from Rumbridge Street. However, the street is dominated by traffic and the paraphernalia of the highway. The retail provision is also under pressure from out-of-town shopping and large scale commercial development in Southampton.

The project adds value to a range of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of the environment and regenerating Totton. These are encompassed within an emerging Urban Design Framework which will shortly be adopted by New Forest District Council as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

The project provides an opportunity to strengthen the position of vulnerable local landmarks to support the community and local economy, and to set a high standard for new and proposed development in the area.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The improvements for Rumbridge Street meet the policy aims of the County Council's ROUA programme, Local Transport Plan, strategy for street lighting and CCTV.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The scheme has been designed in accordance with recognised national standards for street lighting. It includes:

(i) removal of 16 existing street lighting columns providing inadequate illumination; and

(ii) provision of 42 new columns to Rumbridge Street and adjacent roads to ensure consistency and appropriate levels of light. Lanterns to comprise a combination of 70 watt and 50 watt Urbis Aurora units mounted at five metres height with a cascade bracket.

A detailed plan of the scheme will be displayed at the meeting.

Environmental Impact

The lighting scheme has been designed to minimise intrusion into neighbouring properties and night sky pollution, as well as enhancing the setting of Rumbridge Street to improve safety and security for the local community.

Land Requirements

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

Statutory Procedures

No statutory procedures are involved.

Public Consultation

Public consultation on a broad range of improvements for Totton town centre, including Rumbridge Street, was undertaken in September 2002. The initial results of the exercise indicate a high level of support for the overall initiative, particularly for the Old Totton area. A final decision on the planning and transportation strategy for Totton will be taken in early 2003. Future phases of work in Rumbridge Street will be brought forward for approval following this decision.

Proposals for high quality improvements to the setting of Rumbridge Street enjoy the support of Members of New Forest District Council and the Town Council.

Local Member's View

Councillor Mrs Randall supports the proposals for improvements to the street lighting provision.

Facilities for the Disabled

No change.

Maintenance Implications

The existing sub-standard lighting is owned and maintained by New Forest District Council. The proposed scheme has been designed to adoptable standards and is intended to be adopted by the County Council as part of its street lighting network. Maintenance implications will be taken into account at the setting of the annual budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The new street lighting will enhance the effectiveness of the recently installed CCTV scheme.

Sustainability

The scheme will improve the appearance and safety of pedestrian areas and will help to encourage walking and cycling. The project enhances the attractiveness of shopping facilities available to local residents and supports the County Council's corporate Urban Living Strategy.

4.

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

The scheme has been designed in accordance with strict national standards in preparation for adoption by the County Council. Alternative heights of column, bracketing arrangements and lantern units were considered. However, these were rejected on the grounds that the solution led to either excessive numbers of columns, inefficient distribution of light, lanterns rising above roof lines or being inappropriate to the character of the area.

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

None