Contact: Geoff Topps, ext 7959 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

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

2. Transport Capital Schemes - Progress

Harts Farm Way Broadmarsh £110,000

2.1 Improvement to carriageway profiles through the provision of regulating material and new surface to remove adverse cambers and poor shape. Scheme required as interim measure to maintain safe access to business parks, pending resolution of a longer term maintenance solution or redevelopment proposals. Works completed March 2003.

Hayling Billy Cycle Route - Access to Havant Station £200,000

2.2 Phase one scheme in conjunction with South West Trains to provide pedestrian and cycle connection between the end of the Hayling Billy cycle route at New Lane into Havant railway station car park. Measures include an uncontrolled crossing at New Lane, entrance gateway to car park, and a marked two way cycle track through part of the station car park. Scheme also includes creation of eight additional car parking spaces, street lighting improvements and closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras. Completion expected at end of October 2003. Possible future scheme as second phase, to extend cycleway as contra-flow route through one-way section of car park and provision of cycle storage facilities.

A3 Bus Priority Corridor Section 1: Widley to Purbrook £4,100,000

2.3 The highway works were substantially complete at the end of February 2003. This has taken longer than originally planned and is mainly due to the inclusion of additional work at the top of Portsdown Hill, and the unexpected need to divert a Statutory Undertaker cable.

2.4 During the construction stage of the scheme, the quality of workmanship has been found to be very high, health and safety issues have been very well managed, environmental issues given special consideration and the inconvenience to residents and motorists using the A3 kept to a minimum. Significant accommodation works have been incorporated as a result of the local consultation and when the local businesses were surveyed after completion a positive response was received (see attached appendix for a more detailed summary of the responses).

2.5 After significant delay (due to trying to work in partnership with Adshel) the new bus shelters have now been installed. This delay will not be repeated on the remainder of the route as a separate contract is being prepared for the delivery of those shelters.

Bus Lane Use and Enforcement

2.6 Following the completion of Section 1, traffic surveys have shown that driver speed has not reduced noticeably from the original levels. Given the new lower speed limit of 30 mph, this is a concern for the Police and an initial review has already been undertaken. To date there have not been any accidents to indicate that this is an immediate problem, and features such as new refuges for pedestrians and segregated bus/cycle lanes make the current situation safer than before. The situation will continue to be monitored for the time being and no additional enforcement measures are planned for now.

2.7 However, at the review meeting the matter of drivers having to give way to buses and cycles on their left as they turn left to leave the A3 (across a bus lane) was discussed. It was felt that this could be a potential safety problem and has been raised with the local cycle forum. While this did not express a high level of concern it has been agreed to put up some temporary signs to remind drivers of what they must do (ref 158 The Highway Code).

A3 Bus Priority Corridor Section 2a Purbrook Village

2.8 The design work for the proposals in Section 2a, Purbrook Village, is complete. The implementation of this section of the corridor was delayed until the outcome of the Department for Transport (DfT) decision had been received, and the Project Appraisal is now being put forward for approval in November.

2.9 Due to changes in the CCTV system layout, the cable ducting through Section 2a is required so that the cameras in Sections 1 and 2b can be made operational. Therefore this element of work is being carried out in advance and as part of the Section 2b works that are underway.

A3 Bus Priority Corridor Section 2b Purbrook to Waterlooville £4,600,000

2.10 The advanced works for Section 2b started in February 2003 and the main road works are now well underway, which include earthworks to the areas dedicated for road widening and the diversion of public utility company pipes and cables under the west side verge. The main road works are due for completion in December 2003, although this section cannot be fully completed before British Telecom (BT) has diverted its fibre optic cables under the west side verge.

Moving British Telecom Underground Cables

2.11 Agreement was made to allow the contractor to lay the new ducts and access chambers for this work (and save several months' construction time), but BT will not reduce its estimated re-cabling and reconnection time, which is linked to its internal data management procedures. BT has promised to try and do this more quickly but if current estimates are followed the road works on the west side of the A3 in the areas of the diversions will not be able to be completed until 2005. The implication to the construction programme is that the west road widening cannot be carried out until this has been done, so this section will have to be finished in two phases (with phase two being the west side works in 2005).

Surface Water Drainage

2.12 The existing local surface water drainage system already reaches (and sometimes exceeds) its capacity at peak times and the road widening will increase the amount of water entering it. Therefore Southern Water has requested that either the main drainage system is upgraded or temporary storage (attenuation) with a limited outflow is provided as part of the drainage system for the works. Replacing the main drainage would be extremely costly, disruptive and time consuming, therefore water attenuation storage is the best value solution.

