Contact: Julie Jarvis, ext 6052

1. Summary

1.1 This report is a summary of the monitoring exercise undertaken in 2002 as part of the Central Hampshire Rural Transport Strategy (CHARTS). This involved an extensive programme of surveys covering road traffic, cycling, pedestrian activity, bus and train use, and air quality. The County Council's travel attitude surveys (TRANSPOL) were also undertaken. Traffic surveys were undertaken before and after the opening of the Tesco store in Petersfield and the results are given in this report.

2. Introduction

2.1 CHARTS requires considerable survey work and monitoring to meet the requirements of the Hampshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2001-2006 and to ensure that the strategy and its component schemes are fulfilling the objectives set down. The Road Traffic Reduction Act places further requirements on local authorities to assess levels of traffic in their area.

2.2 A number of transport surveys were undertaken in the spring of 2000, with a more comprehensive set of surveys undertaken in April, May and September 2002. The 2002 surveys will provide the baseline from which future monitoring will be carried out.

2.3 The County Council's travel attitude surveys (TRANSPOL) took place in February 2002 to gain a fuller picture of travel patterns and attitudes in the East Hampshire and Winchester districts. TRANSPOL was last undertaken in East Hampshire in November 1997, and in the Winchester district in March 1997. Different methods of analysing and interpreting the TRANSPOL data have meant that reliable comparisons cannot be made between the two data sets, particularly as TRANSPOL provides a `snap shot' of travel patterns from a random sample of CHARTS residents.

3. Local Transport Plan Annual Progress Report

3.1 The County Council's Annual Progress Report (APR) is submitted to the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) in August each year. The APR 2002 submission was reported to this Panel on 22 October 2002. The APR provides the main mechanism for reporting back to Central Government on how the LTP is being implemented, as well as providing an opportunity to show progress made in working on the objectives and targets contained in the LTP. The APR also enables a report to be made on particular achievements in delivering the LTP to residents, interest groups and other stakeholders.

4. Surveys Undertaken

4.1 In addition to the TRANSPOL surveys a range of sources were used to provide information, including the following:

(i) road traffic counts across the CHARTS area, including the number of heavy goods vehicles;

(ii) bus and rail passenger surveys and the number of cycles parked at rail stations; and

(iii) cycle and pedestrian counts.

5. Survey Results - TRANSPOL Household Questionnaire Surveys

5.1 The TRANSPOL household questionnaire surveys undertaken throughout Hampshire are designed to collect information on travel behaviour and public attitudes towards various transport related issues. The results provide a `snap shot' of residents' travel patterns and attitudes to travel, including information regarding the nature of their household, their own travel patterns, factors influencing their travel choice and their perception of different modes of transport and travel options in the county.

5.2 TRANSPOL surveys were undertaken in East Hampshire district and the rural parts of the Winchester district in February 2002. A total of 2,608 questionnaires were returned (a response rate of 26%), an encouraging rate for this type of postal self-completion questionnaire.

5.3 A previous round of TRANSPOL surveys was undertaken in 1997, although the difference in analysing and interpreting the data has meant that reliable comparisons cannot be made. The method of analysis used for the 2002 data will now be adopted as the standard for analysing the next round of surveys, currently planned for the winter of 2006, to ensure that comparisons can be made. A summary of the 2002 results is as follows.

Trip Rates

5.4 On average, individual respondents in East Hampshire made 2.4 trips per day; 0.5 of these less than one mile and 1.9 over one mile. In rural Winchester the average trip rates were similar, with 2.5 trips a day; 0.8 of these less than one mile and 1.7 over one mile. Though all respondents made a similar total number of daily trips, those from urban areas made shorter trips than their rural counterparts.

Modal Split

5.5 Table 1 shows the modal split for the districts for 2002.

Table 1 - Modal Split for the Districts for 2002

* National Travel Survey 1999/2001 updated December 2002 (additional 1% = other private means)

As might be expected in the CHARTS area the car mode share is still higher than the national average (63%).

Travel to Work

5.6 Table 2 shows the modal split for journeys to work.

Table 2 - Modal Split for Journeys to Work

* National Travel Survey 1999/2001 (additional 2% = motorcycles and other - unspecified)

Travel to School

5.7 In the East Hampshire district 46% of children travel to school by car, while 34% walk and 16% take the bus. The survey results for rural Winchester showed that 47% of pupils travel to school by car, 27% walk and 21% use the bus.

