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 Eastleigh area. They are set out in the attached appendix.

1.2 The funding of schemes in the Capital Programme is from the Local Transport Plan (LTP), which consists of Central Government base credit approvals (BCA) and/or external funding (EF), which is received from developers or other contributors.

2. Transport Capital Schemes 2001/02

Doncaster Drove Cycleway - £41, 000 LTP 2001/02, £149,000 EF

2.1 The scheme starts at the junction of Stoneham Lane and Doncaster Drove. It is proposed that a Toucan crossing be constructed here to enable cyclists and pedestrians to cross Stoneham Lane at this point. The cycle route then crosses Monks Brook using the existing footbridge over the brook.

2.2 The cycleway follows the line of the existing BOAT (Byway Open to All Traffic) until it reaches the boundary of the Lakeside Country Park. It then enters the Country Park and follows the southern boundary on a new permissive path, using the existing lightly-trafficked access road and car park for the Country Park until it reaches the A335 Wide Lane.

2.3 The cycleway will then head southwards towards Southampton Parkway Railway Station using the western footway which will be widened to accommodate shared use by pedestrians and cyclists. The cycleway will cross the A335 Wide Lane by the station using a Toucan crossing. A short length of footway on the eastern side will be widened to access the railway station. The works along the A335 Wide Lane have been delayed as the street lighting needed to be upgraded and original County

Council funding was insufficient to complete the scheme. This lighting has now been installed and additional funding provided by Eastleigh Borough Council. The construction of this scheme is now due to start in April 2004.

2.4 The cycle track alongside Doncaster Drove has been completed. The Traffic Regulation Orders for the speed limit change in Stoneham Lane and the banned right turn out of Doncaster Drove onto Stoneham Lane have been advertised, with no objections being raised. These orders can now be confirmed and the Toucan crossing in this area installed.

Transport Capital Schemes 2003/04

Cycle Link to Itchen Valley Country Park - £45,000 EF

2.5 This provides an off-road link from Mansbridge Road, Swaythling to the Itchen Valley Country Park, and construction was completed in October 2003.

Valley Park to Toynbee School Cycles - £200,000 EF

2.6 The first phase of this work has been completed as a part of the Chandler's Ford Railway station scheme and involved the construction of a ramp providing a shared use facility from the station to Bournemouth Road.

2.7 Phase II forms part of the Knightwood Development Funded Programme and is aimed at providing a safer route to school for pupils and staff. A total of £200,000 has been allocated from the Knightwood Development Funded Programme for the scheme. The project will also provide a valuable east-west cycle link in Chandler's Ford and is included in Eastleigh Borough Council's proposed cycle network.

2.8 The Phase II works will complete the scheme from the station area to Meon Crescent and will include:

(i) conversion of the existing Pelican crossing to a Toucan crossing;

(ii) conversion of the footway on the eastern side of Bournemouth Road (between the Toucan crossing and the Central Precinct car park), including the footpath link to Meon Crescent, to shared use footway/cycleway; and

(iii) widening of the footway in front of the Central Precinct, including the relocation of the bus stop and a telephone box.

2.9 The Phase II works are currently at detailed design stage, however some land ownership issues have been identified and need to be resolved prior to the start of construction. It is therefore anticipated that construction will now start around June 2004 if all problems are successfully resolved.

Valley Park to Hiltingbury Cycles - £120,000 EF

2.10 The Hursley Road/Hiltingbury Road, Chandlers Ford signal improvements form part of the Knightwood Development Funded Programme for the provision of the Valley Park to Hiltingbury cycle route:

(i) the Hursley Road/Hiltingbury Road/Baddesley Road signals;

(ii) the new Flexford pedestrian/cycle bridge; and

(iii) the cycle track linking the new footbridge with the Hursley Road/Hiltingbury Road/Baddesley Road signals.

2.11 The £120,000 above funding has been allocated for the implementation of the Hursley Road signal improvements. The proposal is to install a pedestrian phase at these signals. The arrangement of this pedestrian phase will allow for the future cycle route to Hiltingbury. For some time there has been local concern over the difficulty of crossing Hursley Road in this area, especially in the peak traffic periods.

2.12 The scheme will provide a pedestrian facility on each of the four arms of this junction, with Hursley Road south and Hiltingbury Road being designed to accommodate the future cycle route. These two will have larger `landing pads' to accommodate cycles and some street furniture will need to be relocated to create this space.

