Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

11 March 2003

Project Appraisal: Safer Routes to School Programme
in Basingstoke and Deane

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 4

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAMME 2003/04 BASINGSTOKE AND DEANE

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

APRIL 2003 (March 2003, subject to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's budget adjustments)

COMPLETION DATE:

JUNE 2003

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2003/04

7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

A joint five year programme for Safer Journeys/Routes to School was agreed between Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council in 2001 and approved by the Borough Council's Cabinet and the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport (BEST) Members' Panel in November 2001. This identified a total of eleven groups of schools (where an infant and junior school are situated on the same site they were considered together) as priorities for implementation, commencing in 2002/03. Implementation of the programme has been divided between the two authorities.

The following three packages of measures for Hatch Warren, Kings Furlong and Manor Field Schools form part of the Safer Journeys to School programme for 2003/04, at a cumulative cost of £247,000, excluding fees, to be funded entirely by the Borough Council. The schemes have been identified through travel surveys undertaken with pupils and parents at each of the respective schools. Each of the schools is currently in the process of developing its School Travel Plan in parallel with the implementation of the package of Safer Journeys/Routes to School measures.

Some of the identified measures do constitute minor works under the terms of the Traffic Management agreement between the County Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, and implementation of those works will commence shortly by the Borough Council. However, this project appraisal outlines the cumulative package of Safer Journeys/Routes to School works being undertaken in these three school catchments.

7.2

Details

Plans providing details of the proposed package of measures for each of the schools will be displayed at the meeting. The scheme details for each of the three catchment areas are as follows:

Kings Furlong Infant and Junior Schools

(i) Improvements to crossing points on Packenham Road, Portacre Rise and Stukeley Road for children walking to school;

(ii) reducing the width of the junctions of Upper Chestnut Drive and Lower Chestnut Drive to improve crossing points, with the introduction of parking controls at these points;

(iii) providing revised `School Keep Clear' markings near school;

(iv) new footway link along Pittard Road/Packenham Road and on Wessex Close;

(v) resurfacing footways in vicinity of school;

(vi) safety fencing and improved lighting on footpath adjacent to Ringway West pedestrian barriers and resurfacing of footway between Hill View Road and Winchester Road roundabout; and

(vii) pedestrian signage indicating routes to school.

Manor Field Infant and Junior Schools

(i) Improvements to the crossing point outside the school entrance and review of the `School Keep Clear' markings;

(ii) improvements to crossing points on Chopin Road; Beethoven Road; Britten Road; Brahms Road and Rossini Close;

(iii) improvements to crossing points on Stanford Road, Heathfield Road and Beecham Berry;

(iv) new footway on Stanford Road;

(v) reducing the width of the junctions of Stanford Road and Heathfield Road to improve crossing points;

(vi) resurfacing footpaths on the main pedestrian routes to the school; and

(vii) pedestrian signage indicating routes to school.

Hatch Warren Infant and Junior Schools

(i) Narrowing and improving crossing point in The Cornfields;

(ii) new footway along Danebury Road;

(iii) improving crossing points on side roads off Danebury Road at Beechwood Close, Sherwood Close and Inglewood Drive;

(iv) realigning crossing point and improving lighting at crossing on Hatch Warren Lane;

(v) improving pedestrian and cycle access on Hatch Warren Lane and crossing at Hatch Warren Lane/Gloucester Drive;

(vi) improving crossing points on Alderley Drive, Long Cross Lane and Ellington Drive; and

(vii) replacing fencing and school pedestrian entrance improvement works.

7.3

Standards

The three packages of works have been subjected to a road safety audit and the measures are designed in accordance with current national (Department for Transport) and appropriate County Council standards for highways and signing works.

7.4

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

Consultation has been undertaken on the Safer Journeys/Routes to School schemes for Kings Furlong, Manor Field and Hatch Warren between 25 November and 13 December 2002.

The consultation comprised the following:

(i) Meetings with Ward Councillors and local County Councillors to outline the proposed Safer Journeys to School schemes and to ascertain their views and input.

(ii) Comments on the schemes invited from the school and parents/pupils through a display in each of the schools. A leaflet was sent to parents outlining the proposals with a comment slip available to indicate their support for the proposals.

(iii) Consultation with local residents who, potentially, would be affected by particular elements of the package for each school. Consultees were provided with a drawing outlining the proposals in the vicinity of their home, a comments sheet pro-forma to complete and a pre-paid envelope for their reply.

(iv) Consultation with local cycle groups and Hampshire Constabulary.

The public consultation undertaken with the schools, parents, pupils, local Ward Councillors and County Councillors, and other key stakeholders has shown that there is general support for the majority of measures identified for Kings Furlong, Hatch Warren and Manor Field Schools. The consultation with local residents and local Members has highlighted a number of issues with regard to specific Safer Journeys to School measures, as summarised below, and this has been reflected in the proposed final programme.

Kings Furlong Infant and Junior Schools

From the consultation with the school, parents and pupils there was very strong support for the proposed package of measures. A letter of support was also received from the Governors of the Infant School.

Consultation with local residents showed the main objection to the proposals being the reduction of the radii of Upper Chestnut Drive and Lower Chestnut Drive. They felt that these works would only compound the existing parental parking issues in the vicinity of the school.

