Contact: Julie Jarvis, ext 6052 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report outlines the results of the first round of biennial monitoring of the Coastal Towns Transport Strategy (CTTS) undertaken in August and October 2002. Some surveys had to be repeated in April 2003. The programme of surveys is extensive, covering road traffic, cycling, pedestrian activity, bus patronage and train use.

2. Introduction

2.1 Monitoring and evaluation forms an intrinsic part of the Hampshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) 2001-2006 and Road Traffic Reduction Act (RTRA) 1997 processes. It is part of the County Council's holistic view of transport and is strongly linked to the targets set for the county as a whole and for the individual area transport strategies.

2.2 The CTTS is now incorporated in the New Forest Transport Strategy (NFTS) which has involved considerable survey work and monitoring since its inception, including comprehensive transport monitoring since 1996. The first year of the monitoring programme for the CTTS was 2002. Monitoring fulfils the requirements of the RTRA which obliges local authorities to assess levels of traffic in their area. The LTP has required additional monitoring to be undertaken to establish how the strategy is performing in relation to its objectives and to ensure that the measures implemented are having the impact anticipated.

2.3 The biennial monitoring programme for the NFTS began in 1996, and surveys are undertaken during March and August. To bring the coastal towns area in line with the NFTS monitoring programme, surveys were undertaken in August and October 2002. This enabled comparisons between off-peak and peak transport trends to be made. The biennial surveys will next take place in 2004, when both sets of surveys will take place in March and August.

3. Surveys Undertaken

3.1 A range of sources were used to provide information, including the following:

(i) Road traffic counts - undertaken at several sites. Where appropriate equipment exists, automatic counts were undertaken, supplemented by manual classified counts.

(ii) The number of bus users on key routes.

(iii) Rail usage (including cyclists) at key stations.

(iv) Cycle use.

(v) Pedestrian movements in Lymington and New Milton.

4. Survey Results

4.1 Table 1 shows data from the permanent traffic count site on the A337 at Lymington from 1996 to 2002, which indicates a slight increase in traffic volumes during this period. During 2003 three additional permanent traffic count sites were implemented. These were on the B3058 Lymington Road at Milford-on-Sea, the A337 north of Lymington and the B3054 Bridge Road, Lymington. These sites will enable traffic volumes to be monitored and compared in future years.

Table 1: Permanent Count Site Traffic Data (24 hour Annual Average Daily Total)

4.2 It should be noted that information in Tables 2 to 7 is based on a single 12 hour manual classified count for each year. Therefore weather, incidents or events in the surrounding area can affect the survey results obtained on that particular day. Table 2 shows the traffic flows recorded at each of the main cordon points. The total flow at these sites was 8% lower in October 2002 compared with August 2002, highlighting the seasonal variation in traffic flows in the area. However, slightly higher flows were recorded on the U340 Gore Road (6%) and B3055 Hinton (8%).

Table 2. Manual Classified Counts (12 hour, Two-Way Flows) Total Flow

4.3 Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV) volumes were recorded at each of the cordon points (Table 3) and the data indicate very little difference overall in volumes between August and October.

Table 3. Heavy Commercial Vehicles (% of total flow)

4.4 Table 4 shows the cycle flow at cordon points. Overall cycle volumes were lower by 25% in October compared with August, highlighting the seasonal variation on some roads. Most notably, the cycle count on the B3054 east of Lymington is down by 71%. However, the B3058 north of Milford-on-Sea, A337 Barton-on-Sea and U340 Gore Road show a higher cycle flow during the survey in October.

Table 4. Cycles

4.5 The number of passengers on buses was recorded at three bus stops in the coastal towns area. Overall the surveys showed an increase in bus use during the out of holiday season (October and April) but this is predominantly due to nearly 90% increase at the A337 North of Lymington location.

Table 5. Bus Patronage Levels (Number of Passengers)

4.6 The number of passengers boarding trains at the four stations in the coastal towns area was recorded. By far the highest number of passengers was recorded at New Milton station. The surveys showed a greater use of the trains during October, despite the ferries not running due to bad weather. The number of cycles taken on trains was slightly lower during the October survey.

Table 6. Users of Coastal Towns Rail Stations (Passengers Boarding, Both Directions, 12 hours 0700-1900)

* No passengers leaving Lymington Pier as ferries not running due to bad weather conditions

4.7 Pedestrian flows were recorded in New Milton and Lymington. The impact of visitors to these towns is very noticeable in the summer months. During the surveys, the number of pedestrians recorded in the off-peak seasonal months was about half that recorded in August.

Table 7. Pedestrian Flows in New Milton and Lymington (12 hour)

5. Air Quality Monitoring

5.1 Air quality monitoring is undertaken by New Forest District Council. There are currently three permanent air quality monitoring stations in the New Forest area, located in Fawley, Hythe and Ringwood, that measure a range of pollutants. At present there are no permanent sites in the coastal towns area.

5.2 The County Council is currently putting together a package of air quality initiatives county-wide, to improve monitoring and the dissemination of information to the public, and will be working closely with the District Council to identify appropriate measures in the Coastal Towns Transportation Strategy areas.

6. Conclusion

6.1 The permanent count site on A337 West of Lymington suggests a slight increase in traffic between 1996 and 2002. The implementation of additional permanent sites in the coastal towns area will enable traffic volumes to be monitored and compared in future years. Traffic surveys were undertaken at eight sites within the strategy area and the total flow at these sites was lower by 8% in October compared with August 2002, highlighting the seasonal variation in traffic volumes in the area. However, it should be borne in mind that these surveys are a snapshot of one day's traffic flow and may have been influenced by a number of external factors, including weather.

6.2 Surveys undertaken at the three bus stops suggest an overall higher level during the off-peak season of bus patronage, but this is primarily attributable to the survey on A337 north of Lymington. Again the overall number of rail passengers is greater during October, due to the increased use at New Milton and Hinton Admiral stations. Pedestrian flows in the main streets in New Milton and Lymington are significantly higher during the summer survey and the overall cycle volumes at the survey points decreased by 25% between August and October, highlighting the seasonal variation on some roads.

6.3 The data collected will be compared with future surveys to establish trends and changes in transport behaviour and levels of activity. Data will be used in assessing the impact of NFTS and coastal towns initiatives over a longer period and in reviewing progress for LTP and RTRA purposes.

Recommendation

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

8190/JJ