2.13 As has been noted above, this junction operates at its maximum capacity during peak periods. The addition of a pedestrian phase at these signals may contribute to some additional delays at this junction. However, by upgrading the controller and adding pedestrian detectors and `call cancel' to these proposals any additional delays will be reduced to an acceptable level.

2.14 Works on the signals are now due to start on 25 March 2004 following a delay caused by the need to re-site a Southern Electricity pole which would have obscured pedestrians from view. This is now complete and the pedestrian phase is anticipated to be completed by the end of April 2004.

2.15 The bridgeworks have been designed and the consultant is currently in the process of arranging the possessions required for working over the railway, and is also preparing a detailed cost estimate. The cycle track is

currently at preliminary design stage and a detailed cost estimate is also being prepared. Both the bridge and the cycleway are identified in the provisional 2005/06 Programme.

Wildern Lane Zebra Crossing - £30,000 EF

2.16 This scheme was one of a number funded by the Hedge End Area Transport Strategy (HEATS) contributions, and was given a high priority by Members. It was constructed in December 2003 and the only outstanding work is the street lighting. This is anticipated to be completed by the end of March 2004.

Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership - Southampton Road/Derby Road Junction - £20,000 EF

2.17 This proposal was one of a number of schemes which make up the Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership (QBP) - a partnership between the County Council, Eastleigh Borough Council and Solent Blue Line with the aim of improving services, roadside infrastructure and passenger facilities.

2.18 This was one of a number of junctions identified by the bus company as causing problems. After preliminary design it was confirmed that it would not be possible to construct a mini-roundabout. However, a yellow box marking was implemented on Southampton Road in December 2003 enabling an improved exit from Derby Road for buses. The bus company has welcomed this improvement.

Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership - Access to Bus Station - £70,000 EF

2.19 This proposal was another scheme in the Eastleigh QBP. The intention is to implement Selective Vehicle Detection (SVD) at the signals on Southampton Road (outside the rail station) to facilitate buses turning into the bus station. The scheme is currently at detailed design stage, a Safety Audit has been completed and a start on-site is anticipated early in the new financial year.

Moorgreen Road Safety Improvements - £200,000 EF

2.20 This scheme is being funded by £200,000 of developer contributions from HEATS. The scheme introduces priority build-outs and pinch-points at regular intervals along Moorgreen Road between Botley Road and Burnetts Lane. Some of these features will incorporate pedestrian crossing facilities involving dropped kerbs, tactile paving, bollards and associated coloured surfacing and markings. Kerb lines at the junction of Monarch Way (near the school) will be re-aligned to discourage `kiss and run' parking and a coloured surface will be applied to highlight the junction area. In addition, the existing street lighting will be enhanced where necessary by the installation of additional columns to illuminate the proposed features.

2.21 Implementation of the scheme is expected to be undertaken in the first half of the new financial year.

Waitrose Development Package - Oakmount Road and Winchester Road - £100,000 EF

2.22 Following consultation with the working group and the public on 22 October 2002, the whole project has focused on three main areas of concern:

(i) the anticipated problems of rat-running in Peverells Road, Peverells Wood Avenue and Constantine Avenue;

(ii) speed-related safety of children and parents crossing Peverells Wood Avenue to access the play area there; and

(iii) speed-related loss of control accidents on the bend of Oakmount Road to the east of Constantine Avenue.

2.23 The Oakmount Road project appraisal approved the following:

(i) gateway features at the junctions with Peverells Road and Constantine Avenue. These will consist of landscaped pinch-points two car lengths in from the junctions with the appropriate gateway signing;

(ii) a pedestrian refuge by the children's play area in Peverells Wood Avenue. This will be a pedestrian refuge island. Due to the road widths in this area this will be at the current minimum width of 1.5 metres for this type of island; and

(iii) anti-skid surfacing, centre line hatching and localised widening and additional signing on the bend in Oakmount Road east of the junction with Constantine Avenue.

2.24 In addition, a Project Appraisal for the works in Winchester Road has been approved on gateway features at the junctions of Peverells Wood Avenue and Alexandra Road.

2.25 All works are now complete with the exception of the works on the bend in Oakmount Road. This is being progressed by Eastleigh Borough Council in conjunction with its M3 overbridge cycle route scheme and started construction on 15 March. It is expected to be complete by the end of May 2004.

