Contact: John Buckett, ext 6599

1. Summary

1.1 The County Council's Environment Capital Programme was approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 24 January 2003. The report included a revised integrated transport programme for 2002/03, a new programme for 2003/04 and proposed that all other integrated transport schemes be reassessed for possible inclusion in the 2004/05 programme (see attached appendix for Winchester Movement and Access Plan (WMAP) schemes).

2. Background

2.1 Hampshire County Council's first full Local Transport Plan (LTP) was produced in July 2000. It set out county-wide and area strategy objectives and targets and a proposed five year plan for transport investment. The Government settlement letter, in December 2000, acknowledged Hampshire's LTP as one of the best in the country. The settlement letter allocated funding levels, definite for 2001/02 and indicative for the other four years of the programme.

2.2 The funding allocated under the new LTP system is at a much higher level than previously for integrated transport, and is no longer ring-fenced for certain topics or areas. For 2001/02 two years were available to spend the allocated funding money, but from 2002/03 the Government has moved to a one year spending regime.

2.3 The combination of the above factors has led to integrated transport spending as set out in the table below. Integrated transport spending includes investment in area transport strategies, casualty reduction and county-wide programmes.

Government funded County Council capital expenditure on integrated transport

Year	Spending (£000)
1998/99	2,894	Actual
1999/00	2,545	Actual
2000/01	4,936	Actual
2001/02	7,775	Actual
2002/03	18,600	Planned
2003/04	14,393	Maximum

2.4 The above table does not include expenditure on accepted major transport schemes (over £5 million) as these are separately funded, but does include preparatory and all other costs until a scheme is accepted by the Government.

2.5 The 2002/03 figure is particularly high because funding was carried forward from 2001/02. Such a carry forward is no longer allowed and from 2003/04 onwards funding is expected to be in line with the LTP settlement awards.

2.6 In order to keep transport spending within limits in 2002/03 and 2003/04 it has been necessary to reduce the programme in both years. The 2002/03 programme now comprises essentially schemes already contractually committed by January 2003. There is a large spending commitment in 2003/04 from the 2002/03 programme and so only a limited programme can go forward in 2003/04. In 2003/04 priority has been given firstly to casualty reduction schemes and safer routes to school (£1.9 million) and the MIRACLES project in Winchester specifically identified for support by the Government (£880,000). Within Area Transport Strategies priority has been given to ongoing projects which potentially will give a good return in terms of progress towards policy objectives. It has been possible to include at least one LTP funded scheme in each strategy area. These are all projects deferred from 2002/03, except Decriminalised Parking Enforcement in Eastleigh (£175,000), a reduced first year investment of £50,000 in Romsey Road, Winchester and the making permanent of a scheme in Bishop's Waltham (£40,000). Unfortunately, it has not been possible to accommodate all the deferred schemes in the new 2003/04 programme. The Executive Member for Environment has asked for all the schemes not included in the 2002/03 or 2003/04 programmes to be reviewed so that a new 2004/05 programme can be prepared. The views of the transportation panels will form part of the review process.

3. 2002/03 Programmes

3.1 The initial 2002/03 programmes for area transport strategies were set at a high level so that there was a good chance of achieving the spending target even if, for any reason, schemes were delayed. The County Council also wanted to be in a position to take advantage of any additional funding that might become available in 2002/03 or 2003/04 by having schemes prepared. It was also proposed that the A3 Bus Priority scheme in Havant district would be taken up by the Government as a major scheme from 2003/04. It was important therefore to have enough schemes ready to take advantage of any funding released, should the A3 costs be covered elsewhere.

3.2 In the event, progress in 2002/03 has been such (together with increased consultation and construction costs of ongoing schemes) that the County Council had committed (by December 2002) sufficient projects to cover the £18.6 million available for 2002/03 spending. It has therefore been necessary to limit the 2002/03 programme to a total value of £18.8 million and defer the remainder of the programmed schemes to a 2003/04 or later start year. The implication for the timing of WMAP is set out in the attached appendix.

4. 2003/04 Resources and Programme

4.1 The County Council has been allocated £14.39 million for integrated transport but, as yet, the A3 scheme has not been accepted for major scheme funding. Unless extra funding is found, it will be necessary to accommodate any new A3 work from the £14.39 million, as well as an expected £8 million of commitments carried forward from 2002/03, the new 2003/04 programme spend and the preparation costs of future schemes.

