Archived decisions

MAJOR TRANSPORT SCHEMES

At a decision making meeting on 23 January 2004, the following provisional Major Scheme Programme (subject to Government financial support) was considered as part of the proposed Environment Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2007/08 in pursuance of Aim 2 and 3 of the Corporate Strategy (Stewardship of the environment and Achieving economic prosperity):

2004/05 South Hampshire Rapid Transit Phase 1 (SHRT1)

2005/06 Totton Town Centre

2006/07 Chickenhall Lane Link Road

2007/08 Stubbington Bypass

2008/09 Botley Bypass

An update on the current situation in respect of these schemes and the A3 Bus Priority Corridor is detailed below.

South Hampshire Rapid Transit - Phase 1 (SHRT1)

The SHRT network is a system of public transport schemes for South Hampshire. The SHRT1 project forms part of this network and will provide a Light Rail transport scheme linking Fareham, Gosport and Portsmouth. The scheme accords with the local and national need to develop sustainable transport and reduce and manage traffic growth, which has created a clear demand for public transport alternatives to car and road travel.

Currently the County Council is awaiting the outcome of its bid for major scheme funding submitted to the Department for Transport for this important project. In December 2003 a letter was received from the Government Office of the South East (GOSE) requesting that the County Council discuss with the project bidders whether an alternative risk sharing model might help to reduce overall costs. Accordingly, officers are engaged in the preparation of a response which will be submitted in the near future. Indications are that Ministers will then make a decision as soon as practicable.

Totton Town Centre

Plans for the proposed Totton Town Centre scheme have reached an advanced stage and considerable local consultation has been carried out. Therefore, it may be possible to bring this scheme forward for a bid for major scheme funding in July 2004, subject to further detailed work. The scheme is supported by New Forest District Council and Totton and Eling Town Council. In addition to transforming the pedestrian environment, it will help promote regeneration in the town. Early indications are that making a bid for Totton Town Centre in this gap year will not adversely affect the County Council's chance of achieving success for the top priority Chickenhall Lane Link Road in 2005.

It should be emphasised that if it is not possible to submit the Totton Town Centre bid in 2004, or the bid be unsuccessful, the scheme would not take precedence over the other schemes in the future Major Transport Scheme Programme.

Chickenhall Lane Link Road

As mentioned earlier, it is proposed that after SHRT1 the Chickenhall Lane Link Road remains the County Council's top priority because of the employment opportunities it will provide, together with potential associated improvements in Eastleigh. However, it will not be possible to produce a scheme in time to submit a bid for major scheme funding in July 2004; the earliest possible submission being July 2005.

Stubbington Bypass/Botley Bypass

It is proposed that Stubbington bypass and Botley bypass remain in the programme for bids in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

A3 Bus Priority Corridor

The A3 Bus Priority Corridor is a major public transportation scheme, which forms part of the SHRT network and is intended to help relieve and supplement the existing road network, provide improved accessibility and aid economic regeneration. A bid for major scheme funding was submitted to the Department for Transport in July 2002 and a decision was received in October 2003 awarding the full bid of £25.1 million for the remaining project costs from 2003/04 to 2006/07.

The County Council has a strong record for delivering effective and innovative local transport solutions and the successful outcome to this bid will allow the full programme of works to progress.