Contact: Tim Barton, ext 6596 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 A proposal for a link road in Hythe, linking New Road with St John's Street through a car park is currently safeguarded in the New Forest District Local Plan, along with an allocation in the capital programme.

1.2 One of the main reasons for building the link road was to accommodate extra traffic that was predicted at the time would be generated by housing development on the former Dreamland site. The site is now largely complete but the increase in traffic has been less than predicted.

1.3 Through observations, officer discussion and traffic monitoring the conclusion has been reached that it is not necessary to build the link road, and therefore it will be recommended to the Executive Member for Environment to be removed from the capital programme. It should also be recommended to New Forest District Council that the safeguarding should be removed from the Local Plan, at an appropriate time.

2. Background

2.1 The attached report assesses the need for the proposed link road in Hythe, New Forest. The road would link St John's Street and New Road, using part of St John's Street car park. The report does this by setting out the context for the link road. This includes statutory plans, the Dreamland development proposal, transport conditions and proposed transport improvements within Hythe centre. The report also sets out how contributions for the link road could be spent if it is decided not to proceed with building the new road.

3. The Link Road Proposal

3.1 There has been a lot of development along the waterside at Hythe in recent years. One of the largest developments has been on the former Dreamlands site, off Shore Road. The link road was originally proposed to accommodate the additional traffic that it was predicted that the new developments would generate. It was proposed that the traffic would use

the link road rather than the northern part of South Street to access Southampton Road. This would alleviate the concerns of residents of South Street that they would experience higher traffic volumes along this road.

3.2 In addition, if the link road was built, it would then be possible to close The Marsh/New Road/High Street junction. This could improve pedestrian safety and amenity on The Marsh, and also make the best use of the link.

4. Review

4.1 A review of the evidence suggests that increased traffic volumes as a result of the new developments have not occurred as predicted. Traffic volumes on South Street from before the Dreamland development commenced are actually higher than those recorded in 2002, when the development was partially constructed. New surveys are being carried out to determine the number of trips emanating from the new development to gain an up to date indication of traffic flows on South Street. The current road network operates within capacity and government policy suggests new road construction should be the last, not first solution sought.

4.2 It is likely that South Street would need to be severely traffic calmed or even made no through in order to persuade people to use the link road rather than South Street.

4.3 The link road would remove up to 73 parking spaces from the car park, which would have a major impact on the possible size of the market, held in the car park every Tuesday.

4.4 Closing The Marsh/St John's Street/High Street junction is key in gaining full benefit from the link road. Investigations have found that closing this junction would be problematic due to two adjacent private car parks and the need to provide a turning circle for heavy goods vehicles in a pedestrian preference zone.

4.5 Financially, more money than is currently within the capital programme (£275,000 plus fees) would be needed to complete the link road. Additionally, extra funds would be needed to close The Marsh/St John's Street/High Street junction, although this has not been costed.

5. Developer Contributions

5.1 As an alternative to the link road, proposals could be targeted at promoting safety for cyclists and pedestrians and to encourage the use of public transport within the local area. Such schemes could include:

(i) financial contribution toward the proposed link between The Pier and Promenade;

(ii) provision of a crossing facility (type to be determined) along South Street;

(iii) rationalisation of the accesses into The South Street Centre from two to one;

(iv) provision of a crossing facility (type to be determined) along St John's Street in the vicinity of the Parish Council offices;

(v) a footpath link to the northeast of St John's Street and improved pedestrian facilities to the Promenade;

(vi) review (with a mind to increase) the provision of disabled parking bays within the car parks;

(vii) improve pedestrian access between Dreamland and the centre of Hythe; and

(viii) improved pedestrian/cycling facilities at the rear of The Marsh/High Street/St John's Street junction. To include reallocation of road space to pedestrians.

5. Conclusion

5.1 The proposal to build Hythe link road is no longer needed. The increase in traffic as the result of the Dreamland development has been less than expected and the network is still working within capacity. Through observations, traffic monitoring and officer discussion it has been concluded that it is not necessary to build the link road. Therefore it will be proposed that the link road be removed from the capital programme and its safeguarding removed from the New Forest District Council Local Plan.

5.2 It is intended to advise the Executive Member for Environment and New Forest District Council that the link road should be deleted from the capital programme and its safeguarding removed from the New Forest District Council Local Plan at the appropriate time.

Recommendations

1. That this report be noted.

2. That the Executive Member and New Forest District Council be advised of the Panel's views on the future of the link road.

8627/TB

Attached:

Appendix: Hythe Link Road (St John's Street/New Road) (January 2004)