Archived decisions

Contact: Alastair Norton, tel 023 9244 6510 [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 Havant Borough Council acts as agent to Hampshire County Council for traffic management matters within the Borough under new working arrangements which came into force on 1 May 2002.

1.2 This report provides a brief update on the following matters:

(i) Traffic Management;

(ii) Road Safety Engineering;

(iii) Decriminalised Car Parking Enforcement;

(iv) Cycleways; and

(v) Other Works.

2. Traffic Regulation Order Programme

2.1 A key element of the traffic management group's work is the promotion of Traffic Regulation Orders to improve the operation, safety and environment of the Borough's transport networks.

2.2 Havant Borough Council has made the following Traffic Regulation Orders since the last Panel meeting:

(i) Elm Close Estate, Hayling Island (waiting restrictions);

(ii) Crookhorn Lane, Purbrook (No Stopping Order);

(iii) Bedhampton Way, Havant (waiting restrictions); and

(iv) Purbrook Way Extension (new temporary 40 mph speed limit).

2.3 Traffic Regulation Orders currently being processed/progressed are detailed in the attached Appendix.

2.4 In addition to this work the Borough Council receives numerous requests from the public for traffic management measures and local safety engineering schemes. The complexity and nature of this volume of work outstrips the resources available to deal with such requests. As a consequence the Traffic Group has a growing backlog of work associated with this element of their work.

2.5 This problem has been exacerbated by the temporary loss of a member of staff who is on maternity leave until early April 2004. This has led to a further backlog of work and a corresponding reduction in output.

2.6 However, the Borough Council has agreed to the funding of a Trainee Technician for 2004/05 in the Traffic and Transportation Group.

3. Road Safety Engineering

3.1 There are currently 219 sites within Hampshire with five or more personal injury accidents in the three-year period 2000-2002 inclusive. Of these, 20 are situated within the Borough, a number of which have been treated with safety engineering remedial measures.

3.2 In conjunction with the County Council's Road Safety Engineering Team, Havant Borough Council has designed, commissioned and implemented a number of remedial safety engineering measures. The Purbrook Way Safety Engineering Scheme has recently been implemented in partnership with the County Council, following a fatal accident at the junction with College Road. Works included the introduction of a reduced speed limit, road lining alterations and anti-skid carriageway treatment.

3.3 Monthly "Accident Reduction Partnership" meetings take place with the County Council to discuss matters relating to the incidence of accidents in the Borough involving fatal/serious injury.

3.4 Regrettably, due to current staffing levels and associated workload, it has not been possible at the present time to carry out further safety engineering schemes on behalf of the County Council.

4. Decriminalised Car Parking Enforcement

4.1 Public consultation on the proposals was undertaken during October 2003 by means of a series of road shows across the Borough. Each road show was well attended and visitors were encouraged to express their views by completing a short questionnaire.

4.2 The Borough Council's Executive considered the results of the consultation in December and resolved to implement Decriminalised Parking Enforcement across the Borough from 1 April 2005. No decision was taken regarding the possible introduction of on-street parking charges or residents' parking and further consultation will take place with relevant business and residents' associations before the matter is further considered. The Council is anxious that the implementation of revised parking policies takes consideration of the effects they may have on the economic viability of areas and, as far as possible, aims to enhance areas as a result of these changes.

4.3 Borough and County Council officers are working together to ensure that all measures will be in place to meet the 1 April 2005 deadline. A capital sum of £100,000 has been identified by the County Council for 2004/05 to assist with the implementation costs; confirmation that this funding will be available is awaited.

5. Cycleways

5.1 The conversion of the Brambles Business Park cycle route to shared segregated status is now complete.

5.2 Planning permission for hedge removal on Southleigh Road Phase 2 (Southleigh Farm access to Rowan Road) was granted on 26 February 2004 and construction is due to commence June 2004.

5.3 Preliminary design of Southleigh Road Phase 3 (Rowan Road to Nutwick Road) has been completed and safety audited. The anticipated programme is to advertise the proposal for public comment in June/July 2004 with construction in December 2004, subject to the relevant approvals.

6. Other Works

6.1 It is anticipated that the Borough Council will provide £15,000 from its capital programme for 2004/05 towards the provision of crime prevention lighting.

6.2 In previous years the County Council has provided a contribution up to £5,000 from its Community Safety Initiative (CSI) programme towards crime prevention lighting. Borough Members have requested that consideration be given by the County Council to providing full match funding from its CSI Programme, which for 2004/05 would be £15,000.

6.3 The Borough Council will be part funding with the County Council a scheme to provide a missing section of cycleway/footway in Maurepas Way, Waterlooville. Work on this scheme will commence in April/May 2004.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8698/AN

APPENDIX

TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDERS