AT A MEETING of FAREHAM HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL of Hampshire County Council held at The Civic Offices, Fareham Borough Council, Fareham on Wednesday, 3 March 2004.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); J.V. Bryant; Mrs D.R. Harrison; T.G. Knight;

R. H. Price.

Fareham Borough Council

Councillors: P. J. Davies; A. Mandry; D.J. Murray; D.C. S. Swanbrow; Mrs K.K. Trott; Mrs Godrich

49. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

50. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the addition of Councillor J.V. Bryant's name to those in attendance.

51. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported that the Environment Department's Highways web site was now operational. Members of the public would now be able to report defects
on line.

52. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

53. REVISED ROLES OF THE PANELS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) which considered the revised roles of the Panels, the scope of the new Highway and Transport Advisory Panels and their relationship with the area transport panels.

Members' attention was drawn to the revised terms of reference for the Highway and Transport Advisory Panels. The Panels would have greater responsibility for advising the Executive Members for Environment and Spatial Strategy on the implementation of all transports schemes. The Chairman emphasised the importance of the role of the Panels in influencing the Capital Programme, from inclusion and commencement, and through the monitoring process to ultimate delivery. He was concerned that no member nominations had been received from the Local Strategic Partnership, as he considered their contributions necessary when considering the county's plans.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

54. ALLOCATION OF THE HIGHWAY STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE BUDGET AND ASSESSMENT OF HIGHWAY CONDITION

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which outlined the process for allocating the highway structural maintenance budget using current condition measurement techniques, and summarised the indicators used for assessing the condition of the network.

The Director of Environment explained that the County Council had historically used the Highway Assessment of Maintenance Priorities (HAMP) a visual assessment scheme to prioritise individual schemes for structural maintenance. The higher rated schemes indicated a greater need for maintenance. Inclusion of the lower rated schemes in the programme of works was dependent upon the budget allocation. New systems had started to be developed and in future these would allow the authority to assess the condition of the entire network and make comparisons with other authorities.

In response to Members' concerns about patching carried out by contractors, the Chairman advised that standards were improving. Members were asked to supply details of any problems to the Chief Engineer, as a consistently poor standard of work would be borne in mind when contracts were awarded in the future. It was noted that the Utility companies were legally entitled to take up to two years to make final repairs. This situation was currently being reviewed by the Government.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

55. HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE PROGRAMMES 2003/04 AND 2004/05

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) which informed Members of the progress made on the 2003/04 Highway Maintenance Programme and the details of the Highways Maintenance Programme and Budget for 2004/05.

Councillor M. Mandry declared an interest being a resident in Crofton Lane, Fareham.

The Director Environment introduced the report and circulated details of the Footway Surface Dressing programme for 2004.

The following points arose during the course of discussion:

· It was noted that the revised allocation figure in Appendix I should have read £1,802,000 not £1,794,000 as stated.


· In response to concerns about worn road markings Members were assured that works were to start very soon, the delay had been due to the wet winter.


· Members were informed that the budget figure for hazard clearance was based on weighted mileage and on the importance of the roads within the area. It was unable to reflect the extent of the hazards which could be encountered. For this reason the Chief Engineer had delegated powers to via funds to meet those needs. It could however affect other budgeted provisions.


· Members were advised that a report was awaited concerning the Pennington Way Scheme. Work on limited patching would go ahead to ensure safety as the assessment of the condition of the road is likely to indicate a need for major reconstruction.


· It was agreed that Laburnam Road, included in the footway surface dressing list, be amended to read the section up to Farrier Road. The work up to the cul-de-sac having previously been carried out.

RESOLVED:

That the progress on the Transport Capital Programme schemes for 2003/04 be noted and that the schemes approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for 2004/05 be supported.

56. CAPITAL MINOR WORKS PROGRAMMES 2003/04 AND 2004/05

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the progress made with the 2003/04 Capital Minor Works Programme and on the details of the 2004/05 Capital Minor Works Programme.