Reasons for Car Travel

5.8 CHARTS respondents define the main reasons for using their cars as journey time advantages over other modes of travel, convenience, poor public transport and no other means available.

Frequency of and Reasons for Bus Travel

5.9 A total of 9% of East Hampshire respondents travel by bus regularly, while 5% use the bus occasionally, but the majority (86%) rarely travel by bus. The main reasons for choosing the bus are the lack of alternative modes and convenience of bus stop to home. In rural Winchester, the surveys suggest that 10% of respondents are more likely to travel by bus, compared to 7% occasionally and 83% irregularly. Again, the main reasons for choosing the bus are the lack of alternative modes, no other means and convenience of bus stop to home.

Frequency of and Reasons for Rail Travel

5.10 In East Hampshire 7% of respondents regularly and 12% occasionally travel by rail, with 81% rarely using the train. Similarly, in the Winchester rural area 5% of respondents regularly use the train, compared to 13% occasional users, with 82% rarely travelling by train. Overall, rail travel is perceived as less stressful than car travel, it avoids the difficulty and cost associated with car parking, it is quicker than alternatives and stations are convenient to home.

Frequency of and Reasons for Cycling

5.11 In the East Hampshire district and the rural areas of Winchester district 10% of respondents cycle regularly, which is in line with the national average. Most people choose to cycle because they enjoy the activity and keeping fit.

Frequency of and Reasons for Walking

5.12 Walking is the most popular mode after the car as 55% of respondents in East Hampshire district and 52% in rural Winchester regularly made a journey on foot. The main reasons for walking were health/enjoyment, convenience and good weather.

Assessment of Transport Options

5.13 Respondents in the CHARTS area were asked to determine improvement priorities from 14 different options. The highest scores were allocated to improved public transport, improved maintenance of roads/footways/cycle routes and reduced congestion and delays. Respondents from urban areas awarded slightly greater priority to improving public transport and improving the maintenance of roads/footways/cycle routes, whilst rural dwellers preferred reduced congestion/delays.

6. Traffic Survey Results

6.1 The locations of the survey sites in CHARTS are shown on the attached plan, which include permanent traffic count sites, pedestrian and cycle counts and manual two-way traffic flow counts and junction turning counts. The traffic survey results are shown for 1999/2000-2002. While comparisons have been made, it should be noted that a two-year time period is not sufficient to provide robust travel trends.

Permanent Traffic Counts

6.2 Table 3 shows data for 1999 to 2001 from the permanent traffic count sites located in the CHARTS area (2002 count information is currently being compiled). Compared to 1999, 2001 flows are collectively up by 5%. Traffic flows have fallen on the A33 East Stratton, A32 West Meon Hut and A339 Alton. The largest increases were recorded on the A3 Petersfield bypass (13%) and A31 Alresford (10%). Four additional permanent count sites are proposed at the following locations: B3006 Selborne, A32 between A31 and A272 West Meon Hut, B3354 south of Fisher's Pond and B2150 between Denmead and A32 Droxford. These should be installed in 2003.

Table 3 - Permanent Count Site Traffic Data (24 hour annual average daily total)

	Location	1999	2000	2001	% Change 1999-2001
1*	M3 between junctions 8 and 9	55,777	55,584	59,590	+7%
2*	M3 between Junctions 11 and 12	107,360	107,125	111,744	+4%
3*	A3 Petersfield bypass	35,723	38,011	40,360	+13%
4*	A3 Liphook bypass	23,856	24,323	24,269	+2%
5*	A3 Butser	44,546	44,521	46,638	+5%
6	A31 Bentley Bypass	19,295	19,213	19,391	+0.5%
7	A31 Alresford	10,016	9,971	10,978	+10%
8	A32 West Meon Hut	5,802	5,725	5,541	-5%
9	A33 East Stratton	5,765	5,728	5,448	-6%
10	A272 Westmark, Petersfield	6,266	6,258	6,577	+5%
11	A272 Hinton Ampner	5,418	5,430	5,468	+1%
12*	A303 Micheldever	33,588	33,961	35,343	+5%
13	A325 Bordon	16,347	17,467	17,639	+8%
14	A339 Alton	6,763	6,818	6,712	-1%
15	A334 Shedfield	6,187	6,279	6,162	+0.5%
16	A3090 Pitt	8,919	8,857	8,988	+1%
17	B2177 Bishops Waltham	9,981	10,209	10,381	+4%
18	B3335 Twyford	12,623	12,841	12,957	+3%
19	B3349 Alton	6,525	6,516	6,575	+1%
20	C9 Morestead	4,560	4,688	4,655	+2%
21	C88 Corhampton	1,805	1,875	1,802	+0.2%

