Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

14 January 2003

Project Appraisal: Farnborough Town Centre Direction Signs

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 12

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

FARNBOROUGH TOWN CENTRE DIRECTION SIGNS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

MAY 2003

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2002/03

7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

The existing direction signing in Farnborough town centre has evolved over a number of years without any strategic plan and, as a result, there are many anomalies and inconsistencies leading to driver confusion and frustration. Additionally, in recent years there has been significant development in Farnborough and the signing system needs to be updated to reflect the changes and improve clarity.

A study has been carried out by the County Council's term consultants, Atkins, and a strategy for re-signing Farnborough has been developed in consultation with the Farnborough Business Park, TAG (operator of the Aerodrome), QinetiQ (formerly DERA) and Rushmoor Borough Council. The main aims of the strategy are to improve clarity and consistency of the direction signing and ensure that the main business and Ministry of Defence (MoD) sites are adequately signed.

The draft signing strategy was displayed at the meeting of the North East Hampshire Transportation Strategy (NEHTS) Panel on 2 October 2002. This strategy has been refined through the detailed design process and the final plan will be displayed at the meeting.

Funding for implementation of the strategy is being provided by contributions associated with the Farnborough Business Park and the development of the QinetiQ (formerly DERA) site at Pyestock.

An alternative strategy has been devised which provides for the construction of the new Kennels Lane link road. This alternative strategy can be implemented if and when the new road is completed. The alternative strategy is shown on drawing no. 5003913/200 which will be displayed at the meeting.

7.2

Details

The implementation of the strategy will involve the replacement of some 50 direction signs in and around Farnborough. The details are shown on drawing no. 5003913/100P2 which will be displayed at the meeting.

The main destinations to be consistently signed are M3, Farnborough, Reading, Fleet, Aldershot, Farnborough Business Park, Cody Technology Park and Farnborough Aerodrome.

Most of the junctions are to be named, which will help drivers' orientation.

It was inevitable that some destinations which are currently signed had to be removed from the signing strategy to ensure that the new signs will be clear, legible and meet traffic signs regulations.

In particular, Rushmoor Borough Council objected to the removal of Southwood Golf Course, Southwood and Cove as destinations. However, in order to avoid cluttered and extremely large signs, it was necessary to remove these destinations. If the Kennels Lane link road is constructed, the alternative strategy, which includes Southwood and Cove as destinations, will be adopted.

All other aspects of the strategy were accepted and supported by the consultees.

7.3

Standards

The design meets the requirements of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994 and the relevant chapters of the Traffic Signs Manual.

7.4

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

No statutory procedures are required.

Consultation was carried out with Rushmoor Borough Council, the Symonds Group (representing Farnborough Business Park), TAG Aviation, and QinetiQ (representing Cody Technology Park and DSTL). These organisations were chosen as being the major generators of traffic unfamiliar to the local area.

7.5

Policy Considerations

Improved clarity of signing will lead to reduced driver frustration and may lead to reduced journey times and improved road safety by allowing drivers to make better informed decisions about their routes. This is entirely consistent with NEHTS.

7.6

Environmental Impacts

The scheme will result in large sign assemblies which, by their nature, will have a visual impact on the local environment. However, every effort has been made to reduce the overall size of the signs whilst meeting the requirements of the design standards.

Most of the sites already have large cluttered assemblies in place, some of which are old. The replacement assemblies should look better.

7.7

Land Requirement

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

7.8

Alternative Arrangements

`Do nothing' - the existing direction signing system is confusing and leads to driver frustration. Therefore, improved direction signing is required.

7.9

Local Member's View

The local Members, Councillors Sheehan, Baulk and Mrs Devereux have been consulted. Councillors Baulk and Mrs Devereux support the proposals, Councillor Sheehan has yet to responde.

7.10

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

7.11

Sustainability

No sustainability issues have been identified.

8.

Financial Arrangements

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

25

Developer Funding

140

Supervision

5

Project Works

110

Land

Nil

____

____

Total

140

Total

140

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

Nil

Capital Charge

12

0.012

____

____

Total Expenditure

12

0.012

____

____

8.3

Maintenance Implications

The scheme will replace existing traffic signs, some of which are in poor condition. There will be four less signs and therefore the maintenance implications are negligible.

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

Farnborough Town Signing - Proposed Signing Strategy Report - June 2002

Environment Department

Implementation Section