Contact: Richard Chinn, tel 023 80 427000 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report details the programmes for:

(i) Regeneration of Older Urban Areas;

(ii) Intelligent Transport Systems;

(iii) Bridgeworks; and

(iv) Hampshire Country Towns Initiative.

2. Regeneration of Older Urban Areas

Rumbridge Street, Totton

2.1 In partnership with New Forest District Council and Totton and Eling Town Council, the County Council has prepared long-term planning, design and management guidance for the regeneration of Totton town centre. The Regeneration of Older Urban Areas and Local Transport Plan (LTP) programmes are now preparing detailed proposals for a substantial first phase of streetscene and traffic management improvements in Rumbridge Street, Totton, utilising joint funding of approximately £1 million. It is planned to begin a programme of implementation later this year following consultation with the local community and those directly affected by the works. A scheme for the complete replacement of the existing unsightly street lighting with lantern style fittings and new columns was substantially completed in January 2004. The scheme has been designed to adoptable standards and is consistent with the overall framework.

3. Intelligent Transport Systems Group (ITS)

3.1 The Intelligent Transport Systems Group (ITS) of the Environment Department is responsible for feasibility, design, implementation, operation and maintenance of traffic control, and traffic and travel information systems throughout Hampshire. Most new implementation is funded through the Capital Programme or external funding, whilst the maintenance of the central systems and facilities on street are funded through the Revenue Budget. During 2003/04 the programme of ITS deployment throughout Hampshire has been significant and includes a large number of new traffic signals, pelican crossings, real-time bus passenger information systems, car park information systems and bus departure information systems. This has resulted in a significant increase in the scope and geographic coverage of ITS facilities in Hampshire. This increase in the deployment of ITS will mean a greater traffic and travel information service can be provided and the dissemination facilities through the media and internet will be enhanced. Works within the current capital programme are referred to in the report entitled Progress Update on Schemes in the Capital Programme, elsewhere on the agenda.

Other Work in Progress 2004/05

3.2 Periodic maintenance, including a six-monthly bulk lamp change and annual electrical inspection of traffic signal junctions and pedestrians crossings, is undertaken throughout the year. Reactive maintenance is undertaken in response to reported faults, and further works may subsequently be carried out to prevent a recurrence of the fault. Obsolete and life-expired equipment is replaced, to improve the efficiency of the system or when it is no longer cost-effective to repair.

4. Bridgeworks

General

4.1 The Bridges Section of the Environment Department is responsible for inspection, maintenance, replacement, load assessment and strengthening of all existing county highway structures, together with new structures built as part of road improvements, housing schemes and industrial developments. This includes 1,400 road bridges, 300 footbridges and numerous ancillary structures such as retaining walls and gantries.

Funding

4.2 The majority of bridge maintenance, assessment and strengthening is capital funded via the LTP, but inspections, routine maintenance and environmental maintenance of subways are revenue funded.

Maintenance

4.3 This includes regular routine items, such as:

(i) vegetation and drainage clearance;

(ii) repairs to accident damage;

(iii) major and minor structural maintenance identified from the annual cycle of bridge inspections; and

(iv) environmental maintenance of subways.

The latter covers graffiti removal and cleaning under a three year term contract with a firm called Graffiti Solutions. Raynesway Construction Southern Limited carries out the majority of other maintenance, though some specialist or larger jobs are awarded by tender.

Load Assessment and Strengthening

4.4 This programme was instigated by EU legislation that allowed 40 tonne lorries on British roads from 1 January 1999. The assessments are now complete and strengthening of sub-standard bridges is ongoing. There remain about 25 bridges subject to interim measures, such as weight limits or monitoring, that will be strengthened over the next four or five years, funding permitting.

Road/Rail Bridges

4.5 Following the Selby crash in February 2001, parapets and safety fences at road/rail interfaces, the majority of which are bridges, have been evaluated and prioritised and a rolling programme for protective measures has commenced. This will continue over several years as funding is made available.

Aluminium Parapets

4.6 The Highways Agency has identified that aluminium vehicle parapets made by BACO, installed before 1994, are not to current standards. All such parapets on county bridges have been prioritised and a contract for their replacement or strengthening is being prepared. The timing and extent of work has not yet been finalised but is expected that the contract will be largely completed in 2004/05. Further information on individual bridges affected is given in the following paragraphs.

2004/05 Schemes in New Forest

Redbridge Rail Bridge, Totton

4.7 This bridge carries the A35, Totton Bypass, over the Bournemouth/Waterloo railway line. Its east parapet was damaged in a road traffic accident and the site is at present protected by temporary concrete barriers. Design of the permanent repair is being finalised and details of timing and traffic management will follow.

Leybrook Bridge, Sandford

4.8 This bridge carries Dragon Lane, U121, over a tributary of the River Avon at Sandford. The bridge has been assessed as sub-standard with regard to load carrying capacity and the design of a replacement is underway. Work on-site is expected to start in late summer 2004 and a road closure will be needed. Further details of timing and traffic management will be provided as they are finalised.

Fordbridge, Ripley

4.9 This bridge carries London Lane, U108, over a tributary of the River Avon at Ripley. The bridge has been assessed as sub-standard with regard to load carrying capacity and the design of a replacement is underway. Work on site is expected to start in late summer 2004 and a road closure will be needed. Further details of timing and traffic management will be provided as they are finalised.

Holmsley Rail Bridge

4.10 This bridge carries the A35 over Station Road, C10, at Holmsley and is still owned by Rail Property Limited (RPL), the branch of Network Rail responsible for bridges over disused railways. Preliminary discussions are underway between Hampshire County Council and RPL about future ownership and maintenance of the bridge and reports on progress will follow.

Aluminium Parapets

4.11 Ten bridges in the New Forest area are included in the programme for aluminium parapet replacement; two on the Fordingbridge Bypass; two on the Totton Bypass; three in Marchwood; one near Cadnam; one in Brockenhurst and one near Fordingbridge. Contract preparation is underway and discussions with the relevant parties concerning timing and traffic management will follow.

5. Hampshire Country Towns Initiative

5.1 The Country Towns Initiative is a County Council programme which carries out schemes of environmental enhancement in the county's rural centres to reinforce their environmental, social and commercial attractiveness. It focuses on highways and other public areas and works in partnership with local councils and representative organisations. It brings together funding from County Council, District Council and local sources and links highways and environmental objectives and funding.

Hythe Promenade

5.2 A comprehensive renovation of this underused and run down area is planned to create a public, waterside space with improved pedestrian and highways access. A highway maintenance scheme will be undertaken at the same time to improve the approach to the promenade area using complimentary materials and finishes. In order to avoid a clash with this years Hythe festival the contract start date has been pushed back to July 2004 with an expected completion date of Christmas 2004.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8566/RJC