* Information provided from Department for Transport permanent count sites

Manual Classified Traffic Counts

6.3 To supplement the permanent counts, four manual classified counts were undertaken to provide comprehensive traffic count information for the CHARTS area. At each site two-way, classified traffic flows were recorded on one day over a single 12 hour period. Although the traffic counts show a general increase, flows have fallen on the A31 Ropley. The surveys were carried out in the spring of 2000 and in April, May and September 2002. Therefore, weather, incidents or events in the surrounding area may affect the survey results obtained on that particular day.

Table 4 Manual Classified Traffic Counts (two-way flows, 12 hour 0700-1900)

	Location	2000	2002	% Change 2000-2002
1	A3 London Road, North of Queen Elizabeth County Park	34,712	43,777	+26%
2	A31 Ropley	11,816	11,300	-4%
3	A325 Farnham Road, North of Bordon	15,117	16,785	+11%
4	B2177 Winchester Road, Lower Upham	6,248	6,611	+6%

6.4 The morning peak flows (0800-0900) collected from the 12 hour manual classified counts are shown in Table 5.

Table 5 Morning Peak Hour Flows (0800-0900) (manual classified count, two-way flows)

Site	Location	2000	2002	% Change 2000-2002
1	A3 London Road, North of Queen Elizabeth Country Park	3,987	3,707	-7%
2	A31 Ropley	1,439	1,379	-4%
3	A325 Farnham Road, North of Bordon	1,762	1,864	+6%
4	B2177 Bishops Waltham	590	721	+22%

6.5 In 2002 manual classified turning counts were undertaken at two junctions to provide further monitoring data:

(i) B2150 Hambledon Road/Forest Road Denmead; and

(ii) B3343 Main Road/B2177 Portsmouth Road Fisher's Pond.

This baseline data can then be used for future comparisons.

Heavy Goods Vehicles

6.6 Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) were recorded as part of the manual classified two-way counts and are shown in Table 6. The HGV proportions are slightly lower than the national average (7%).

Table 6 - Heavy Goods Vehicles (as proportion of total traffic flow - 12 hour, two-way flows)

	Location	2000		2002
		No of HGVs	% of total flow	No of HGVs	% of total flow
1	A3 London Road, North of Queen Elizabeth Country Park	2,125	6%	2,773	6%
2	A31 Ropley	734	6%	604	5%
3	A325 Farnham Road, North of Bordon	720	5%	816	5%
4	B2177 Winchester Road, Lower Upham	353	6%	425	6%

7. Bus Passengers

7.1 Table 7 shows the number of passengers recorded on bus services in the CHARTS area. Comparisons can be made at three sites between 2000 and 2002, and these suggest that bus passenger numbers have risen by 16%.

Table 7 Number of Bus Passengers (two-way count, 12 hour)

Site	Location	2000	2002
1	Alton High Street	-	510
2	Bishops Waltham Square	401	496
3	Four Marks Windmill	355	297
4	Liphook, Rail Link Bus	-	52
5	Petersfield Square	-	139
6	Whitehill (Prince of Wales)	272	397

8. Rail Data

8.1 Table 8 shows the level of usage of rail services at the ten stations in and around the CHARTS area. At comparable sites, the number of passengers boarding trains between 0700-1900 has risen by 34%. Petersfield station shows the greatest increase in passengers boarding, up by 51%. At comparable stations, the number of cycles taken on trains has also increased.