Borough Council officers have re-examined this issue and it is considered that the introduction of the changes to the junction radii at Lower Chestnut Drive and Upper Chestnut Drive will have a number of benefits. Firstly, it will improve safety for pupils walking to school, as it reduces the width that pupils and their parents have to cross at the junction and, secondly, the works will aim to reduce the conflict between pedestrians and vehicles either turning or parking in the bell mouth. The provision of yellow zig-zag markings around the bell mouths to complement these measures will aim to discourage indiscriminate parental parking in these locations and relocate it to safer areas where children are not crossing the road.

The schools have indicated that, on occasions, coaches are required to turn into and out of Upper Chestnut Drive for school trips, etc. Accordingly, the scheme design for Upper Chestnut Drive will ensure that school coaches can be accommodated.

Hatch Warren Infant and Junior Schools

From the consultation with the school, parents and pupils, there was an indication of strong support for the proposals.

Consultation was also undertaken with local residents regarding the introduction of the crossing point in The Cornfields and improvements to Hatch Warren Lane. Twelve local residents (37%) supported the provision of a build-out in The Cornfields to provide a safer crossing point for children walking to school. This would avoid the need for children to cross between parked cars. However, 20 residents in The Cornfields (63%) were concerned that the provision of the build-out would exacerbate the problems experienced with parental parking in the area. They considered the crossing point more dangerous due to its proximity to the junction with The Cornfields, the speed of vehicles and restricted visibility at the crossing point.

One response was received in support of the realigned crossing point and lighting column on Hatch Warren Lane.

Following consideration of the comments made in the above consultation, it was recommended that prior to making a decision on the crossing point in The Cornfields the proposed measures be subject to a viewing with the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Sustainability and the local Ward Members.

Manor Field Infant and Junior Schools

From the consultation with the school, parents and pupils there was an indication of very strong support for the proposals for these schools. Consultation was also undertaken with the six local residents backing onto the proposed footway along Stanford Road. One response was received (17%) indicating support for the footway.

7.5

Policy Considerations

These schemes are being funded wholly through the Traffic Management budget of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's 2003/04 capital programme. They are in line with Government policy to improve child safety and to make the environment for walking and cycling safer for all road users.

7.6

Environmental Impact

The schemes will contribute to a safer and improved environment for all pedestrians and vulnerable road users, but in particular school pupils on their local journeys within the three identified school catchment areas. There will be some visual impact associated with the additional signing and carriageway surfacing, markings and treatments as associated with the measures.

7.7

Land Requirement

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within the existing public highway limits.

7.8

Alternative Arrangements

No other suitable alternative to programme, but variations to individual work details have been considered.

7.9

Local Members' Views

As highlighted above, local County Council and Borough Council Ward Members have been consulted over the details of the schemes in their respective areas.

Hatch Warren Infant and Junior Schools

The local Borough Councillor and County Councillor Heath were generally supportive of the Safer Journeys to School package for Hatch Warren, although they did raise a number of issues:

(i) Gershwin Road subway

Councillor Putty expressed concern that the steps into the Gershwin Road subway near the school would not be well used and that the funding would be better utilised towards providing additional footways along Gershwin Road. Councillor Robinson also highlighted problems of poor lighting in the subway and, as a result, the perceived concern to personal safety of its usage.

(ii) Footway along Danebury Road

Councillor Heath expressed concern with the extension of the footway along Danebury Road, between the public open space and The Cornfields and that it would not be well used. He also felt that the provision of the footway could lead to children crossing from the opposite side away from the newly provided crossing point.

Officers have re-visited the routes to school identified by pupils and there are up to 20 children currently walking and crossing Danebury Road who could utilise the footway. Therefore, it is considered that, in terms of highway safety, the provision of the footway would reduce the conflict between pedestrians and vehicles on Danebury Road.

Following consideration of the comments made by Members, it was agreed that:

(i) the steps to the Gershwin Road subway be removed from the programme; and

(ii) the footway along Danebury Road remain in the programme.

Detailed comments have been considered and, where possible, will be incorporated into the final scheme designs.

Kings Furlong Infant and Junior Schools

Borough Councillor Shaw (now also the local County Councillor for Basingstoke North West division) raised concern regarding the reduction of the radii of Upper Chestnut Drive and Lower Chestnut Drive. However, for the reasons identified above, it was agreed that, subject to amendments to the scheme design to ensure the redesigned junction of Upper Chestnut Drive can still accommodate school coaches, these works remain in the programme.

Manor Field Infant and Junior Schools

The Borough Councillor and County Councillor Heath were supportive of the proposals.

7.10

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on these proposals.

7.11

Sustainability

The schemes will improve the environment for walking and cycling, thus widening travel choice and reducing dependence on the motorcar. The associated development of School Travel Plans for the affected schools, being pursued by the Borough Council, will also help achieve a more sustainable and healthier lifestyle for young people in these areas.

8.

Financial Arrangements

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

(to be met from Borough Council's own resources)

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

247

Supervision

-

-

Project Works

247

-

Land

-

-

____

____

Total*

247

Total

247

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

2

0.002%

Capital Charge

Nil

_

Total Expenditure

2

0.002%

*Excluding design and supervision fees, to be borne wholly by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

8.3

Maintenance Implications

The annual revenue effect associated with the maintenance of this package of works has been assumed to be 0.8% per annum, giving a net increase in current expenditure of £2,000.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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None.