Archived decisions

APPENDIX 3

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT

New Forest Transport Strategy (NFTS)

Summary of Strategy Monitoring

Permanent Count Sites

· Flows at comparable sites have increased by 8.2% from 1996 to 2001.

· Sites on the A31 and M27 show the greatest increases in traffic volume, between 10.8% and 13.5%.

· On several of the main routes into the heart of the forest there has been a significant decrease in the volume of traffic, which is probably attributable to the outbreak of 'foot and mouth' in 2001.

Manual Classified Counts (MCC)

· Of the sites counted on all occasions, traffic levels have increased by 1% from March 1996 to March 2002, and by 1.4% from August 1996 to August 2002.

· During 2002 there was an increase in traffic flow of 24% between the surveys in March and August, so demonstrating the impact of tourism on the New Forest.

Vehicle Occupancy

· Vehicle occupancy levels at sites on the A35, U106 and U145 show significant increases in the number of persons per vehicle in August over March, possibly due to larger numbers of groups travelling together on leisure trips.

Bus Passengers

· The figures show an increase in patronage of 21% between March 1998 and March 2002.

· In August 2002, data are not available for the bus routes along the A35 west of Lyndhurst and C10 Burley. However, the surveys indicate an increase in bus patronage of 36.9% on comparable routes between August 1998 and 2002.

· On the days of the surveys bus patronage levels were significantly higher along A35 east of Lyndhurst.

Rail Passengers

· Ashurst, Beaulieu Road and Sway stations show low levels of usage and the number of passengers boarding at these stations has changed little between 1998 and 2002.

· The level of use at Brockenhurst station increased by 21% between March 1998 and 2002, and 81% between August 1998 and 2002.

· This large increase may be attributed to the completion of the Brockenhurst Transport Interchange works in spring 2002 and the increased use by visitors during the summer months.

· The number of cycles taken on trains has increased in both months between 1998 and 2002.

Cycle Usage

· Higher use of cycle routes in August than March.

· At comparable sites the number of cyclists increased by 35% between August 2000 and 2002.

· Cycle usage continues to be monitored at permanent count sites in partnership with the Forestry Commission at Beachern Wood, Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, Denny Lodge Inclosure, Hampton Ridge, Long Slade Bottom and Tom's Lane in Linwood.

· The greatest usage is recorded at Beachern Wood, with an average of 400 cyclists during a 12 hour period in the peak summer period.

· All sites show a noticeable peak in the summer months, especially during July and August. The sites at Beachern Wood and Rhinefield Ornamental Drive were installed to monitor the usage of the New Forest on-road cycle routes implemented as part of the NFTS.

Pedestrian Activity

· High levels of pedestrian activity on the main streets in both Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst.

· The seasonal variation is very apparent, with a difference of 89% in pedestrian activity between March and August 2002.

· Overall, between 1998 and 2002, pedestrian usage in Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst has risen by 23% in March and by 18% in August.

Freight

· Across the New Forest, the proportions of HCVs have remained at an average 4% during the March and 3% during the August surveys. These are low in comparison to the national average, which is in the region of 6%.

· At comparable sites there has been an increase in HCVs on the roads in the New Forest from 1996 to 2002. However, comparisons of these sites between 2000 and 2002 suggest a slight decrease in HCV movements during both March and August.

Animal Accidents

· The number of animal deaths fluctuates considerably from year to year, but there does seem to be a decrease in animal deaths and injuries during the past two years.

· The number of accidents happening at night is very high and in recent years the greater use of reflective collars on ponies has been encouraged. The Reflective Collar Initiative was started in summer 1997 and accurate records of accidents involving ponies wearing collars have been available since 1999. For the last three years, between 8%-19% of ponies killed were wearing collars.

· The majority of motorists involved in animal accidents are local (ie they live in the New Forest district).

· It is also suspected that many of the `non-local' motorists are probably from just outside the district and regular commuters on New Forest roads, rather than tourists unfamiliar with the area.

