Archived decisions

Contact: Lionel Newman, ext 6051

1. Summary

1.1 On 2 October 2002 Members gave approval for public consultation on the draft B3272 (including A30 and A327) Eversley to Blackwater Route Management Strategy (RMS). This report summarises the results of the public consultation carried out in November 2002. Comments were sought from the public and local representatives of communities along routes included in the draft Strategy prior to the finalisation of the Strategy for the area.

2. Background

2.1 The B3272 Route Management Strategy, including the Yateley Centre Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) project, is included in the North East Hampshire Transport Strategy (NEHTS) programme for 2002/03 to 2005/06, with £150,000 allocated for the year 2003/04. The B3272 RMS consultation sought to seek early public reaction to draft ideas before proceeding to the development of more detailed proposals for schemes in each of the route sections.

3. Public Exhibition and Consultation

3.1 A public exhibition was held on 1 and 2 November 2002 at the Tythings Hall, Yateley where plans were displayed showing the draft RMS proposals. The exhibition was attended by approximately 700 people over the two days. The report on the RMS, submitted to this panel on the 2 October 2002 and a comments form were given to those attending the exhibition and this was followed by the distribution of comments forms and consultation material to the local parish and town councils.

4. Analysis of Responses to Questionnaire

4.1 In order to keep the questionnaire to a reasonable size, the number of initial proposals presented for comment for each section of the RMS was limited to two (see the attached appendix).

Overall Strategy (Q1 to Q5)

4.2 Responses to the overall draft strategy were mixed with 36% in agreement, 35% in disagreement and 28% neutral or no comment. However, of the specific strategy objectives the two most important in order of preference are:

(i) promote safety to improve the environment for residents and visitors; and

(ii) improve Safety and access, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists.

Followed by, in order of preference:

(iii) improve access to public transport facilities; and

(iv) introduce traffic management measures.

Route Section Focus

4.3 The following questions focus on initial proposals for sections of the route.

Section 1 - A327/B3272 Roundabout to B3016 Marsh Lane

4.4 The two questions had mixed responses, although a slight agreement was shown for both proposals presented. Proposals for Glaston Hill Road were met with greater favour than the proposed enhancement of the gateway feature on the B3272 Eversley Road.

Section 2 - B3016 Marsh Lane to Crosby Gardens

4.5 Responses were in strong agreement for the improvement of pedestrian and cycle facilities along this section of the B3272 Eversley Road.

Section 3 - Crosby Gardens to Hall Lane Roundabout

4.6 Improvements to the Yateley gateway feature were welcomed. However, there was strong opposition to the tightening of the curves at junctions to adjacent roads.

Section 4 - Hall Lane to Cricket Hill Lane Roundabout

4.7 The proposed reduction of speed limits met with a generally neutral feeling, although there was a slight majority in favour. The proposals to reduce carriageway widths were met with considerable opposition, with over 50% disagreeing.

Section 5 - Cricket Hill Lane Roundabout to A30/B3272 Junction

4.8 Responses for the proposed enhancement of gateway features into Yateley were mixed, as described above. However, there was strong agreement that pedestrian and cycle accessibility to the school needed to be improved, with over 60% in agreement.

Section 6 - A30/B3272 Junction to Blackwater Station

4.9 As above, the responses for the proposed enhancement of gateway features met with mixed views. However, there was strong agreement that pedestrian and cycle accessibility to the school needed to be improved, with over 50% in agreement.

Section 7 - A30/A327 Junction to A30/B3272 Junction

4.10 Proposals to reduce the role of the A327/A30/A327 strategic route met with mixed views, with a split of 33/40, the majority in disagreement. With regard to the improvement of the A30/A327 junction the responses were in very strong agreement, with 70% in favour of the proposal.

Section 8 - A327/B3272 Junction to A30/A327 Junction

4.11 The responses were in favour of the control of `rat running' along Glaston Hill Road, with over 50% in agreement with the proposals. With regard to the strategic role of the A327/A30/A327 the views were mixed, as in paragraph 4.10 above.

Section 9 - Cricket Hill Lane and Sandhurst Road

4.12 The initial proposals to improve cycle and pedestrian facilities along this corridor were met with positive views, with over 50% in agreement in both cases.

Section 10 - A327/B3272 Junction to Eversley (including Bypass)

4.13 The removal of land safe-guarding for the Eversley bypass received mixed responses, with a small majority in favour of the initial proposal. A greater priority is given to the initial proposal to implement traffic management through the village to improve the environment for local residents.

Yateley Village Design Framework

4.14 In addition to the Draft B3272 RMS initial proposals, consultation was sought on the Yateley Design Framework, part of the ROUA programme. This revealed that 57% were in agreement with the proposals for regeneration.

Summary of Responses to Questionnaire

4.15 No firm conclusion should be drawn from the specific question analysis until the additional comments have been processed. However, the summary below highlights the strongest agreements and disagreements for the initial proposals of the Draft B3272 RMS.

Initial proposals with strongest agreement are:

(i) Section 7 improve the A30/A327 junction to reduce accidents (70%);

(ii) Section 5 improve pedestrian/cycle accessibility to school (64%);

(iii) Section 9 strengthen Pedestrian links between Yateley and Sandhurst (62%);

(iv) Section 9 encourage cycling by providing better facilities (56%); and

(v) Section 2 improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists (56%).

Initial proposals with strongest disagreement are:

(i) Section 4 reduce road widths to enhance character of Yateley (53%); and

(ii) Section 3 tighten curves at junctions to adjacent roads (47%).

5. Additional Comments

5.1 A summary can be drawn from the additional comments included on the questionnaires. These have been analysed and ranked to identify the top ten comments relating to transportation issues. The results are as follows:

(i) speed limit review and improved enforcement;

(ii) parents accessing Yateley Manor School causes a considerable amount of congestion in Yateley;

(iii) keep the A30 dual carriageway at the B3272 junction;

(iv) improve public transport facilities and availability;

(v) improve cycling facilities;

(vi) additional controlled pedestrian crossings required for the communities and the schools;

(vii) do not narrow carriageway along B3272;

(viii) provide improvements for the Handford Lane/Cricket Hill Lane junction;

(ix) review the availability of parking facilities in the local communities; and

(x) improve Yateley shopping environment.

5.2 The summary above analyses the priority of the consultation questions only. Additional detailed comments are in the process of analysis and will be reported at a later date. A list of the substantial comments received is given below:

(i) Eversley Parish Council;

(ii) Yateley Society;

(iii) Yateley Manor School; and

(iv) 17 letters from the general public.

6. Conclusion

6.1 The above comments will be considered in the revised Draft B3272 RMS. The above ranking of comments indicates that the initial proposal for reducing the A30 to a single carriageway should be removed. In addition, the final strategy will need to include a review of the Handford Lane/Cricket Hill Lane junction and seek to provide additional pedestrian crossing points along the B3272 where appropriate.

6.2 With regard to the Yateley Village Design Framework, proposed under the ROUA programme, the need for improvements in the Town Centre is confirmed within the additional comments.

Recommendations

1. That Members note the initial analysis of the public consultation and that the work will continue to finalise the B3272 Route Management Strategy, including further focussed consultations and feasibility design.

2. That the revised B3272 Route Management Strategy be the subject of a future report to the Panel.

7696/LN