Contact: Brian Millen Tel 01256 764444 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)

2.1 The ITS Group of the Environment Department is responsible for the feasibility, design, implementation, operation and maintenance of traffic control and traffic and travel information systems throughout Hampshire. The majority of the new implementation is funded either through the Capital Programme or external funding and the maintenance of the central systems and facilities on street are revenue funded. During 2002/3 and 2003/4 there has been a significant deployment of ITS throughout Hampshire including a large number of new traffic signals and pelican crossings, real time bus passenger information, car park information systems and bus departure information systems, etc.

2.2 This is an update on the ITS works identified for Rushmoor during 2003/04:

(i) new Toucan crossing at Lynchford Road, Farnborough.

Possible February start;

(ii) new Toucan crossing at North Camp, Farnborough.

Ready to be switched on - waiting for cycle signing to be completed;

(iii) new (bus gate) junction at Bradfords Roundabout, Farnborough as part of the A325 Route 1 Bus Quality Partnership scheme.

It is anticipated that this facility will be switched on during October 2003;

(iv) new Toucan crossing Farnborough Gate, Farnborough.

Installation expected during October 2003;

(v) conversion of 6 Pelicans to 2 Puffins, 4 Toucans, part of BVR 1 at Ham and Blackbird gyratory, Farnborough.

Installation switched on 17 September 2003.

(vi) three new traffic signal junctions on the A323 Ash Road, Aldershot. S278/S2106 developer scheme funded by Rushmoor Borough Council, project appraisal approved and waiting for start date to be confirmed.

(vii) conversion of a Pelican to a Puffin at Union Street, Farnborough.

Switch-on 26 September 2003 - linked to Ham and Blackbird gyratory;

(viii) new Toucan crossing at Victoria Road, Farnborough.

Programmed to be switched on in early October 2003 - linked to Ham and Blackbird gyratory.

(ix) real-time bus passenger information system for Route 20 (Aldershot) currently being discussed with Surrey County Council.

No programmed date for installation.

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 Rushmoor area.

Hampshire Safety Camera Partnership

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

(i) B3037 Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh

(ii) Highlands Road, Fareham

(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 A325 at Holt Pound is still being investigated due to technical difficulties in finding an acceptable location.

3.4 Approval has been received from the Department for Transport for further fixed cameras and, subject to further analysis, these will be installed this financial year:

(i) A3090 Crampmoor, Romsey

(ii) B3333 Marine Parade, Lee on the Solent

(iii) A36(T) West Wellow

(iv) A339 North East of Wootton, Basingstoke

3.5 This year new mobile safety camera routes have been introduced at:

(i) A30 Blackwater

(ii) A30 Hook

(iii) A339 Lasham

Further routes are proposed, subject to final approval by the Partnership, at:

(i) Grange Road Gosport

(ii) B3272 Yateley

(iii) B3272 Hawley Lane Farnborough

(iv) Petersfield Road Havant

(v) New Road Havant

(vi) A272 Privett

(vii) A339 Wolverton

(viii) A339 Kingsclere

3.6 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. Similar reductions in speed related accidents can be expected on the new routes when they are introduced.

4. Hampshire Country Towns Initiative (HCTI)

4.1 The regeneration of the Older Urban Areas (ROUA) Program is working closely with Rushmoor Borough Council in developing proposals for North Camp that accord with the Local Transport Plan objectives. Following a public consultation exercise in May, contract documents are now being finalised for work in Lynchford Road and Camp Road. Implementation is expected to commence in October.

5. 2003/04 Bridge Works Programme

5.1 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.

5.2 The majority of bridge maintenance, assessment and strengthening is capital funded via the Local Transport Plan (LTP), but inspections, routine maintenance, footbridges and environment maintenance of subways are revenue funded.

5.3 Bridge maintenance includes regular routine items, such as vegetation and drainage clearance; repairs to accident damage; major and minor structural maintenance identified from the annual cycle of bridge inspections and environmental maintenance of subways. The latter covers graffiti removal and cleaning under a three year term contract with a firm called Graffiti Solutions. Raynesway Construction Southern Limited (RCS) carries out the majority of other maintenance, although some specialist or larger jobs are awarded by tender.

5.4 A programme of load assessment and strengthening was instigated by EU legislation that allowed 40 tonne lorries on British roads from 1 January 1999. The assessments are now complete and strengthening of sub-standard bridges is ongoing. About 30 bridges remain subject to interim measures, such as weight limits or monitoring, and will be strengthened over the next five or six years, funding permitting.

5.5 Following the Selby crash in February 2001, parapets and safety fences at road/rail interfaces, the majority of which are bridges, have been evaluated and prioritised and a rolling programme for protective measures has been started. This will continue over several years, as funding is made available.

5.6 Works identified for Rushmoor within the Bridge Works programme for 2003/04 are listed in Appendix 2.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8228/BM

APPENDIX 2

Bridge Works Programme 2003/04 - Rushmoor

Wharf Bridge, A325 Aldershot

Two bridges carry the A325, Farnborough Road, over the Basingstoke Canal in Aldershot. The older bridge, a single span brick arch that carries the south bound carriageway, has been assessed as sub-standard for load carrying capacity. It is to be strengthened and refurbished, with work on site starting in November 2003 and finishing in April 2004.

This will necessitate closure of the carriageway over this bridge, with both north and southbound traffic carried by the adjacent bridge. The Basingstoke Canal will also be closed for the duration of the works. Extensive consultations have taken place concerning the programme of the bridge repairs and it is intended to follow on after the A325 road improvement.