Archived decisions

Contact: Chris Lait, tel 01329 824485 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report outlines progress with regard to other programmes and initiatives within the Environment Department.

2. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)

2.1 This report outlines progress with regard to other programmes and initiatives within the Environment Department.

2.2 The ITS Group of the Environment Department is responsible for the feasibility, design, implementation, operation and maintenance of traffic control and traffic and travel information systems throughout Hampshire. The majority of the new implementation is funded either through the Capital Programme or external funding and the maintenance of the central systems and facilities on street are revenue funded. During 2002/3 and 2003/4 there has been a significant deployment of ITS throughout Hampshire including a large number of new traffic signals and pelican crossings, real time bus passenger information, car park information systems and bus departure information systems etc.

2.3 This is an update on the ITS works identified for Havant during 2003/04:

(i) new puffin crossing at Stakes Road, Purbrook, installation in March 2004;

(ii) new dual puffin crossing at Petersfield Road, Havant, installation in March 2004;

(iii) possible developer funded puffin crossing at Church Road, Hayling Island, installation date not known;

(iv) closed circuit television (CCTV) links between the traffic and travel information centre in Winchester and the Havant CCTV security system to provide seven views for traffic monitoring purposes, completion October/November 2003; and

(v) a bus departure information system (BDIS) to be installed as part of improvements package at Havant Bus Station with likely installation early 2004/05 but funded in 2003/04.

2.4 The following ITS schemes form part of the A3 Quality Bus Partnership elsewhere on the agenda and are subject to progress on the scheme and the outcome of the major scheme bid:

(i) seven dual purpose CCTV cameras (security and traffic monitoring);

(ii) alterations to the traffic signal junctions at A3 Maurepas Way and St George's Walk;

(iii) conversion of pelican to puffin crossing at London Road, Purbrook;

(iv) new puffin crossing at Mill Road, Havant;

(v) new traffic signalled bus gate at Purbrook; and

(vi) bus priority facilities at the existing traffic signals at Rockville Drive, Waterlooville.

3. Casualty Reduction Programme

3.1 The 2003/04 safety programme consists of 62 schemes throughout the county, totalling approximately £1,100,000. Appendix 1 shows the list of schemes with the current position for the Havant area.

Hampshire Safety Camera Partnership

3.2 Installation of fixed speed cameras is progressing well, with cameras operational at the following sites:

(i) B3037 Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh;

(ii) Highlands Road, Fareham;

(iii) A337 Setley, New Forest; and

(iv) A32 Gosport Road, Fareham.

3.3 The site at A35 Totton Causeway is scheduled for completion by the end of October. However, technical difficulties with the proposed site on A325 at Holt Pound, East Hampshire now mean it is likely to be implemented using speed reactive signing rather than a new fixed camera, supplementing the existing mobile camera enforcement that takes place there.

3.4 Approval has been received from the Department for Transport for further fixed cameras and, subject to further analysis, these will be installed this financial year, at:

(i) A3090 Crampmoor, Romsey;

(ii) B3333 Marine Parade, Lee-on-the-Solent;

(iii) A36(T) West Wellow; and

(iv) A339 North East of Wootton, Basingstoke.

3.5 This year, new mobile safety camera routes have been introduced at:

(i) A30 Blackwater;

(ii) A30 Hook;

(iii) A339 Lasham; and

(iv) Grange Road, Gosport.

Further routes are proposed, subject to final analysis of the most recent casualty records, at:

(i) B3272 Yateley;

(ii) B3272 Hawley Lane, Farnborough;

(iii) Petersfield Road, Havant;

(iv) New Road, Havant; and

(v) A272 Privett.

3.6 An analysis of accidents on existing Hampshire mobile safety camera routes for the year to the end of March 2003 showed a decrease of 11% in personal injury collisions. Initial reductions on new routes can be expected to be well in excess of this level.

4. Safer Routes to School Programme (SRTS)

4.1 Appendix 2 outlines the 2003/04 Safer Routes to School programme. A number of schemes were carried forward from the 2002/03 programme following the adjustments which were required to the capital programme to keep within the 2002/03 spending limits.

4.2 Following the capital programme review of December 2002, the Safer Routes to Schools budget was reduced from £500,000 to £100,000. This made it necessary for a number of schemes that were still in the design stage to be carried forward to the 2003/04 financial year. These schemes are now being progressed alongside new schemes associated with School Travel Plans.

5. Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Programme

Havant Railway Station

5.1 After a period of some uncertainty about the availability of external funds, a partnership approach to environmental improvements on the north side of the station is again being discussed with South West Trains. Subject to final agreement, the scope of work will be as previously reported to the Panel, with the addition of significant refurbishment that the operator is proposing to bring forward as part of their match funding contribution.

Town Centre, Havant

5.2 The Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) 2003-2005 programme includes a budget allocation of £50,000 for technical studies in Havant town centre. Havant town centre is in need of investment to secure its role as an important destination for residents and visitors alike. Significant levels of expenditure are planned for public transport provision. However, it is critical that this sets the benchmark for future developments in terms of high quality and appropriateness. Currently, the complex nature, ownership and issues in this area do not provide the necessary certainty, or support, for the long term, high quality investment that the ROUA programme would wish to see come forward. The funding will assist the borough, and emerging partner organisations including the South East England Development Agency, in developing high quality and appropriate proposals for this area that will support social, economic and environmental regeneration, and provide the framework for potential environmental improvement projects.

6. 2003/04 Bridge Works Programme

6.1 As previously reported, the Bridges Section of the Environment Department is responsible for inspection and maintenance, load assessment and strengthening of all existing county highway structures, as well as new structures built as part of road improvements, housing schemes and industrial developments. This includes 1,400 road bridges, 300 footbridges and numerous ancillary structures, such as retaining walls and gantries.

6.2 Bridge maintenance includes regular routine items, such as vegetation and drainage clearance; repairs to accidental damage; major and minor structural maintenance, identified from the annual cycle of bridge inspections, and environmental maintenance of subways.

Load Assessment and Strengthening

6.3 This programme was instigated by EU legislation that allowed 40 tonne lorries on our roads from 1 January 1999. The assessments are now complete and strengthening of sub-standard bridges is on-going. There remain about 30 bridges subject to interim measures, such as weight limits or monitoring, that will be strengthened over the next five or six years, funding permitting.

Road/Rail Bridges

6.4 Following the Selby crash in February 2001, parapets and safety fences at road/rail interfaces, the majority of which are bridges, have been evaluated and prioritised and a rolling programme for protective measures has been started. This will continue over several years, as funding is made available.

6.5 Works identified for Havant within the Bridge Works programme for 2003/04 is detailed in Appendix 3.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8329/CL

APPENDIX 2

Safer Routes to School Programme 2003/04

Schemes in Havant Borough

APPENDIX 3

Bridge Works Programme 2003/04 - Havant

St Clare's Avenue South Subway

This subway has been infilled recently and a traffic calming and safety scheme has been installed on the road over the subway. Now that this work is complete, the existing temporary weight limit on the subway will be lifted.

Farringdon Road Bridge

This bridge, at present subject to a temporary weight limit, is to be replaced, with a start programmed for January 2004. Precast concrete beams are being used to reduce the construction period and minimise traffic management.

Havant Station Footbridge

This footbridge, jointly owned by Network Rail and Hampshire County Council, links the housing and commercial areas to the shopping centre and station and is in need of both structural and environmental maintenance. Due to its size and location over the railway this maintenance will be expensive and difficult, and discussions on details, programming and finance are ongoing between the County Council, Network Rail and Havant Borough Council. These discussions have also involved David Willetts MP, and County and District Councillors.

As the work necessitates railway possessions, the earliest date for starting on-site is 2005/06. No funding has yet been identified.

Langstone Bridge, carrying A3023, Hayling Island

Concrete Repairs Limited has just completed the contract for strengthening, parapet replacement and minor widening of this 300 metre multi-span bridge.

The first phase of the work, the west side, ran from March to October 2002 and the second phase, the east side, from March to September 2003.

The work was carried out mainly from scaffolding under the bridge to minimise traffic disruption, with lane closures restricted to overnight.

Havant North Street Bridge

This culvert, of varying types of construction, runs for approximately 260 metres under Prince George's Street, North Street and Elm Lane in Havant town centre. A recent inspection, by a specialist `confined spaces' team, identified numerous areas in poor condition and it is planned to start repairs to these in 2004/05.

Extensive local consultations will be undertaken on the programming and traffic management for the work, particularly with regard to bus diversions associated with the refurbishment of Havant Bus Station.

Stockheath Road Subway

This subway under Stockheath Road has recently been fire-damaged by vandals. Cleaning and concrete repairs are currently underway and repainting of the newly applied mural will follow.