Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

23 July 2003

Buildings, Land and Contracts Panel

25 July 2003

Executive Member - Policy and Resources

11 September 2003

Project Appraisal: The Hundred and Latimer Street, Romsey - Town Centre Enhancements

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 5X
(amended decision sheet)

Item

Item

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

THE HUNDRED AND LATIMER STREET, ROMSEY -

TOWN CENTRE ENHANCEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

JULY/AUGUST 2004

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 June 2003

(at June 2003

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

*798

798

Fees

276

276

1,074

1,074

Less developers/

380

380

other contributions

694

694

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

694

(b) Other

694

2.

From other resources

(a) Developers Contribution

0

380

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

1,074

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £nil

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

7

0.009

Capital charges

103

0.111

TOTAL net expenditure

110

0.120

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council jointly commissioned a study, entitled Romsey Movement and Access Study (1998), to look at ways of improving the environment of Romsey against a background of new development and increased car ownership and traffic levels. The recommendations led to an allocation of funding for transport and environmental improvements as part of the South West Hampshire Transport Strategy (SWHTS).

The report included recommendations to reduce car use in Romsey by encouraging walking and cycling within the town, slowing vehicles, discouraging but not banning traffic from the town centre and better enforcement of existing on-street parking.

Approval has subsequently been granted by Test Valley Borough Council for the redevelopment of land to the east of Latimer Street, which was formerly owned by the County Council and Test Valley Borough Council. Waitrose was selected as the preferred developer. The development now under way, of a new foodstore, replacement agricultural retail unit and re-provision of public car parking, will include the provision of a pedestrian route from the development/public car parking, via Latimer Street to the rest of the town centre to encourage linked trips. The Section 106 contribution received by the Borough Council from the developer is to be put towards this scheme.

The scheme proposals, jointly promoted by both authorities, have been developed to link with the proposed foodstore development. Walking is to be encouraged by the reallocation of road space in favour of wider footways, to make a more attractive, safer pedestrian friendly environment for residents, traders and the walking public. Traffic speeds are to be reduced by the provision of self-enforcing traffic calming features, incorporating pedestrian crossing points, that will maintain through traffic without restricting access for buses or delivery vehicles. Cycle parking is to be provided to further encourage cycle usage within the town. Disabled parking is proposed together with seating to enable disabled pedestrians to rest. Space for the unloading and loading of vehicles will be retained.

Test Valley Borough Council will be addressing the problems of illegal on- street parking by introducing decriminalised parking enforcement. These proposals are programmed for autumn 2003 and will be in force prior to the commencement of the town centre enhancement scheme.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

This project will make a significant contribution to the implementation of the Romsey Movement and Access Study and objectives of SWHTS (formerly Southampton Area Transport Strategy - SATS).

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The objectives of the scheme are to enhance pedestrian facilities within The Hundred and Latimer Street and, in addition, control traffic speeds, enable provision for access of buses and cycles, maintain access for deliveries and make provision for disabled parking. A location plan is attached and details of the proposals will be displayed at the meeting.

To achieve these objectives the existing carriageway space within The Hundred and Latimer Street is to be reallocated to allow the footways to be widened and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists to be provided. Areas are to be created to permit delivery vehicles to load/unload and a disabled bay is to be provided. To enable the proposed widening of footways in Latimer Street, south of Lortemore Place, it will be necessary to make this section of carriageway, along with the northern spur of The Hundred, one-way in a southbound direction.

It is proposed to introduce self-enforcing traffic calming within The Hundred and Latimer Street to reduce the speed of vehicles. The carriageway level will be raised at the junctions of The Hundred/Latimer Street/Love Lane and The Hundred/the link to Love Lane. To assist the passage of buses, the ramp gradients within The Hundred are to be reduced. A flat-topped road hump and raised table are to be provided in Latimer Street.

Minor footway widening improvements are proposed for Latimer Street above Lortemore Place. A new section of footway is to be provided at the southern end of Station Road along with a give-way feature to control traffic movements through this narrowed section of carriageway.

The materials will be of a high quality, in keeping with the Romsey Conservation Area, with natural stone paving and kerbing used within The Hundred. Consideration has been given to the views expressed during the consultation process with regard to the design of the proposed street furniture.

The design adheres to both the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and Hampshire County Council's Standards, and complies with the requirements of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.

