Archived decisions

Contact: Paul Turner, ext 6978 e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides a progress update on transport schemes within the 2003/04 and 2004/05 Capital Programmes that have been approved for implementation in the Basingstoke and Deane area. These are set out in the appendix.

1.2 Schemes in the Capital Programme are financed from the Local Transport Plan (LTP), which consists of Central Government basic credit approvals and/or external funding (EF) received from developers or other contributors.

2. Capital Schemes 2003/04

BEST ROUTE 1 Quality Bus Partnership (A30 and A340) £500,000

2.1 The County Council is working with Stagecoach and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to provide a reliable, accessible and realistic alternative to the private car by improving the quality of service of Basingstoke's busiest bus services. This involves infrastructure improvements to the Basingstoke bus corridor along services 1 between Baughurst and Hatch Warren via Tadley and service 6 through Winklebury. The Quality Bus Partnership with the County Council, Stagecoach and the Borough Council was agreed in August 2002. The improvements include waiting facilities, access and information at bus stops and route branding. Stagecoach has invested in newly refurbished accessible vehicles and improved frequencies along services 1 and 6.

2.2 Construction work started on site in December 2003 and will continue throughout 2004.

New Road Pedestrian Crossing £225,000

2.3 The Borough Council is evaluating the tender returns for a pedestrian crossing which will replace the existing subway in New Road. Works are to include alterations to the car park entrance, improvements to the bus stop, together with the provision of a new taxi rank. Due to traffic orders and highway extinguishment difficulties this scheme is delayed and will start later in 2004/05.

Basingstoke Real-Time Passenger Information £385,000

2.4 A contract has been awarded and factory acceptance testing for the central information system is under way with a view to establishing this during March and April. Bus tracking equipment has been ordered to trial the system prior to the deployment of the passenger information signs. The system trials are planned to take place during the summer. When the system is operational the rest of the Basingstoke Stagecoach bus fleet will be fitted with the bus tracking equipment and the passenger information signs will be deployed along routes 1 and 6.

A33 Sherfield-on-Loddon £100,000

2.5 Permanent build-outs have been installed following the temporary traffic calming trial scheme - complete.

BEST Rural Schemes £76,000

2.6 Highclere traffic calming scheme with 40 mph extension - design complete, awaiting works from contractor.

2.7 Ashford Hill traffic calming with speed restrictions and footbridges/footway - works currently in progress with foundation investigations to footbridge.

Maidenthorn Lane, North Waltham £10,000

2.8 Traffic calming at Church Road/New Tree Lane/Popham Lane junction - completed March 2003.

Worting Road/Essex Road/Sarum Hill £165,000

2.9 Construction complete. All junction approaches resurfaced with signal controlled crossings for pedestrians across all arms and provision of cycle advance stop lines.

Victory Road Roundabout £500,000

2.10 Following Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's request for further work to investigate the proposed signalisation of Victory roundabout there has been concern about the levels of traffic congestion and scheme benefits. An oral progress report will be given at the meeting. The Borough Council's views, together with those of this Panel, will be reported to the Executive Member for Environment on 7 April 2004. A site meeting with the local Residents' Association to discuss the subways improvements is to be arranged by Basingstoke and Deane officers.

2.11 The ITS facilities and schemes comprise:

(i) new traffic signals installed on the A30 at the Southwood Corner junction;

(ii) new Toucan crossing installed on Harrow Way near Golden Lion roundabout;

(iii) new Toucan crossing installed at Hatch Warren Lane;

(iv) new Puffin crossing installed at Hackwood Road;

(v) feasibility design for traffic signals at Victory Roundabout likely to be replaced with a subway improvement;

(vi) new Puffin crossing installed at the ASDA superstore in Brighton Hill Retail Park;

(vii) feasibility design for new Toucan crossing at Worting Road, Gabriel Park - scheme currently under review; and

(viii) new pedestrian facilities provided at the existing traffic signals at the Worting Road/Essex Road junction.

3. Transport Capital Programme for 2004/05

BEST Quality Bus Partnership £200,000

3.1 Continuation of bus infrastructure improvements to busiest bus services in Basingstoke (see 2003/04 scheme).

Gabriel Park to Leisure Centre Cycle Route £200,000

3.2 This scheme comprises a cycle route link from Long Cross Lane through Stratton Park to West Ham Leisure Centre with a new signal crossing on Worting Road. The Borough Council is resolving highway rights and legal issues associated with the cycle route.

A340 Aldermaston Road Roundabout (A340 Strategy) £1 million

3.3 The signalisation of this roundabout is to include maintenance resurfacing and provide for a future inbound bus lane from the A340. This scheme is currently under design in consultation with the Borough Council. A start of works on site is expected later in 2004/05 with completion in 2005/06.

