Contact: Richard Chinn, tel 02380 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)

2.1 The works in progress or planned for the Test Valley area are as follows:

(i) provision of pedestrian crossing and re-staging of the existing traffic signals at Riverway, Andover;

(ii) provision of a puffin crossing at Weyhill Road, Andover as part of the Weyhill Road traffic management scheme reported elsewhere on the agenda;

(iii) provision of traffic signal-controlled junctions at Alma Road/Station Road and Alma Road/The Hundred, Romsey as part of the Waitrose development;

(iv) provision of traffic signals at Cupernham Lane/Romsey Road, Romsey. Installation is expected take place in 2004/5; and

(v) provision of a pedestrian crossing at the existing Castle Lane/Templars Way, Chandlers Ford traffic signals.

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 Test Valley area.

Hampshire Safety Camera Partnership

3.2 Installation of the first tranche of fixed speed cameras is progressing well. Cameras are operating at three sites, and a further three are being commissioned. None of the six sites fall within the Test Valley area.

3.3 Approval has been received from the Department for Transport for further fixed camera sites, two of which are within Test Valley. Subject to further analysis, cameras are scheduled to be installed this financial year at the following locations:

(i) A3090 Crampmoor, Romsey; and

(ii) A36(T) West Wellow.

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 at a similar 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 review 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 As previously reported 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 or Borough Council and local sources and links highways and environmental objectives and funding.

5.2 The current HCTI programme includes Church Place, Romsey.

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

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8279/RC

APPENDIX 3

Bridge Works Programme 2003/04 - Test Valley

Kim Humbert Bridge, Kimbridge

Several bridges over the River Test suffered scour damage during the winter floods in 2000/01 and three of these were repaired last year, with a fourth, Kim Humbert Bridge, being repaired at present.

This work, by SSE Contractors, necessitates the closure of Kimbridge Lane between 0800 and 2000 hours, Monday to Friday, with a signed diversion in place, via the B3084, Stanbridge Lane/Dunbridge Lane. Work started on 26 August and is expected to be complete by mid-October 2003.

Painting Contract

Several bridges, including Church Bridge, Upper Clatford, are being painted by South Coast Coatings. The contract started in August and is due for completion in October 2003.