AT A MEETING of the TEST VALLEY HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL held at Crosfield Hall, Romsey, on Monday 29 March 2004.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council:

Councillors: M. J. Woodhall (Chairman); JK. Glen; A.G. Dowden; P.A. Pierce.

Test Valley Borough Council:

Councillors: R.J. Bailey; M.D. Hatley; P. Lashbrook; Mrs S. Leach; J.T.Hall.

46. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of debate declare their interest, and having regards to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

47. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 21 October 2003 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

Minute 35 - Minutes

Members were informed that due to severe weather conditions expenditure on winter maintenance in 2003/04 was currently running at £2.7 million (compared with £1.8 million in an average year).

Minute 38 - Development Control Service Review And Update On District Agency Arrangements

Members were advised that the review had now been completed and that from 1 April 2004 the County Council would be directly managing works in connection with Sections 38 and 278 of the Highways Act 1980. A new team had been established at Totton to deliver this work across both the Test Valley and New Forest areas.

Minute 44 - Control Of Ragwort

Since the previous meeting legislation in relation to the control of Ragwort had received Royal Ascent and the County Council had amended its procedures accordingly. Following Members questions it was confirmed that hand pulling was the most effective form of control, although in certain instances the County Council did consider the use of herbicides.

Minute 45 - The Construction Of Vehicular Crossings For Private Accesses

Officers reported that the new procedure, as reported to the Panel at its previous meeting, was proving successful. Members raised concerns that there appeared to be no requirement for farm vehicles to clean their wheels before accessing the highway. It was reported that the police did have powers to act where there was a safety issue.

48. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications.

49. DPEUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

50. REVISED ROLES OF PANEL

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 5 in the Minute Book) setting out the revised terms of reference and scope for the new Highways and Transport Advisory Panels (HTAP's) and their relationship with the Area Strategy Panels.

Members were informed that the terms of reference for the HTAP's had been expanded to include all `in year' Capital Programme schemes and that three Local Strategic Partnership Members had been invited to sit on each of the Panels.

Members were assured that although the Transport Strategy Panels would be focusing on broad strategic issues the HTAP's would continue to be a forum for the discussion of local matters.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

51. ALLOCATION OF THE HIGHWAY STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE BUDGET AND ASSESSMENT OF HIGHWAY CONDITION

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 6 in the Minute Book) outlining the process for allocating the highway structural maintenance budget using current condition measurement techniques, and summarising the indicators used in assessing the network.

Officers described the Highway Assessment of Maintenance Priorities (HAMP) system which was used to prioritise proposed structural maintenance schemes. In addition to the HAMP system, Members also noted that the highways were inspected to determine the overall condition of the network and to ascertain whether it was improving or deteriorating. Such inspections had identified that the minor road network currently had an intervention level (the point at which it was economically viable to begin works on a stretch of highway) of approximately 18 percent which was considered an average level when compared to other Counties.

Members questions focused on the criteria taken into account when establishing a HAMP rating, and they were informed that the rating itself was determined purely on a technical assessment by an independent team of inspectors. However in addition to the HAMP rating an engineering judgement was applied as appropriate and other factors such as the comments of Highway and Transport Advisory Panels and safety issues were taken into account.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

52. HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE PROGRAMMES 2003/04 AND 2004/05

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 7 in the Minute Book) outlining the progress with the 2003/04 Highway Maintenance Programme, and detailing the 2004/05 Highway Maintenance Budget and 2004/05 Highway Maintenance Programme.

Officers explained that in addition to the locally managed money allocated to the Test Valley area for highway maintenance there was also a centrally managed budget which, for example, funded the performance elements of Term Maintenance Contract, surface dressing etc. It was also noted that although the report set out the anticipated programme for 2004/05 a certain amount of flexibility was required in order to accommodate any unforeseen circumstances.

Members requested that officers investigate the Newbury Road Roundabout and the Safeway Roundabout in Andover, for possible inclusion in the programme, as in both cases the road surface was breaking up and drains had dropped significantly below the level of the road.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

53. CAPITAL MINOR WORKS PROGRAMMES 2003/04 AND 2004/05

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 8 in the Minutes Book) outlining the progress with the 2003/04 Capital Minor Works Programme and detailing the 2004/05 Capital Minor Works Programme.

