Archived decisions

Contact: Brian Millen, tel: 01256 764444 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report details the programmes for:

(i) Regeneration of Older Urban Areas;

(ii) Intelligent Transport Systems; and

(iii) Bridgeworks.

2. Regeneration of Older Urban Areas

North Camp, Farnborough

2.1 The ROUA programme is working closely with the Borough Council in developing proposals for North Camp that accord with the Local Transport Plan objectives. Following a public consultation exercise in May 2003, implementation commenced in Lynchford Road and Camp Road in February 2004.

3. Intelligent Transport Systems

3.1 The Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Group 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, etc will be enhanced. Works within the current capital programme are referred to in Agenda item 13 (Progress Update on Schemes in the Capital Programme).

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 pedestrian 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, replacement, assessment and strengthening is capital funded via the Local Transport Plan, but inspections, routine maintenance and environmental maintenance of subways are revenue funded.

Maintenance

4.3 This includes regular routine items, such as vegetation and drainage clearance; repairs to accident damage; major and minor structural maintenance identified from the annual cycle of bridge inspections and 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 carry out the majority of other maintenance, though some specialist or larger schemes are awarded by tender.

Load Assessment and Strengthening

4.4 This programme was instigated by EU legislation that allowed 40 tonne lorries on our roads from 1 January 1999. The assessments are now complete and strengthening of sub-standard bridges is on-going. 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 Interfaces

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 been started. 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 it is expected the contract will be largely completed in 2004/05. Further information on individual bridges affected is given below.

2004/05 Bridgeworks Programme

4.7 This programme is still being finalised, particularly with respect to timing, and updated details will follow.

Wharf Bridge, Aldershot

4.8 Two bridges carry the A325 Farnborough Road over the Basingstoke Canal in Aldershot. A contract to strengthen and refurbish the older bridge, a single brick arch, has been awarded to Dean & Dyball. Work started on site in January and is due for completion in June 2004. The north-bound carriageway is closed for the duration of the works, with all traffic using the newer bridge. The canal is also closed at present to allow for temporary propping of the arch and is due to be re-opened in April 2004.

Aluminium Parapets

4.9 The parapets will be strengthened on nine structures in Rushmoor; seven bridges on the A331, northern Blackwater Valley Route, Farnborough and two subways in Aldershot. Overall contract preparation is under way and discussions with the relevant parties concerning programming and traffic management for individual bridges will follow.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8600/BGM