Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

14 January 2003

Project Appraisal: Pedestrian facilities at Bournemouth Road/
Leigh Road, Eastleigh

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 9

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

BOURNEMOUTH ROAD/LEIGH ROAD, EASTLEIGH

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 2003

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 2002

(at 2002

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

0

0

Construction

78

78

Fees

22

22

100

100

Less developers/

other contributions

0

0

100

100

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Pedestrian facilities budget funding

100

(b) Other

100

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

100

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

2.5

0.003

Capital charges

10.0

0.010

TOTAL net expenditure

12.5

0.013

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

The County Council has made clear its intention of improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users with the aim of providing more travel choice. The Hampshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2001-2006 clarifies this objective and sets it within a balanced strategy for improving the county's transport systems. The need to provide safe and convenient walking routes is particularly important in urban situations where a range of local facilities can be easily reached on foot.

A 12 hour pedestrian and traffic survey was undertaken at the junction when 86 pedestrians were recorded crossing Bournemouth Road north and 76 pedestrians across Leigh Road. These pedestrian movements occurred despite traffic flows of 16,250 vehicles and 11,200 vehicles along Bournemouth Road north and Leigh Road respectively during this period. Pedestrian movements are currently restricted by the lack of existing pedestrian facilities at Bournemouth Road north and the staging of the traffic signals. Currently there are no all red periods for traffic on Bournemouth Road north or Leigh Road when pedestrians may cross.

The proposed improvements will provide safe crossing facilities within the existing traffic signal junction for people walking to the adjacent bus stops and service station shops.

The measures are included in the pedestrian facilities programme for 2002/03. The scheme was discussed at the Eastleigh Highway Management Advisory Panel where the proposals were welcomed.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposals are consistent with the Hampshire and South West Hampshire Transport Strategy (SWHTS) area objectives. They will provide greater travel choice and improved safety by removing a current barrier for pedestrians. Some additional delay for drivers will be experienced. The County Council aims to encourage modal shift from private car to other, more sustainable forms of transport, especially for short journeys and school trips. This scheme will help to achieve this.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The proposed introduction of pedestrian facilities within the existing traffic signal junction requires the widening of the pedestrian refuges in Bournemouth Road north and Leigh Road. It is also proposed to improve the footway linkages to the crossing in Leigh Road. An existing public bench will be relocated slightly to accommodate the footways.

Pedestrians will cross the Bournemouth Road north and Leigh Road arms during a vehicle all-red stage. Near-side pedestrian signals incorporated into the wait indicators will be used in place of the more common pedestrian signals located on the far side at other similar crossings. Providing near-side signals enables the use of pedestrian presence detection to cancel a demand for the crossing stage should a pedestrian choose not to wait to cross the road. On-crossing pedestrian detection will extend the vehicle all-red period while pedestrians are in the carriageway.

Environmental Impact

Introduction of pedestrian crossings at the junction will lead to increased delays for road users. The level of queues will depend on the number of occasions that the crossings are utilised and the time required by pedestrians to cross.

Based on existing pedestrian movements, traffic queues can be expected to increase by up to one fifth during peak periods. Should pedestrian flows increase such that the crossings operate every cycle, traffic queues can be expected to increase by up to 50 per cent.

The provision of pedestrian facilities will encourage walking, which is a sustainable mode of transport. The existing bus priority facility will be retained, which will further promote sustainable transport.

Land Requirements

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

Statutory Procedures

There are no statutory requirements.

Public Consultation

Eastleigh Borough Council has been consulted over the design of the new pedestrian facilities and has not raised any issues. The Eastleigh Highway Management Advisory Panel is supportive of the scheme.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Luffman, has welcomed the proposals. He supports the scheme, which improves pedestrian access to nearby bus stops which in turn helps to promote public transport to the proposed Chandler's Ford rail station.

Facilities for the Disabled

The proposed crossings will include tactile rotating cones fitted to the underside of the pedestrian push buttons. Tactile paving will be provided at the crossing points, with flush kerbs for wheelchair users.

Maintenance Implications

The junction is an existing installation, and will not add significantly to the maintenance liability. The replacement of some of the signal equipment will negate the need to undertake further refurbishment works for a number of years. Additional equipment installed as a consequence of providing the pedestrian crossing may, however, increase the number of maintenance call-outs.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

No areas of concern have been identified.

Sustainability

The provision of pedestrian facilities at this location will encourage walking, which is a sustainable mode of transport. The crossings improve accessibility to nearby bus stops which will help to encourage the use of public transport. The effect on buses of any additional delay will be negligible as the existing bus priority facility at the traffic signals is to be retained. On-crossing detection will extend the crossing time given to less mobile pedestrians.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

No alternative schemes have been considered.

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

SIG/1308

Environment Department

ITS Group, Monument House