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 Winchester district area. These are set out in the attached 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. Transport Capital Schemes 2003/04

Bishops Waltham Village Centre - £46,000

2.1 This scheme includes a change of priorities at the junction of Bank Street and Free Street, together with improvements to aid pedestrians. The layout of these measures has been trialled using temporary materials, which has identified problems with a section of footway build-out on the south side of Bank Street, where limited visibility has made use of the priority system difficult for drivers. It is now proposed that the successful change of priority at the Bank Street/Free Street junction is made permanent and that the build-out on the south side of Bank Street is removed. It is also proposed to undertake a further trial of a revised pedestrian provision on the north side of Bank Street, with the aim of improving conditions for pedestrians. A works order has been issued and a start date is currently being arranged with a contractor.

Bar End Park and Ride Extension Winchester - £3.2 million EF

2.2 A scheme to extend the St Catherine's park and ride car park from 140 spaces to 590 spaces over land that was formerly part of the A33 Winchester by-pass. This, together with the 190 spaces available at the Barfield car park, brings the total provision at the Bar End Park and Ride facility to 780 spaces. The scheme includes a new access to the car park from Garnier Road, kerbing, paving, drainage works and landscaping. A small amenity building to accommodate toilet facilities and offices has also been constructed. Local traffic signing has been provided to direct traffic to the new primary entrance on Garnier Road, however the original access from Bar End Road remains open.

2.3 All building and civil engineering contracts have been substantially completed. A landscape planting contract is under way and is due to be completed in summer 2004, which will be followed by a three year maintenance period.

2.4 The car park is now operational and a formal opening ceremony was held on 24 February 2004.

2.5 Plans for the land purchased at Magdalen Hill North Down, in mitigation for the land at the Bar End site, are continuing to be developed for an area of open downland pasture. Detailed design for earthworks and planting work has commenced and it is hoped that this work can be undertaken later this summer in readiness for the autumn planting season.

Romsey Road Corridor Improvements - £50,000 LTP

2.6 This scheme relates to a series of minor footway and traffic management improvements identified in an earlier consultation exercise to improve pedestrian facilities along the Romsey Road corridor. The proposed measures focus primarily on the area of Romsey Road outside the hospital and Police Headquarters, but include further minor footway improvement works such as drop kerb crossings, tactile paving and localised resurfacing along Romsey Road to the roundabout at Badger Farm Road.

2.7 A new pedestrian refuge is proposed on Romsey Road on the western side of the entrance to the Police Headquarters to aid pedestrian crossing movements and speed management. It is proposed to discourage use of the substandard footway next to the wall of the prison and encourage use of the footpath on the southern side of the road. Further pedestrian enhancements are proposed in this area and consist of tactile paving and localised footway resurfacing. It is also proposed to add an edge of carriageway marking to the southern side of the road which will enable the stop line at the junction with St James' Lane to be repositioned to improve visibility from the side road. This scheme is now at Project Appraisal stage and construction is expected to commence prior to the end of March 2004.

B2177/B3354 Corridor, Twyford - £128,000

2.8 Pedestrian and speed management improvements in the village of Twyford, as part of the B3354/B2177 corridor within CHARTS. The scheme included improved 30 miles per hour gateway features on the B3354 entry points to the village, three pedestrian courtesy crossing points, road markings to provide a visual narrowing of the carriageway, localised footway widening and a new bus shelter. Construction was completed in October 2003. Monitoring of traffic speeds to quantify the impact of the scheme will be undertaken in May 2004.

CHARTS Village Initiatives £60,000

2.9 Village initiative schemes have been completed in West Meon and in Hambledon. The scheme in West Meon consisted of a minor improvement to aid pedestrians crossing the A32 and was completed in August 2003. The scheme in Hambledon consisted of traffic management works aimed at speed management in the village and consisted of improved village entry gateways, modifications to the B2150 junction with West Street and other traffic management improvements on the B2150. These measures were completed in September 2003.