There was a general consensus that the three schemes given the highest priority in the report should be included in Capital Minor Works Programme for 2004/05. However Members did ask that several other schemes, including the North Baddesley to Rownhams footpath, be considered for a future programme.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member be advised that the following schemes from the rolling programme be included in the Capital Minor Works Programme for 2004/05:

(i) C113 Romsey Road, West Wellow

New Footway

(ii) B3420 Winchester Road, Wherwell

Footpath extension

(iii) C13 Charlton Road, Andover

New footway

54. STREET LIGHTING PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 9 in the Minute Book) commenting on the current position of Street Lighting Maintenance, Column replacement, Community Safety Initiatives and the purchase of energy from April 2004 onward.

Following Members questions it was confirmed that the County Council was making a considerable effort to reduce the number of street lights remaining on during the day, although it was also noted that the County Council did not incur any additional cost when the lights did remain on. Members also discussed problems associated with private lighting adjacent to the highway.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted

55. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES 2003/04 AND 2004/05

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 10 in the Minute Book) covering the main programmes of traffic management work in the Test Valley area in 2003/04 and 2004/05.

After a brief explanation of the current position regarding Agency Agreements, the following major points arose from Members discussion:

(i) The viability of phase two of the Braishfield parish partnership scheme was being discussed with the Parish Council.

(ii) The trial junction alterations at Abbots Ann were being monitored, and if successful could potentially be made permanent in the 2004/05 programme.

(iii) Test Valley officers were requested to investigate traffic management issues on Vigo Road, Andover and Coruna Main, Andover.

As a local resident Councillor Pierce declared an interest in that section of the item relating to the junction alterations at Abbots Ann.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

56. CASUALTY REDUCTION AND SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL CAPITAL PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 11 in the Minute Book) outlining progress on the Casualty Reduction Programme, Hampshire Safety Camera Partnership and Safer Routes to School.

Following a brief overview of the programmes detailed in the report a copy of the 2002/03 Annual Review of the Hampshire Safety Camera Partnership was circulated for information. There was general approval of the County Councils policy regarding Safety Cameras, in particular the emphasis placed on using cameras exclusively for casualty reduction which was proving to be very successful. Members also discussed the Safer Routes to School programme and highlighted several schools where schemes could be implemented to improve road safety. In response to this it was suggested that schools include such schemes in their School Travel Plans..

There was a general consensus among Members that efforts needed to be made to recruit more School Crossing Patrol personnel. It was felt that the problem stemmed from the low pay that was received for the position and the irregular hours which they were required to work.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

57. PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 12 in the Minute Book) providing an update on Capital Transport Schemes that had been approved in the Test Valley area for 2003/04 and on the schemes proposed for 2004/05.

Members commented on the individual schemes as set out in the report. Particular reference was made to the Flexford Road pedestrian/cycle bridge, Chandlers Ford which was programmed for the 2005/06 budget. Officers were also asked to investigate the provisions made for disabled access as part of the Romsey Town Centre scheme.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

58. OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 13 in the Minute Book) detailing the programmes for the Intelligent Transport Systems, Bridgeworks and the Hampshire Country Town Initiative.

Officers confirmed that in the short term, broken slabs in Romsey Town Centre would continue to be replaced with tarmac with a view to repaving the whole area as part of the Church Place scheme due to be implemented in June 2004.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

59. NEW PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE FACILITIES AT THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL JUNCTION OF CASTLE LANE AND TEMPLARS WAY, CHANDLERS FORD

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 14 in the Minute Book) describing the proposal to install new pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities at the traffic signal junction of Castle Lane with Templars Way in Chandlers Ford.

The scheme received general support from the Panel, particularly in light of its strategic importance as part of the national strategic cycle route. However Members did stress the significance of ensuring that the frequency and duration of the signals `red' stage was appropriate in order maintain the flow of traffic.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.