Contact: Richard Chinn, Tel 023 80 427000 email [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report outlines progress with regard to other programmes and initiatives within the Environment Department.

2. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)

CCTV Links to the Intelligent Transport System's Traffic and Travel Information Centre

2.1 Most of the preparatory work has been completed and 19 views have been selected for capture from the New Forest District Council Control Room. The images will be displayed in the ITS Control Room at Monument House at Winchester as quad views (four images to a screen). All the work, including communications links, will be completed by early autumn.

2.2 No other ITS works, either major maintenance or capital works, are currently under way or planned for 2003/4 in the New Forest area.

3. Casualty Reduction Programme

3.1 The 2003/04 safety programme consists of 62 schemes throughout the county, totalling approximately £1,100,000. Appendix 1 shows the list of schemes with the current position for the New Forest area.

Hampshire Safety Camera Partnership

3.2 Installation of the first tranche of fixed speed cameras is progressing well, with cameras operational at the following sites:

(i) B3037 Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh;

(ii) Highlands Road, Fareham; and

(iii) A337 Setley, New Forest.

3.3 The sites at A32 Gosport Road, Fareham and A35 Totton Causeway are currently being installed, while a proposed site on the A325 at Holt Pound is still being investigated due to technical difficulties in finding an acceptable location.

3.4 An analysis of accidents on existing Hampshire mobile safety camera routes for the year to the end of March 2003 showed a decrease of 11% in personal injury collisions. Initial reductions on new routes can be expected to be well in excess of this level.

4. Safer Routes to School Programme (SRTS)

4.1 Appendix 2 outlines the 2003/04 Safer Routes to School programme. A number of schemes were carried forward from the 2002/03 programme following the adjustments which were required to the capital programme to keep within the 2002/03 spending limits.

4.2 Following the capital programme moratorium of December 2002, the Safer Routes to Schools budget was reduced from £500,000 to £100,000. This made it necessary for a number of schemes that were still in the design stage to be carried forward to the 2003/04 financial year. These schemes are now being progressed alongside new schemes associated with School Travel Plans.

5. Hampshire Country Towns Initiative (HCTI)

5.1 The Country Towns Initiative is a County Council programme which carries out schemes of environmental enhancement in the county's rural centres to reinforce their environmental, social and commercial attractiveness. It focuses on highways and other public areas and works in partnership with local councils and representative organisations. It brings together funding from the County Council, District Council and local sources and links highways and environmental objectives and funding.

5.2 Current schemes in the New Forest area are:

(i) Hythe Promenade

The scheme comprises renovation of this underused and run down area to create a public, waterside space with improved pedestrian and highways access. Contract work is in preparation following extensive public consultation with an expected start in spring 2004. This scheme will complement the proposed improvements to Hythe interchange which are described in item 8.

(ii) Fawley Square

The scheme comprises highway, traffic calming and environmental works in Fawley centre promoted by New Forest District Council. Construction works are in progress and nearing completion.

6. 2003/04 Bridge Works Programme

6.1 As previously reported, the Bridges Section of the Environment Department is responsible for inspection and maintenance, load assessment and strengthening of all existing county highway structures, as well as new structures built as part of road improvements, housing schemes and industrial developments. This includes 1,400 road bridges, 300 footbridges and numerous ancillary structures, such as retaining walls and gantries.

6.2 Bridge maintenance includes regular routine items, such as vegetation and drainage clearance; repairs to accidental damage; major and minor structural maintenance, identified from the annual cycle of bridge inspections, and environmental maintenance of subways.

6.3 Works identified for New Forest within the Bridge Works programme for 2003/04 are listed in Appendix 3.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8198/R