Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

20 May 2003

Project Appraisal: Old Milton Road/Gore Road/Whitefield Road, New Milton - junctions improvements

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 5

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

OLD MILTON ROAD/GORE ROAD/WHITEFIELD ROAD, OLD MILTON - JUNCTIONS IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

OCTOBER 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

DECEMBER 2003

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2003/04

1.

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

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at May 03

(at May 03

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

143

)

Fees

25

) 168

168

168

Less developers/

48

48

other contributions

120

120

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

168

(b) Other

168

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

168

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

0.6

0.0008

Capital charges

14.0

0.0160

TOTAL net expenditure

14.6

0.0168

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

In July 1994 a traffic study covering New Milton town centre was carried out which identified a number of issues that needed to be addressed. These issues were supported by local Members and local interest groups.

The main concerns raised were the need to:

(i) undertake urgent junction improvements;

(ii) improve pedestrian facilities; and

(iii) improve facilities for cyclists.

The justications for these junction improvements are:

(i) since the revision of the traffic signal installation at the Old Milton Road/Station Road junction traffic has been rerouted along Whitefield Road, this has resulted in queues and delays at the Whitefield Road/Old Milton Road junction which is currently a priority junction;

(ii) Station Road is a vibrant business/shopping area and a reduction in traffic on this road, as a result of this improvement, would reduce vehicle/pedestrian conflict and improve the local economy;

(iii) Old Milton Road/Gore Road is a key route for pupils attending Arnewood School. This improvement will improve safety for the pupils and other pedestrians crossing at this junction. Furthermore New Milton has a high percentage of retired people who are not as mobile. The pedestrian refuges proposed in the scheme will enable them to cross the approach roads to the junction in two stages; and

(iv) the cycle route facilities included in the scheme will provide local people, especially pupils at Arnewood School, to cycle as an alternative to using the car.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The objectives of the scheme to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists and improve traffic movement in New Milton town centre are in compliance with the New Forest Transportation Strategy (which incorporates the Coastal Towns Transportation Strategy).

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The scheme involves the construction of a mini roundabout at the Old Milton Road/Gore Road junction and the realignment of the Old Milton Road/Gore Road junction layout. Pedestrian refuge and cycle lane provision are also included.

The design adheres to the design standards of the Department for Transport and those of the County Council. Road safety audits have been undertaken at the appropriate stages in the design process.

A plan of the proposed scheme is attached to this report. A large scale copy will also be displayed at the meeting.

Environmental Impact

The scheme will control and improve vehicle and pedestrian movement at these junctions. Air quality at and near the junctions should be improved as queue lengths would be reduced in Whitefield Road.

Land Requirements

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

Statutory Procedures

All the necessary statutory requirements have been satisfied in the development of this proposal.

Public Consultation

A public exhibition was held at the Leonard Cheshire Rooms adjacent to the Old Milton Road/Gore Road junction on Tuesday, 10 December 2002 between 1400-1900 hours. The exhibition was manned by officers from Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council.

After this exhibition plans of the scheme were displayed in New Milton Library for a period of one week. Questionnaire style comment sheets were available for members of the public/local groups to register their views on the proposed improvements.

Approximately 200 questionnaires were taken during the entire exhibition of which 61 completed forms were returned giving a sample rate of 30.5%. The results showed that the majority of respondents (64.0%) supported the proposals to improve the junction, while 24.6% did not support the proposals and 11.4% were neutral in their views. 59.3% agreed that it will make it safer and more attractive for pedestrians, 47.5% agreed that the improvements will strengthen pedestrian links and 50.8% agreed that they will encourage cycling. 40.7% agreed that it will make it easier to access the town by car while 52.5% agreed that it will also provide safer routes to school. Finally, 59.3% considered that proposed improvements will enhance the appearance of the area generally.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Mrs Banks, fully supports the proposals.

Facilities for the Disabled

Dropped kerbs with tactile paving are being provided as part of the scheme which will give easier access for disabled people to other parts of New Milton.

Maintenance Implications

The new junction layout will not have a significant revenue implication. The new illuminated bollards installed on the central island of the pedestrian crossing points will have to be maintained. There will also be other illuminated street furniture which will need to be maintained. The resurfacing work on the carriageway will result in a short term maintenance saving.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

This scheme will provide improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians and therefore encourage local people to walk or cycle instead of using a motor vehicle. This could result in an improvement locally in air quality.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Alternatives considered as improvements to the Old Milton Road/Gore Road/Whitefield Road junctions included the provision of traffic signals at the junction and a change in priority at the Old Milton Road/Gore Road junction.

Traffic signals were dismissed as each of the approaches to the junction would need to have been separately controlled resulting in additional queues and delays to through traffic.

The change in priority at the same junction would have put more traffic on a local residential road. In addition, concern was expressed that the economic viability of several shops in Old Milton Road could be affected if passing trade was reduced as a result of the change in priority.

For these reasons the alternative solutions were rejected in favour of the mini roundabout at the Old Milton Road/Whitefield Road junction with the realignment of the Old Milton Road/Gore Road priority junction.

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

Old Milton Road/Gore Road Working File

Environment Department

Implementation Team