Contact: Peter Bayless, ext 6882 email: peter,[email protected]

Peter Eade, Tel: 01256 360093 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)

The following is an update on the traffic control schemes in Basingstoke and Deane:

(i) two new toucan crossings at Hatchwarren and The Golden Lion, completion due in Autumn 2003;

(ii) new pedestrian phases on lights at the junction of Worting Rd and Essex Rd works due to start in December 2003;

(iii) puffin crossing on Hackwood Rd. Completed September 2003;

(iv) new signalized junction on A30 at Southwood Corner. Works due Autumn 2003;

(v) new Toucan Crossing point on Worting Road by Greenway FB

(including TRO and Traffic Management to reduce speed limit

on Worting Road to 40mph);

(vi) new signalized crossing and subway infill across New Road (Castons Yard) Works due Spring 2004; and

(vii) ongoing study of traffic signals on Victory Roundabout.

3. Casualty Reduction Programme and Safety Cameras

3.1 The 2003/04 Casualty Reduction Programme consists of 62 schemes throughout the Hampshire, totalling approximately £1,100,000. The attached appendix shows the list of schemes with the current position for Basingstoke and Deane.

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 A32 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.

(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.

(iv) Grange Road, Gosport.

3.6 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.

(v) New Road, Havant.

(vi) A272 Privett.

3.7 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. Reductions on new routes can be expected to be similar to this level.

4. Hampshire Country Towns Initiative (HCTI)

4.1 The Country Towns Initiative is a County Council programme which carries out schemes of environmental enhancement in the county's rural centres to reinforce their environmental, social and commercial attractiveness. It focuses on highways and other public areas and works in partnership with local councils and representative organisations. It brings together funding from County Council, Borough Council and local sources and links highways and environmental objectives and funding. The current scheme in the Basingstoke and Deane Borough is Tadley Town Centre where linkage is between HCTI and the major highway maintenance scheme which is proposed for August 2004. Details of the HCTI follow up are not yet available but will be included in the next HMAP report.

5. Bridge Works

5.1 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.

5.2 The majority of bridge maintenance, assessment and strengthening is capital funded via the Local Transport Plan (LTP), but inspections, routine maintenance, footbridges and environment maintenance of subways are revenue funded.

5.3 Bridge maintenance includes regular routine items, such as vegetation and drainage clearance; repairs to accident damage; major and minor structural maintenance identified from the annual cycle of bridge inspections and environmental maintenance of subways. The latter covers graffiti removal and cleaning under a three year term contract with a firm called Graffiti Solutions. Raynesway Construction Southern Limited (RCS) carries out the majority of other maintenance, although some specialist or larger jobs are awarded by tender.

5.4 A programme of load assessment and strengthening was instigated by EU legislation that allowed 40 tonne lorries on British roads from 1 January 1999. The assessments are now complete and strengthening of substandard bridges is ongoing. About 30 bridges remain subject to interim measures, such as weight limits or monitoring, and will be strengthened over the next five or six years, funding permitting.

5.5 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 yeas, as funding is made available.

6. 2003/04 schemes in Basingstoke and Deane

Bridge Painting

6.1 A painting contract by South Coast Coatings is underway and will be completed in October 2003. This includes the parapets of the Reading Road/Rutherford Road subway and the structural steelwork on Rucstalls footbridge over Black Dam Way. The latter work will necessitate single lane traffic controlled by signals on Black Dam Way. Aldern Bridge over the River Enborne near Burghclere has also been repainted in September 2003.

Rucstalls Flyover over A30 Ringway South, Basingstoke

6.2 The feasibility study and design of a strengthening scheme for this bridge is underway, with the intention of starting on site in January 2004. This scheme will involve extensive traffic management on the A30, Ringway South, and consultations are ongoing with the Police, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire Highways, Basingstoke. Further details will be circulated once they are finalised.

Broadford No 1 bridge, Stratfield Saye

6.3 This bridge, at present subject to a temporary weight limit, carries the C80 over the River Loddon near Stratfield Saye. Design of a replacement is underway and it is intended to start work on site in January 2004. This will require a road closure, with a signed diversion route.

Courseford bridge, Plastow Green

6.4 This bridge carries the U3, Union Lane, Kingsclere to Headley road, over Kingsclere Brook at Plastow Green. The bridge has been assessed as sub-standard with regard to load carrying capacity and is being regularly monitored. The design of a replacement is underway, with work on site programmed to start in January 2004. This will require a road closure, with a signed diversion route.

Subway refurbishment

6.5 Refurbishment, including new murals, of the four subways at the Winchester Road/Ringway South roundabout has recently been completed and is also programmed for the Oakridge Road/Wateridge Road subway. This is in addition to the regular cleaning programme.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8349/PE/PB