Environmental Impact

This scheme will further enhance the town scene and Conservation Area and improve the environmental conditions and safety for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. The traffic management alterations, which will prevent access to Latimer Street from The Hundred, in association with the traffic calming measures are likely to reduce traffic volumes within the town centre. However, there could be a slight increase in traffic noise and vibration as a result of the proposed traffic calming, although the material to be used for the carriageway resurfacing will help offset any increase in traffic noise.

Land Requirements

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

Statutory Procedures

Alterations will be required to the existing `Controlled Zone' Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to prevent parking and restrict deliveries to permitted areas in order to retain the free flow of traffic within the remaining carriageway. The duty of parking enforcement is planned to be taken over by Test Valley Borough Council in autumn 2003.

In addition, it is proposed to restrict traffic on Latimer Street, south of Lortemore Place, to one-way southbound. Proposals also include preventing access to Love Lane at its western end and prohibiting vehicles in excess of eight metres in length from exiting Love Lane at its western end. In both cases, the restrictions are proposed because traffic manoeuvres cannot be accommodated without vehicles overrunning adjacent footways and jeopardising pedestrian safety.

Notices and subsequent awards under the Party Wall etc Act 1996 will be necessary in connection with cellars to properties fronting the works.

Public Consultation

A public exhibition, jointly hosted by the County Council and Test Valley Borough Council, was held in June 2001. The exhibition included proposals for Market Place, Church Street, Bell Street, The Hundred and Latimer Street. Three options for the enhancement of the Market Place were shown. Proposals for The Hundred and Latimer Street were common to all three options. Following a joint Member meeting of the two authorities in October 2001, Options 1 and 2 were dropped from further consideration. In March 2002 the Borough Council agreed that Option 4, proposed by a member of the public, should not proceed as it failed in principle to satisfy the transportation aims jointly agreed with the County Council.

Further extensive consultation took place in September 2002 and comments were invited from the public. Views were sought from those who commented following the initial consultation - frontagers to the works, local organisations, traders, all parish councils south of Stockbridge and the local press. The exhibition included a Saturday and three evenings, and was followed by a period of four weeks for comments to be made.

Following the second public consultation process, the authorities jointly agreed to approve the proposals for The Hundred and Latimer Street, subject to:

(i) further work on the provision of parking for the disabled and the choice of street furniture to be used; and

(ii) further minor alterations as may be necessary.

The proposals for The Hundred and Latimer Street are initially to proceed, funded from the existing SWHTS capital funding programme and developer contributions from Waitrose.

The Police have been consulted on the proposals, specifically in relation to the proposed TROs, and are fully supportive of the proposals.

During the design affected frontagers have been informed by letter of survey works that are being carried out. Copies of this letter have been given to the local County and Borough Council Members, the Town Council, press office, etc.

Prior to work starting on site the Town Council, Quality Retail Management Group (representing traders) and other representative bodies will be offered a meeting to discuss how the works will be implemented. An extensive letter drop will inform local traders and residents about the works and provide contact details for any queries. The location of a compound close to the works, which will include an office for the County Council site supervisor, is currently being sought. Other forms of communication with the public will be investigated, including an article in Test Valley News, further press briefings, regular newsletters to frontagers and representative groups, and an information board.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Mrs Barron, is fully supportive of the proposals.

Facilities for the Disabled

It is proposed to provide a dedicated parking bay within The Hundred and seating is to be accommodated within the widened northern footway area to provide an opportunity for disabled persons to rest. The widened footways and provision of uncontrolled pedestrian crossing facilities will enable easier mobility for the disabled throughout the scheme area.

Maintenance Implications

With the requirement for the use of high quality materials for the scheme, the cost of future maintenance is a consideration. The design has been produced to minimise the potential for damage to the widened footways by vehicular traffic. The revenue implications of the proposals will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

Sustainability

This scheme is intended to create an area of greater pedestrian priority in the centre of Romsey.

The proposed scheme will interface with the walking route from the new foodstore, with its substantial car parking, and enable access to the rest of the town centre, via the improved pedestrian facilities, thereby encouraging linked trips. Cycle access is to be encouraged to this area of the town centre by the provision of parking stands.

Due to the type of the materials that are required to be used, it is unlikely that recycled products or processes can be used for this scheme. However, areas of existing paving materials that are being replaced are to be reused within the scheme and the existing areas of Purbeck stone paving, within the limits of the proposed scheme, are to be taken to store for use elsewhere.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

As part of the wider scheme, alternative options were considered for the proposals to the Market Place only. The proposals for The Hundred and Latimer Street were common to all three Market Place options.

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.

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