Air Quality

· Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulphur Dioxide levels have generally decreased at air quality monitoring sites between 1997-2000.

· At Lyndhurst school Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulphur Dioxide levels have fluctuated between 1994-2001, but levels during 2000 are lower than during 1994.

· At Lyndhurst Bakery Nitrogen Dioxide levels showed an increased between 1997-1998 followed by a period of similar annual averages for 1999-2000.

· Since 2001 the District Council has used a slightly different method to average the data collected on Nitrogen Dioxide. Additionally the tubes that are used come from GRADKO in Winchester and the analysis technique for the preparation of the tubes has shown over time an under read of approximately 18% consequently this has been added to the averages which gives corrected results for 2001 and 2002 of 26.53 Ugm3 and 22.28 Ugm3 at the school respectively and 51.15 Ugm3 and 54.30 Ugm3 at the bakery respectively. Accurate comparisons with historic data cannot, therefore, be made at this time, other than there is a decrease in levels of Nitrogen Dioxide at the school and an increase at the bakery between 2001-2002.

Coastal Towns Transport Strategy

· Surveys first undertaken in August and October 2002. No comparisons yet available.

JJ/13/3/7

31 January 2003

New Forest Transport Strategy - Progress and Impact of Schemes

Scheme	Start Date (actual/ proposed)	What was Proposed	What impact did it have? (outcomes)	Completion Date
Introduction of 40mph to Forest Roads	Completed	Reduction in speed limit on Forest Roads. New signing.	Reduction in vehicle speeds. Reduction in animal accidents.
Re-signing through traffic from A35 to M27 and A31	Completed
HGV restrictions in Lyndhurst, Burley and Bransgore	Completed	Prohibit HCVs southbound on A337 north of Lyndhurst and within the areas around Burley and Bransgore	Re-routing of HCV movements in the Forest. Reduction in the number of HCVs through Lyndhurst High Street	March 1997
Brockenhurst cycle route and leaflet providing cycle information	Completed	Signed recommended on-road cycle route from Brockenhurst to Linwood and Fritham	First stage of a Forest-wide cycle network to encourage cycling and car free tourism.	June 1998
Lyndhurst High Street (Phase1)	Completed	Comprising gateway treatments, new footways with minor carriageway narrowing, new bus shelters and lighting improvements along the A35 approach to the Gosport Lane junction.	Driver awareness and more priority to pedestrians	1998
Lyndhurst High Street (Phase 2a - school safety zone and pedestrian crossing)	Completed	Zebra crossing and widened pavements.	Increased safety for children and pedestrians outside the school	2000
Lyndhurst High Street (Phase 2b)	Completed	Reduction of carriageway to one lane, wider pavements and new crossing facilities.	Increased pedestrian safety and more attractive village centre.	2001
Traffic management measures at Emery Down and Minstead	Completed	Original scheme included priority changes at junctions, visual road narrowing to a single traffic lane and a build-out to narrow the width of the cattle-grid near to the A337. Additional measures to reduce the carriageway to single width with passing places.	Reduce the number and speed of vehicles rat-running through Emery Down to avoid Lyndhurst High Street	1998 and 2002
Scheme	Start Date (actual/ Proposed)	What was Proposed	What impact did it have? (outcomes)	Completion Date
Brockenhurst public transport interchange	Completed	Improvements to the station forecourt to allow buses to stop. Improved passenger information and waiting facilities.	Increase travel choice. Promotion of car free tourism.	2002
Brockenhurst school safety zone	Completed	Uncontrolled pedestrian crossing and widened footways.	Pedestrian safety and encourage more children to walk to school	2002
Sway and Hinton Admiral rail stations	Completed	Secure cycle parking and information	Encourage car free journeys.	2002
High Street Fordingbridge	2002/03	Junction improvements on approaches to High Street and general enhancements made to the historic character of Fordingbridge Town centre	Not in place	Consultation to took place in 2002
Brockenhurst Village	2004/05	Works have yet to be determined	-	-
B3055 Sway Footways	2002/03	Improvements to the existing unmetalled footway between Station Road and Westbeams Road. A feasibility study has been carried out to identify other measures with safer routes to schools.
Colbury / Ashurst	2002/03	Provision of a signalised right turn facility at the Colbury interchange (A326/A35). Includes associated traffic management along the A35.
Bickerley Road Ringwood - Footway	2002/03
Lyndhurst Village Cycles	2003/04	Lyndhurst to Ashurst cycle route. This proposed route links the centres of Ashurst and Lyndhurst as a strategic cycle route in the New Forest on the A35

