APPENDIX

SOUTH WEST HAMPSHIRE TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY PANEL

INFORMAL MEETING OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL AND NEW FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBERS TO DISCUSS TOTTON TOWN CENTRE IMPROVEMENT PROPOSALS: REPORT ON PUBLIC CONSULTATION - 28 JANUARY 2003

In attendance:

Hampshire County Council

Councillor A.G. Dowden

Councillor K.B. Estlin

Councillor Mrs E.M.F. Randall

Mr S. Cramp

Mr R. Stocks

Mr P. Syddall

New Forest District Council

Councillor D.B. Burdle

Councillor Mrs D. Brooks

Councillor W. Catt

Councillor R. Harrison

Councillor Mrs M. Holding

Councillor D. Tipp

Mr P. Hughes

Mr R. Payne

Mr J. Ward

Mr N. Williamson

Totton & Eling Town Council

Councillor G. Dart

Mr R. Hill

Members were advised that proposals for the Totton Town Centre Improvements had been the subject of a public consultation exercise during September 2002, which had taken the form of an exhibition and the publication of the "Totton Town Centre Urban Design Framework". Both Members and officers agreed that the exhibition had been well attended and that a good response to questionnaire distributed was received.

Members were informed that New Forest District Council proposed to put the Urban Design Framework to their Cabinet on 5 March 2003.

Members then discussed key issues, which emerged during consultations:-

Parking:-

Concerns had been raised over the loss of convenient on street parking and the reduction of off-street parking (including the removal of the Library Road (Precinct) car park.

Members agreed that the provision of adequate parking would be essential to the proposed improvements as the intention was to encourage people to use local shops and facilities in Totton.

There was some concern about the loss of the precinct car park, but members generally felt that there would be convenient parking close to the centre. Alternative means of transport should also be taken into account.

New Link Road & ASDA Roundabout:-

Some Members considered that no detailed information on this issue so far had made it difficult to determine whether the new link road and roundabout would be beneficial.

Members requested that officers further investigate these technical issues when processing the proposals.

Traffic Management Proposals:-

Further feasibility studies were required prior to any decisions. Some concerns were raised about the proposed removal of the railings and controlled pedestrian crossing on Commercial Road. This would be considered further as the proposals are developed.

Railway Level Crossing:-

The railway crossing was seen as a major problem for traffic flows into the town.

Members agreed that the provision of a bridge or tunnel would not be feasible or financially viable. All agreed that the press release following this meeting should inform the public of why a tunnel or bridge was not viable. There was no realistic solution to the problem but it was hoped the town centre proposals would discourage through traffic and promote options for walking, cycling and public transport and therefore help to alleviate the problems experienced.

Members raised concerns about the location of the proposed pedestrian bridges, particularly that there are no proposed improvements for pedestrians/cyclists to cross at Junction Road.

Members felt that more detailed work was needed into cycle/footway provision from Rumbridge St. to Totton Town Centre, particularly desire lines and the most direct routes from/to Eling.

Control of Heavy Commercial Vehicles:-

Traffic Regulation Orders have been integrated into the proposals for Totton Town Centre which would significantly reduce and control the through movement of commercial vehicles. It would be possible to add additional orders as and when the need was identified. Adequate signing would play a vital role in ensuring that these vehicles did not use unsuitable alternative routes through residential areas.

Totton and Eling Town Council:-

The Town Council generally supported and welcomed the proposals. They had however raised a few specific issues in particular the Asda roundabout, the need for further traffic assessments, traffic management and the provision of on-street parking. Roger Hill reiterated the need to keep the public continually updated on progress made and suggested a newsletter be produced regularly to inform the public of progress.

Questionnaire Distributed by Local Councillor:-

Many of the issues identified in the questionnaire were similar to those raised through the public consultation.

Some members felt the questionnaire was biased as it asked for comments in isolation on specific elements of the proposals, and not on the whole vision for Totton, as had been asked at the public consultation.

Conclusions:-

It was proposed that the town centre proposals should be examined in light of the consultation results and elements of the proposals be developed as the first part of a phased programme.

Members expressed their strong support for taking the Town Centre proposals forward.

Suggested Way Forward:-

It was agreed that a report on the consultations would be put to the South West Hampshire Transportation Panel on 4 March 2003 for endorsement. Following this a phase programme will be prepared for the Totton Town Centre Improvements.

In connection with the Totton Town Centre Improvements, Simon Cramp advised Members that as part of the ROUA programme implementation of the lighting scheme for Rumbridge Street was due to begin within the next 8-12 weeks.