Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

11 March 2003

Project Appraisal : Butts Road, Alton -
Proposed Toucan Crossing

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 5

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

BUTTS ROAD, ALTON - TOUCAN CROSSING

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

MAY 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

JUNE 2003

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

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Jan 2003

(at Jan 2003

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Construction

40.5

40.5

Fees

13.5

13.5

54.0

54.0

Less developers/

other contributions

54.0

54.0

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

54

(b) Other

54

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

54

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

1.2

0.003

Capital charges

5.0

0.005

TOTAL net expenditure

6.2

0.008

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

The Butts Road corridor forms the western part of an extensive network of cycle routes proposed to link various amenities in Alton, with surrounding residential areas and community facilities. As part of the route between Whitedown and the Town Centre, there is a need to assist both pedestrians and cyclists to cross Butts Road, particularly in view of the proximity of local schools. The surveys undertaken of traffic and pedestrian flows give a PV² value of 0.65 x 10⁸ and justify the provision of a signal controlled crossing at the location indicated on the attached plan. The PV² value considers the number of pedestrian movements and the traffic flow over the four busiest hours of an average working day. The formula provides an objective indication of the difficulty of crossing and the potential conflict between pedestrians and vehicles.

In view of the particular circumstances a signal controlled Toucan crossing is the most appropriate type of crossing for the location, and this was included in the list of schemes for the Pedestrian Crossings Programme 2002/03 approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 14 May 2002.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposal is consistent with the County Council's local transportation strategy and policies, to reduce accident potential, and provide improved facilities for pedestrians and safer routes to school.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The crossing design complies with the Department for Transport and Hampshire County Council standards and has been safety audited at the appropriate stages in the design process. The provision of a crossing at the location is justified in accordance with the normal criteria.

Environmental Impact

The proposal encourages the sustainable and non-polluting transport options of walking and cycling.

Land Requirements

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

Statutory Procedures

All necessary statutory requirements have been satisfied in the development of this proposal.

Public Consultation

Public notices have been posted on site for 28 days giving details of the proposal. As a result no comments have been received.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Ludlow, fully supports the proposal.

Facilities for the Disabled

The proposed crossing incorporates tactile paving and audible warnings for the visually impaired, with flush kerbs at the crossing point for wheelchairs, prams and less mobile people.

Maintenance Implications

The revenue implications of this proposal will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

The Toucan crossing supports walking and cycling, which are both sustainable forms of transport.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Alternative types of crossing are not appropriate on the grounds that both pedestrians and cyclists need to be catered for.

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.

TITLE

LOCATION

Project files

Environment Department,

Traffic Management Group

and

Intelligent Transport Systems,

Monument House