Archived decisions

Contact: Duncan McVey, tel: 02380 688234

1. Summary

1.1 This report brings Members up-to-date on progress made and new issues arising since the last report to this Panel in October.

2. Traffic Regulation Orders

Background

2.1 Concern has been expressed regarding the progression and backlog of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) in the Borough. A review of the situation has been undertaken and a way forward proposed and implemented.

2.2 Previous studies undertaken for Local Area Committees (LACs) have often identified and recommended the implementation of TROs that are believed necessary to alleviate identified problems. These are normally financed through the Agency TRO budget, which is received annually from the County Council.

2.3 As and when TROs are identified in studies, they are placed on a Borough-wide list and then progressed in chronological order.

Progression of Traffic Regulation Orders

2.4 The limited funding and lack of staff resources over the last couple of years has inevitably led to a delay in progressing TROs.

2.5 In order to speed up the progression of these TROs, those LACs with funds remaining within their Traffic Issues and Orders staffing budget have agreed to allocate this to clear the backlog of TROs in their area, instead of undertaking further studies.

Advertisement and Implementation

2.6 Advertisement and subsequent implementation of TROs (signs and road markings) is generally funded by the County Council. An allocation is made at the start of the financial year for this purpose.

2.7 Top-up bids can, however, be made to increase this budget, although it is at the discretion of the County Council as to whether additional funds are received.

2.8 A bid has recently been made to the County Council to increase the existing budget from £12,000 to £27,700. This has been successful and the additional funds will be made available to cover the schemes that can be implemented before the end of the current financial year.

2.9 In addition to this bid, a request for further funding was made to advertise the backlog of TROs on which work has already commenced. Unfortunately, funding for this work has not been agreed at this stage. Alternatives will therefore be investigated.

3. Decriminalisation of On-Street Parking Enforcement

Signs and Lines Review

3.1 The objective for the project overall is to prepare TROs for Eastleigh Borough Council, for enforcement under the Road Traffic Act 1991.

3.2 In order to do this, schedules must be produced which accurately reflect the TROs that are currently represented on the ground by signs and road markings.

3.3 Information must therefore be gathered to determine what signs and lines relating to parking exist on the carriageway, together with details concerning the condition of these items, in order that remedial/maintenance work can be undertaken as required.

3.4 A review will then be undertaken to ensure that all signing and lining accords with existing TROs. It will check the accuracy and appropriateness of all TROs, following which amendments will be made to any missing or incorrect Orders.

3.5 A consultant has now been selected to undertake this work, which is scheduled to commence in February.

3.6 A Geographical Information System (GIS) database system is the most appropriate way of displaying TROs in the future in order to manage the administration of the parking enforcement. The software also enables efficient and accurate preparation of modifications to TROs when changes are required.

3.7 As such, the consultants employed to undertake the signing and lining review will enter the data onto a database system, Parkmap, a software package specifically designed for this purpose. Revised schedules and a condition report will also be provided.

3.8 It is anticipated that this work will take approximately six weeks and should therefore be completed within the current financial year.

4. General Progress Charts

4.1 Attached is a summary of the Traffic Management Studies and TROs that have been, or are currently being, undertaken since June 2002.

Bishopstoke, Fair Oak and Horton Heath

4.2 Two reports have been submitted to this LAC, including a study on Knowle Lane. The two studies identified as the next priority are on hold until the three outstanding TROs in this area have been progressed.

Bursledon, Hamble-le-Rice and Hound

4.3 A study on Dodwell Lane has been carried out by consultants WSP which considered various options, including the closure of the road.

4.4 Following the report by WSP, no funding for this current year remains in the traffic issues and orders staffing budget. For the next financial year an investigation into the closure of St Mary Road has currently been prioritised.

4.5 A review of speed limits throughout Bursledon Village was also prioritised. This work is to now be undertaken by the County Council and the necessary TROs progressed as appropriate.

4.6 Four TROs within this area have not yet commenced. It is anticipated that work on these will commence in the new financial year, using the TRO agency budget.

Chandlers Ford and Hiltingbury

4.7 Two studies have been submitted to LAC and work on a further two, Winchester Road and Keble Road, have commenced.

4.8 Surveys on North Millers Dale are scheduled to be undertaken following the introduction of a pedestrian phase on the signalised junction of Hiltingbury Road/Hursley Road/Baddesley Road. A comparison with `before' data can then be made.

4.9 There are three outstanding TROs for this area; however, work cannot currently commence on any of them. They will be progressed as and when appropriate. One is to be funded by the County Council (through a separate Order), one will be developer-funded and it is anticipated that the other may be incorporated within School Safety Zone proposals and funded through the `School Travel Plan' budget.

Eastleigh

4.10 Two reports have been completed. In addition, several TROs have been implemented including the second `20mph zone' in the borough on Shakespeare Road.

4.11 Numerous other TROs are in progress, leaving just two TROs currently outstanding. One is scheduled to commence at the start of the next financial year and the other is for a shared-use cycle facility on Woodside Avenue, which is on hold until the footway has been widened by the County Council to overcome objections.

Hedge End, West End and Botley

4.12 TROs have been given priority by this LAC, over any further studies, in order to clear the existing backlog. As such, four TROs have been commenced using the devolved budget and a further one is to be started following a public consultation exercise on various minor traffic proposals in West End centre.

4.13 Two TROs are still outstanding in this area. These have been low on the list of priority for many years. The LAC now needs to decide whether it still wishes these TROs to be progressed.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

7839/DMcV