Contact: Richard Chinn, tel 023 80 427000 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report details the programmes for:

(i) Intelligent Transport Systems;

(ii) Bridgeworks; and

(iii) Hampshire Country Towns Initiative.

2. Intelligent Transport Systems Group (ITS)

2.1 The ITS Group 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 etc, will be enhanced.

2.2 Periodic maintenance, including a six-monthly bulk lamp change and annual electrical inspection of traffic signal junctions and pedestrian 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.

3. Bridgeworks

General

3.1 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. This includes 1400 road bridges, 300 footbridges and numerous ancillary structures such as retaining walls and gantries.

Funding

3.2 The majority of bridge maintenance, assessment and strengthening is capital funded via the Local Transport Plan (LTP), but inspections, routine maintenance and environmental maintenance of subways are revenue funded.

Maintenance

3.3 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 jobs are awarded by tender.

Load Assessment and Strengthening

3.4 This programme was instigated by EU legislation that allowed 40 tonne lorries on our roads from 1 January 1999. The assessments are now complete and strengthening of sub-standard bridges is on-going. 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

3.5 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 commenced. This will continue over several years as funding is made available.

Aluminium Parapets

3.6 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 is expected that the contract will be largely completed in 2004/05. The parapets will be replaced or strengthened on six structures in the Test Valley area; three subways in Andover; Bunny Bridge at Longstock; New Barters bridge over the River Blackwater at Ower and River Dever East Bridge on the U54 at Bullington. Overall contract preparation is underway and discussions with the relevant parties concerning programming and traffic management for individual bridges will follow.

2004/05 Bridge Maintenance Schemes in Test Valley

Littleton Bridge, Fyfield

3.7 This bridge carries the C77 Fyfield Road over the Pilhill Brook at Fyfield. The existing bridge is to be replaced with a precast concrete culvert, with a larger flow area, to alleviate flooding. Work on site will take place in the period July to September 2004 and will require a road closure with a signed diversion. Further details of timing and traffic management will follow as they are finalised.

4. Hampshire Country Towns Initiative (HCTI)

4.1 The Country Towns Initiative is a County Council programme which carries out schemes of environmental enhancement in the county's rural centres to reinforce their environmental, social and commercial attractiveness. It focuses on highways and other public areas and works in partnership with local councils and representative organisations. It brings together funding from County Council, District Council and local sources and links highways and environmental objectives and funding.

2004/05 HCTI Schemes in Test Valley

Church Place, Romsey

4.2 This scheme seeks to enhance the approach to the Abbey using high quality street furniture and paving materials. The scheme has completed a wide-ranging consultation period, is now defined and will go out to tender during March/April 2004. The anticipated start date is June 2004.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8722/RJC