2.13 A storage volume similar to two 40 metre long by 1 metre square box culverts is being provided using 1 metre diameter precast concrete pipes (which are quicker and easier to install). For safety reasons single way traffic control will be used during their construction and drivers warned of potential delays. Local residents are being consulted as these are installed, and while there have been some problems these have been addressed by the contractor, and the local residents' association (PAWES) has expressed appreciation of the helpful site-staff attitude.

2.14 Section 2b was approved with the inclusion of four conditions, which are being addressed in the following manner:

(i) A comprehensive procedure that involves consultation with all local residents and interested parties has been used to assess the proposed bus shelter locations. Final locations have been agreed after review with the local Members and all involved made aware of the outcome.

(ii) The draft design has been completed for the replacement landscaping, which is greater than that removed as a result of the works. Preparations are being made for the planting to take place this autumn.

(iii) The performance of the south-bound traffic signal bus gate shall be reviewed after 18 months' operation (including local feedback) to determine its performance and decide if it is to be retained permanently. This is affected by the BT diversion delay and is unlikely to be operational before 2005.

(iv) Winchester City Council's Major Development Area (MDA) Working Party and developer for the MDA West of Waterlooville to be asked to give high importance to the inclusion of a rural footpath adjacent to the new landscaping strip. The request that a rural footway be considered for the west side of the road has been passed to County Council and Havant Borough Council officers to raise at the MDA Working Party.

A3 Bus Priority Scheme - Future Funding

2.15 The response of the DfT to the Major Scheme Appraisal bid (for capital funding for the remainder of the scheme) was expected in December 2002. In order to maintain the project's momentum, the construction of Section 2b of the project has been approved, funded by the 2003/04 Transportation Capital Programme. However, the DfT has now approved the appraisal and is going to provide funding for the remainder of the project, so it will no longer be funded from the Capital Programme.

3. Transport Capital Programme for 2003/04

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8302/JR

APPENDIX

A3 Bus Priority Scheme

Section 1 - Widley to Purbrook

Accommodation Works Response Summary

Date: 31.3.03

1.0 Background

In implementing the first section of the A3 Bus Priority scheme (Widley to Purbrook) accommodation works were carried out around local shops and the Christ Church to help mitigate the loss of on-road parking and access. On completion of the works the businesses affected were asked to complete a customer service questionnaire. The response to the six questions that were asked, as shown below, were used to assess the general satisfaction of each business.

Were you informed prior to works commencing?

Did you receive a letter advising of works due to commence?

Did you have reasonable access to your property?

Were the workmen courteous?

Are you satisfied with the overall appearance of the works?

In your opinion, were the works completed in a reasonable manner?

Respondents were also given the opportunity to give their own comments on any aspect of the accommodation works.

2.0 Penjar Avenue Shops

On-road parking by customers of the Penjar Avenue shops could not be maintained with the installation of a south bound bus lane along London Road. Consequently, addition off road parking was created on a small area of highway land to the side of the shops. Significant improvements have also been made to pedestrian safety at the front of the shops and the general ambiance of the area. Of the three businesses, out of a possible four, that responded all answered the six questions with a yes. They also commented on the quick and tidy working practice of the workmen and describe the `shop fronts as looking 100% better than before'.

3.0 Bushy Mead Shops

The accommodation works to the Bushy Mead shops are similar to those along Penjar Avenue. To construct a south bound bus lane in front of the shops at Bushy Mead on road parking by customers had to be prevented. This was achieved by creating off-road parking in front of the shops. Once again this was carried out in conjunction with improvements to the pedestrian safety and the general ambiance of the area. All the businesses that completed the customer service form answered the questions with a satisfied yes.

4.0 Landsdown Avenue Shops

The works to Landsdown Avenue shops were carried to improve the overall environment along the corridor rather than to accommodate the bus priority measures. Additional parking was provided to the private forecourt and improvements were made to the general ambiance of the area. Of the six businesses, out of a possible eight, that completed the customer service form all answered the six questions with a yes. Under the general comments the works were described by one shop keeper as an `excellent job'.

5.0 Christ's Church

In order to retain parking lay-bys in front of the church, and to maintain a reasonable footpath, the church has dedicated part of the unused graveyard for highway use. To support the graveyard a new flint retaining wall was constructed.

6.0 Other Accommodation Works

Accommodation works have also been undertaken for the allotments, Purbrook Horticultural Society and local farmers. These were not included in the questionnaires but it is felt that similar positive responses would be provided if they had been.

7.0 Conclusion

All the accommodation works along the A3 corridor have been a success, both in satisfying the bus priority design and in improving the parking facilities, pedestrian safety and the general environment of the area. Every returned customer service questionnaire has be positive and have shown that the businesses affected by these scheme are satisfied with the pre design consultation, construction and final appearance of all the works.