4.2 The consequence is that the funding available for schemes programmed to start in 2003/04 has been set at £9.39 million. Some of these schemes will be put on hold to start late in the year so that spending is kept within the allocation level, pending a decision on the A3 scheme. The 2003/04 WMAP programme, which includes developer and other externally funded schemes, is set out in the attached appendix.

5. Scheme Preparation and Design 2003/04

5.1 It is proposed that preparation work, including consultation and feasibility design, on some schemes already being progressed should continue. Within the funding to be made available it is suggested that work on the following WMAP schemes be continued:

(i) Romsey Road corridor;

(ii) Badger Farm Road cycle crossing;

(iii) Easton Lane traffic management/cycle scheme; and

(iv) Jewry Street/City Road.

6. 2004/05 and Beyond

6.1 No programme has yet been prepared for 2004/05. The Executive Member for Environment has requested that all schemes in the previous four year capital programme (but not now programmed in 2003/04 or before) are assessed in terms of their likely contribution towards LTP and corporate objectives. Following this assessment a report will be presented to the Environment Policy Review Committee on 9 July 2003 setting out a revised capital programme for each of the strategy areas.

6.2 Within WMAP, there are a number of identified schemes for which an assessment and prioritisation will be required, not only for the purposes of the current LTP period but also for the next LTP 2006-2011. These are indicated below but successful implementation of a number of these proposals is dependent on the completion of Park and Ride facilities to reduce traffic levels in the city centre. The comments on schemes set out below are on a suggested chronological basis and Members are asked to indicate their preferences.

Easton Lane

6.3 Following consultation on the proposed traffic management/cycle scheme in spring 2003, funding of around £100,000 will be required to complete the scheme, in addition to the developer contribution received.

Badger Farm Cycle Crossing

6.4 This scheme at the Badger Farm Road/Oliver's Battery Road junction is considered by cyclists to be a priority and design issues are being resolved. The scheme will provide traffic signals with particular emphasis on cyclist and pedestrian crossing arrangements and is expected to cost around £100,000. Public consultation took place in summer 2001 and a Project Appraisal was approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 15 January 2002.

Pedestrian and Cycle Schemes

6.5 Some cycle schemes have been incorporated into other projects, including Durngate to Park Avenue via North Walls/Winchester College of Art (included in Easton Lane proposals for consultation) and St James' Lane to Airlie Road cycle route (being progressed through the MIRACLES project). While some cycle schemes are small scale, others will require larger expenditure, including Hockley to Twyford. A list of proposed cycle schemes was submitted to the Panel on 18 March 2002.

6.6 Following a study undertaken on pedestrian routes and attitudes, a programme of schemes will be implemented incrementally as funding permits, with individual measures being incorporated into wider schemes as appropriate.

Safer Routes to Schools

6.7 Further measures at schools will be promoted as part of the county-wide safer routes to school initiative. These will be based on the priorities identified at the 23 October 2002 meeting.

Air Quality Monitoring

6.8 Air quality monitoring is incorporated into the European MIRACLES project which is linked with the regional air quality monitoring and forecasting model being developed with the Meteorological Office.

Romsey Road Corridor

6.9 The initial funding allocation for 2003/04 will allow some measures to be implemented. However, it is expected that additional funding will be required if larger measures, such as traffic signal installations, are to be progressed. Improvements in Sparkford Road to identify easier pedestrian crossing arrangements and provide minor widening on the carriageway for large vehicles have been included in the Romsey Road corridor works, subject to funding.

Intelligent Transport Systems

6.10 A number of Intelligent Transport Systems are planned, some linked with the European MIRACLES project, including further closed circuit television coverage, on-line parking space availability information and variable message signing (see agenda item 8).

Jewry Street/City Road

6.11 Proposed improvements for Jewry Street/City Road will be subject to public consultation (expected to take place in March/April 2003) following discussions with key stakeholders. This scheme will involve a strong urban design/landscape interest, together with traffic considerations, and is designed to enhance the local environment and improve conditions for all road users. For Jewry Street the proposals consider the impact of the scheme completed in late 1999, to which the public' response has been very favourable. The opportunity to create new public space between the public library and Theatre Royal is also being considered. The junction of Jewry Street with City Road/Hyde Street/North Walls is an important gateway to the city centre and is likely to be remodelled to give greater priority for pedestrians. Improvements in City Road are expected to take the theme of the completed improvements at the Station Interchange.