Table 8 - Rail Passengers (passengers and cycles boarding, both directions, daily 12 hour)

Station	Passengers 2000	Cycles 2000	Passengers 2002	Cycles 2002
Alton	514	8	647	11
Bentley	128	2	125	5
Botley	-	-	84	4
Hedge End	-	-	302	11
Liphook	534	3	687	9
Liss	284	8	368	15
Micheldever	-	-	84	3
Petersfield	846	17	1,279	17
Rowlands Castle	89	3	99	5
Shawford	-	-	79	3

8.2 Table 9 shows the level of rail services at these stations during the morning peak hour (0800 to 0900) during the survey in 2002. The number of passengers boarding during the morning peak hour accounted for between 9-42% of the total number of passengers boarding at all stations over the 12 hour survey day. The higher percentages were recorded at the more rural stations, including Rowlands Castle, Bentley, Shawford and Hedge End where the majority of users are commuters. Very few passengers were alighting at these stations during this period.

Table 9 - Rail Passengers (morning peak hour 0800-0900)

Station	Boarding	Alighting	Total
Alton	61	41	102
Bentley	35	7	42
Botley	12	7	19
Hedge End	72	15	87
Liphook	67	66	133
Liss	54	7	61
Micheldever	13	1	14
Petersfield	114	77	191
Rowlands Castle	42	1	43
Shawford	28	7	35

Table 10 shows the carriage of cycles on trains and cycle parking at stations. The 2002 figures for cycle parking can be used as a baseline for future comparisons.

Table 10 - Cycle Carriage on Trains and Cycle Parking (daily 12 hour)

Station	Boarding 2002	Alighting 2002	Average No. of Cycles Parked at Station 2002
Alton	11	9	8
Bentley	5	0	11
Botley	4	2	-
Hedge End	11	12	10
Liphook	9	6	8
Liss	15	6	4
Micheldever	3	4	-
Petersfield	17	15	29
Rowlands Castle	5	6	-
Shawford	3	4	-

Cycling

8.3 Cycle use was monitored at each of the cordon sites and shows the number of cyclists over a 12 hour period (see Table 11). The table shows a collective increase of 100% in the number of cyclists at these cordon sites between 2000 and 2002. The most notable increase was recorded on the A3 London Road.

Table 11 Cycle Flows at Cordon Sites (12 hour two-way flows)

Site	Location	Daily total 2000	Daily total 2002
1	A3 London Road, North of Queen Elizabeth Country Park	5	26
2	A31 Ropley	2	1
3	A325 Farnham Road, North of Bordon	11	22
4	B2177 Winchester Road, Lower Upham	12	11

Pedestrian and Cycle Data

8.4 Surveys were undertaken at selected sites to measure the number of cyclists and pedestrians in town centres in the CHARTS area. The 2002 figures shown in Table 12 will be used as a baseline for future comparisons.

Table 12 - Pedestrian and Cycle Flows in Town Centres (12 hour two-way flows)

Location	2002
	Pedestrians	Cycles
Petersfield High Street (Opposite Rams Walk)	5,168	157
Alton, High Street/Turk Street junction	7,658	191
Alresford, West Street	5,433	101

9. Air Quality Monitoring

9.1 Within the CHARTS area there are no permanent air quality monitoring stations. Winchester City Council manages two sites in Winchester city centre, but the conditions there do not necessarily reflect those experienced in the wider rural area.

9.2 East Hampshire District Council has reviewed and assessed the local air quality over a four-year period, submitting the final report to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in December 2000. The principal finding of this report was that the air quality within East Hampshire would meet the current air quality standards and objectives for the year 2000 and the objective years of 2003/2004 and 2008 (dependent on the pollutant). However, it is anticipated that proposals to further tighten the standards and objectives, particularly for particulates, could cause local breaches in the more urban areas, primarily due to road traffic pollution.

9.3 The County Council, in partnership with East Hampshire District Council, has purchased air quality monitoring equipment and services. This will provide precision information about air quality at one point in the district using Government approved methodologies and allowing comparison of information across Hampshire.

9.4 The equipment includes a monitoring station capable of measuring particulates and nitrogen oxides, together with a mobile telephone link and computer software. The package also includes a five-year maintenance contract, a quality assurance/quality control contract (QA/QC) and a five year contract for operation of 'Air-Quality.net,' which will provide information to the general public.

