Contact: Paul Turner, ext 6978 e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides a progress update on Capital Transport Schemes that have been approved by project appraisal for implementation in the Rushmoor Borough Council area.

2. Progress Update Capital Schemes

Farnborough Business Park - Dedicated Bus Service

2.1 Dedicated Bus Service associated with Farnborough Business Park. Bus service funded for an initial period of one year pending review of passenger numbers.

2.2 Due to economic down turn the Business Park is under-occupied and the bus route is not utilised to capacity. The Developer supports the continuation of this service whilst the Business Park continues to attract new clients.

Farnborough Business Park - Farnborough Town Centre Signs £125,000

2.3 Provision of new direction signs in Farnborough Town Centre associated with Farnborough Business Park. Substantially complete.

Rushmoor Cycle Parking £20,000

2.4 Cycle parking facilities in Rushmoor at locations other than that at railway stations. Complete.

A325 Bus Priority Corridor and Maintenance Scheme - £3 million

2.5 Bus priority scheme as part of Quality Bus Partnership for Blackwater Valley. Bus route 1 between Boundary Road and Bradfords roundabout. Bus lane, bus priority and selective vehicle detection at traffic signal junctions, new stops and shelters, improvements to pedestrian and cycle ways along the length of the route. Reduction of central reservation between Prospect Avenue and Bradfords roundabout in conjunction with structural maintenance of A325.

2.6 Stage I is substantially complete and open to use by buses. There has been considerable ongoing discussion and debate about changing the Traffic Order for the bus lanes to allow hackney carriages to use them. The County Council's Executive Member - Spatial Strategy considered this issue on 16 September 2003 and decided to publish an experimental order that would permit hackney carriages to use the bus lanes (with the exception of one section for operational reasons). Rushmoor Borough Council has been asked to process the order. There are concerns about effectively preventing misuse by other vehicles. This will be monitored after the order is introduced. In addition the longer term aim of making all taxis more distinctive and/or some form of standardisation. The decision made by the Executive Member on 16 September 2003 was that:

(i) an experimental Traffic Regulation Order pursuant to Section 9 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 be published to permit licensed hackney carriages to use the A325 bus lanes, Farnborough (except the section northbound between Prospect Avenue and Bradford's roundabout;

(ii) the use of the bus lanes and compliance with the Order be reviewed following a period of monitoring after implementation of the Order; and

(iii) Rushmoor Borough Council be requested to investigate with other neighbouring taxi licensing authorities the longer term aim to standardise the type and appearance of these vehicles.

2.7 Stage II works to be undertaken by Surrey County Council during 2004 and will consist of a continuation of the route from the county boundary.

2.8 Stage III - The draft capital programme includes a proposed allocation of £400,000 for Stage III work on the A325/A30 bus corridor in 2005/06. It is intended that proposals will be formulated for the Farnborough-Aldershot section of the route, in liaison with Rushmoor Borough Council, the bus operator, the police and other stakeholders.

A323 Ash Road/North Lane: Ash Road/Blackwater Way

2.9 Ash Road/Lower Farnham Road/Lower Newport Road. Traffic signals and pedestrian facilities, Aldershot, £240,000. Rushmoor Borough Council funded scheme. Work in progress.

Safer Routes to School

2.10 Schemes will only be progressed when a School Travel Plan is approved.

Westfields Infant and Junior and Yateley School £20,000. Close involvement with school for signing of speed humps to restrict traffic to 20 mph. Works complete.

3. Transport Capital Programme

Transport Capital Programme for 2003/04

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8170/PST