Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

14 January 2003

Project Appraisal: B2177 Route Corridor Strategy -
Twyford Village

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 10

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

TWYFORD VILLAGE - PEDESTRIAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

SPRING 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

SUMMER 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 2002/03

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

70

70

Fees - include extensive feasibility design, consultation, detailed design and supervision

50

50

120

120

Less developers/

other contributions

Nil

Nil

120

120

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme 2002/2003

100

(b) Capital Programme 2003/2004

20

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

Nil

(c)

TOTAL

120

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

1

0.001

Capital charges

19

0.020

TOTAL net expenditure

20

0.021

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Twyford lies within the Winchester City Council area and is covered by the Central Hampshire Rural Transport Strategy (CHARTS).

The Hampshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2001-2006 includes proposals, as part of CHARTS, to develop initiatives on transport corridors to promote bus routes, improvements to cycle and pedestrian facilities, road safety and connections to transport interchanges. CHARTS includes a commitment to develop three route strategies and one is for the B3335/B2177 Twyford to Wickham corridor. Twyford is the first village on the route to be studied in detail, with Colden Common as the next village to be looked at along the route.

At the CHARTS Members' Panel on 23 February 2001 it was agreed to start consultation on the B2177 Twyford to Wickham corridor. Funding for the consultation was approved by the Executive Member for Environment in January 2002.

The proposed scheme has been developed in partnership with Twyford Parish Council who are in support of the proposals.

This scheme has also developed from the need to review existing traffic conditions in Twyford, in particular opportunities to improve road safety and pedestrian movement, following the opening of the M3 motorway and its junction with the B3335.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County network and policies

The scheme is consistent with CHARTS and the Deposit Draft Winchester District Local Plan Review 2001 objectives and proposals for improving pedestrian safety and vehicle speed management in Twyford Village.

Details of scheme and design standards

The scheme has been designed to implement the objectives of improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists in the village. It consists of gateways on the approaches to the village from the north and south, located at the start of the 30 miles per hour (mph) speed limit. Edge of carriageway white lining and `courtesy' crossing points are also included. These are expected to bring benefits to pedestrians and improve speed management, which is expected to benefit all road user groups.

The primary features of the scheme are:

(i) gateways at the southern and northern end located at the 30 mph speed limit signs;

(ii) three `courtesy' crossing points;

(iii) new edge of carriageway white lining to provide visual narrowing of carriageway;

(iv) kerbline to reduce bellmouth and widen footway at the junction with Bourne Lane; and

(v) upgrading of existing bus shelter.

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

The design conforms to the standards of the Department for Transport, as well as to Hampshire County Council standards, and has been subjected to the safety audit process.

Environmental impact

Although no detailed environmental assessment has been undertaken, the scheme is expected to provide an overall improvement to the street scene, as well as creating an attractive and safer environment for all road users, in line with the Conservation Area setting.

Land requirements

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

Statutory Procedures

As the works are taking place within the Conservation Area of Twyford Village, Winchester City Council, as planning authority, has been consulted and is supportive of the proposals.

Public Consultation

Public consultation was held on Friday, 19 and Saturday, 20 July 2002 at Twyford Village Hall. The Parish Council informed parishioners of the consultation and the County Council issued a press release. Each attendee was given access to a comments form which they could fill in on the day or take home and return within a three week period. Key stakeholders and interested parties were formally consulted. The exhibition was attended by approximately 300 members of the public over the two days and a total of 131 comments were returned.

Of the respondents, 77% agreed with the scheme in general, with 54% requesting minor modifications.

A detailed report on the public consultation exercise was submitted to the CHARTS Members' Panel on 22 October 2002. The Panel noted the outcomes of the consultation and the proposed modifications to the scheme.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Mason, supports these improvements.

Facilities for the Disabled

The widening of footways, narrowing of carriageways and providing courtesy crossings are expected to benefit people with mobility impairments. Drop kerb crossings and tactile paving will also be provided where appropriate.

Maintenance Implications

The revenue implication of the proposal will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

Sustainability

The objective of the scheme is to improve the route through Twyford, and to encourage sustainable transport modes, such as public transport, walking and cycling.

The materials have been selected for their durability and in keeping with the Conservation Area setting.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Where possible, the design process has been responsive to issues raised through the public consultation process.

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

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