Contact: Paul Basham, ext 6054 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides Members with an update on schemes in the Local Transport Plan (LTP) Capital Programme and other initiatives within the New Forest Transport Strategy (NFTS) area. The complete draft Capital Programme for 2004/05 and beyond is considered under a separate item on the agenda. It should be noted that the funding for schemes discussed below is not yet approved.

2. New Forest Strategic Cycle Route Leaflet

2.1 The New Forest District Strategic Cycle Routes document was the subject of public consultation from June to August 2003. This report sets out the initial findings from the consultation process and provides a way forward.

2.2 The New Forest District Strategic Cycle Routes `A Consultation' sets out to provide a comprehensive network of cycle routes for the New Forest District. New Forest District Council, with the help of representatives from Hampshire County Council, the Forestry Commission, the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC), the national cyclists' organisation, and cycling charity Sustrans, has now taken a lead in developing such a network. Further help has been received from representatives of English Nature, the Verderers of the New Forest and Southampton City Council.

2.3 A consultation document was distributed together with an invitation to comment, to the following:

(i) district and county councillors and MPs for the New Forest district;

(ii) all parish and town councils in the New Forest district;

(iii) neighbouring local authorities (9);

(iv) other statutory bodies (15);

(v) cycling organisations (6);

(vi) transport operators (10);

(vii) other transport related organisations (Caravan Club, Pedestrians' Association, ramblers' and disabled people's organisations) (9);

(viii) cycle hire outlets (6);

(ix) representatives of business (6+) including New Forest Tourism Association and Chambers of Commerce;

(x) conservation and environmental organisations (19+); and

(xi) social, recreational and community organisations (20).

2.4 There was also a map showing the proposed cycle routes, on display at the New Forest Show. Visitors to the show were given the opportunity to make comments on the forms provided and take a copy of the consultation leaflet.

2.5 Comments have been received from 48 organisation and 40 individuals, including 22 using the form at the New Forest Show display. The 48 organisations include:

(i) 17 parish and town councils;

(ii) the Countryside Agency;

(iii) English Nature;

(iv) the Forestry Commission;

(v) the Verderers;

(vi) six cycling organisations;

(vii) Network Rail;

(viii) South West Trains;

(ix) White Horse Ferries;

(x) Wightlink;

(xi) New Forest Tourism Association;

(xii) the Council for the Protection of Rural England;

(xiii) Friends of the Earth;

(xiv) Hampshire Wildlife Trust; and

(xv) the New Forest Association.

The key points coming out of the consultation are:

(i) general support for the concept;

(ii) the safety of cyclists on on-road routes in relation to speed limits;

(iii) the safety of other route users, such as pedestrians and horse riders when sharing paths;

(iv) that signage needs to be in keeping with the local environment and character of the area;

(v) the impacts on landscapes and wildlife due to the increase in cycling and the implementation of off-road routes;

(vi) that more cyclists could be to the detriment of the traditional character of the forest;

(vii) that routes should not lead on to the open forest as this encourages cycling in areas where it is not allowed;

(viii) that more cyclists could mean fewer cars in the forest;

(ix) that large areas of the forest district are still not covered by these proposed routes;

(x) that disused railways lines make excellent cycle routes and should be used;

(xi) that more shared access paths are needed;

(xii) need for a route map for cyclists to use together with good signage;

(xiii) that adequate cycle parking is needed at appropriate locations;

(xiv) that more facilities for cycle carrying need to be provided on public transport; and

(xv) many comments on specific locations.

2.6 Comments and appropriate responses will now be considered in detail by a steering group of officers from Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council, the Forestry Commission, Sustrans and the CTC. The full set of the comments received and suggested responses and actions will be presented to a meeting of the equivalent of this Panel in spring 2004. Officers hope to present a revised set of proposals which can be considered by Members and then be taken forward through the review of the LTP and the development plan process.

