Archived decisions

Contact: Chris Lait, tel: 01329 824485

1. Summary

1.1 This report outlines some of the numerous interrelated proposals that impact on the Access to Gosport.

2. Background

2.1 Members are reminded that the policy and programming of these studies and schemes is a matter for the South East Hampshire Transportation (SEHT) Panel. Comprehensive reports over numerous years have been undertaken. A copy of the most recent report, Access to Fareham and Gosport Report, dated July 2001, is held at Gosport Borough Council and has been subject to previous reports to the SEHT Panel and Gosport members. Members may also recall that an informal SEHT Panel was held following this report to enable Members to indicate preference on further investigation which is being reported through that Panel.

3. Current Situation

South Hampshire Rapid Transit 1 Scheme for Light Rail between Fareham, Gosport and Portsmouth

3.1 The pre-qualification process for the South Hampshire Rapid Transit 1 (SHRT-1) scheme took place in 2002 and three bidding consortia were selected. The three consortia, Smart, Harbour Light Rail and South Hampshire Supertram Limited, comprise many of the world's leading companies in the fields of transport, construction, engineering and finance. Smart comprises Mitsubishi, Obayashi, Vinci Construction Grands Projects, Norwest Holst and Serco, while Harbour Light Rail is made up of Carillion, Nuttall, Alstom and Transdev. The third consortium, South Hampshire Supertram Limited, links Stagecoach, Mowlem, Bouygues and Siemens. The tender documentation was issued to the three bidders in June 2002 and bids were returned in December 2002. Harbour Light Rail has since withdrawn. Final selection of the successful bidder will be announced in the autumn of 2003 and construction is likely to start at the beginning of 2004. Following a three year construction programme, it is anticipated that trams will be running in the early part of 2007. Further work is underway to specify complementary measures for the rapid transit, covering issues such as traffic management, parking, integrated ticketing, feeder bus services and related urban design.

Wider South Hampshire Rapid Transit Network Development

3.2 A Member-level working party has been established. Progress has commenced on a number of fronts as part of the preparation for a high quality mass transit system for South Hampshire in the next 20 years. These include:

(i) Integrated Management of Strategic Transport within South Hampshire;

(ii) Multi-modal Integrated Ticketing for Public Transport in South Hampshire;

(iii) Committed Network Development - Chandlers Ford New Rail Service and Station;

(iv) Plans for Network Expansion; and

(v) Publicity and Public Awareness.

Road Schemes

3.3 In addition to Light Rapid Transit (LRT), the A3 public transport corridor and wider SHRT, there are several other major schemes featured in the South East Hampshire Transport Strategy (SEHTS) area. A brief description of these schemes is given in the table below. Members of the SEHT Panel preferred to take forward Stubbington Bypass as a priority over Park Gate Eastern Link and Newgate Lane. However, due to funding constraints it has been necessary to curtail detailed development of Park Gate Eastern Link and Newgate Lane. It may also be possible to link the improvement of Newgate Lane with Stubbington Bypass. On 24 January 2003 the Executive Member for Environment gave approval to continue with a feasibility study and detailed development of the Stubbington Bypass, for a major scheme bid submission in July 2006. This project is second in the County Council's priority list for major schemes after a link road from south of Eastleigh to Chickenhall Lane and Bishopstoke Road. Schemes for Botley Bypass and the corridor leading down to Park Gate are proposed to be kept in reserve at present, with a review late in 2003.

Newgate Lane Signalisation of Longfield Avenue and Speedfields Roundabouts

3.4 The County Council's consultant, Atkins, is completing a feasibility study into the provision of signals at these two roundabouts. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the opportunity for improvements to these junctions to relieve congestion as an interim arrangement in advance of the Newgate Lane improvement. Changes to the major scheme programme highlighted above will impact on the status of this scheme and will be taken into account on reporting the study to the SEHT Panel on 26 March 2003.

A32 Traffic Signal Improvements

3.5 As reported on 19 November 2002, the traffic lights on the A32 are under constant review and as opportunities arise, and where beneficial to traffic flows, UTC is being implemented. Timings are also regularly reviewed to ensure optimum flow conditions for the volume of traffic.

A32 Bus Priority Study

3.6 Congestion at several points along the A32 corridor between Fareham and Gosport affects bus journey times in the peak. Atkins is presently assessing and determining the benefits of a package of possible measures to give buses priority. Feasibility work is nearing completion and a fuller report will be presented to the SEHT Panel on 26 March 2003.

Bus Detection Measures A32 Fareham Road Wych Lane Junction

3.7 Atkins is presently undertaking a feasibility study to introduce bus detection measures at this junction. This study is being coordinated with the A32 bus priority study, and further details will be presented to the SEHT Panel on 26 March 2003.

A32 Gosport Road/Salterns Lane Junction Improvements

3.8 Atkins is currently undertaking a feasibility study into banning right hand turn facilities into Salterns Lane from A32 (S), the left turn out of Salterns Lane to the A32 (S), widening of the A32 south-bound through the junction to two lanes, and linking to the UTC system presently being introduced along the A32 corridor. Investigative work is nearing completion and being coordinated with the other projects along the A32. The outcome will be reported to the SEHT Panel on 26 March 2003.

Quality Bus Partnership

3.9 In 2002 a study commissioned by the County Council into bus quality partnerships operated by First identified routes 82-83/85-86 between Gosport and Fareham as amongst the top ten services for the quality partnership route improvement programme over the next few years.

3.10 On 3 November 2002 a new branding scheme was launched for these services called "Connect 6". Feasibility work continues to determine bus priority measures along the A32 corridor as reported herein. A formal launch of a bus quality partnership is anticipated on completion of works at both Gosport and Fareham bus stations in spring 2003.

3.11 A new bus service, route 64, started in the middle of February from Gosport to the Solent Business Park at Whiteley, financed by Zurich Financial Services and operated by First.

South East Hampshire Transport Strategy Cycle Network Priority Assessment

3.12 Assessment work to review and prioritise cycle schemes throughout the area has been completed. A draft study report was received from Atkins at the beginning of February 2003. A summary report will be presented to the SEHT Panel on 26 March 2003.

3.13 As part of the Cherque Farm development, a cycle route is to be built between the development and Peel Common roundabout. This work is entirely funded by developer contributions and monies were received in January 2003. This has allowed detailed design to commence with a view to implementation in financial year 2003/04.

Cherque Farm Link Road

3.14 As part of the Cherque Farm Development, the first phase of the Link Road, detailed in previous Consultant Reports as a proposal to improve access to Gosport, is nearing completion. This will eventually connect Portsmouth Road, adjacent Browndown, to Broom Way. This road forms the first phase of the link to the Newgate Lane Improvement scheme, and possibly Stubbington Bypass.

Gosport Ferry Pontoon

3.15 The Gosport ferry pontoons are an essential element of the Gosport Transport infrastructure, have been the subject of continuing maintenance and are at the end of their cost-effective life. The pontoons may be temporarily moved as part of the LRT construction phase to facilitate the building of the tunnel. Opportunities will be explored as to the most cost-effective method of undertaking these works, linked to the need for replacement of the permanent structure.

Developer Contributions

3.16 A number of developer contributions have been received for transport initiatives to assist access to Gosport. These are being reported to the SEHT Panel on 26 March 2003.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

7877/CL