Archived decisions

Contact: Heather Walmsley, ext 6581

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides a progress update on key traffic management schemes within the Andover Transport Strategy (ATS) and Western Hampshire Transport Strategy (WHTS) areas. It recommends that scheme progress be noted.

2. Introduction

2.1 This report provides a progress and programme update on the following ATS and WHTS schemes:

(i) the Weyhill Road traffic management scheme;

(ii) the Charlton Road/Foxcotte Road/Foxcotte Lane and Hatherden Road traffic management scheme;

(iii) the Andover Cycling Network Priority Schemes;

(iv) the London Road/Vigo Road traffic management scheme;

(v) Andover to Salisbury bus quality partnership;

(vi) Stockbridge and Test Valley School; and

(vii) Clatford, Shipton Bellinger and Hatherden Primary Schools.

2.2 The programmes for scheme delivery have been amended to reflect the revised Capital Programme. The schemes which have been delayed from2002/03 to `2004/05 and beyond' will be considered as part of the county-wide review of transport strategy areas to be submitted to the Environment Policy Review Committee on 9 July 2003. Until that meeting has taken place it is not possible to be any more certain about specific scheme start dates. The changes to the delivery programmes are outlined below.

3. Weyhill Road Traffic Management Scheme

3.1 Tender documents for the Weyhill Road traffic management scheme are to be sent out shortly. Work is currently being undertaken regarding statutory undertakings.

3.2 Following the review of the Capital Programme, it is now anticipated that implementation will commence in April/May 2003 rather than January as previously reported.

4. Charlton Road/Foxcotte Road/Foxcotte Lane and Hatherden Road Traffic Management Scheme

4.1 Following the review of the Capital Programme prioritisations, the implementation start date for the Charlton Road/Foxcotte Road/Foxcotte Lane and Hatherden Road traffic management scheme has been delayed from a 2002/03 start to 2004/05 and beyond.

4.2 In the interim period, preliminary design work is being finalised. Meetings with relevant parties, including local parish councils, representatives from the hospital and ambulance stations and the police, will be undertaken shortly as part of the progression of design work.

5. Andover Cycling Network - Priority Schemes

5.1 Following the review of the Capital Programme prioritisations, the implementation dates for the Andover cycling network have been delayed. The ATS programme reported on 30 October 2002 allocated £300,000 for the Andover cycle schemes to be spread over the period 2002/03 to 2005/06. The £250,000 remaining of the previously reported allocation has now been reallocated to 2004/05 and beyond.

5.2 In the interim period, work is being progressed by Atkins to complete detailed design on the three sections of the six top priority schemes identified for progression in the short term. The three sections are:

(i) Scheme 2 Floral Way section - on carriageway connection to Salisbury Road;

(ii) Scheme 1 Railway Station to Junction Road section; and

(iii) Scheme 5 Kiel Drive to Saxon Way section.

5.3 Work is also being progressed to determine a schedule for the remainder of the six priority schemes and to identify those sections which have land and legal issues associated with them, in order to initiate relevant processes. Whilst there is currently no capital funding available to implement the cycle schemes in the period up to 2004/05, it may be


possible to progress some schemes through any forthcoming developer funding. It may also be possible to obtain some funding for those schemes which can be justified as part of a safer routes to school network from the Safer Routes allocation.

6. London Road/Vigo Road Traffic Management Scheme

6.1 Atkins was commissioned earlier this year to undertake a feasibility study for the London Road/Vigo Road traffic management scheme. Draft plans are currently being prepared. Discussions will be undertaken with the schools to ensure that proposed measures support the objectives of school travel plans which will be prepared.

6.2 Following the review of the Capital Programme prioritisations, the £90,000 funding previously allocated for 2002/03 for the London Road/Vigo Road traffic management scheme has been delayed to 2004/05 and beyond. However, the start date is likely to be linked with the timing of forthcoming development proposals and associated external funding.

7. Andover to Salisbury Quality Bus Partnership

7.1 New infrastructure is being provided at a number of bus stops along the corridor, including improved waiting facilities, service information, traffic management and raised kerbs. In addition, Wilts and Dorset bus company is introducing low-floor buses from February 2003. Feasibility and detailed design has been completed and implementation is programmed for March 2003.

8. Stockbridge and Test Valley School

8.1 Following consultation with Stockbridge and Longstock Parish Councils, a pedestrian refuge is to be provided in Stockbridge village centre costing £9,000. Feasibility and detailed design works are complete, with implementation anticipated in April/May 2003.

8.2 As reported to the previous meeting, Test Valley School is currently in the process of applying for planning permission and lottery funding to construct a new sports hall. Highway works in the locality of the school will be progressed once the outcome of the bids for lottery funding is known and planning consent is granted.

8.3 Initial feasibility design work for the provision of a pedestrian refuge and improved footway between Test Valley School and the village, in conjunction with the proposed new access to the sports hall, has been completed. The estimated scheme cost is £25,000 and local Members are supportive of the scheme. The design and materials proposed will be suitable for use in a conservation area. Detailed design will be completed in May 2003, with implementation programmed for July 2003.

8.4 The school has produced a travel plan which has been submitted to the School Travel Plans Co-ordinator. The travel plan is a requirement of the planning application identified above and will be amended should any further work at the school or in the vicinity affect it.

9. Clatford, Shipton Bellinger and Hatherden Primary Schools

9.1 These schemes will now be considered as part of the county-wide Safer Routes to School programme and prioritised accordingly from 2003/04 onwards. Feasibility for low-cost safety improvements is still being investigated by Atkins at several schools as part of the Safer Routes to School initiative.

9.2 A school travel plan has been completed by Clatford Primary School and Atkins has produced proposals and sent them to the school and Parish Council. Meetings will be held to discuss the proposals, which include providing a build-out and footway widening, as well as signing improvements.

9.3 Shipton Bellinger Primary will be developing a school travel plan during the autumn term. The school is supportive of proposals put forward by Atkins. Further discussions are required with the school and Parish Council to discuss the proposals. Proposals include the provision of build-outs at the desire lines for pedestrian crossing movements and school zone signing.

9.4 Atkins has also been looking at proposals for Hatherden Primary School. The school has not developed a school travel plan as yet and its priority is for providing a formal surface dressing on the car park used by parents. However, the Parish Council raised concerns and Atkins is conducting feasibility work. Atkins will meet with the school and Parish Council to discuss proposals, which include the provision of a build-out, school zone signing and white lining to visually narrow the carriageway.

9.5 The School Travel Plans Co-ordinator will continue to monitor the situation at all three schools. In addition, there is a crossing patrol at Hatherden and a request for a new school crossing patrol has recently been submitted for Shipton Bellinger. There are no patrols at the other schools.

9.6 Programmes for 2004/05 onwards will be developed for Western Hampshire in line with the WHTS, which is being considered as a separate item on the agenda.

10. Programme Overview

10.1 A summary table is included below to highlight key dates:

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

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