Hampshire County Council

Executive Member-Environment

9 December 2003

Project Appraisal: Halterworth and The Mountbatten Schools, Romsey - Safer Routes to School Scheme

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 7

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER-ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

HALTERWORTH AND THE MOUNTBATTEN SCHOOLS, ROMSEY - SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL SCHEME

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

MARCH 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

JUNE 2004

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2003/04

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at May 03

(at May 03

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

100

100

Fees (Consultation £30,000 Design £20,000)

50

50

150

150

Less developers/

other contributions

150

150

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

150

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

150

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £nil

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

Budget

Net current expenditure

1

0.001

Capital charges

14

0.016

TOTAL net expenditure

15

0.017

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Following a public meeting in April 2000 a steering group was set up to examine how children travel to Halterworth Primary and The Mountbatten Secondary schools, with the objective of finding ways of making the journey safer and easier for them. The aim was to encourage as many children as possible to be active and independent by walking to school on a regular basis.

Amongst the measures called for by the steering group were crossing facilities in Botley Road. In February 2002 a traffic count in Botley Road showed that between 8:00 am and 9:00 am the total traffic flow was 675 vehicles and between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm 566 vehicles. Three-quarters of Halterworth pupils who responded to a questionnaire claimed that Botley Road was the most serious danger that they faced on the way to school.

The number of pupils attending both schools is over 1,800 (Halterworth School 418, The Mountbatten School 1,417). In January 2002 720 pupils attending The Mountbatten School were brought by bus, parent, charter bus, mini-bus and taxi. In June 2002 a survey relating to pupils attending Halterworth School indicated that 49% of children walked.

Taking into account the recommendations of the steering group, proposals have been developed in consultation with the schools, the local residents, parents and the Parish Council.

The previously consulted package of traffic calming proposals for Halterworth Lane is not proposed for implementation with this Project Appraisal, pending further consideration of appropriate measures for Halterworth Lane in association with the preparation of any School Travel Plan for Halterworth Primary School.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The scheme forms part of the Safer Routes to Schools programme.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

Work will involve the installation of four pedestrian refuges in Botley Road. The road will be widened at these points to accommodate the refuges and should make crossing Botley Road in two stages easier for children and adult pedestrians. The new islands should also help to reduce speed generally along this section of Botley Road and there will also be enhanced school warning signs and flashing amber warning lights. In Whitenap Lane (outside The Mountbatten School) a short length of off-road shared cycle/pedestrian path linking Northlands Road is also proposed, to provide a safer uninterrupted route for pedestrians and cyclists along the congested link. Attached is a location plan, together with a drawing showing the detailed proposals.

Environmental Impact

The scheme will contribute to a safer and improved environment for pedestrians and vulnerable road users, in particular school children.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

Statutory Procedures

None required to implement scheme.

Public Consultation

Following the public meeting in April 2000 a questionnaire was distributed to residents to give them the opportunity to provide an input to the study and in November 2001 preliminary design work was started. This was followed by public workshops to give local people the opportunity to comment on the designs.

In June 2003 a leaflet was circulated to parents, governors and local residents. It explained the package of proposed measures and gave an opportunity for feedback. There was a 7% response and broad support for the four pedestrian refuges.

Further consultation has recently taken place with the School Governors and Headteacher of Halterworth Primary School in respect of the proposals contained in this report. At the time of writing, the outcome of their deliberations as to whether they support the proposed package of works has not been concluded.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Mrs Barron, supports these proposals.

Facilities for the Disabled

Refuge islands to improve crossing facilities and will include tactile paving.

Maintenance Implications

Special surfaces will need maintenance.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

The scheme will improve the environment for walking and may help reduce dependence on the motor car.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

To take no action on the proposals.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

Halterworth and The Mountbatten Schools Safer Routes to School proposals

Environment Department

Safer Routes to School Office,

Sheridan House

School Name

Description of Works

District and Transport Strategy Area

STP Level

Spend from 2003/04 Programme (to 25 Nov)

Total Spend to date (including previous year's funding)

Anticipated additional spend before March 2004

Bransgore Primary

Improvements to School Crossing Patrol site and junction improvements.

NFDC

NFTS

2

£1,947.13

£1,947.13

£13,000

Brookfield Community School

Within T.Policy SEHTS 02/03. School Safety Zone (WSA Feasibility study)

FBC

SEHTS

1

-

-

-

Clatford CE Primary School

Within T.Policy WHTS 02/03 Programme

TVBC

WHTS

3

£4,106.88

£4,106.88

£10,000

Fairfields Infant School, Havant

Ramp from Hayling Billy Trail to school

HBC

SEHTS

1

-

-

-

Four Marks CE Primary School

TBC

EHDC

CHARTS

3

-

-

£5,000

Frogmore Community and Potley Hill Primary Schools

Awaiting Outcome of STP but likely to be improvements to cycle crossing

HDC

NEHTS

1

-

£12,293.29

-

Fryern Junior School

Cycle shelters

EBC

SWHTS

3

£10,000

Halterworth and Mountbatten Schools, Romsey.