Eastleigh Decriminalised Parking - £125,000 LTP

2.26 This budget allocation supports the introduction of decriminalised parking in the Eastleigh district which will be effective from 1 October 2004. Preparatory work is being undertaken by the Borough Council and is fully detailed in the report elsewhere on the agenda.

Hedge End Rail Station Improvements - £30,000 EF

2.27 One of the priorities within the HEATS, this scheme is currently at detailed design stage.

2.28 Access into the rail station is to be improved for buses by altering the central island circulatory movements from two to `one-way' thus improving the bus turning facility. The existing bus stop is to be relocated to a position directly in front of the station. This will not only make it easier for buses to stop, but will also reduce the distance between the bus stop and the station itself, eliminating the need for pedestrians to cross the running carriageway to access the station. The kerbing at the relocated bus stop is to be replaced with kerbs suitable for low-floor buses.

2.29 Stroudley Way is also to have double yellow line markings installed on both sides to remove parked cars, thus further improving the safety of buses, cyclists and pedestrians going into and out of the station.

2.30 In addition, the station car park is to have its car parking spaces re-marked. At present they are too narrow and consequently are not adhered to. By formalising the area for parking it is anticipated that more cars will be able to park than can at present. However, this is the subject of further investigation by Eastleigh Borough Council.

2.31 This scheme has been slightly delayed as a result of the Eastleigh decriminalised parking process which has delayed the processing of the associated Traffic Regulation Orders. It is anticipated that implementation of this scheme will take place early in the new financial year.

Maunsell Way Traffic Calming - £350,000 EF

2.32 Another of the HEATS schemes, this is currently at detailed design stage.

2.33 The measures are aimed at improving speed management on Maunsell Way and are aimed at improving conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. A school safety zone is proposed outside Berrywood Primary School which will include signed gateways, road narrowing and formalised crossing areas. Missing sections of footways will be constructed to provide a continuous pedestrian/cycle shared use facility along Maunsell Way. The existing priority junctions at Locke Road, Drummond Road and Stroudley Way are proposed to be converted to mini-roundabouts. In addition the existing informal pedestrian crossing points along Maunsell Way will be rationalised by either removing, upgrading or installing additional crossing facilities. All existing street lighting will be upgraded to current standards by replacing lanterns throughout the route. In addition, where existing priority junctions are being modified to mini-roundabouts more columns will be installed.

2.34 Implementation of this scheme is planned to coincide with the school summer holiday period 2004 in order to minimise disruption to residents and other road users.

Chestnut Avenue (Stoneham Lane to Falkland Road) Cycleway - £250,000 EF

2.35 The objective of this proposal is to provide a link between Stoneham Lane and Falkland Road. The preliminary design for this is currently being progressed by the County Council's Engineering Consultancy and implementation is expected next financial year. Additional work is being undertaken to consider the provision of controlled crossings on Chestnut Avenue.

3. Transport Capital Programme 2004/05

A27 Botley Road North, Hedge End, Bus Access - £300,000 LTP, £100,000 EF

3.1 As part of a partnership agreement signed in March 2003, the County Council, Eastleigh Borough Council and Southampton City Council agreed to develop proposals for a bus only connection that will provide a more direct link for bus routes between Hedge End and the city of Southampton. The bus company is willing to enhance bus services in parallel with the provision of this link. The proposal is to allow buses to travel the whole length of Botley Road between the A3024 and the A27, thereby avoiding Windhover roundabout and permitting a faster service. Cyclists, pedestrians and emergency vehicles will also be able to use this link. Currently about one third has been converted to a cycleway with verges, and the third nearest the A27 is single track leading to a travellers' site. A significant length of the road lies within Southampton and several officer meetings, including with bus company representatives, have taken place. The Engineering Consultancy is currently undertaking preliminary design of this scheme.

Factory Road Boulevard Green Street Scheme, Eastleigh - £375,000 LTP, £200,000 EF (EBC)

3.2 This proposal involves applying a `green street' status to Factory Road by re-designing it as a route principally for pedestrians and cyclists. Vehicular traffic will be permitted for access and servicing, but through traffic will be discouraged by the provision of traffic calming and speed reducing features in the form of footway widening and formalised parking. The detailed concept stage is currently being progressed by Eastleigh Borough Council officers and a staffed public exhibition took place on 12 and 13 March 2004 at Norwood School. The results of this will be reported to the Eastleigh Local Area Committee and detailed design will then commence. It is currently anticipated by Borough Council officers that construction work will commence late in 2004.

