Contact: Colin Taylor, tel 01730 266411 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

2.1 Phase 1 of The Square, Hamble forms part of the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas programme for 2004/05. The works are currently out to tender and are expected to commence in spring 2004. The works involve improvements with the introduction of natural stone paving and rekerbing works.

3. Intelligent Transport Systems Group

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 the report entitled Progress Update on Schemes in the Capital Programme, elsewhere on the agenda.

3.2 As an addition to the current information network, on the M27 motorway, between junction 9 and the A3(M)/A27, 19 Enhanced Message Signs (EMS), eight closed circuit television cameras and a series of vehicle detectors in the surface of the carriageway are being installed by the Highways Agency. The images from the cameras and the output from the monitoring equipment will be fed into the County Council's traffic and travel information centre and to the Police control room. The information collected will give the County Council the ability to set the messages on the EMS in conjunction with the Police, further extending the facilities available for the management of the transport network in the area.

Other Work in Progress 2004/05

3.3 Periodic maintenance, including a six-monthly bulk lamp change and annual electrical inspection of traffic signal junctions and pedestrians 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. These include 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:

(i) vegetation and drainage clearance;

(ii) repairs to accident damage;

(iii) major and minor structural maintenance identified from the annual cycle of bridge inspections; and

(iv) 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 Limited carries 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 the roads from 1 January 1999. The assessments are now complete and strengthening of sub-standard bridges is ongoing. 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 Bridges

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.

Review of 2003/04 Schemes in Eastleigh

Bursledon Bridge, A27

4.7 This three span reinforced concrete arch carries the A27 over the River Hamble at Bursledon. Following detailed inspection, investigation and consultation, a major concrete repair contract was awarded to Concrete Repairs Limited. The contract was carried out in two phases, April to October 2003 and December 2003 to February 2004, at an estimated cost of £550,000. The work was mainly carried out from scaffolding under the bridge, so traffic disruption was minimal.

Archers Road Footbridge, Eastleigh

4.8 This precast concrete footbridge over the Romsey/Eastleigh railway line was built in the 1930s, with stepped access only, and is nearing the end of its useful life.

4.9 A total of £25,000 was spend on extensive concrete repairs in 1998, but further repairs are not now economically viable, particularly in view of the considerable local pressure to provide access ramps to enable use by wheelchairs, pushchairs and those with mobility impairment.

4.10 The initial estimate for a new footbridge, with ramps, is £1,000,000, not including any Railtrack land charges.

4.11 A feasibility study for a replacement is underway, but funding of the works is a major problem that has not yet been resolved.

4.12 This is a key element of the Central Eastleigh Transport Strategy and, although funding has not yet been identified, it is included in both the Strategy and Eastleigh Borough Council's own Community Investment Programme for funding in 2006.

Montague Road Retaining Wall, Bishopstoke

4.13 This wall, that supports Montague Road adjacent to a branch of the River Itchen, was showing signs of undercutting and movement. A contract for repair is currently underway, with works starting on site in November 2003. The work necessitated some closures of Montague Road and consultations are ongoing to minimise inconvenience to residents. The estimated completion date is March 2004.

2004/05 Schemes in Eastleigh

Bishopstoke Subway, Bishopstoke

4.14 A new mural and anti-graffiti coating is programmed for this subway under the B3037, Alan Drayton Way, Bishopstoke.

Bowlake No 1 Bridge, Stoke Common

4.15 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.

Allington Lane No 1 Bridge, Fair Oak

4.16 This bridge carries the C194, Allington Lane, over a tributary of the River Itchen, just north of the junction with Firtree Lane. It is sub-standard for load carrying capacity, and a strengthening scheme is being prepared for construction in 2004/05. Further details, such as timing and traffic management, will follow as they are finalised.

Aluminium Parapets

4.17 The parapets will be replaced or strengthened on five structures in the Eastleigh area; a subway and two bridges in Hedge End and two underpasses on the A335, Wide Lane, near Junction 5, M27. Overall contract preparation is underway and discussions with the relevant parties concerning programming and traffic management for individual bridges will follow.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8683/CT