After much discussion the Members indicated their preference for the Capital Minor Works Schemes in 2004/05.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the following schemes, listed in order of priority, be included in the Capital Minor Works Programme for 2004/05:

(i) A27, West Street, Portchester (£9,000);

(ii) Bridge Street, Titchfield (£10,000); and

(iii) Downend Road, Fareham (£10,000).

57. STREET LIGHTING PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the current position on street lighting maintenance, column replacement, community safety initiative and the purchase of energy from April 2004 onwards.

The Director of Environment informed the Members that 99% of street lights were on at any time, however the contractor was currently experiencing some difficulty in keeping up with the level of work and some lights were off longer than the stipulated 5 days. Members noted that the new energy contract would provide for 100% green energy and that the cost overall had increased by 20%, although this reflected the general increase in industry prices.

There were no specific schemes for column replacements in 2003/04, however there was a programme of work for 2004/05. In response to the Chairman's invitation to put forward bids for Community Safety lighting schemes, Councillor Mandry proposed Westbury Path/Westbury Road, due to it being a principal means of access to Fareham Town Centre. Details of any other bids would forwarded to the Street Lighting section.

Concern was expressed at the length of time taken to repair lights under Funtley Bridge. Officers advised that in some cases new wiring was needed and this meant that repairs took longer than usual.


RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

58. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME 2004/05

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Planning and Transportation, Fareham Borough Council (Item 10 in the Minute Book) on the traffic management programme to be undertaken by Fareham Borough Council in the Fareham area for 2003/04, covering traffic regulation orders and traffic investigation programmes.

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

The following were the main issues raised in discussion:

· It was urged that the proposed traffic regulation order for Castle Street Porchester be considered in context with other issues coming forward such as the Safer Routes to School plan for Portchester School and Castle Street School's own travel plan.


· In response concerns raised about the need to provide additional parking spaces outside local shops in Anjou Crescent, the Chairman advised that short-term parking should be considered although it was an issue for the Borough Council to consider initially.


· It was requested that the route to Orchard Lea Infant School be added to the schemes listed in Appendix 3 to the report. The Chairman advised that this should be included in the Safer Routes to School scheme.


· Concern was expressed about the addition of a pelican crossing in Highlands Road, Fareham which could exacerbate traffic problems at peak times.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

59. CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMME AND SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL CAPITAL PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the progress made on the Casualty Reduction Programme and the Hampshire Safety Camera Partnership and Safer Routes to School.

The Director of Environment explained the report and drew Members' attention to the current position regarding development of School Travel Plans by schools in the Fareham area. The Chairman was unhappy with the lack of response received from the schools which was one of the lowest for a district in the county. He urged the Members to do more to encourage schools in their areas.

Members referred to the helpful support received from the Road Safety Team which had been mentioned by those schools which had submitted travel plans.

A copy of Safety Camera Partnership Newsletter 2002/03 was circulated to Members for information.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

60. PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) which outlined the progress made on transport schemes within the 2003/04 and 2004/05 Capital Programme previously approved for implementation within the Fareham area.

The following points were raised by the Members during the course of discussion of the schemes:

(a) Officers were informed that in connection with Hill Road/Station Road, Portchester local residents had complained that the new system was not working and that the speed checks conducted before and after the introduction of the scheme had not been recorded in the same locations. The Chairman advised this was an externally funded scheme.

(b) A concern that St Margarets Lane, Titchfield would become a rat-run for through traffic.

(c) It was confirmed that the Yew Tree Bus Link, Whiteley would only commence upon the occupation of the 50^th constructed house.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

61. OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 13 in the Minute Book) on the programmes for Regeneration of Older Urban Areas, the Intelligent Transport Systems and Bridgeworks.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

62. DATE, TIME AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING OF THE PANEL

It was noted that the next meeting of the Panel would be held on Thursday, 23 September 2004 at the Civic Offices, Fareham Borough Council.

8KM37404