Contact: Jonathan Ryder, ext: 5162 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides a progress update on transport schemes within the 2003/04 and 2004/05 Capital Programme that have been approved for implementation in the East Hampshire area. The 2003/04 and 2004/05 programmes are set out in Appendix 1.

1.2 The funding of schemes in the Capital Programme is from the Local Transport Plan (LTP), which consists of Central Government basic credit approvals and/or external funding (EF), which is received from developers contributions.

2. Transport Capital Programme 2002/03

Petersfield Town Centre Car Park to Moggs Mead Cycles £120,000

2.1 Forming part of the Railway Station to Penns Place cycle route, this scheme will provide an off-road cycle facility between the town centre car park and Moggs Mead. The route is planned to emerge from the town centre car park access road onto College Street and into Tor Way via the Toucan crossing that was provided in 2001. The route will continue off-road along Tor Way over a new bridge at Tilmore Brook and into Moggs Mead, and give improved access for cyclists to and from the town centre, from the eastern part of the town.

2.2 Construction work commenced in February 2004 and completion is expected in May 2004.

3. Transport Capital Schemes 2003/04

The Square Liphook - Zebra Crossing - £13,000 EF

3.1 This proposal relates to the provision of a zebra crossing at the southern end of The Square in Liphook. Detailed design is complete however the District Council is currently being consulted about the landscaping works as the scheme is located within the conservation area. Once this is completed a project appraisal will be prepared for consideration by the Director of Environment. Upon approval, the scheme will be implemented early in the new financial year 2004/05.

The Causeway Petersfield - £6,000 EF

3.2 This proposal reduces the existing 40 mph speed limit to 30 mph on The Causeway, between a point near the entrance to the Tesco store and a point to the south of the Kennet Road roundabout. The scheme incorporates enhanced `gateway' features to help raise driver awareness when entering the new speed limit from the south. The new speed limit was operational from 1 March 2004.

Horndean School Stage 3 - £53,000 EF

3.3 This proposal forms a package of localised improvements in the Catherington Lane area, which include minor footway improvements and traffic management measures. The footway improvements at the junction of Catherington Lane and Crouch Lane, and at the junction of White Dirt Lane and Southdown Road were implemented in the summer of 2003. The proposed traffic management measures include work at the junction of Catherington Lane with White Dirt Lane, Catherington Hill and Downhouse Road, and generally on the Catherington Lane and White Dirt Lane routes. Initial investigation work for the proposed measures has been completed and preliminary design work is progressing. The proposals incorporate minor traffic calming measures, which will take the form of revised road marking layouts, improved warning signs and coloured surface treatments. The scheme will also incorporate Safer Routes to School initiatives following the recent completion of a School Travel Plan by Catherington Infant School. Measures associated with this include the provision of a courtesy crossing point to help pedestrian movements between the school and the car park on the opposite side of the road, together with consideration for a new pedestrian access into the car park.. A new footway link is also proposed between the All Saints Church car park and Lych Gate. Enhanced school signing with flashing amber lights are also proposed. Consultation is being undertaken with the Parish Council and the scheme is expected to be implemented in the early summer.

Whitehill and Bordon Buses and Cycles - £40,000 EF

3.4 This refers to a developers contribution which is specific to the provision of new footpath links, new bus shelters, footpath signage and cycle route signage in the area. Two sections of footway on Conde Way were specified, one on the north side between Garnett Road the point where the footpath emerges from Pinehill Road, and on the south side between the bus stop opposite Chase Hospital and York Close. Both sections of footway have been completed. Three bus shelters are proposed, one at Conde Way near Norman Close, one on Conde Way near the Fire Station, and one at Chalet Hill, near the junction with Varna Road. The bus shelters have been ordered and installation is expected in March. The agreed pedestrian route signage incorporates signing of the route from York Close to the Forest Shopping Centre, and to same from Conde Way via the Garnet Road to Pinehill Road walkway.

Hylton Road Traffic Calming - £55,000 LTP, £20,000 EF

3.5 Forming part of the 20 mph zone for the historic core of Petersfield the traffic calming scheme includes vertical traffic calming features and aims to help contain vehicle speeds and improve conditions for pedestrians, especially in the vicinity of the Petersfield Infant School. The scheme was substantially completed in September 2003, however electrical connections to illuminated traffic signs are expected shortly.