3. New Forest Transport Strategy Document

3.1 As Members may recall, when the strategy document was considered at the last meeting of the Panel there was discussion about the need for some wording amendments. This principally related to references to the consideration of possible additional measures once the current set of proposals, including the Colbury Loop and traffic management measures through Ashurst, are completed. It was resolved that, subject to the inclusion of agreed amendments, the Strategy document be adopted by the County Council and other partners.

3.2 The wording relating to the need for measures additional to the current proposals, for paragraph 69 of the document, has been discussed between the County Council and New Forest District Council, and is as follows:

"Lyndhurst in particular, situated at the intersection of the A337 and A35, suffers from severance and traffic in its main shopping area. The measures undertaken through the Transport Strategy have contributed positively to an improved environment in the High Street, particularly for pedestrians.


The main further measure still to be implemented is improvement of the A326/A35 Colbury Junction to allow south-bound traffic to turn west towards Lyndhurst.

Following completion of this work and further traffic flow monitoring, the councils will assess the impacts of the Colbury right turn and the need for additional measures to relieve local congestion in Lyndhurst being included in the next LTP (2006-11).

If shown to be needed, this could include consideration of a range of options, such as reviewing priorities at junctions and routeing, signing and management of traffic to and through the village. (The possibility of road construction will be reviewed, however, the benefits would need to be very significant in view of the environment designations in and surrounding the village.)

These options would have to be assessed as to their contribution towards the strategy objectives and their potential environmental benefits and disbenefits."

3.3 It is considered that this wording provides the opportunity to consider a range of options in the light of the performance of the current set of measures, rather than being prematurely specific at this time. It is recommended that the document with this revised wording be adopted by the County Council, New Forest District Council and the New Forest Committee. Copies of the full revised strategy document are available in the Members' rooms. It is understood that New Forest District Council is considering the revised wording and an update will be given to the Panel as necessary.

4. Lyndhurst to Ashurst Cycle Route 2004/05

4.1 The proposed cycle route is an important link in the overall strategic cycle network for the New Forest and south-west Hampshire area, to cater for both utility and recreational cycling. Due to the complexity of the scheme and the potential impact upon the New Forest, a significant amount of work is being undertaken to deliver this scheme. However, there are many procedures to be carried out to satisfy all parties.

4.2 There is sufficient width to accommodate a cycleway without moving fence lines or cutting back trees and shrubs. At one section near Dunces Arch Enclosure the verge narrows to two metres, and road carriageway narrowing will be necessary (currently 7.2 metres) to achieve a constant cycleway/footway width. Two cycle route options are being examined for the eastern approach into Lyndhurst, up to Gosport Lane:

(i) a two-way cycleway on the south side of the A35, between the cattle underpass and Beaulieu Road; and

(ii) an on-road cycle lane east-bound from Beaulieu Road, and an off-road cycleway west-bound on the south side of the A35.

4.3 The options include road crossing arrangements at different points along this section. Two cycle route options are being examined for the western approach into Ashurst, between the campsite entrance and Woodlands Road:

(i) shared cycleway/footway use on both sides of the A35, by narrowing the carriageway and minor extension of the verge; and

(ii) use of Forest Enterprise tracks next to the A35.

4.4 The project is being guided by an officers' working group, including officers from the County Council, New Forest District Council, English Nature and Forest Enterprise.

4.5 Due to the ecological and environmental constraints related to this scheme, further discussions have taken place with English Nature, the Verderers and the Forestry Commission in order to achieve agreement on the routeing of the scheme.

4.6 Broad agreement has now been reached and it has been agreed to formally consult with the Parish Councils of Lyndhurst, Colbury and Ashurst as well as Denny Lodge on the preferred option for this route.

4.7 Discussions have also been held with Hampshire Police regarding the possible lowering of the speed limit along the A35. The current road is derestricted and it is considered that safety for cyclists using the cycle route alongside the carriageway would be improved if the speed limit was reduced to 50 mph between Ashurst and Lyndhurst. The Police have asked to see information on existing vehicle speeds along this road before making any recommendation. For this purpose several speed checks will be carried out along this section of the A35 in the coming weeks.

4.8 Subject to the views of the Parish Councils, the Police and other stakeholders the scheme will then be progressed through the detailed design process.

