Archived decisions

Contact: Caroline Bonner, ext 6592 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report sets out the progress on several topics affecting the Central Hampshire Transport Strategy area, as follows:

Hampshire County Council led issues

(i) Safer Routes to School;

(ii) Hampshire Safety Camera Partnership;

(iii) Cycling;

(iv) Congestion;

(v) Winchester Park and Ride;

(vi) MIRACLES project;

Other issues, where the County Council is not the lead authority

(vii) A3 Hindhead Tunnel scheme;

(viii) South Downs National Park;

(ix) District Local Plans and Major Development Areas; and

(x) The Whitehill and Bordon Opportunity.

2. Safer Routes to School

2.1 The Safer Routes to School Programme is delivered through individual School Travel Plans. The aims of the programme are:

(i) to reduce unnecessary car trips to school and encourage parents, pupils, teachers and visitors to travel to and from schools in safer, healthier and more environmentally sustainable ways;

(ii) to improve the safety of the journey to and from school;

(iii) to reduce the number of pedestrian and cyclist casualties; and

(iv) to promote educational and practical opportunities for young people to determine changes to their own environment and travel habits and therefore raise awareness of transport, sustainability and health.

2.2 It is the County Council's intention to require all Safer Routes to School schemes from the 2004/05 financial year to be associated with the development and publication of School Travel Plans by the directly affected schools. This approach will ensure that schools as well as their pupils, parents and carers will fully benefit from the infrastructure measures installed. These include offering improved levels of child travel safety together with opportunities for increased levels of cycling, walking and passenger transport usage.

2.3 The full list of schemes comprising the 2004/05 Safer Routes to School programme has not yet been set; it will be reported to the HTAPs at their autumn round of meetings.

3. Hampshire Safety Camera Partnership

3.1 The 2002/03 Annual Review of the Hampshire Safety Camera Partnership will be made available to Members at the meeting. A report will be presented to all the Highway and Transport Advisory Panels on those cameras currently operational as well as the future installation programme. Approval has to be sought from the Department for Transport (DfT) for the placement of fixed safety speed cameras and locations have to accord fully with the Government's camera conspicuity criteria.

4. Cycling

4.1 The County Council continues to work closely with district councils to implement a programme of priority cycling facilities throughout Hampshire as part of area transport strategy delivery programmes, the casualty reduction engineering programme and in association with the Safer Routes to Schools and School Travel Plan initiatives. The County Council has forged a strong working partnership with Hampshire Cycling and the Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind, ensuring early consultation over matters of cycling strategy and subsequent scheme design and delivery.

4.2 In June 2002 the County Council launched a dedicated cycling website with the aim of providing a comprehensive one-stop shop for cycling information in Hampshire. The website includes information on routes, events, publications and safety, with a facility for free downloading of route information and maps. The site is constantly evolving and improvements to the content and navigation are planned for 2003/04. The number of visitors to the homepage is currently around 2,000 each month.

5. Congestion

5.1 Traffic congestion has been growing as a consequence of increased car ownership and car usage in recent years. Recent studies have shown that traffic levels in Hampshire are continuing to grow (2% per year on Motorways and Trunk Roads and 1% per year on Local (county) roads). While motorways and trunk roads are controlled by the Highways Agency it is clear that the two road systems should not be managed in isolation. Congestion in Hampshire is found:

(i) on motorways and trunk roads;

(ii) on approaches to motorways and trunk roads; and

(iii) in and approaching urban areas.

5.2 The DfT recognises congestion (together with access to services, safety and air quality) as a major issue to tackle in the next Local Transport Plans (LTPs) to be submitted in 2005. It will invite authorities to set out its plans to address congestion including through capacity improvements and measures to reduce car use (by encouraging public transport, walking and cycling, travel plans, behavioural change and demand management). The DfT is going to release information derived from vehicles using Geographical Positioning Systems to allow objective monitoring of congestion to be introduced and used in the formulation of LTP proposals.

5.3 In the shorter term officers have carried out initial studies into perceived congestion hotspots. The assessment of these problems will be addressed in the LTP and Area Transport Strategy development programmes.

6. Winchester Park and Ride

The Vision

6.1 Park and Ride reduces the need for people to drive to the central area by providing parking at the periphery. This supports the philosophy of the Winchester Movement and Access Plan (WMAP) where people are given priority over traffic movement and the unique character of the city is preserved.

6.2 In terms of parking it is envisaged that:

(i) Park and Ride facilities are available at several locations including Bar End, Bushfield and Winnall;

(ii) short stay parking spaces are available for shoppers;

(iii) it is priced to penalise gross polluting vehicles;

(iv) some car parks in the central area are redeveloped for other uses; and

(v) revenue from parking is used to support transport schemes.

