AT A MEETING of FAREHAM HIGHWAY MANAGEMENT ADVISORY PANEL of Hampshire County Council held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday, 11 November 2003.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); J.V. Bryant; R. M. Price; Dr R. J.Ellis; T.G. Knight

Fareham Borough Council

Councillors: B. Bayford; P. J. Davies; A. Mandry; D.J. Murray (deputy for

S. Clark); Mrs K.K. Trott

36. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

37. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

38. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman advised that this would be the last of the Fareham Highways Management Panel. At his earlier Decision Day meeting as Executive Member for Environment he had agreed that the setting up of four new Area Transport Strategies. The existing Highway Management Advisory Panels would be renamed Highway and Transport Advisory Panels, and have enhanced powers with responsibility for the Capital Programme. It was intended that in addition to the current set up of Member representation, three representatives from the District Local Strategic Partnership would be appointed to sit on each of the new Panels.

39. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

40. HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE AND MINOR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMMES 2003/04

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) which outlined the progress made on the Highway Maintenance Minor Capital Works Programmes for 2003/04 and on the Highway Maintenance budget 2003/04. It was noted that the total revised revenue allocation for Fareham for the Revenue Maintenance budget is £470,000, whilst the Capital Maintenance budget and programme allocation is £1,288,000 including £324,000 from the £3.5 million additionally made available during the current year. The Director of Environment amplified the report and in response to Members' concerns about the percentage allocation of available funds he explained that funding was allocated on a needs basis. Funding for routine maintenance was allocated on a weighted mileage basis with the more heavily used roads given a higher rating. It was noted that the Highways Engineer had delegated authority to move funds around to cover any contingencies.

Attention was drawn to the lack of effective weed control during the summer months. It was explained that the weeds had to be actively growing before the contact weedkiller used by the County Council could be applied. Efforts were being made to discover more effective herbicides and to carry out weed spraying at more appropriate times.

The following points arose during the course of discussions about the report:

· Members were advised that legal advice had now been received regarding the permissions required to enable the scheme for Fisherman's Walk, Portchester to advance. Works are likely to be completed at the end of the financial year.

· no budget allocation had been made for resurfacing in the Fareham area, the rating system had identified areas of greater need elsewhere in the county.

· Members were advised that due to proposed work to be undertaken by the utilities the surface dressing of the A27 Portchester Road had been deferred until the next financial year.


RESOLVED:


That the report be noted.

41. STREET LIGHTING

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which outlined the progress on street lighting maintenance, column replacement, community safety initiative and the purchase of energy from April 2004 onwards.

Concern was expressed about inspection of street lights and the apparent level of deterioration of the columns. The Chairman advised that the Government had conceded that more money was needed to replace the lighting units. Consideration had been given to private finance initiative funding but it had been decided not to pursue this as it was unlikely to be successful and would involve considerable costs in bidding.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

42. FAREHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME 2003/04

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Planning and Transportation, Fareham Borough Council (Item 7 in the Minute Book) on the main traffic management work to be undertaken by Fareham Borough Council in the Fareham area for 2003/04, these being traffic regulation orders and traffic investigation programmes.

The Director of Planning and Transportation introduced the report and responded to Members' detailed questions.

Members concerns about the `U-turning' WickhamRoad/North Hill scheme, and suggested schemes ought to be considered within a wider context due its impact on the area north of Fareham, were noted.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

43. OTHER PROGRAMMES 2003/04

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) which outlined the progress on other programmes and initiatives within the Environment Department, in respect of Intelligent Transport Systems, the Casualty Reduction Programme the Hampshire Safety Camera Partnership, the Safer Routes to School Programme and Regeneration of Older Urban Areas programme.

Councillor Bryant declared an interest in this item as a School Governor of the Henry Cort School.

The Chairman reported that the money for the proposed externally funded Segensworth roundabout scheme was no longer available for 2004/05 as the developer was no longer interested in purchasing the land.

In response to Members' comments that mobile cameras were more effective than fixed speed cameras, the Director of Environment explained that fixed cameras were used to target particular accident spots, whereas the mobile cameras were more useful for those locations where accidents occurred over longer stretches of roads.

The Chairman urged the Members to encourage schools within their areas to submit School Travel Plans. Until such plans were submitted they would not be included in the Safer Routes to Schools programme. He stated however that in cases of local concern, risk assessments would always be carried out.

Of particular concern was the difficult journey for a large number of pupils travelling from Whiteley to the Henry Cort School at Segensworth. Officers were requested to suggest alternative routes for use by pupils linking Whiteley with Segensworth. The Chairman asked that a report be brought to the next meeting.

Attention was drawn to the lack of volunteers in some schools to manage the cycling proficiency scheme. The Chairman requested a press release be issued to help with the problem of recruitment.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That a report be brought on possible alternative routes for children
travelling from Whiteley to the Henry Cort School.


(iii) That a press release be issued to invite volunteers to manage cycling
proficiency schemes in local schools.

44. UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS OF APPROVED TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME SCHEMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) detailing progress made on transport schemes with the Capital Programme previously approved by project appraisal for implementation within the Fareham area.

The Director of Environment amplified the report and responded to individual Member concerns.

It was noted that the security arrangement for cycle storage at Fareham station was causing difficulties. The Chairman requested an officer view at the next meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

45. DEVELOPMENT CONTROL SERVICE REVIEW AND UPDATE ON DISTRICT AGENCY ARRANGEMENTS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the review of the Highways Development Control Service and an update on District Agency arrangements. Of particular note was the main change to the Section 38 Agreement arrangements that now transferred the design checking and inspection to the County Council's Hampshire Highways Offices. Discussions were continuing on grass cutting and shrub maintenance functions and delivery of some of the Capital Programme schemes.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

46. THE CONSTRUCTION OF VEHICULAR CROSSINGS FOR PRIVATE ACCESSES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) which detailed changes to the procedure for dealing with the construction of vehicular access by Hampshire Highways or an approved contractor.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

47. CONTROL OF RAGWORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on the problems associated with common ragwort and the measures taken to control the weed within the confines of the public highway within Hampshire.

The Panel noted that a highways authority the County Council had a duty to control Ragwort on roadside verges, other public highway land and that it was the responsibility of landowners to control injurious weeds on their own land.

48. DATES, TIMES AND VENUES FOR NEXT MEETINGS OF THE PANEL IN 2004

It was noted that the meetings for 2004 will be held on Thursday 11 March 2004 and Thursday 23 September 2004, both meetings to be held at the Civic Offices, Fareham Borough Council.

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