Contact: Colin Taylor, tel 01730 266411 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report details the programmes for:

(i) Hampshire Country Towns Initiative;

(ii) Intelligent Transport Systems

(iii) Bridgeworks; and

(iv) Major Maintenance Schemes

2. Hampshire Country Towns Initiative

2.1 There are no schemes programmed in the Winchester area for 2004/05.

3. Intelligent Transport Systems

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 Agenda item 12 (Progress Update on Approved Capital Schemes).

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.

2004/05 Schemes in Winchester

Garnier No. 1 Bridge, Winchester

4.8 This bridge, which carries Garnier Road over a branch of the River Itchen, is severely corroded and is at present over-spanned by a temporary structure. This allows access to the existing Hampshire Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), avoiding the low headroom of the disused railway bridge at the east end of Garnier Road. Design and consultation for a replacement bridge is under way, but construction cannot start until after the opening of the new HWRC at Bar End, which is programmed for 1 December 2004. The earliest start date on site is therefore January 2005, after the Christmas/New Year break.

Ludwells Bridge, Waltham Chase

4.9 This bridge carries the C118, Lower Chase Road, over a tributary of the River Hamble, between Waltham Chase and Swanmore. It is sub-standard for load carrying capacity and design of a replacement is under way. A road closure will be needed for the works and further details, particularly with regard to timing and traffic management, will follow as the scheme develops.

Maddoxford Bridge, Boorley Green

4.10 This bridge carries the U198, Maddoxford Lane, over Ford Lake, between Boorley Green and Curdridge. It is sub-standard for load carrying capacity and a strengthening scheme is being prepared. A road closure will be needed for the works, which are programmed for summer 2004, and further details will follow as design and consultation progresses.

Bowlake No. 1 Bridge, Stoke Common

4.11 This bridge carries the C117, Bishopstoke Lane, over Bow Lake, between Bishopstoke and Brambridge. The existing reinforced concrete arch is in very poor condition, with severe corrosion and spalling, and it will be replaced with a new brick arch. A road closure will be needed for the works, which are programmed for late summer 2004, and further details will follow as they are finalised.

St Cross Tunnel, Winchester

4.12 This bridge carries the B3335, St Cross Road, over the Southampton/ Waterloo railway line, just north of Bushfield roundabout. Following the Selby accident in 2001, all road/rail interfaces in Hampshire have been assessed and prioritised in accordance with Central Government guidance. This has shown that the potential risk to safety at St Cross Tunnel is amongst the highest in the county. To address this issue, safety fencing will be installed in front of the existing parapets, together with minor realignment of the carriageway and eastern footway. Design and consultation for the scheme is ongoing and the main work on site is programmed for late July to early October 2004, to take advantage of the school holidays, the better weather and longer daylight hours. During this period single lane traffic controlled by signals will be in operation 24 hours a day.

4.13 It is likely that a water main will need to be diverted prior to the main works and this is tentatively booked for May.

4.14 Further details for all the works, particularly with regard to timing and traffic management, will follow as they are finalised.

4.15 Advance investigatory work for the scheme was carried out from 23 February for three weeks. This necessitated off-peak, single lane traffic controlled by signals: 0930-1600 Monday to Thursday; 0930- 1530 Friday.

Aluminium Parapets

4.16 The parapets will be replaced on seven structures in the Winchester area - five bridges on the A31, Alresford and Bishop's Sutton Bypass; the Battery subway under the A3090, Badger Farm Road; and Ridgeway subway, Badger Farm. Overall contract preparation is under way and discussions with the relevant parties on programming and traffic management for individual bridges will follow.

5. Major Maintenance Schemes

A334 Botley to Curdridge

5.1 This major scheme is on programme to be completed by 8 April. There may be some work to complete after this date but it is anticipated that road closures will not be necessary and any outstanding work will be completed using temporary traffic control. Generally the contract has progressed well with minimal disruption to the travelling public, however it is realised that businesses on the road have encountered difficulties with the closures. The Council and the contractor have maintained close contact with residents and businesses and adjusted working arrangements to suit individual requirements as far as possible.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8650/CT