Hampshire County Council

Eastleigh Highway Management Advisory Panel

11 April 2003

Minor Capital Improvements Programme 2002/03 and 2003/04 and other Capital Schemes

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 8

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

None.

Scheme

£'000s

Details/Comments

Implementation Date

Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership

100

Improvements to bus routes as part of the EQBP (see report elsewhere on the agenda).

2002/03 and 2004/05 and beyond

Eastleigh Safer Routes to School

365

Comprehensive SRTS package including the following schools: Wildern, Hamble, Wyvern, Crestwood, Bursledon and Merdon schools.

2002/03

Hamble Lane/Portsmouth Road

220

Proposal for Signalised junction (Supplementary Credit Approval and External Funding). Future of scheme was being considered by SWHT Panel on 4 March 2003.

2004/05 and beyond

Botley - Hedge End Cycles

100

Cycle route (EF).

Hedge End Transport Strategy

600

Development and implementation of schemes in Hedge End (EF).

2002/03

Fair Oak Cycle Route (EF)

54

This proposal continues the extension of the strategic Cycle Network within Eastleigh, and provides a valuable link between the existing cycleway in Bishopstoke to both the Wyvern School complex and north of Fair Oak village. The scheme cost is estimated at £210,000 for the works and associated design and supervision fees. Works started on site late January and are due to continue for 3 months.

2002/03

Eastleigh Central Area

50

Development of the Central Eastleigh Transport Strategy.

2004/05 and beyond

Chandlers Ford Rail Station

1,800

Re-opening of the railway station, inc EF funding.

2002/03

Scheme

£'000s

Details/Comments

Implementation Date

Woodside Avenue, Eastleigh

150

Cycle route from junction of Passfield Avenue/Leigh Road to Shakespeare Road on Woodside Avenue.

Development on the final phase of the Woodside Avenue focussed on the delivery of a new facility from Woodside Avenue to Shakespeare Road, and a toucan crossing south of the roundabout. However, due to the current financial position, preparation costs cannot be met from the current SWHTS allocation in 2003/04. This scheme has therefore been put on hold until funding becomes available.

have

2004/05 and beyond

Scheme

£'000s

Details/Comments

Implementation Date

Chestnut Avenue Cycles

242

Developer contributions to provide a new cycleway in Chestnut Avenue have been collected on occupation of the new offices as part of a Section 278 Agreement. In addition, funding has been agreed for the improvement of pedestrian links between the development site and Eastleigh town centre, including a pedestrian crossing in Chestnut Avenue and traffic calming in Falkland Road. The initial estimate for the cycleway and crossings is £250,000.

The preliminary proposals are for a shared use facility on the north side of Chestnut Avenue, with Toucan crossings near the Cricketer's Pub, and just east of the roundabout with Falkland Road, together with a pedestrian/cycle phase on the existing signals at Nightingale Avenue. Eastleigh Borough Council undertook a local consultation in December 2002, the majority of comments were regarding the noise from the proposed toucan near the pub, and loss of vegetation screening. The Borough Council are investigating solutions to the vegetation issues, and a further £20,000 Section 106 funding has been identified for a "fume/noise" barrier along the worst affected area. Noise from the toucan is likely to be masked by vehicles during much of the day, however, at night it is proposed to deactivate the beeper, thus removing the disturbance. Further design work is being undertaken at present to ensure safer navigation of the roundabout to Falkland Road. The detailed design and full estimates are being finalised, and are programmed for delivery by the end of March 2003. The extent of the works will be dependant on external funding, although it is expected that the work could be phased.

Scheme

£'000s

Details/Comments

Implementation Date

Twyford Road/Bournemouth Road roundabout

A contribution of £36,000 was secured as part of the development of the Lidl supermarket adjacent to the Romsey Road/Twyford Road junction in central Eastleigh.

Atkins is preparing a feasibility report into the opportunity of enhancing pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities on the roundabout, focusing on the access from the Lidl store to Twyford Road. A number of options are being reviewed with officers from the Borough Council.

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

14 January 2003

Project Appraisal: Pedestrian facilities at Bournemouth Road/
Leigh Road, Eastleigh

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 9

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

BOURNEMOUTH ROAD/LEIGH ROAD, EASTLEIGH

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 2003

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2002/03

1.