A33 Rural Junctions £50,000

3.4 Local investigations have found that the Turgis Green junction on the A33 is in need of improvement. Further investigations are being made to ensure the most appropriate use for this funding.

Chineham Bus Infrastructure £20,000

3.5 Bus stop and infrastructure improvements with new shelters and bus sign poles at key locations along Stagecoach Service 2 from Basingstoke Bus Station to Chineham. Liaison with Stagecoach and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is under way to assist with the detailed design.

New Street, Contraflow Bus Lane £200,000

3.6 The provision of this contraflow bus lane in New Street, between Timberlake Road and Winton Square, using the existing carriageway will provide a new link for buses to improve reliability and journey times. Design consultation is under way with Basingstoke and Deane. A detailed plan will be displayed at the meeting.

BEST Rural Schemes £50,000

3.7 Various traffic management schemes are under discussion with local councils, including Burghclere and Kingsclere traffic calming.

Brighton Hill Roundabout - Traffic Signals £1 million

3.8 A preliminary design and cost estimate with flow modelling is under way to improve safety and traffic management with signals at this roundabout. The scheme is being developed in association with the Borough Council and may involve an additional circulatory lane, widening on the approaches and extended subway underpasses which will bear a large proportion of the costs. It may also be necessary to close the access from Western Way on to the roundabout.

A30 Kempshott Roundabout to Brighton Hill Cycle Route £150,000

3.9 This cycle route will form part of the strategic cycleway network in Basingstoke. The proposal is to utilise footpaths and pass under the A30 Winchester Road by Quilter Road. It is necessary to use the provisions of the Cycle Tracks Act 1984 to convert footpaths into shared use cycleways. This could involve extensive consultation with all interested parties.

North-West Quadrant Pedestrian and Cycle Facilities £600,000

3.10 The Borough Council is completing a Feasibility Study to identify routes and issues associated with the provision and improvement of pedestrian and cycle routes and links throughout the north-west quadrant area of Basingstoke Town.

Chiltern Primary School, Chiltern Way - Child Pedestrian Safety Measures

3.11 The present Worting Junior School site is being redeveloped and the school is due to reopen in September 2005 as Chiltern Primary School. A large number of children walk to the school and it is anticipated that this number will increase when the new school opens. For safety purposes it is proposed that a new pedestrian access be provided into the school in Chiltern Way. To ensure that these measures are put in place before the new school opens a feasibility study is under way; funding is also being negotiated with interested parties. It is envisaged that these safety works can be accommodated in the Capital Programme for 2004/05 to coincide with the new school opening.

Chineham Rail Station (Pool Scheme)

3.12 Joint Council feasibility studies and liaison work continue with the Strategic Rail Authority and Network Rail. Laing Rail is being used in a consultancy capacity to investigate previously identified timetable constraints and existing contacts within the industry will provide input to the SRA's strategic planning process. This will allow Chineham to be included in future plans for the rail network if timetable studies show that the project is feasible.

3.13 The preliminary findings are:

(i) There is no impediment in the current timetable situation to the addition of a station at Chineham. This would provide for a basic half-hourly frequency throughout the day.

(ii) Currently the service is operated by three train sets off-peak but only two in the peak (when the third one is diverted to serve the Newbury line). Any change in the present number of station stops will incur a third train set operating in the morning and evening peaks to preserve robustness of the timetable.

(iii) Inclusion in the SRA's `Single List of Enhancements' means that detailed modelling of timetable and capacity issues as part of SRA strategic studies, and specifically those relating to Reading station and possible future changes to the layout there, can be taken forward secure in the knowledge that provision can be made for Chineham.

3.14 The ITS facilities and schemes comprise:

(i) Southern Road and Cliddesden Road, near the Lamb Public House - feasibility study for new Toucan crossing;

(ii) Popley Way, Chineham Lane, Basingstoke - detailed design and specification for new traffic signals;

(iii) Winchester Road, New Street, Basingstoke - detailed design and specification for contra-flow bus lane;

(iv) design of traffic signal options for Brighton Hill roundabout; and

(v) design of traffic signals for the Winchester Road roundabout.

Real-Time Passenger Information (RTPI) under BEST 2004/05

3.15 Installation of the central system and trialling of system and on-bus equipment. Proven system will then be installed in the rest of the Basingstoke Stagecoach fleet and electronic signs will be deployed at bus stops on routes 1 and 6.

Bus Departure Information System (BDIS) 2004/05

3.16 Information display screens are being installed at locations in Basingstoke. Two screens showing summaries will be installed at the North Hampshire Hospital and at Basingstoke train station, whilst 16 screens (bus stand specific) will be installed at Basingstoke bus station. The works are funded through the Basingstoke Bus Quality Partnership.

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.

8517/PST

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