Hamble Lane Toucan (near Portsmouth Road junction) - £50,000 EF, £19,000 LTP (Peds)

3.3 The Toucan crossing at Portsmouth Road/Hamble Lane is a proposal in the Hamble Area Transport Strategy (HATS) which was adopted by the County Council and Eastleigh Borough Council in December 2003.

3.4 As well as improving pedestrian and cycling facilities between Old Netley and Lowford, the proposed crossing is anticipated to assist traffic movements at the Hamble Lane/Portsmouth Road junction by creating gaps when the pedestrian crossing is used. This will increase opportunities for vehicles to make the right turn in and right turn out of Portsmouth Road.

3.5 The Project Appraisal has been approved and construction is due to begin in May 2004 with completion in June 2004.

Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership - Leigh Road Selective Vehicle Detection - £70,000 LTP

3.6 The proposal is to introduce a SVD system on the five sets of existing traffic signals along Leigh Road between Bournemouth Road and Romsey Road, which is on the QBP route. By calling upon green lights, the system will improve journey times and punctuality for buses. Investigation work to ascertain the benefits and dis-benefits of this proposal at each junction is planned to be undertaken during the summer of 2004.

Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership - Bus Stop Infrastructure Improvements - £200,000 LTP

3.7 A total of £200,000 has been allocated to enable the programme of roadside infrastructure improvements on the Eastleigh Area QBP routes to continue. The proposals are currently being investigated and may include new shelters, raised kerbs and improved pedestrian access at bus stops along the routes. Priority sites have been identified by both Solent Blue Line and First Bus operators on routes 2 (Fair Oak-Eastleigh-Stoneham-Southampton), 3 (Eastleigh-Hiltingbury), 4 (Stoke Common-Eastleigh-Chandlers Ford), 9/9A (Hamble-Netley-Bursledon-Hedge End-West End-Eastleigh-Colden Common-Winchester) and 16 (Hamble-Netley-Southampton). Delivery of the project will be managed by the Engineering Services Unit at Eastleigh Borough Council in partnership with the Eastleigh Area QBP Working Group.

Hound Road Cycleway, Netley - £125,000 EF

3.8 The Hound Road cycleway is included in the Hamble School Safer Routes to School plan and the HATS. A total of £125,000 has been allocated (a £15,000 developer contribution and £110,000 from Eastleigh Borough Council) for implementation of the scheme. Eastleigh Borough Council will be undertaking the design and implementation of this scheme. The route provides a link from the residential area of Old Netley to the Hamble School, and designers from Eastleigh Borough Council are currently considering the options put forward in the feasibility study. Construction is estimated to start early in 2005.

Romsey Road/Twyford Road, Eastleigh - £36,000 EF

3.9 Following preparation of a feasibility report, proposals for enhancing pedestrian facilities at this junction are currently being undertaken by the Engineering Consultancy. The County Council has a developer contribution of £36,000, and an additional £78,000 from a contribution held by Eastleigh Borough Council is also available for this scheme. The Borough Council also has £21,000 available for a proposed sculpture on this roundabout. The scheme is currently at detailed design stage and the intended programme indicates a construction start in October 2004.

St Johns Road/Lower Northam Road/Grange Road Junction Improvements and Cycles - £250,000 EF

3.10 Preliminary design has been completed on this proposal. However, due to Eastleigh Borough Council's long-term planned improvements to Hedge End town centre, this scheme is on hold for the time being.

Bournemouth Road (ASDA) Pedestrian Crossing, Chandlers Ford - £80,000 EF

3.11 Developer funding has been obtained for the improvement of pedestrian facilities in this area. New development will add to the existing pedestrian flow between Hampshire Corporate Park to the west of Bournemouth Road and ASDA hypermarket to the east.

3.12 On 10 February 2004 the Executive Member for Environment approved a project appraisal for the installation of a signal-controlled Puffin crossing on Bournemouth Road. This will improve conditions for pedestrians and will also help the development of effective work-based travel plans in the area. Construction is expected to start in April 2004.

3.13 This scheme is not shown in the current Capital Programme. However it is proposed to add it to the programme and it will be submitted to the Executive Member for Environment for approval in June 2004.

Recommendation

That Members note the progress made on schemes in the current Transport Capital Programme and support the schemes approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for 2004/05.

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