6.12 The scheme will require high quality materials to connect the completed schemes in Jewry Street and the Station Interchange and consequently is likely to cost more than the £400,000 previously indicated. Current estimates suggest that the scheme could cost over £800,000. Completion could be phased to minimise disruption which may be affected by funding availability.

City Centre 20 miles per hour Zone

6.13 Initial investigations into the extent and impact of a 20 mph zone covering the city centre suggested that there would be a number of difficulties in terms of signing, enforcement, etc, that would be difficult to reconcile with current traffic levels, particularly in North Walls. It is suggested therefore that the 20 mph zone concept for Winchester not be pursued at this stage and instead be considered for the LTP 2006-2011.

Andover Road

6.14 Andover Road forms an important route for local traffic and also for traffic to the city from the A34(T) to the north and Kings Worthy. It is intended to review the arrangements in Andover Road, particularly in terms of pedestrian and cycle requirements and access to the railway station. Ongoing redevelopment activity in the Andover Road corridor and the proposed North Winchester Reserve Major Development Area are expected to influence Andover Road and, therefore, the introduction of shorter term schemes is unlikely.

St George's Street and North Walls

6.15 Both St George's Street and North Walls form key components of the city centre one-way system and, as such, experience capacity problems at certain times. Until substantial traffic reduction is achieved through the introduction of further Park and Ride capacity, it is unlikely that significant improvements can be made to either enhance the route or reallocate road space in favour of buses, pedestrians and cyclists. The potential redevelopment at Broadway/Friarsgate will also influence St George's Street and it is suggested that any improvement proposals will take place once other key elements of the WMAP programme are in place.

High Street/The Broadway

6.16 Major refurbishment of High Street and The Broadway is expected to take place once designs have been determined and resources identified. The pedestrianised area is in need of renewal, having been in place for around 30 years, and the opportunity is presented to improve the drainage in High Street, particularly in the lower section where flooding of properties has occurred. This scheme is of major importance and will have a long lead time. It is expected to have significant cost implications. It would be opportune to consider the role and form of The Broadway in conjunction with the proposed Broadway/Friarsgate redevelopment which will change vehicle, cycle and pedestrian movements in that quarter of the city centre.

7. Review of the Area Transportation Strategy Panels

7.1 There is to be a review of the way transport planning and investment is organised in the county to take account of developments with the regional transport strategy and sub-regional transport, economic and development planning approaches. It is proposed that this review is carried out during 2003, including consultation with district councils, and proposals presented to the Area Transportation Strategy Panels in the autumn, with any new arrangements being introduced in 2004.

8. Summary of Position

8.1 Government funded support for integrated transport, ie area transport strategy schemes, safety and county-wide programmes, remains high (£14 million per year). However, the over-commitment in 2002/03, resulting from the need to reach the spending target, and the fact that the A3 has not yet been accepted as a major scheme, means that the new 2003/04 programme is much less than originally proposed. Resources are expected to continue at about £14 million per year and a new programme for 2004/05 will be produced following a reassessment of all schemes in the early part of 2003. Future programmes are likely to be affected by the County Council's review of its approach in the light of developments at the regional and sub-regional level, and the Area Transportation Strategy Panels.

Recommendations

1. That this report be noted.

2. That the Winchester Movement and Access Plan schemes for 2004/05 and beyond be considered as part of the county-wide review of Transportation Strategy Areas to be presented to the Environment Policy Review Committee on 9 July 2003.

3. That the priorities for future schemes be reported to the Executive Member for Environment.

7798/JWB

APPENDIX

Winchester Movement and Access Plan

Revised Transport Capital Programme (£000)

50 change of year (2002/03 to 2003/04)

50 scheme deferred

+ partly externally funded

* externally funded

_ in 2004/05 and beyond pool

In addition, the European MIRACLES project in Winchester has an allocation of £880,000 from the capital programme for 2003/04.