5. Footway Improvements in Sway

5.1 The project to provide safer routes for children attending St Lukes Primary School in Sway is now substantially complete. The works comprised:

(i) Station Road - a new footway on the eastern side of the road between Middle Road and Stockton House has been constructed and pedestrian crossing points either side of the railway bridge have been highlighted with coloured surfacing, together with new warning signs incorporating solar-powered, amber, flashing light systems. A pedestrian guard rail has been erected at the exit from the footpath, which runs parallel to the railway line.

(ii) Church Lane - the junction with Westbeams Road has been highlighted with coloured surfacing and new warning signs. Outside the school entrance, the `School Keep Clear' markings have been renewed and new warning signs have been provided.

5.2 Studies are currently underway to provide a wider footpath parallel to the railway line from Westbeams Road to the grounds of the Primary School, and also a new footway in Middle Road to better link the Village Hall with Station Road. Both projects require negotiations with landowners, Network Rail in the case of the former. Developments will be reported to Members in due course.

6. North Street, Pennington (2004/05)

6.1 Preliminary plans have been drawn up in consultation with residents for the environmental enhancement scheme on North Street in Pennington/Lymington. It contains speed humps and build-outs along the whole length of North Street.

6.2 Public consultation for this scheme took place in September 2003 and press releases were issued in local papers, aimed at residents and those working in the area.

6.3 Results of the consultation are currently being analysed and will be reported back to Members in due course.

7. Southern Lymington - Rookes Lane/Ridgeway Lane Scheme (2004/05)

7.1 Following discussions between County Council and New Forest District Council officers, the alignment of the new road will now follow approximately the line of the existing road. As a result, encroachment onto the Town Council's land has been minimised. The footway will be along the northern side of Rookes Lane and the eastern side of Ridgeway Lane. The scheme has been designed to discourage drivers from speeding, as well as improving footway provision for pedestrians.

7.2 A public consultation exercise on the proposed scheme, which consists of a new section of footway and traffic calming features, was undertaken in June 2003 at the District Council offices in Lymington.

7.3 The exhibition was generally well attended and a good response was achieved with returned questionnaires (78 questionnaires returned from 150 distributed).

7.4 The results of the exhibition showed that there was overall support for the scheme (71.8% of respondents agreed that the scheme would have an overall benefit) and that the objectives of improving pedestrian access, reducing vehicular speeds, improving access to Woodside Gardens and improving safety generally would be met by the scheme.

7.5 The scheme is currently included in the draft programme for 2004/05. A Project Appraisal will be submitted in due course to the Executive Member for Spatial Strategy for approval to progress the scheme, including entering into negotiations with residents of properties fronting Rookes Lane and Ridgeway Lane to acquire small sections of land to allow the scheme to be implemented.

8. A337 Milford Road (Pennington Cross to Stanford Hill) and Belmore Road

8.1 The feasibility study investigating cycle facilities in Lymington has now been completed. This study has identified issues that need to be addressed and proposed appropriate measures that will allow cycle routes to be provided.

8.2 One of the routes that has been investigated is A337 Milford Road (Pennington Cross and Belmore Road). The study has proposed a route that consists of sections of segregated and unsegregated cycle lanes on the existing footway and a segregated section on carriageway.

8.3 Proposals have been put forward to overcome constraints on the route, which include mature trees and a priority junction (Belmore Road) where the carriageway and footway are very narrow.

9. Pennington to Town Centre Cycle Route (2005/06)

9.1 The feasibility study has identified a preferred option to provide a combination of sections of unsegregated cycle track, footway and on road cycle route, along Priestlands Road, Priestlands Lane, Highfield to the town centre gyratory. Further assessments are needed to assess the effect on traffic should the short length of Stanford Road be reduced to single lane.

Recommendations

1. That progress on the issues and schemes within this report be noted.

2. That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the New Forest Transport Strategy document, with the proposed amendments to paragraph 69, be adopted by the County Council, New Forest District Council and the New Forest Committee.

8270/PB