Within T.Policy SWHTS 02/03 Programme. Four pedestrian refuges on Botley Rd. Small section of contra-flow cycle lane on Whitenap lane.

TVBC

SWHTS

1

£17,295.51

£45,931.29

£150,000

Hatherden CE Primary

Within T.Policy WHTS 02/03 programme

TVBC

WHTS

3

-

£3,166.56

£10,000

Hiltingbury Schools

To be confirmed (by EBC)

EBC

SWHTS

3

-

-

£10,000

Hounsdown School

To be confirmed (STP / Site visit)

NFDC

NFTS

3

-

-

-

Hurstbourne Tarrant

To be confirmed (STP / Site visit)

TVBC

WHTS

3

£214.50

£214.50

£5,000

John Hanson School

Within T.Policy ATS 02/03 Programme. Cycleway (missing link)

TVBC

ATS

3

-

-

-

Lee-on-the-Solent Junior School

Crossing improvements and signing

GBC

SEHTS

3

-

-

£15,000

Liphook I & J Schools

To be confirmed (STP / Site visit)

EHDC

CHARTS

3

-

-

-

Liss I & J Schools

To be confirmed (STP / Site visit)

EHDC

CHARTS

3

-

-

-

Lydlynch Infants, Totton

Improvements to footways and signage

NFDC

NFTS

3

£515.75

£711.50

£5,000

Merdon Junior School

Cycle shelters

EBC

SWHTS

3

£5,000

Mill Rythe I & J Schools, Hayling Island

School Safety Zone, footway improvements, improved signage

HBC

SEHTS

3

£6,771.43

£7,416.68

£20,000

Netley Marsh C/E Infant School

Improved signage and highway surfacing

NFDC

NFTS

3

£20,334.02

£22,439.52

-

Newtown Soberton Infant School

Virtual footway, wig-wags and signage

WCC

CHARTS

3

£400

£7,762.22

£5,000

Orchard I & J Schools

Water Lane improvements

NFDC

SWHTS

2

-

-

-

Perins School, Alresford

Cycle shelters, possible improvements to pedestrian facilities (Jacklyns Lane)

WCC

CHARTS

3

-

-

£5,000

Petersfield Infant School

To be confirmed

EHDC

CHARTS

3

-

-

Portchester Community School

20mph School Safety Zone to tie-in with Home Zone project

FBC

SEHTS

3

-

-

£5,000

Poulner I & J Schools, Ringwood

Pedestrian improvement scheme between the schools and local shops

NFDC

NFTS

1

£10,683.18

£10,839.93

£35,000

Ridgemede School, Bishops Waltham

Possibly new section of footway on The Hangers.

WCC

CHARTS

1

£2,407.36

£2,870.61

£10,000

Ringwood School

Southampton Road gateway feature

NFDC

NFTS

1

£1,118.50

£1,118.50

£12,000

Robert May's School, Odiham

Firs Lane improvements?

HDC

NEHTS

3

-

£97.50

£2,000

Rowland's Castle St John's CE Primary School

Possibility of improved crossing facilities and footway works?

EHDC

CHARTS

3

-

-

-

Selborne Primary School

Improvements to footways / signage and highway to tie-in with wider Selborne village improvements.

EHDC

CHARTS

3

£10,652.91

£13,954.04

£40,000

Shipton Bellinger Primary School

Within T.Policy WHTS 02/03 programme

TVBC

WHTS

3

£7.52

£3,309.82

£5,000

Steep CE Primary School

To be confirmed

EHDC

CHARTS

2

-

-

-

St Anthony's RC Primary School, Titchfield Common

To be designed

FBC

SEHTS

3

-

-

£5,000

St Bede's Primary School

Cycle racks needed

WCC

WMAP

2

-

-

£3,000

St Faith's Primary School

To be designed

WCC

WMAP

3

-

-

-

St Thomas More's

Possibility of cycle racks?

HBC

SEHTS

3

-

-

-

Swanmore Secondary School

Improvements to footpaths?

WCC

CHARTS

1

-

-

-

Test Valley School, Stockbridge

Within T.Policy WHTS 02/03 Programme. New footway to tie-in with other highway works as a result of new sports hall development at school. (Eng. Cons. designing Scheme)

TVBC

WHTS

3

£34,845.33

£38,589.07

-

Thornden School

Additional signage and Winchester Rd speed reduction and cycle route feasibility

EBC

SWHTS

3

-

-

£6,000

Wellow School

To be designed (footpath improvements already implemented)

TVBC

WHTS

3

£3521

£3521

£12,000

Westfield I & J and Yateley School

School Lane 20mph School Safety Zone

HDC

NEHTS

3

£392

£593

£10,000

Woolton Hill School

To be designed

BDBC

BEST

3

£303.88

£303.88

£5,000

Wyvern School

Cycle shelters

EBC

SWHTS

3

-

-

£29,000

TOTAL

£80,706.42

£438,000

£518,706.42