4. Transport Capital Programme 2004/05

4.1 CHARTS Village Initiative Schemes - £60,000

(i) Steep - Traffic management enhancements consisting of enhanced traffic signing, carriageway markings, a new `gateway' feature at the existing entry point to the 40 mph speed limit on Stoner Hill, a section of new footway near Bedales School on Church Road, and three new passing places on the narrow lanes in the area. Initial design work and consultation with the Parish Council has commenced and the works are anticipated to be implemented during the late summer of 2004. Additional funding for this scheme will be provided from a combination of the Traffic Management revenue budget, the Safer Routes to School programme and the Parish Partnership programme.

(ii) Clanfield - A preliminary design for a new pedestrian refuge on Chalton Lane has been prepared. The refuge will be located near the junction with Sunderton Lane, and will aid pedestrian crossing movements between the residential area and the park and pavilion on the north side of Chalton Lane. The refuge will also contribute to vehicle speed management on Chalton Lane. Detailed design and safety audit are being progressed.

(iii) Kingsley - this scheme consists of traffic management enhancements on the B3004 Forge Road, which include traffic signing improvements, the provision of a `gateway' treatment at the existing speed limit entry points to the village, localised coloured surfacing treatments, and the provision of two uncontrolled pedestrian crossing points. The proposals are at a detailed stage of design and are expected to be implemented from the summer of 2004 onwards. Additional funding for this scheme will be provided from a combination of the Traffic Management revenue budget and the Parish Partnership programme.

(iv) Lindford - It is proposed to provide an additional pedestrian refuge and revised road marking layouts on the B3004 Liphook Road in Lindford. The refuge is planned to be located by the shops at Elmfield Court, and will aid pedestrian crossing movements here. Another refuge has already been provided near the junction with Mill Chase Road. The combination of measures are expected to improve speed management in the village. Additional funding for this scheme will be provided through the Parish Partnership programme.

Alton Town Centre - £100,000

4.2 This scheme is expected to achieve funding over two programme years, with £100,000 allocated in 2004/05, and further funding anticipated in 2005/06. A public consultation exercise was carried out in November 2003 which identified a number of transport related issues raised by Alton residents and stakeholders. Analysis of the results, carried out in January 2004, revealed local concern that focused primarily on pedestrian and disabled access; traffic congestion (primarily in the vicinity of the A339 Whitedown Lane/Basingstoke Road); and the general availability of bus and train services. An accessibility audit of Alton Town Centre is proposed to be undertaken in spring 2004. This will be carried out with the aid of the Alton Town Council, East Hampshire District Council, Local Disabled Groups and Alton Chamber of Commerce. Upon completion of the audit a programme of improvement schemes in Alton Town Centre will be developed.

Holybourne to Four Marks Cycles Stage 3 - £75,000 EF

4.3 This proposal aims to extend the existing cycle facilities on Anstey Road from the Health Centre north-eastwards to the junction with Anstey Mill Lane. This section of Anstey Road is proposed to be provided with on road cycle lanes. A further link along Anstey Mill Lane towards the industrial estate is proposed however this is to be an advisory signed route only. Consultation with Alton Town Council and property frontagers has been undertaken, with issues raised being considered as the detailed design progresses. Implementation is expected during the summer of 2004. Further feasibility design work is being undertaken to progress the future extension of the route along Anstey Road from Anstey Mill Lane towards Eggars School and London Road, Holybourne.

Fletchers Field Cycle Route Liphook - £24,000 EF

4.4 This proposal incorporates the provision of a cycle way between Fletchers Field and Portsmouth Road, in order that a route between Midhurst Road and Bohunt Community School can be developed. The proposal includes footway widening on Portsmouth Road to provide an off road facility between Fletchers Field and Churchfield Court. The route traverses third party land at Fletchers Field which unfortunately has covenants preventing the formation of a vehicular (cycle) access onto Portsmouth Road. Legal advice is currently being sought in order to progress this scheme.

Longmoor Road Liphook Cycles - £82,000 EF

4.5 This refers in part towards the provision of a grant of £10,000 to enable improved cycle parking facilities to be provided at Bohunt Community School, which have been installed. A feasibility study has also been commissioned which is investigating cycle route options along Longmoor Road from Griggs Green to Bohunt Community School and through to the eastern side of Liphook. The feasibility study report is expected to be completed shortly.

Recommendation

That Members note the progress made on schemes in the Transport Capital Programme and support the schemes approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for 2004/05.

8656/JR