ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the NORTH EAST HAMPSHIRE AREA TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY PANEL held at Rushmoor Borough Council, Farnborough on Tuesday

4 February 2003.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); A.P. Collett; J.K. Glen; R.J. Kimber;

M.J. Roberts.

Rushmoor Borough Council

Councillors: Mrs P.M. Devereux; R. Dibbs; J.P. Matthews

Hart District Council

Councillors N. Lambert; S.G. Parker; Mrs S.A. Wheale

25. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest under this item.

26. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

It was noted that South West Trains were obliged from October 2004 to take reasonable steps to ensure that access for the disabled was available at stations.
It was also noted that due to the lack of resources little progress was likely.

Policy and Scheme Update

Representations had been received from taxi operators who wished to be able to use the A325 bus lanes currently being implemented. It was explained that buses using the lanes would be fitted with transponders to enable them to have priority at traffic lights and a bus gate along the routes. This facility would not be available to taxi operators. The item would be kept on the agenda for further discussion.

27. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman explained that the NEHTS Panel would consider strategic issues and when schemes had obtained Project Appraisals they would be referred to the relevant Highway Management Advisory Panels for more detailed discussion.

28. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

29. POLICY AND SCHEME UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) setting out progress on several studies and schemes being undertaken in the North East Hampshire Area Transport Strategy (NEHTS) area. It was explained that a low cost remedial scheme was installed in April 2002 at the A287/Redfields Lane junction. It was suggested that further work on the preferred scheme should wait until the low cost remedial scheme monitoring was completed. Work on the scheme would also depend on the availability of developers' contributions, as no public money was available.

Blackwater Valley Mass Transit Study and Sub-Regional Study

The findings of these studies were to be reported to a meeting of Blackwater Valley authorities on 21 March to which members of the NEHTS Panel would be invited. The consultants undertaking the Mass Transport Study had indicated that under present evaluation criteria set by central government, it was difficult to justify a mass transit system.

However, the study had identified a set of short, medium and longer term measures to improve public transport.

Blackwater Valley Bus Services No. 1 Priority Route

Members commented on the bus lane construction on the A325 and the time taken for construction and the level of public comment.

Members were advised that under service revision proposed by Stagecoach, the route/service to Yateley would be withdrawn and replaced by a `Route 3' between Camberley and Yateley. The Chairman was to meet with Councillor Collett and Martin Robertson of the Environment Department to consider the impact of these service charges on Yateley.

North Lane and A323 Ash Road Studies, Aldershot

It was hoped to bring a report to the next meeting of the Panel.

Regeneration of Older Urban Areas: North Camp

A project appraisal for work detailed in the report had been approved by the Executive Member in December 2002.

Fleet Town Centre Improvements

Hart District Council were to consider modified proposals for the Fleet Town Centre improvements at a full District Council meeting on 27^th February 2003. The Fleet Town Centre Management Group had supported the modified proposals but there were some issues that needed further consideration. They wished to be consulted as the scheme is progressed.

Councillor Glen requested that appreciation be expressed for the consultation process which he regarded had been highly successful.

A327 Summit Avenue between Southwood Road and Old Trunk Road

This programme would require funding from a future capital programme as developer contributions were not sufficient.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

30. B3272 ROUTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND YATELEY VILLAGE DESIGN FRAMEWORK - PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising the initial results of the public consultation carried out in November 2002. Comments had been sought from the public and local representatives of communities along routes included in the draft Strategy and further focused consultation will continue prior to the finalisation of the Strategy for the area.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the initial analysis of the public consultation be noted;


(ii) That work continue to finalise the B3272 Route Management Strategy (RMS) be subject to the following:


(a) Deletion of the proposal to reduce the A32 to a single carriageway to the east of A30/B3272 roundabout junction at Blackwater;


(b) Inclusion of opportunities for improvements at the Handford Lane/Cricket Hill Lane junction;


(c) Inclusion of opportunities for improvements in the area of Charles Kingsley CE Primary School/Glaston Hill Road;


(iii) That following further focused consultations and feasibility design, the revised B3272 Route Management Strategy be the subject of a future report to the Panel.

Councillor Estlin was to meet the local member and officers to discuss the issues relating to Yateley.

31. CAPITAL PROGRAMME - UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) including a revised integrated transport programme for 2002/03; a new programme for 2003/04 and proposed that all other integrated transport schemes be re-assessed for possible inclusion in the 2004/05 programme (set out in the appendix attached to the report)

In the short time available over the New Year the Executive Member for Environment had approved an initial priority list.

Members were invited to make comments on the priorities for the 2004/05 and beyond programme contained in the Appendix to the report and were advised that the high level of schemes exceeded finance available in the 2003/04 period. Any schemes deferred due to lack of resources would be carried forward to 2004/05 and further reviewed.

(priorities not in order)

B3272
North Lane, Aldershot
A287/Redfields Lane
Fleet Town Centre
Park Road, Farnborough
North Camp
A30/A327 - review in October
(in relation to QEB)

(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That the North-East Hampshire Transport Strategy Schemes for 2004/05 and beyond be considered as part of the countywide review of transportation strategy areas to be presented to the Environment Policy Review Committee on 9 July, 2003.

32. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN THE COVE ROAD AND BRIDGE ROAD AREA

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Highway and Transport Services, Rushmoor Borough Council (Item 8 in the Minute Book) advising on a proposal for development and safety improvements around the Cove Road and Bridge Road one-way system and reported the comments received from residents and local members following an exhibition.

The County Council was to investigate these improvements to see if they might be included in the safety programme.



RESOLVED:

(i) That support for the proposed improvements in the Cove Road and Bridge Road area be noted.


(ii) That the scheme be considered for inclusion in the capital programme for the next Local Transportation Plan submission.

33. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

Wednesday, 8 October, 2003 at 10.00 a.m. at Hart District Council Offices.

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