Archived decisions

Contact: Jonathan Crabb, ext 6047

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides Members with an update on the Local Transport Plan (LTP) Capital Programmes for 2002/03 and 2003/04 within the Coastal Towns Transport Strategy (CTTS) area.

2. Capital Programme

2.1 The revised CTTS programme is as follows :

2002/03

	£'000
Ashley Road/ Spencer Road traffic signals, New Milton	120

2003/04

	£'000
Old Milton Road/Gore Road/Whitefield Road, New Milton	120

All other schemes are now within the pool of schemes within the 2004/05 and beyond programme.

3 New Milton Schemes

3.1 Members supported the recommended prioritisation of the New Milton town centre improvement schemes at a previous meeting. The following priority order was agreed:

(i) Pelican crossing at Station Road;

(ii) mini-roundabout and junction alteration at Old Milton Road/Gore Road/Whitefield Road; and

(iii) traffic signals at Ashley Road/Spencer Road junction.

Station Road, Pelican Crossing

3.2 The proposed Pelican crossing on Station Road north of the railway line on Station Road, New Milton was re-advertised on 2 August 2002. Public comments received have been sent to the local Member, Councillor Rice. Discussions have also been held with the local Member, Councillor Rice, Councillor Mrs Banks and District Councillor Mrs Cleary over a possible solution to address concerns over the loss of parking spaces in the adjacent layby north of the proposed crossing location. This would involve the creation of an additional parking space to the layby immediately south of the proposed crossing location. As a result the overall loss of parking would be reduced to three spaces. This, however, is all dependant upon the ownership of the land that would be required to create the additional parking space. Land ownership is currently being investigated.

3.3 The Councillors gave their support to progressing the alternative option for this scheme but felt that if there was an issue on land ownership that could not be resolved the original scheme should be implemented. They considered that the benefits of the crossing facility far outweighed the disbenefit of the loss of parking spaces in the existing layby.

Old Milton Road/Gore Road/Whitefield Road Junction

3.4 The Old Milton Road/Gore Road/Whitefield Road junction is part of the town centre traffic management and also provides access to Arnewood School for cyclists from the eastern part of New Milton. A cycle assessment and safety audit have been carried out for the scheme. These assessments raised a number of safety concerns which have been addressed by officers from the County and District Councils.

3.5 Public consultation was undertaken on the revised scheme in December 2002. A one-day manned exhibition was held in New Milton and plans of the scheme displayed in the local library situated in Gore Road for a period of five days.

3.6 The staffed exhibition was visited by approximately 70 people, and approximately 200 questionnaires were taken to give views on the proposed scheme.

3.7 Analysis of the responses to the proposed scheme showed that the response rate to the questionnaire was approximately 29%.

3.8 Analysis of the returned questionnaires is shown in the table below.

Question. The proposed scheme will...	Number of respondents who agree or strongly agree	Percentage of support (%)
Improve access and movement through the town centre by making it easier to exit side roads	34	59
Make it safer and more attractive for pedestrians	30	51
Strengthen pedestrian links along Old Milton Road and Gore Road into the town centre.	24	41
Encourage cycling by providing better and safer facilities.	23	40
Make it easier to access the town by car, and park.	21	36
Make routes to school safer and more attractive.	29	50
Improve the appearance of the area.	28	48

3.9 Many respondents to the questionnaire gave additional comments and views on the proposals which are still being analysed.

3.10 Once the analysis is complete the scheme will be progressed in liaison with the District Council.

3.11 The traffic signals at the Ashley Road/Spencer Road junction in New Milton have been implemented. This scheme forms one element of the wider traffic management strategy for the town centre, which will contribute towards more effective management of the network.

Lymington Schemes

North Street, Pennington

3.12 Preliminary plans have been drawn up in consultation with residents for the environmental enhancement scheme on North Street in Pennington/Lymington. It contains speed humps and build-outs spread over the whole length of North Street.

3.13 A safety audit and more detailed costings will be undertaken to enable the full extent of the scheme to be assessed.

Future Schemes

Pedestrian Facilities Capital Programme

3.14 The Toucan crossing on the A337 outside Priestlands School in Pennington, Lymington was included in the 2002/03 Pedestrian Facilities Capital Programme (£55,000). Two designs for the Toucan crossing (north and south of the school) have been completed and consulted on. New Forest District Council supports the option of a crossing to the south of the school.

3.15 The Toucan crossing and the cycle linkages to Priestlands School will be taken forward in tandem.

3.16 To prepare for future years' funding and the development of externally funded schemes for cycle routes in Lymington, feasibility studies have been undertaken for the following routes set out below. The proposed Toucan crossing is included.

(i) Pennington to Southern Lymington (connecting with A337 crossing);

(ii) Lower Buckland Road/Avenue Road; and

(iii) Pennington to the town centre.

Cycle Schemes in New Milton and Pelican Crossing on A337 Christchurch Road, New Milton

3.17 To prepare for future years' funding and the development of externally funded schemes for cycle routes in New Milton, feasibility studies have been completed for the following routes:

(i) Old Milton to North Milton cycle link: Christchurch Road to Marryat Road (to include Puffin/Toucan crossing on A337 Christchurch Road) which has been delayed to fully assess the safety implications of crossing the main road;

(ii) Ashley Common Road to town centre link via Manor Road (external funding received from site in Ashley Common Road); and

(iii) (a) North Milton to town centre (via Gore Road); and

(b) link to railway station via Albert Road.

3.18 The link into Tesco via Mendip Close was not pursued within the feasibility report.

Southern Lymington - Rookes Lane/Ridgeway Lane Scheme

3.19 Following discussions between the County Council and New Forest District Council officers, the alignment of the new road will now follow approximately the line of the existing road. As a result, encroachment onto the Town Council's land has been minimised. The footway will be along the northern side of Rookes Lane and the eastern side of Ridgeway Lane. The scheme has been designed to discourage drivers from speeding, as well as improving footway provision for pedestrians.

3.20 A revised layout drawing is being prepared and will form the basis of the scheme, which has been prepared by New Forest District Council. It is anticipated that local consultations will be undertaken within the next few months. Results on these consultations will be taken into account by the County Council.

Recommendation

That the position on the schemes within the Coastal Towns Capital Programme be noted.

7819/JC