Scheme	Start Date (actual/ Proposed)	What was Proposed	What impact did it have? (outcomes)	Completion Date
West Wellow Traffic Management	2004/05	-	-	-
Ringwood Peds and cycles	2004/05	New pedestrian and cycle facilities
Ringwood Interchange	2005/06	Public Transport improvements	-	-
New Forest Cycle Plan	2004/05	-	-	-

Coastal Towns Transport Strategy - Progress and Impact of Schemes

Scheme	Start Date (actual / proposed)	What was Proposed	What impact did it have? (outcomes)	Completion Date
Milford-on-Sea Pelican Crossing	completed	Pelican Crossing on B3058 outside Milford-on-Sea primary school.	Schoolchildren can safely cross the B3058 and get to the other side of the road / bus stop.	September 2001
Lymington Quay, Lymington	completed	Environmental enhancement scheme improving the character of the area and providing improved facilities for visitors to the harbour.	Created a more pleasant environment at Lymington Quay which attracts both residents and visitors (land- and sea-based)	October 2001
Avenue Road, Lymington	completed	Upgrading of existing traffic lights and introduction of an all red-stage to allow for peds crossing	Safe crossing facilities for pedestrians including school children to nearby Lymington Junior and Infant Schools.	January 2002
Ashley Road, New Milton	completed	Pelican Crossing on Ashley Road in Ashley, New Milton outside Ashley Junior School	Safe crossing facilities across Ashley Road for pedestrians including school children	March 2002
Milford Village	Mar 02	Junction re-modelling: reduction of crossing distances by re-shaping islands	Improved crossing facilities for pedestrians and increased attractiveness of village centre	April 2002
Railway Stations	April 02	Provide cycle lockers / additional stands and bus maps and information at railway station in CTTS
Station Road, New Milton (Pelican Crossing)	2002/03	Provide pelican crossing outside the health centre
Old Milton Road / Gore Road, New Milton (Junction Improvements)	2002/03	Replace priority junction of Old Milton / Whitefield Road with roundabout and improve layout of Old Milton / Gore Road junction. Provide a cycle link from town centre to the junction.
Ashley Road / Spencer Road, New Milton (Traffic Signals)	2002/03	Introduce traffic signals with pedestrian stage and provide advisory cycle lanes to the junction / advanced cycle stop lanes at the junction.
North Street, Pennington / Lymington	2002/03	Introduce traffic calming measures along North Street
Christchurch Road, New Milton (Pelican Crossing)	2002/03	Provide pelican crossing across A337 linking residential areas south of A337 to schools / shops north of A337.
Lymington - Southern Access, Rookes Lane / Ridgeway Lane	2003/04	Provide a continuous footway and traffic calming but allow access for abnormal loads.
Priestlands School, Pennington/ Lymington (Controlled crossing)	2003/04	Toucan crossing across A337 that allows safe access to the school and links Pennington cycle network to Lymington Town Centre
Lymington Cycles	2003/04 2004/05	Provide a comprehensive on- and off-road cycle network for Lymington and Pennington
New Milton Cycles	2003/04 2004/05	Provide a comprehensive on- and off-road cycle network for New Milton with links to Ashley and Barton