3. Transport Capital Schemes 2004/05

Winchester Pedestrian Lighting Improvements

3.1 This proposal includes street lighting improvements at City Road and at Eastgate Street. The works will enable modern lighting standards to be achieved and are expected to improve conditions, especially for pedestrians. The proposals are also expected to contribute towards improved road safety generally.

3.2 The works at City Road extend between its junction with Sussex Street and the junction with Jewry Street. The existing lighting is being replaced and upgraded to modern standards. It follows the same theme as those used at the station interchange improvement and will improve the street scene.

3.3 The lighting improvements for Eastgate Street are proposed to extend between its junctions with Bridge Street and Friarsgate, and incorporate the roundabout at the junction with The Broadway. The existing lighting along this route is of varying quality and is particularly poor at the roundabout. The proposal will bring the system up to modern standards, improve conditions for pedestrians and improve the street scene in the conservation area.

3.4 Although subject to the approval of a project appraisal, the works are expected to be undertaken in May 2004.

Fontley Road Footway (Knowle Hospital) - £75,000 EF

3.5 This proposal aims to provide a footway on Fontley Road between Segensworth Road and the M27 road bridge. A feasibility study has been undertaken by consultants Atkins and has been completed to draft report stage. Once the study has been fully completed, further consultation with the local Member and Parish Council will be undertaken, prior to progressing the scheme to the preliminary design stage.

Knowle Village to Funtley (Knowle Hospital) - £40,000 EF

3.6 This proposal aims to improve the existing public footpaths between the Knowle Village development and Funtley. Detailed proposals are currently being considered by the local Rights of Way officers from the Countryside Service of the County Council's Recreation and Heritage Department.

Meon Valley Bridleway Extension (Wickham to Fareham/Knowle Hospital) - £20,000 EF

3.7 The Meon Valley Bridleway follows the alignment of the disused railway along the Meon Valley but currently terminates approximately one mile to the south of Wickham. This proposal aims to extend the route from this point southwards towards Fareham, however the route has to avoid the live section of railway line near the Knowle Village development, before reconnecting to the disused railway line to the south-west of Funtley. A bridge will also be required to cross the River Meon. Rights of Way officers from the County Council's Countryside Service have been investigating route options and are undertaking negotiations with local landowners to see if a route can be established. One a route is identified formal consultation on the proposals will commence.

Denmead Traffic Management - £200,000 LTP, £20,000 EF

3.8 This proposal forms a package of traffic calming and traffic management improvements in Denmead, which include the provision of improved speed limit gateway signing, pedestrian refuges on Hambledon Road and Forest Road, and minor footway improvements including localised enhancements at bus stops. Further measures are proposed at the junction of Hambledon Road and Southwick Road that include build-outs to help reduce the speed of traffic entering Southwick Road. A public consultation exercise was undertaken in October 2003 and preliminary design work is currently under way. Further consultation with the Parish Council is proposed in order to finalise the proposals and, once achieved, the scheme will progress to detailed design. Implementation of the scheme is currently anticipated to commence in the late summer or autumn of 2004, however it is hoped to undertake some work in Hambledon Road near the school during the summer holiday period.

B2177/B3354 Corridor - Colden Common

3.9 This scheme has been developed jointly with the Parish Council to ensure local issues are addressed. It consists of gateways, pedestrian refuges, traffic islands and visual road narrowing to assist pedestrian security and safety. A public exhibition was held in October 2003 which showed a good level of support for the proposals. Detailed design is currently progressing and construction work is anticipated to commence in September 2004.

B2177 Corridor Twyford to Wickham (Bishops Waltham) - £30,000 LTP, £90,000 EF

3.10 This scheme has yet to be developed, but is likely to be similar to those developed for Twyford and Colden Common. Again the Parish Council will be involved to ensure local issues are addressed.

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.

8688/JR