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

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides a progress update on the transport schemes within the Capital Programme that have been approved by project appraisal for implementation in the Test Valley area.

2. Transport Capital Schemes - Progress

Weyhill Road Traffic Management and Cycle Provision £1.05 million

2.1 The scheme comprises construction of a new roundabout at the junction of East Portway and the introduction of a new pelican crossing between East Portway and Upper Drove. The rationalisation of parking and turning movements at the shopping parade opposite Portway Close are also included. Works commenced in July 2003. During excavation of the existing footway crushed asbestos cement sheet was found in the sub base and a specialist contractor will be appointed to remove this material. Further trial holes are being excavated to discover the extent of the problem which will lead to a short delay in the works programme.

Floral Way Traffic Calming £120,000

2.2 This scheme involves raised tables along the section of Floral Way adjacent to John Hanson School making provision for formalised crossing points, improved footways and signage to encourage a safer environment for all. The scheme is now complete.

Weyhill Portway Cycle Link £63,000

2.3 The scheme involves the construction of a shared cycleway/footway between Reith Way and Weyhill Fair site and is now complete apart from remedial works agreed following the post opening safety audit.

King's Somborne Village Enhancements £35,000

2.4 The scheme is now complete.

Andover to Salisbury Bus Quality Partnership £20,000

2.5 The scheme is now complete.

Romsey Movement and Access Plan £1.1 million

2.6 The project aims to manage and control the effective movement of traffic within the town with traffic calming, pedestrian priority features and improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians. Works are due to start in January 2004 following the Traffic Regulation Order process.

2.7 The objectives of the scheme are to enhance pedestrian facilities within The Hundred and Latimer Street and, in addition, control traffic speeds, enable provision for access of buses and cycles, maintain access for deliveries and make provision for disabled parking.

2.8 These objectives are to be achieved by reallocating the existing carriageway space within The Hundred and Latimer Street. The footways are to be widened and facilities for pedestrians and cyclists provided. Areas are to be created to permit delivery vehicles to load/unload and a disabled bay is to be provided. Latimer Street, south of Lortemore Place, is to become one-way in a south-bound direction.

2.9 Self-enforcing traffic calming is to be provided within The Hundred and Latimer Street to reduce the speed of vehicles whilst assisting the passage of buses. Features include flat-topped road humps and raised junction tables.

2.10 A new section of footway is to be provided at the southern end of Station Road, alongside a proposed give-way feature to control traffic movements through this narrowed section of carriageway.

Valley Park to Hiltingbury Cycle Route

2.11 The Hursley Road/Hiltingbury Road, Chandlers Ford signal improvements form part of the Knightwood Development Funded Programme. A sum of £355,000 has been allocated from the Knightwood Development Funded Programme for the provision of the Valley Park to Hiltingbury cycle route with the balance required for the footbridge coming from future capital programmes. This project has been divided into three sections:

(i) the cycle track along Baddesley Road/North Millers Drive/Ashbridge Rise;

(ii) the Flexford Pedestrian/Cycle Bridge; and

(iii) the Hursley Road/Hiltingbury Road/Baddesley Road signals.

2.12 The cycle track and the bridge works have been deferred due to overspends on other Knightwood schemes and will need to be programmed as part of a future capital programme. A sum of £120,000 of the above funding is allocated for the implementation of the signal improvements.

2.13 The proposals are to install a pedestrian phase at these signals. The arrangement of this pedestrian phase will allow for the future cycle route to Hiltingbury. For some time, there has been local concern over the difficulty of crossing Hursley Road in this area, especially in the peak traffic periods. This was particularly evident at the various consultation exercises held in the area during the development of the Knightwood programme and subsequent scheme consultations, ie the Hiltingbury Traffic Management consultation.

2.14 The scheme will provide a pedestrian facility on each of the four arms of this junction, with Hursley Road south and Hiltingbury Road being designed to accommodate the future cycle route. These two will have larger `landing pads' to accommodate cycles and some street furniture will need to be relocated to create this space.

2.15 As has been noted above, this junction operates at maximum capacity during the peak periods. The addition of a pedestrian phase at these signals will inevitably add to some additional delays at this junction. However, the current signalling controller is an old system and, by upgrading the controller and adding pedestrian detectors and `call cancel' to these proposals, the additional delays will be reduced to an acceptable level. Requests for traffic management of other roads due to these works should not be generated.

2.16 There has also been a pattern of vehicle accidents at this junction that suggests that drives are not fully aware of other vehicles. The opportunity is being taken to increase the lighting standards in the area and add anti-skid surfacing. There has already been a low cost safety scheme to enhance the signing of the junction.

2.17 The project appraisal for the works on the signals has been approved and the scheme will start in early December 2003 and be completed in February 2004.

Stockbridge Village Centre

2.18 The proposed scheme to assist pedestrians in Stockbridge High Street by the provision of a refuge and associated build-outs has been agreed with the Parish Council and will be implemented shortly.

3. Transport Capital Programme for 2003/04

3.1 The scheme marked * on the above table is a proposed change to the currently approved Transport Capital Programme 2003/04, and will be subject to a report to the South West Hampshire Transportation Panel on 4 November 2003 and the Executive Member for Environment on 9 December 2003.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8172/PST