6.3 The vision seeks to provide an improved city centre with less traffic where:

(i) reliability of bus services is improved with lower levels of traffic, supported by the latest information;

(ii) bus emissions are at an acceptable level;

(iii) air quality is improved substantially and the Air Quality Management Area is removed;

(iv) streets can be redesigned with wider footways; and

(v) more cycle facilities can be accommodated to encourage cycling to work and school.

The Park and Ride Strategy

6.4 Reducing traffic movements in the central area is a fundamental element of WMAP. This necessitates a reduction in long stay parking capacity. In turn, this will only be acceptable if alternative long stay parking is provided at the periphery with Park and Ride. Government guidance including PPG13 supports Park and Ride development as one element of an integrated transport strategy that addresses transport problems in urban centres.

6.5 Removal of long stay parking capacity in the city centre will create opportunities to develop other measures within WMAP such as improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users while improving the environment and supporting the local economy. Space currently occupied by long stay parking will be converted to short stay spaces or used for other purposes.

6.6 The overall strategy for Park and Ride, having now completed the facility at Bar End, is to meet further demand from the south/south-east corridor in the Bushfield area and then consider other locations to the north-east and the north. This approach was substantiated by studies which indicated that the largest potential market for Park and Ride is to the south of the city (M3 corridor/Eastleigh/Chandler's Ford/ Southampton).

6.7 The location of Park and Ride sites is highly significant in terms of attracting users and achieving the greatest possible benefits. Clearly there are constraints on site availability in terms of planning requirements, size, visual intrusion, ownership, access and landscape which need to be considered. Funding is required from the WMAP capital programme and/or external sources to construct the sites. It is anticipated that in the longer term Park and Ride will be financially viable with parking revenue being used to support the bus services.

Bus Priority Measures

6.8 Park and Ride buses from Bar End currently use the former railway line and link to Chesil Street (restricted to buses only before 0900). For a site in the Bushfield area, Park and Ride buses could serve the Romsey Road corridor where considerable demand exists from major employers. A bus lane could be considered between the Sainsbury roundabout at Badger Farm and Oliver's Battery Road to improve journey times for both Park and Ride buses, the high frequency Service 5 and other services. A bus lane exists at and from Pitt Roundabout that would be used by Park and Ride, Service 5 and other buses. The proposed traffic signals at the Romsey Road/Chilbolton Avenue junction, to be considered at the Winchester Highway and Transport Advisory Panel on 23 March 2004 would improve traffic flow and hence reduce delays to buses. The Park and Ride route could serve the railway station and then return to avoid incurring delays in the city centre. From Winnall a direct service using Easton Lane/Wales Street would provide both for Park and Ride users and also for people working and shopping in the Winnall area. Further priority measures at signals could be achieved in the central area when traffic levels are reduced that would benefit both Park and Ride and other buses.

7. MIRACLES Project

7.1 Winchester's involvement in the European CIVITAS (City Vitality Sustainability) programme commenced in February 2002 to run for four years. Winchester is in partnership with Rome, Cork and Barcelona; stakeholders in the project include the County Council, Winchester City Council, Atkins, the Meteorological Office, the University of Southampton and Stagecoach. The MIRACLES project ((Multi Initiatives for Rationalised Accessibility and Clean Liveable EnvironmentS) stems from the CIVITAS initiative.

7.2 The main aim is to introduce demonstration projects to improve energy efficient transport and encourage a shift from motorised to non-motorised transport. It is therefore closely linked with WMAP and Clear Zones.

7.3 A number of measures are being implemented in the City, these are:

(i) establishing a city centre Clean Zone by identifying and discouraging `gross polluting vehicles';

(ii) demonstrating flexible parking policies, providing discounts to environmentally friendly vehicles;

(iii) improving bus service quality, through a quality bus partnership and improved information;

(iv) introducing a bike-about (cycle hire) scheme;

(v) conducting a sustainable transport awareness programme and media campaign;

(vi) introducing new concepts for the distribution of goods, including unattended delivery solutions;

(vii) introducing improved network management and multi-modal traffic and travel information;

(viii) cleaning up public transport vehicle emissions;

(ix) reducing the emissions of public vehicle fleets, and

(x) demonstrating cleaner, more environmentally friendly vehicles to local businesses.

7.4 A progress report on MIRACLES was submitted to the former Winchester Highway Management Advisory Panel on 3 November 2003.

8. A3 Hindhead Tunnel Scheme

8.1 The A3 Hindhead Tunnel Scheme refers to a Highways Agency proposal for a new trunk road and tunnel to bypass the village of Hindhead and remove traffic from the Devil's Punch Bowl. The majority of the published scheme (including the new grade separated junction and the twin tunnels) falls within Surrey. The only section of the scheme in Hampshire is the southern part of the route which involves new slip roads to connect to the new southern interchange. The implications for Hampshire will be the need to address the routeing of traffic to and from the southern interchange and to come forward with off-route traffic management proposals for the local roads in Grayshott Parish north and south of the scheme.

