Contacts: Peter Bayless, ext 6882 email: [email protected]

Derek Goodchild, tel 023 80 688227 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

2.1 The current situation with various schemes in the area is as follows:

(i) Toucan crossing at Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh - autumn 2003 installation.

(ii) Toucan crossing at Wide Lane, Eastleigh - scheme deferred.

(iii) New pedestrian facilities at traffic signal junction between Bournemouth Road and Leigh Road, Eastleigh - works complete.

(iv) Toucan crossing at Eastleigh Road, Fair Oak - works complete.

(v) New pedestrian facilities at traffic signal junction between Hursley Road and Hiltingbury Road, Chandlers Ford - installation being scheduled.

(vi) Toucan crossing to replace existing pelican at Bournemouth Road, Chandlers Ford - installation being scheduled.

(vii) Puffin crossing at Winchester Road, near ASDA - current study, externally funded; could be installed in February 2004, subject to project appraisal.

(viii) Chestnut Avenue, near Tollgate roundabout, Chandlers Ford - current study, externally funded; could be installed in February 2004, subject to project appraisal.

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 Eastleigh 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 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, at:

(i) A3090 Crampmoor, Romsey;

(ii) B3333 Marine Parade, Lee-on-the-Solent;

(iii) A36(T) West Wellow; and

(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; and

(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; and

(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 cameras are introduced.

4. Safer Routes to School Programme

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 adjustments required to the capital programme to keep within 2002/03 spending limits.

4.2 Following the capital programme review of December 2002, the Safer Routes to School 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. 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.

Funding

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

Maintenance

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 carries out the majority of other maintenance, though some specialist or larger jobs are awarded by tender.

Load Assessment and Strengthening

5.4 This programme was instigated by EU legislation that allowed 40 tonne lorries on UK roads from 1 January 1999. The assessments are now complete and strengthening of substandard 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.

Road/Rail Bridges

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 Eastleigh within the Bridge Works programme for 2003/04 are listed in Appendix 3.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8273/PDB/DG

APPENDIX 2

Safer Routes to School Programme 2003/04

Schemes within Eastleigh Borough

APPENDIX 3

Bridge Works Programme 2003/04 - Eastleigh

Bursledon Bridge, A27

This three span reinforced concrete arch carries the A27 over the River Hamble at Bursledon. Following detailed inspection, investigation and consultation, a major concrete repair contract has been awarded to Concrete Repairs Limited. This is being carried out in two phases, April to October 2003 and December 2003 to February 2004, at an estimated cost of £550,000. The work will be carried out mainly from scaffolding under the bridge, so traffic disruption will be kept to a minimum.

Archers Road Footbridge, Eastleigh

This precast concrete footbridge over the Romsey/Eastleigh railway line was built in the 1930s, with stepped access only, and is nearing the end of its useful life.

A sum of £25,000 was spend on extensive concrete repairs in 1998, but further repairs are not now economically viable, particularly in view of the considerable local pressure to provide access ramps to enable use by wheelchairs, pushchairs and those with mobility impairment.

The initial estimate for a new footbridge, with ramps, is £1,000,000, not including any Railtrack land charges.

A feasibility study for a replacement is underway, but funding of the works is a major problem that has not yet been resolved.

Montague Road Retaining Wall, Bishopstoke

This wall, that supports Montague Road adjacent to a branch of the River Itchen, is showing signs of undercutting and movement. A contract for repair is out to tender at present, with the intention of starting on-site in October 2003. The work will necessitate some closures of Montague Road and consultations are ongoing to minimise inconvenience to residents.

Bishopstoke Subway, Bishopstoke

A new mural and anti-graffiti coating is programmed for this subway under the B3037, Alan Drayton Way, Bishopstoke.