Contact: Barry Armstrong, ext 5175 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides a progress update on transport schemes within the 2002/2003 and the 2004/2005 Capital Programme that has been approved for the Test Valley area. These 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 basic credit approvals and/or external funding (EF) which is received from developers or other contributors.

2. Transport Capital Schemes - 2003/2004

Weyhill Road Traffic Management and Cycle Provision - £1.05 million

2.1 Works on this scheme commenced in July 2003 and during the course of excavation crushed asbestos cement sheet was found to be present in the sub-base. A specialist contractor was appointed to remove this material which led to a short delay in the works programme. The works were due to be completed by Christmas 2003, however it was decided that the planned resurfacing works at Salisbury Road/Floral Clock roundabout would be too disruptive on the approach to the festive period. It is now anticipated that the works will be substantially completed by March 2004.

Stockbridge Village Centre - £25,000

2.2 Work on the new pedestrian refuge in Stockbridge commenced 19 January and is now completed.

Romsey Town Centre Enhancement - The Hundred and Latimer Street - Romsey Movement and Access Plan - £1.1 million

2.3 This scheme has now started on site and is programmed to be completed by this summer. This involves traffic calming and pedestrian priority features and improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians. The works are to be undertaken in three phases: Station Road to The Hundred; The Hundred west of Latimer Street; and The Hundred east of Latimer Street, respectively.

Valley Park to Hiltingbury Cycles - £120,000 EF 2003/2004

2.4 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.

2.5 The £120,000 above funding has been allocated for the implementation of the Hursley Road signal improvements. The proposals are 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.

2.6 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.

2.7 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.

2.8 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.

2.9 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.

3. Transport Capital Programme for 2004/2005

Andover Cycles/Pedestrians - £350,000

3.1 The preliminary design for the Andover Station to Town Centre Priority Cycle Route is complete and a public exhibition is to be arranged.

Foxcotte Road/Foxcotte Lane/Hatherden Road, Andover - Traffic Management - £400,000

3.2 This scheme has been modified following recent consultation with parish councils and other interested parties. Consequently, the scheme has been moved to the 2004/2005 programme. Although land issues with the hospital are to be resolved this is not critical to the overall scheme and a detailed design is now underway.

ATS Quality Bus Partnership - £100,000

3.3 The work has been beset by staff shortages and has been delayed. As soon as staff resources can be identified, a programme can be produced. Test Valley Borough Council has commissioned a study and is currently awaiting reports.

Winchester Road Footways - Andover - £50,000

3.4 A project plan and feasibility study for pedestrian improvement on the lower section of Winchester Road approaching the town centre is currently being drawn up by Atkins.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8590/BA

APPENDIX