AT A MEETING of the NEW FOREST TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY PANEL held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday 28 October 2003.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); Mrs P.G. Banks; B.D. Dash.

Councillor M.J. Kendal was also in attendance

New Forest District Council

Councillors: M.H.G. Fidler; L.R. Puttock; N.E. Scott; Mrs P.A. Wyeth.

Test Valley Borough Council

Councillors: A.J. Gentle; J.T. Hall; N.C. Lewis

42. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate declare their interest, and having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

43. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 18 March 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

44. CHAIRMANS COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications.

45. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

46. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the delivery of the Local Transport Plan and the content of Hampshire County Council's third Annual Progress Report submitted to the Government Office for the South East and the Department for Transport on 31 July 2003.

During 2002/03 Hampshire County Council had spent £22.7 million on transport policies. The Annual Progress Report set out how this money had been spent and detailed the County Council's performance in meeting targets which had been set both locally and nationally.

Officers answered Members' detailed questions focusing specifically on the disappointing levels of bus patronage. It was reported that the County Council were trialling several schemes to encourage the use of buses, including `InfoMotion', a marketing scheme offering tailored information on public transport. Members noted the need to establish an integrated transport system in order to encourage motorists to use public transport. It was reported that interchange facilities would be a central component to the Local Transport Plan 2006-11. There was further discussion concerning the possible extension of the Cango scheme across rural Hampshire. While it was agreed that Cango schemes were generally very successful it was noted that they also involved considerable investment.

RESOLVED:

That the performance on transport improvements as set out in the Local Transport Plan Annual Progress Report, and the County Council's performance in relation to meeting its objectives and targets, be noted.

47. DRAFT TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2004/05 AND 2005/06 FOR CONSULTATION

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) outlining the indicative programmes for the Integrated Transport Capital Programme for 2004/05 and 2005/06.

Members were invited to comment on the priorities for the 2004/05 and 2005/06 draft programme as summarised in Appendices 4, 5 and 6 of the report. The Chairman emphasised that the programme was a draft at this stage and was dependent upon confirmation of the Department for Transport (DfT) settlement which was due in December 2003. The draft programme had been made available for discussion by Members and would be finalised in January 2004. It was however noted that if additional schemes were recommended, and subsequently included in the Programme, then other schemes may need to be deferred.

Members were in general agreement with the priorities outlined in the draft programme and gave particular support to the Safer Routes to Schools Initiative. As schools would be excluded from the 2003/04 Programme, if they were unable to produce a School Travel Plan to Level Three by 31 December 2003, the Chairman encouraged Members to ensure that where possible schools completed their travel plans expeditiously.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the Executive Member for Environment be advised of the views of the Panel, with any additional responses to be received by the County Council by 14 November 2003.

48. POLICY AND PROGRESS UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) setting out the progress on several studies and schemes being undertaken in the New Forest Transportation Strategy area.

Members discussed the eight schemes as set out in the report:

i) New Forest Strategic Cycle Route Leaflet - Officers gave a brief overview of the key points arising from an extensive public consultation. A further report containing more detailed analysis of consultation results would be presented to Members at a future meeting.

ii) New Forest Transport Strategy Document - Following discussions between the County Council and New Forest District Council it was proposed to amend paragraph 69 of the Document so as to allow for consideration of possible future schemes, should this prove necessary following the completion of the current set of proposals. Members agreed with the amendment.

iii) Lyndhurst to Ashurst Cycle Route 2004/05 - Officers gave a detailed explanation of the route of the proposed cycle track. It was reported that the relevant Parish Councils, Verderers and the police were being consulted in connection with the scheme. The proposal had been provisionally approved by English Nature but they would be reassessing their decision once plans had been finalised. It was expected that, subject to these consultations, project appraisal would be completed by 2004/05. Members raised concerns that the proposed cycle route into Lyndhurst included verges which were currently used as car parking places by local residents. Officers were aware of this potential problem and were exploring possible solutions.

iv) Footway Improvements in Sway - This scheme had almost been completed. It was noted that further footpath schemes, for which external funding might be available, had been proposed in Sway.

v) North Street, Pennington (2004/05) - Preliminary plans had been drawn up and public consultations undertaken, the results of which would be reported back to a Members.

vi) Southern Lymington - Rookes Lane/Ridgeway Lane Scheme (2004/05) - Following public consultation a project appraisal would be submitted to the Executive Member for Spatial Strategy for decision.

vii) A337 Milford Road and Belmore Road - Preliminary designs for the project were being drafted.

viii) Pennington to Town Centre Cycle Route (2004/05) - Preliminary designs for the project were being drafted.

