AT A MEETING of the WINCHESTER MOVEMENT AND ACCESS PLAN JOINT MEMBERS PANEL held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday 4 March 2003.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); Mrs P. Dickens; Mrs S.M. Glasspool;

Mrs P.G. Peskett; J.K. West.

Winchester City Council

Councillors: J. Beveridge; P. Davies; J. Higgins; F. Mather.

30. 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 declare their personal 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, any declaration to be made at the time of the debate.

31. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

32. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman advised the Panel that on Friday 28 February the High Court had awarded the County Council an appeal in respect of the proposed extension to the Bar End, Winchester Park and Ride site.

33. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

34. CAPITAL PROGRAMME - UPDATE

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

It was reported that as finance could no longer be transferred from one financial year to the next the 2002/03 programme for the area transport strategies had been set at a high level in the knowledge that some schemes would be delayed, so as to enable the spending target to be achieved. It would therefore be necessary for some schemes to be deferred until 2003/04 and beyond. Members were therefore asked to indicate their preferred priority schemes for possible inclusion in the 2004/05 programme. Following detailed discussion it was agreed that priority should be given to the following schemes:-

(i) Intelligent Transport Systems


(ii) Badger Farm Road cycle crossing


(iii) Jewry Street/City Road


(iv) Bushfield Park and Ride (after Bar End extension)


RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.

(ii) 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.

(iii) That the priorities for future schemes be reported to the Executive Member
for Environment.

35. CURRENT ISSUES

The Panel considered the joint report of the Director of Environment and Director of Development Services (Winchester City Council) (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which outlined the position with the initiatives included in the Winchester Movement and Access Plan (WMAP).

Members were advised that during the current financial year the schemes for Stockbridge Road/Stoney Lane/Dean Lane, Station Interchange/City Road and Great Minster Street had been completed.

It was also reported that a number of initiatives were currently being progressed within the WMAP area. Works for the Chesil Street/Bar End Road scheme would commence mid-April. A consultation exercise had been carried out for proposed traffic management improvements for Easton Lane and a project appraisal was likely to be considered within the next few months.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That the outcome of the public consultation on the Easton Lane corridor proposals be reported to the Winchester Highway Management Advisory Panel.

36. THE MIRACLES PROJECT - PROGRESS REPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on progress made in developing and implementing the MIRACLES project.

The Director of Environment reported that 13 measures were being introduced within Winchester contained in eight work packages. A full discussion ensued during which Members detailed questions were answered. Implementation of the MIRACLES project was planned over the next two years. Individual schemes would be implemented during this period and regular progress reports made.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That regular progress reports be presented to the Winchester Highway
Management Advisory Panel.

37. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS, WINCHESTER

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) which outlined proposals for expanding intelligent transport systems in Winchester to provide accurate and timely travel information.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the Winchester Movement and Access Plan Joint Members' Panel supports the proposals contained in the report and that a project appraisal be prepared seeking authority to implement the proposals when funding had been identified.

38. ROMSEY ROAD CORRIDOR PROPOSALS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) which outlined the outcome of a consultation exercise undertaken during autumn 2002 in respect of proposals for the Romsey Road corridor.

Members discussed the individual schemes in detail and agreed to support the following portions of the scheme in principle:

(i) alterations to provide appropriate speed limits;


(ii) improved street lighting;


(iii) improved signing for pedestrians and cyclists;


(iv) new bus shelters and raised kerbs at stops;


(v) introduction of traffic signals at Romsey Road/Chilbolton Avenue (subject
to further public consultation at the detailed design stage);


(vi) junction treatments at St. James' Lane, hospital entrances and Queens Road; and


(vii) implementation of anti-pedestrian measures on the north side of Romsey Road (alongside Winchester Community Prison) for safety reasons and to allow improvements on the south side.


Proposals for new informal off-carriageway cycle route in the beech avenue between Kings Road and Chilbolton Court, the closure of Sarum Road (east) at Chilbolton Avenue and controlled crossing and associated measures at the Romsey Road/Clifton Terrace junction were not believed to be viable.


RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the proposals for selected schemes in the Romsey Road corridor be brought forward for detailed consultation prior to implementation.

39. ROMSEY ROAD PERSONALISED JOURNEY PLANNING PROJECT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) which detailed the proposed approach for the successful bid for funding for Romsey Road in Winchester.

The Director of Environment reported that in July 2002 the Department for Transport had invited local authorities to bid for funding to undertake personalised travel planning projects in their areas. The County Council submitted a bid in partnership with three other major employers (The Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Hampshire Constabulary and King Alfred's College) on Romsey Road, Winchester. Confirmation of a successful bid was received during December 2002.

The main project which will consist of four phases and run until 31 March 2004. The first phase to recruit participants will then be followed by interviewing volunteers to provide personalised journey plans and the trial period itself. A final phase will involve monitoring and evaluating the impact of the project on individual travel.

RESOLVED:

That the way forward as set out in the report be endorsed.

40. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting of the Panel be held on Thursday 6 November 2003 at 2.00 p.m. at The Castle, Winchester.

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