AT A MEETING of the SOUTH WEST HAMPSHIRE TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY PANEL held on Tuesday, 4 March, 2003 at The Castle, Winchester.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); C.R.H. Davidovitz; A.G. Dowden; P. Luffman.

Eastleigh Borough Council

Councillor A.M. Winstanley.

New Forest District Council

Councillors: F.R. Harrison; W.R. Catt.

Test Valley Borough Council

Councillors: N.C. Lewis; J.E. Taylor.

26. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

27. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on Thursday, 24 October, 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

28. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications reported to the Panel.

29. DEPUTATIONS

No requests to make a deputation had been received.

30. CAPITAL PROGRAMME - UPDATE

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the revised integrated transport programme for 2002/03, a new programme for 2003/04 and proposed reassessment of schemes for possible inclusion in the 2004/05 programme.

The Chairman announced that a review of the Transportation Strategy Panels would take place later this year. It was considered that there may be three transportation strategy areas.

The Panel were informed of the limit on monies available due to existing commitments and the importance of discussing the priority of new start schemes for 2003/04. The Panel were made aware of the £9.39 million available for new start schemes county-wide, importance was placed upon the fact that there were a large number of schemes proposed to begin within 2003/04 subject to the overall financial restraints.

Queries were raised regarding the Chandlers Ford Railway Station, it was anticipated that the station would open as planned later in 2003 but the scheme was still having to overcome problems.

Officers guided the Panel through the appendix to the report to prioritise schemes for inclusion in the 2004/05 budget. It was agreed that the following schemes would be included and that scheme preparation and design would be continued in 2003/04:

(i) Eastleigh Central Area;


(ii) Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership;


(iii) Totton Town Centre;


(iv) Hythe Interchange;


(v) Southern Test Valley Quality Bus Partnership; and


(vi) Access to the Hamble Peninsula.


RESOLVED :

That the report be noted.

31. ROMSEY TOWN CENTRE ENHANCEMENT

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the Romsey Town Centre enhancement scheme.

Members were generally happy with the way the scheme was progressing. Councillor Lewis sought assurance that no money had been lost. He was assured that no money had been lost or was at risk, but it was important to understand that the scheme had exceeded original estimates. The Panel were informed by the Executive Member for Environment that funding for the second phase would have to be found.



RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and that the Panel support the decisions made so far.

32. STRATEGY PROGRESS AND ISSUES

The Panel received a report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) detailing the progress on the 2002/03 South West Hampshire Transport programme and other key strategy issues and schemes.

Members noted that design work should continue on the North Baddesley-Rowlands Cycle Scheme in preparation for a project appraisal.

The Panel was generally happy with this report. A correction to the heading of paragraph 4.38 of the report was noted as follows:

Twyford Road/Romsey Road

RESOLVED:

1. That the position of the schemes within the Capital Programme be noted.

2. That the proposed traffic signalisation of the Portsmouth Road/Hamble
Lane junction on the Hamble peninsula not be taken forward at this time.

33. QUALITY BUS PARTNERSHIPS

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) providing Members with an update on the development and implementation of the Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership, Project Phoenix and the Southern Test Valley Quality Bus Partnership.

Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership and Project Phoenix

It was reported that the schemes were progressing well and that the partnership was working productively.

Solent Blue Line recently informed Hampshire County Council that it was planning to revise its commercial bus network in Eastleigh, but would not progress with the plan until it was aware of the services they would be providing when the decision on the tendered services was known in May. It was anticipated that the proposed changes would represent an improvement in service frequency, with the possible introduction of new buses. Solent Blue Line had named this improvement package "Project Phoenix". The Panel were informed that although Hampshire County Council could not meet all of Solent Blue Line's aspirations, however, the partnership would work together to prioritise the issues raised.

Southern Test Valley Quality Bus Partnership

It was reported that although no formal agreement had yet been signed it was anticipated that an agreement would be signed in due course. The Panel were informed that installation of Electronic Bus Departure Information Screens would be installed at Romsey Bus Station in April and May 2003.

Councillor Dowden requested to see the plans for the Rownhams Lane/Botley Road scheme.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

34. HYTHE

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the position on the development of the schemes within Hythe and proposed consultations.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the brief and layout plans for the Interchange be agreed for consultation purposes with local interest groups.


2. That the results of the consultation on The Promenade be noted.

35. TOTTON TOWN CENTRE IMPROVEMENT PROPOSALS : REPORT ON PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment and the Head of Policy, Design and Information (New Forest District Council) (Item 10 in the Minute Book) summarising the background to the consultation and its outcomes and suggested further development of the proposals for the town centre and the preparation of the Supplementary Planning Guidance for adoption by New Forest District Council. The report also provided details of a special meeting held in January 2003 which considered the outcomes of the consultation.

The Panel were very happy with the scheme so far, and thanked the Chairman and Officers for a special meeting in January. Members re-iterated the importance of communication and welcomed that the communication strategy was being looked at. It was anticipated that a newsletter would be published in March/April 2003.

The Panel received an update on the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas programme. It was reported that phase one of the programme was due for completion in Spring 2003. Members welcomed this programme and noted the importance of the three authorities (Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council and Test Valley Borough Council) working together.



RESOLVED:

1. That the results of the consultation on the Totton Town Centre Improvement proposals and the overall support for the vision be noted.


2. That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the Panel requests that work on developing the proposals further be undertaken during 2003, including the formulation of a phased programme for the improvements, and that progress on this work be reported to the next meeting of the Panel.


3. That the town centre transport improvements be put forward for funding through the Capital Programme for 2004/05 onwards, and that other sources of funding be pursued as appropriate.


4. That New Forest District Council be requested to adopt the Urban Design Framework as Supplementary Planning Guidance, amended in light of the representations received.

36. DECRIMINALISATION OF ON-STREET PARKING ENFORCEMENT

The Panel considered a report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the latest position of Eastleigh Borough Council, New Forest District Council and Test Valley Borough Council regarding the taking on of powers of decriminalised parking enforcement.

Members were content with the update received and were informed that New Forest District Council were to begin discussions with Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Police Authority and would report to a future meeting of the Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

37. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting of the South West Hampshire Transportation Panel be held on Tuesday, 4 November, 2003 at 10.00 a.m. at Hampshire County Council Offices, The Castle, Winchester.

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