Archived decisions

Contact: Paul Turner, ext 6978 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 A list of priority schemes has been determined by the County Council and the Borough Council in response to concerns regarding funding availability for the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport (BEST). These schemes are being taken forward for implementation, with funding being made available from a number of sources.

2. Background

2.1 The meeting of 12 February 2003 considered the transport capital programme in terms of schemes required and available funding. Changes to the countywide capital programme had resulted in changes to the investment programmes for each of the area transport strategies, given that lower levels of funding were available. Members were asked to prioritise schemes so that implementation could take place when funding becomes available (see agenda item 7).

2.2 It was agreed that further meetings should take place to establish scheme priorities. Subsequently, the County Council's Executive Member for Environment and the Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Environmental Sustainability have met to determine priorities for investment within BEST.

2.3 This dialogue resulted in the list of priorities outlined below. The Executive Member for Environment approved a revised transport capital programme on 24 June 2003 that included these priorities.

2.4 Funding for schemes has been allocated from several sources including the County Council's capital programme (through the Local Transport Plan process), the Borough Council's capital programme and developer contributions held by both authorities.

2.5 It should be noted that the funding for the schemes listed is not yet approved.

3. Priority Schemes

A3010 Victory Roundabout

3.1 The scheme aims to introduce traffic signals at the roundabout to improve traffic management and include bus priority measures and cycle facilities. Initial cost estimates and design have been undertaken and consultation has been completed. The Borough Council identified Victory Roundabout as the highest priority and accordingly, resources have been directed towards the design of the scheme.

A30 Brighton Hill and Winchester Road Roundabouts

3.2 The preliminary design for installing traffic signals at these two roundabouts is under way, following the completion of initial feasibility work. The scheme at Brighton Hill roundabout aims to address safety issues, reduce speeds and provide improved at-grade crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, together with bus priority measures as appropriate. Consultation is expected to take place on the proposals in early 2004. Both junctions form part of the wider strategy for the A30 south west corridor.

A30 Southwood Corner

3.3 The implementation of traffic signals at the junction is being undertaken to improve safety, particularly the accident record for right turning traffic from the Winchester direction towards the M3 Junction 7. Work is in progress, with completion of the scheme expected to be in January 2004. A temporary speed limit of 40 mph will be in place during construction with a permanent 50 mph limit thereafter. This scheme forms part of the A30 corridor strategy.

New Road Pedestrian Crossing and Subway

3.4 Detailed design work is being undertaken by the Borough Council for a scheme to replace the existing subway with at-grade signal controlled crossing facilities. The traffic orders are expected to be advertised shortly. A Project Appraisal will be presented to seek approval for the scheme in November 2003, with the intention of starting on site in early 2004.

Worting Road/Essex Road Junction Improvements

3.5 The scheme will introduce pedestrian crossing facilities at this signal controlled junction, together with on-road cycle lanes, improvements to footways and drainage and new road surfacing. Work is due to start in December 2003 which will include remedial work to improve the road drainage problems, with completion expected to be at the end of March 2004.

Intelligent Transport Systems

3.6 As part of the countywide Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) contract, the 60 bus Stagecoach fleet in Basingstoke will be fitted with automatic vehicle location equipment to enable satellite tracking of buses. Predicted bus arrival times can then be calculated by the core RTPI system run from the County Council's Traffic and Travel Information Centre in Winchester. Two key bus routes in Basingstoke will benefit from "at stop" electronic signs installed within bus shelters to display arrival times to passengers. These are Line 1 Basingstoke to Tadley and Line 6 Basingstoke to Winklebury, where up to 20 signs will be installed on each route.

3.7 The implementation of the core system will also enable the dissemination of RTPI through the internet and mobile phones (SMS and WAP).

3.8 At present the County Council is finalising the contract arrangements, with works to fit buses with the necessary equipment and establish the core system planned for 2003/04. Signs at stops and the other dissemination methods will be implemented in 2004/05 when the tracking system is operating fully.

Safer Routes to School

3.9 The Borough Council and County Council are working together with schools to develop School Travel Plans and implement Safer Routes to School schemes. The Borough has submitted a Project Appraisal to the Executive Member for Environment (16 September 2003) outlining four schemes to progress this financial year. These are Castle Hill, Old Basing/St Mary's, Kempshott and Winklebury Schools and the cumulative cost of these measures is £153,000, including fees, to be funded entirely by the Borough Council. The schemes have been identified through travel surveys undertaken with pupils and parents at each of the respective schools.

3.10 Hampshire County Council is working with Woolton Hill Junior and St Thomas Infants School following the production of their School Travel Plan in April 2003.

Quality Bus Partnership

3.11 Funding has been allocated for bus stop access improvements, new shelters, information provision and the provision of electronic screens at the railway station and North Hampshire Hospital to display bus service information. This investment will focus on the A30 south west and A340 Aldermaston Road corridors to support the Quality Bus Partnership involving the County Council, Borough Council and Stagecoach. The introduction of refurbished, low floor buses, grant aided by the Borough Council, reflects the infrastructure improvements. A Project Appraisal for the access and information improvements will be presented in late autumn.

4. Conclusion

4.1 Design work, consultation and implementation of the priority schemes within BEST are under way or programmed. Further schemes will be implemented as funding becomes available.

Recommendation

That the Panel notes the progress being made to implement those schemes identified as priorities in the Basingstoke Environmental Strategy for Transport investment programme.

8219/PT