RESOLVED

i) That the progress on issues and schemes within the report be noted.

ii) That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the New Forest Transportation Strategy document, with the proposed amendments to paragraph 69, be adopted.

49. REVIEW OF TRANSPORT STRATEGY AREAS AND TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY PANELS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) reviewing the current area transportation strategy panels.

Members were invited to comment on the review of the transportation strategy panels. The Chairman informed Members that initial proposals were being drawn up based on the establishment of four new panels to cover the following sub regions; the Solent area (as defined by SEERA); the Blackwater and Thames Valley area; south west Hampshire; and the, largely rural, centre of the County. These new panels would replace the current transportation strategy panels and could consider long term strategic transport and spatial strategy issues. Additional changes were also being considered for the Highway Management Advisory Panels, potentially leading to an expansion of their terms of reference so as to cover all schemes programmed for the forthcoming year.

Members were generally in favour of this approach, although stressed the importance of the proposed sub regions having flexible boundaries.

RESOLVED:


That the outline proposals for the review of transport strategy areas and Transportation Strategy Panels be noted and the comments made in discussion by this Panel be included in the subsequent reports to the Executive Member for Environment and the County Council, as appropriate.

50. COASTAL TOWN TRANSPORT STRATEGY AREAS AND TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY PANELS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) outlining the results of the first round of biennial monitoring of the Coastal Towns Transport Strategy, undertaken in August and October 2002.

Officers summarised the results from the monitoring exercise. It was hoped that continued monitoring would identify transportation trends. However until further monitoring had been undertaken this type of comparative exercise would not be possible.

The report indicated a higher traffic count at B3058/Lymington Road junction than on the B3055 Hinton, where considerable alterations had been undertaken to improve the flow of traffic. Officers were requested to investigate improvements on the B3058 for possible inclusion on a future Capital Programme. Members also raised concerns that less space was being made available for bicycles on trains. Officers reported that they were in negotiations with train operators to encourage them to provide enhanced facilities for cyclists.

RESOLVED:

That the results of the Coastal Towns Transport Strategy surveys be noted.

51. NEW FOREST TRANSPORT STRATEGY OFFICER

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) detailing the appointment and remit of the New Forest Transport Strategy Officer.

John Sorrell was introduced as the New Forest Transportation Officer. It was reported that his post had been jointly funded by the County Council, New Forest District Council, Forestry Commission and the Countryside Agency until 2006. The post would cover four main areas of action:

i) Demand Management

ii) Cycling and Walking

iii) New Forest Tourism

iv) Contribute to Community and Passenger Transport Initiatives

Members raised specific issues for investigation by the New Forest Transport Strategy Officer, including the need to encourage some visitors to leave their cars outside of the Forest. These issues were noted.

RESOLVED:


That the report be noted.

52. CONSIDERATION OF CHANGES TO MANAGEMENT OF NEW FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL OFF STREET CAR PARKS

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Consultancy Services (New Forest District Council (Item 11 in the Minute Book) detailing New Forest

District Council's review of its approach to traffic management, and in particular the management of off-street car parks and the introduction of decriminalised parking.

Members discussed proposals to decriminalise parking, as agreed by the New Forest District Council's Cabinet on 1 October 2003 and set out in the appendix to the report. Discussion focused on the `clock' system', proposed as an annual alternative to car parking fees in the District Council's car parks.

County Council Members raised concerns over the low charge for the parking clock and the possibility of the scheme encouraging a further shift away from public transport. It was hoped that the income raised from decriminalised parking could be used to improve bus and rail links, as well as cycle routes, in the New Forest, thereby potentially causing a shift towards, rather than away from, public transport. There was general support for the scheme in principle, although monitoring would be of crucial importance.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member be advised of the Panel's comments on the proposed changes to car parking management submitted by New Forest District.

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