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

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2002

(at 2002

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

0

0

Construction

78

78

Fees

22

22

100

100

Less developers/

other contributions

0

0

100

100

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Pedestrian facilities budget funding

100

(b) Other

100

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

100

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

2.5

0.003

Capital charges

10.0

0.010

TOTAL net expenditure

12.5

0.013

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

The County Council has made clear its intention of improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users with the aim of providing more travel choice. The Hampshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2001-2006 clarifies this objective and sets it within a balanced strategy for improving the county's transport systems. The need to provide safe and convenient walking routes is particularly important in urban situations where a range of local facilities can be easily reached on foot.

A 12 hour pedestrian and traffic survey was undertaken at the junction when 86 pedestrians were recorded crossing Bournemouth Road north and 76 pedestrians across Leigh Road. These pedestrian movements occurred despite traffic flows of 16,250 vehicles and 11,200 vehicles along Bournemouth Road north and Leigh Road respectively during this period. Pedestrian movements are currently restricted by the lack of existing pedestrian facilities at Bournemouth Road north and the staging of the traffic signals. Currently there are no all red periods for traffic on Bournemouth Road north or Leigh Road when pedestrians may cross.

The proposed improvements will provide safe crossing facilities within the existing traffic signal junction for people walking to the adjacent bus stops and service station shops.

The measures are included in the pedestrian facilities programme for 2002/03. The scheme was discussed at the Eastleigh Highway Management Advisory Panel where the proposals were welcomed.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposals are consistent with the Hampshire and South West Hampshire Transport Strategy (SWHTS) area objectives. They will provide greater travel choice and improved safety by removing a current barrier for pedestrians. Some additional delay for drivers will be experienced. The County Council aims to encourage modal shift from private car to other, more sustainable forms of transport, especially for short journeys and school trips. This scheme will help to achieve this.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The proposed introduction of pedestrian facilities within the existing traffic signal junction requires the widening of the pedestrian refuges in Bournemouth Road north and Leigh Road. It is also proposed to improve the footway linkages to the crossing in Leigh Road. An existing public bench will be relocated slightly to accommodate the footways.

Pedestrians will cross the Bournemouth Road north and Leigh Road arms during a vehicle all-red stage. Near-side pedestrian signals incorporated into the wait indicators will be used in place of the more common pedestrian signals located on the far side at other similar crossings. Providing near-side signals enables the use of pedestrian presence detection to cancel a demand for the crossing stage should a pedestrian choose not to wait to cross the road. On-crossing pedestrian detection will extend the vehicle all-red period while pedestrians are in the carriageway.

Environmental Impact

Introduction of pedestrian crossings at the junction will lead to increased delays for road users. The level of queues will depend on the number of occasions that the crossings are utilised and the time required by pedestrians to cross.

Based on existing pedestrian movements, traffic queues can be expected to increase by up to one fifth during peak periods. Should pedestrian flows increase such that the crossings operate every cycle, traffic queues can be expected to increase by up to 50 per cent.

The provision of pedestrian facilities will encourage walking, which is a sustainable mode of transport. The existing bus priority facility will be retained, which will further promote sustainable transport.

Land Requirements

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

Statutory Procedures

There are no statutory requirements.

Public Consultation

Eastleigh Borough Council has been consulted over the design of the new pedestrian facilities and has not raised any issues. The Eastleigh Highway Management Advisory Panel is supportive of the scheme.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Luffman, has welcomed the proposals. He supports the scheme, which improves pedestrian access to nearby bus stops which in turn helps to promote public transport to the proposed Chandler's Ford rail station.

Facilities for the Disabled

The proposed crossings will include tactile rotating cones fitted to the underside of the pedestrian push buttons. Tactile paving will be provided at the crossing points, with flush kerbs for wheelchair users.

Maintenance Implications

The junction is an existing installation, and will not add significantly to the maintenance liability. The replacement of some of the signal equipment will negate the need to undertake further refurbishment works for a number of years. Additional equipment installed as a consequence of providing the pedestrian crossing may, however, increase the number of maintenance call-outs.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

No areas of concern have been identified.

Sustainability

The provision of pedestrian facilities at this location will encourage walking, which is a sustainable mode of transport. The crossings improve accessibility to nearby bus stops which will help to encourage the use of public transport. The effect on buses of any additional delay will be negligible as the existing bus priority facility at the traffic signals is to be retained. On-crossing detection will extend the crossing time given to less mobile pedestrians.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

No alternative schemes have been considered.

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

SIG/1308

Environment Department

ITS Group, Monument House