8.2 On 13 January 2004 a report (see attached Appendix 1) to the Executive Member for Environment agreed the following decisions:

"That the Highways Agency be informed that the County Council:

(i) has no objection to the Draft Orders for the A3 Hindhead bypass scheme for that part of the route which lies in Hampshire subject to the agreement of any necessary off-route traffic management measures; and

(ii) welcomes the Highways Agency's assistance in designing and funding any necessary off-route traffic management measures and will pursue the issue of the future of A3 Ham Barn roundabout."

8.3 The Draft Orders for the scheme were published in October 2003 and a Public Inquiry will be held in summer 2004.

9. South Downs National Park

9.1 Following the announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister in autumn 1999 about the Government's intentions to designate two new National Parks, one in the South Downs and the other in the New Forest, the designation process is well under way.

9.2 The Public Inquiry into the proposed South Downs National Park commenced on 10 November 2003 and is likely to continue through to September of this year. A decision is not expected until early in 2006. Attached as Appendix 2 is the map that sets out the proposed boundary for the National Park.

9.3 On 15 December 2003 the County Council's Cabinet announced its intentions that the County Council will play a full and active part in the future management of both the proposed National Parks. Although the main business of the National Parks will focus on land and people management, it is inevitable that access and transport issues will be a main point of debate between the new National Park Authorities and the County Council.

10. District Local Plans and Major Development Areas

Winchester District Local Plan Review

10.1 The Winchester District Local Plan Review was placed on deposit in Autumn 2001 and a Revised deposit version was published in May 2003. The Local Plan Inquiry is programmed to commence on 11 May 2004 and is expected to continue for the rest of 2004. The Council published Pre-Inquiry Changes in January 2004, with a closing date for comments of 23 February.

10.2 There was a small number of objections to the Local Plan's Transport Chapter. However, there are many 'omission' sites being promoted by developers, some of which raise transportation issues. In addition, transportation issues are the subject of large numbers of objections both in relation to the West of Waterlooville Major Development Area (MDA) and the Winchester City (North) reserve MDA.

10.3 In relation to the reserve MDA site north of Winchester, an outline planning application for Barton Farm, on this site, is expected to be submitted to Winchester City Council soon and will propose the following:

(i) provision of 2,000 dwellings comprising a separate and identified neighbourhood for the City of Winchester; a local centre comprising food store and retail units; health and other community uses; business floorspace and a primary school; improvements to the highway and public transport network; formal and informal recreation and amenity space;

(ii) the local centre will include a medical centre, post office, bank, community centre, pub, chemist and place of worship; and

(iii) access will be off Andover Road North at the junction of Harestock Road along Well House Lane, off the Andover Road North opposite The Henry Beaufort School and opposite Stoney Lane.

10.4 The housing will be a mix of densities between 30-50 dwellings per hectare with a range of 1 and 2 bed apartments, retirement homes, family homes and affordable homes interspersed throughout the development for both rent and shared ownership.

Test Valley Local Plan Review

10.5 The Revised Deposit Draft of the Test Valley Borough Local Plan Review was published for public consultation in January 2004. A Public Inquiry is programmed to start in September 2004.

10.6 The Andover MDA is identified in the Local Plan Review as two sites totalling 2,450 dwellings together with proposals for transport improvements, leisure and community facilities. The developers are preparing master plans for each site in accordance with the local plan proposals. Discussions have taken place with the developers of both sites to provisionally agree the scope of the transportation measures required.

10.7 The larger of the proposed sites is located east of Icknield Way, on the north-eastern outskirts of the town, and is designed to accommodate 1,750 dwellings together with associated social and educational facilities. The smaller site, for 700 dwellings, is at Picket Twenty, between the A3093 link with the A303 and the B3400 London Road. The package of transportation measures for the sites are aimed at encouraging alternatives to the car for local journeys in accordance with policies contained in the Test Valley Local Plan and the County Council's LTP. The consequential increase in local bus services has highlighted the need for a larger bus station in the town centre, and this has been included in the Revised Deposit Draft of the Local Plan. In addition the local plan proposes the safeguarding of land for a community rail station.

East Hampshire District Local Plan

10.8 A Public Inquiry into the East Hampshire District Local Plan Second Deposit Draft opened in April 2003 and is scheduled to finish at the end of March/beginning of April 2004.

11. The Whitehill and Bordon Opportunity

11.1 The `Whitehill and Bordon Opportunity' is an initiative, triggered by the potential release of large-scale Ministry of Defence landholdings at Bordon Garrison, to maximise the potential of this land through development of a new vision for the town of Whitehill/Bordon.

11.2 An oral update on the progress of the baseline studies will be provided at the Panel meeting.

Recommendation

That this report be noted and the progress on the various issues endorsed.

8526/CB