Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

20 May 2003

Project Appraisal - Selborne Safer Routes to School Scheme

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 6

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

SELBORNE SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL SCHEME

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JULY 2003

COMPLETION DATE:

SEPTEMBER 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

46

46

Fees

18

18

64

64

Less developers/

other contributions

64

64

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

64

(b) Other

64

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

64

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

Budget

Net current expenditure

0.686

0.001

Capital charges

6.000

0.007

TOTAL net expenditure

6.686

0.008

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

In 2002 Selborne Primary School prepared a School Travel Plan. The Plan drew attention to the difficulties experienced by children and parents walking to school and proposed a number of improvements. A location plan is attached.

Extracts from the Travel Plan are attached giving the background to the proposed scheme and the results of a travel survey.

The objective of the Travel Plan is to encourage as many children as possible to be active and independent by walking to school on a regular basis. It proposes better facilities for pedestrians on the routes through the village to the school, traffic calming measures in the vicinity of the school and the main walking routes, and increases driver awareness of the presence of the school. Approximately 70% of the estimated cost of the proposed scheme involves traffic calming near the school.

There are approximately 40 children in the village within easy walking distance of the school, but a survey of parents showed that at present many drive because they feel unsafe whilst walking. Issues raised included the speed of traffic and the need for wider footways and safer places to cross. It is hoped that the majority of these would feel able to walk following the completion of this scheme.

Taking into account the recommendations of the School Travel Plan, proposals have been developed in consultation with the school, the Parish Council and local representative groups.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

Forms part of the developing programme of the Safer Routes to Schools programme.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

Installation of pinch-points/build-outs, anti-skid surfacing, improvements to footways and to a crossing point close to the school access. Plans showing the detailed proposals are also attached.

Environmental Impact

The scheme will contribute to a safer and improved environment for pedestrians and vulnerable road users, in particular school children.

Land Requirements

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

Statutory Procedures

None required to implement scheme. However to be pursued separately will be the proposal to restrict waiting on a section of Gracious Street.

Public Consultation

There was a public exhibition in February 2003. Of those attending, 87% supported the scheme and 90% supported improvements to the crossing facilities in the vicinity of the school.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Sir James Scott, supports these proposals.

Facilities for the Disabled

Traffic calming and improvements to crossing facilities which will include tactile paving.

Maintenance Implications

Special surfaces will need maintenance.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

Sustainability

The scheme will improve the environment for walking and may help reduce dependence on the motor car.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

To take no action on the proposals from the School Travel Plan.

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

Selborne Primary School Travel Plan

Environment Department

Safer Routes to School Office,

Sheridan House