9.5 The highest risk of exceeding the standards and objectives for air quality is in Horndean, particularly with the proposed tightening of the particulate matter standards. Therefore, the monitoring equipment has been located on Portsmouth Road near the bridge across the A3(M) to provide data on the pollution due to both, vehicle congestion in the centre of Horndean and background levels of traffic pollution from the A3(M).

9.6 The monitoring station was officially launched on 10 January 2003. The data collected will be particularly useful in informing the Annual Progress Report on the Local Transport Plan, which incorporates targets for air quality and will be an important element in monitoring progress against these targets.

9.7 Further monitoring initiatives are also being investigated, in particular the purchase of lamp-post air quality monitors. Full air quality monitoring stations are expensive to provide and maintain and several companies have designed analysers that can be mounted on lamp-posts to monitor nitrogen oxides and particulates. This type of monitor is likely to be more economical and allow the monitoring of pollution levels in more locations around the district.

10. Petersfield Tesco - Before and After Surveys

10.1 The Tesco store in Petersfield was opened in November 2001. To assess the impact of the supermarket on the traffic flow in Petersfield town centre a series of traffic surveys were undertaken in July 2001 and then again in March 2002. The two sets of data enable a comparison to be made before and after the Tesco store was built and opened.

10.2 Junction turning counts were undertaken over a 12 hour period (0700-1900) at the following junctions:

(i) Station Road/Frenchmans Road;

(ii) Charles Street/Lavant Street;

(iii) Swan Street/Charles Street/The Spain;

(iv) High Street/Dragon Street; and

(v) The Causeway/Sussex Road/Hylton Road/Dragon Street.

A junction turning count was also undertaken at the entrance to the Tesco store in March 2002 and automatic traffic counters were placed on Station Road and The Causeway (south of the Tesco entrance).

10.3 As would be expected, the total volume of traffic at the junction of Causeway/Sussex Road/Hylton Road/Dragon Street and at The Causeway, south of the Tesco, has increased. The volume at The Causeway has increased by 64% northbound and 50% southbound. To the north of the entrance with Tesco, the two-way flow on The Causeway has increased by 27%, suggesting that the majority of traffic accessing the store is approaching and leaving to the south of the town centre. On the day of the survey, a total of 1,930 vehicles entered the store. Two-way flows have also increased along College Street (13%), Heath Road (18%), High Street (5%), Dragon Street (14%) and Hylton Road (6%).

10.4 Traffic flows near the rail station have changed due to the relocation of the station entrance. There has been a decline in traffic flows along Station Road (-18%) and Charles Street (-9%), and an increase along Frenchmans Road (15%) and Swan Street (27%). This is due to the new roundabout entrance on Frenchmans Road.

11. Development of the Approach to Monitoring and Evaluation

11.1 The TRANSPOL surveys will be repeated in 2006 and the area strategy monitoring will be repeated in 2004. The monitoring will be significantly enhanced to develop partnerships with various stakeholders.

11.2 To develop a comprehensive monitoring approach requires information regarding town centre trade activity, car parking, crime and disorder, shopmobility, etc. Input is required not only from county and district councils and stakeholders, but also public transport operators, local cycling groups and other special interest groups.

12. Conclusion

12.1 The extensive survey work undertaken provides a wide range of indicators for transport activities in the CHARTS area. The TRANSPOL household questionnaire surveys provide a `snap shot' of travel patterns and attitudes to transport. The results show a high level of car use, which is not unexpected for a rural area. However, surveys also suggest an increase in rail, bus and cycle use with strong support for public transport improvements.

12.2 The data suggests that collectively traffic flows across the CHARTS area have moderately increased over the last two to three years since 1999. The number of HGVs is slightly lower than the national average.

12.3 Monitoring of traffic flows following the opening of the Tesco store and the improvements to the access to the rail station in Petersfield suggests a change in vehicle movements on some roads in the town.

12.4 This round of monitoring will be compared with future surveys to establish more certain trends and changes in transport behaviour and levels of activity. This data will be used in assessing the impact of CHARTS initiatives over a longer period and in reviewing progress for Local Transport Plan and Road Traffic Reduction Act purposes.

Recommendation

That the Panel notes the results of the 2002 Central Hampshire Rural Transport Strategy surveys and the TRANSPOL household questionnaire surveys.

7694/JJ