AT A MEETING of the NEW FOREST TRANSPORATION STRATEGY PANEL held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday 18 March 2003.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); Mrs P.G. Banks; J.E. Coles; B.D. Dash

Councillors: F.J. Bright; M.J. Kendal; Mrs E.M.F. Randall and A.W. Rice, TD were also in attendance.

New Forest District Council

Councillors: M.J. Shand; Mrs P. Wyeth

Councillor G. Spikins was also in attendance.

Test Valley Borough Council

Councillor D.G.C. Roach

31. DECLARATIONS ON INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should declare their personal interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, any declarations to be made at the time of the debate.

32. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2002 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

33. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no matters arising under this item.

34. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

35. CAPITAL PROGRAMME - UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on the revised integrated capital programme for 2002/03, a new programme for 2003/04 and proposed reassessment of schemes for possible inclusion in the 2004/05 programme.

It was reported that as monies could no longer be transferred from one financial year to the next, the 2002/03 programme for the area transport strategies had been set at a high level so as to enable the spending target to be achieved. It would therefore be necessary for some schemes to be deferred until 2003/04 and beyond. Members were asked to indicate their preferred priority schemes for possible inclusion in the 2004/05 programme. Following detailed discussion it was agreed that priority be given to the following schemes:-

New Forest Transport Strategy

(i) Lyndhurst to Ashurst Cycle Route


(ii) Decriminalised Parking


Coastal Towns Transport Strategy

Pelican Crossing, Station Road

RESOLVED:


(i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the New Forest and Coastal Towns Strategy schemes for 2004/05
and beyond be considered as part of the county-wide review of
Transportation Strategy Areas to be presented to the Environment
Policy Review Committee on 9 July 2003.

36. NEW FOREST TRANSPORT STRATEGY DOCUMENT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which summarised the results of the consultation undertaken in March 2001 on the draft New Forest Transport Strategy (NFTS) and updated on progress made as a result of the previous NFTS document produced in 1998

Concerns were raised regarding a few minor issues which Members felt required attention prior to the document being adopted. The Chairman requested that officers from both the County Council and New Forest District Council discuss further and amend the document as necessary. He stressed however that this would need to take place prior to the Executive Member for Environment's decision day on 2 April 2003 to prevent delay.

RESOLVED:

(i) That, subject to the agreed amendments, the Executive Member for Environment and other partners be advised that the New Forest Transport Strategy document be adopted.


(ii) That the strategy document be reviewed in light of the formal definition of the National Park boundary and review of the area strategy boundaries at an appropriate time.

37. NEW FOREST TRANSPORT STRATEGY PROGRESS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) which updated on the Local Transport Plan Capital Programmes for 2002/03 and 2003/04 within the New Forest Transport Strategy area.

(i) Colbury Right Turn and Ashurst Traffic Calming Measures

Members were disappointed to learn that although the scheme had been programmed for 2003/04, it was now likely that works would not begin until 2004 to enable the Executive Member for Environment to manage the capital programme.


(ii) High Street, Fordingbridge

The total cost of the scheme had increased by £37,000 due to additional utilities costs. Discussions were currently ongoing with a local proprietor to resolve the issue of access to premises. Discussions on the scheme with local Members were ongoing, whilst the costs and benefits of the scheme are to be reviewed.


(iii) Footway Improvements in Sway

The study to investigate and design traffic management measures to provide safer routes was now complete. Three locations had been identified and a project appraisal would be considered at a later date.


(iv) Lyndhurst to Ashurst Cycle Route

Due to the complexity of the proposed scheme and the potential impact upon the New Forest, a significant amount of work was being undertaken to deliver the scheme. Many procedures were still required to satisfy all parties involved.


(v) Ringwood Cycles

Work on a cycle and pedestrian plan for Ringwood had commenced early September 2002. A draft Ringwood Cycling and Walking Plan would be prepared for consideration by the Panel prior to public consultation.


(vi) Lyndhurst Cycles

Provision of an advisory cycle route between Southampton Road and Gosport Lane via the District Council offices at Appletree Court, Lyndhurst had been investigated and two options considered. Following initial work the second option seemed more viable. Work would continue to progress towards consultation phase.


(vii) New Forest Committee's Strategy for the New Forest

Responses from the consultation process were considered by the New Forest Committee on 3 December 2002. Work is progressing with a view to presenting a final version of the Strategy to the Committee during March 2003. If approved the document will be published and distributed in April 2003.


(viii) Harnham Relief Road and Brunel Link, Salisbury, Wiltshire

The County Council and New Forest District Council had objected to the scheme. As yet no date has been set for an inquiry. Members would be kept up to date on any progress.

It was requested that a copy of the County Council's objection be forwarded to Bramshaw Parish Council.


(ix) Parish Partnerships

Schemes for the New Forest Transport Strategy were set out in the appendix to the report.


RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

38. COASTAL TOWNS STRATEGY PROGRESS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) which updated on the Local Transport Plan Capital Programmes for 2002/03 and 2003/04 within the Coastal Towns Transport Strategy area.

(i) Station Road Pelican Crossing

The proposed pelican crossing had been re-advertised on 2 August 2002. Discussions were continuing to resolve issues raised.


(ii) Old Milton Road/Gore Road/Whitefield Road junction

Public consultation had taken place during December 2002. Responses indicated overall support for the junction improvements.


(iii) North Street, Pennington

Preliminary plans had been drawn up. Detailed designs were to be progressed. As yet no school travel plan had been received from Priestlands School.


Future schemes for the Coastal Towns area included:-


(i) Pedestrian Facilities Capital Programme

Two locations for a toucan crossing outside Priestlands School, Pennington had been completed and consulted on.


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

Feasibility studies had been completed for several routes in the New Milton area.


(iii) Southern Lymington - Rookes Lane/Ridgeway Lane Scheme

A revised layout drawing was being prepared and would form the basis of the scheme. Local consultations were likely to be undertaken within the following months.


RESOLVED:

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

38. NEW FOREST DISTRICT - STRATEGIC CYCLE ROUTES

The Panel considered the joint report of the Director of Environment and Head of Policy, Design and Information (New Forest District Council) (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the development of the proposed network of strategic cycle routes for the New Forest area.

Officers advised that funding for the proposal was limited and therefore a long term aspiration. A report on the consultation would be brought to the next meeting of the Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the strategic cycle network leaflet and map be agreed for consultation purposes.

39. LYNDHURST HIGH STREET TRAFFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME MONITORING

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) which outlined the results of the extensive data collection exercise which took place before and after the implementation of the Lyndhurst High Street Environmental scheme.



RESOLVED:

That the results of the surveys be noted.

40. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

RESOLVED:

That the next meeting of the Panel be held on Tuesday 28 October 2003 at 2.00 p.m. at The Castle.

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