Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment

13 July 2004

Project Appraisal: - Merdon Junior School, Chandlers Ford - Safer Routes to School Scheme

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 9

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

MERDON JUNIOR SCHOOL, CHANDLERS FORD - SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL SCHEME

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

AUGUST 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

SEPTEMBER 2004

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2004/05

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

SRtS Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at June 04

(at June 04

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

nil

nil

Construction

41

41

Fees

12

12

53

53

Less developers/

other contributions

53

53

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

53

(b) Other

53

2.

From other resources

(a)

-

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

53

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £ nil

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

1

0.001

Capital charges

5

0.005

TOTAL net expenditure

6

0.006

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

On 23 January 2004 the Executive Member for Environment agreed an indicative allocation of £1.25 million for a county-wide programme of Safer Routes to School Schemes from the 2004/05 Capital Programme, and £1.5 million in 2005/06. It was also agreed that a school must have an approved School Travel Plan in order to qualify for funding of an associated Safer Routes to School scheme.

To date only £200,000 of the 2004/05 allocation has been formally approved and committed. However work currently under way on a draft programme indicates that schemes amounting to £1.25 million should be deliverable this financial year.

The Merdon Junior School Travel Plan was developed by Eastleigh Borough Council working with the school and local community, and approved in March 2002 by the County Council's School Travel Plan team. The objective of the School Travel Plan is to encourage as many children as possible to be active and independent by walking to school on a regular basis. A provisional sum of £101,000 over three years was identified from the Travel Plan to implement the measures therein.

This highway improvement scheme builds on £48,000 spent over the last two years on education measures, access improvements and cycle shelters within the school grounds and footway works undertaken on Kingsway. The scheme proposes better pedestrian crossing facilities for children on route to the school and traffic calming measures to reduce vehicle speeds and increase driver awareness of the presence of school children.

Only 40% of children attending the school currently walk, whilst nearly 60% come by car. Lack of safe walking routes caused by high vehicle speed, traffic congestion and obstructive parking in combination with poorly maintained walking routes has been highlighted as the reason why many of the pupils are driven to school. One minor injury accident has been recorded on Merdon Avenue in the last three years, however significant road safety concerns exist outside the school on both Merdon Avenue and Brownhill Road, coupled with traffic congestion and parking issues.

This scheme aims to provide walking routes which the children and parents will feel more confident about using for the journey to the school.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The scheme forms parts of the County's programme of Safer Routes to School. It accords with policy to improve child safety, as well as making the environment for walking and cycling safer and reducing the number of children being delivered and collected from school by car.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The installation of pinch-points either side of the school entrance, which will also serve as pedestrian crossing points, and two pairs of speed cushions will create a school safety zone outside the school on Merdon Avenue. A school crossing patrol site, incorporating a pinch-point and anti-skid road markings, aims to significantly aid pedestrian crossing movements outside the school on Brownhill Road.

It is anticipated that these measures, which have been designed in accordance with appropriate and most recent design standards and guidance, will improve safety, enhance and encourage walking to the school and, indirectly, restrict parking to reduce parking congestion outside the school entrance. A location plan is attached and detailed drawings (E/HC/69/003 and 004) will be displayed at the meeting.

Environmental Impact

The scheme should help to ensure a safer and improved environment for all pedestrians and vulnerable road users.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

Statutory Procedures

Statutory procedures for the implementation of parking restrictions at the junction of Brownhill Road and Kingsway are being progressed by Eastleigh Borough Council. It is envisaged this Traffic Regulation Order will come into effect later in the year, however its timing will not affect the main civils element of the scheme.

Public Consultation

Taking into account the recommendations of the School Travel Plan, proposals have been developed in consultation with the school and local residents.

A full public consultation was undertaken in December 2003 with over 30 residents attending a public exhibition which resulted in 12 written responses with 10 in favour of the proposals in addressing safety concerns, particularly on Merdon Avenue. No notable objections were received and the scheme also has the full support of the Chandlers Ford and Hiltingbury Local Area Committee and the Eastleigh Executive Councillor for Transport and Infrastructure.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Davidovitz, supports the scheme.

Equalities

Accessibility will be improved with dropped kerb pedestrian crossings, which will assist all users, including people with disabilities.

Maintenance Implications

These will include the ongoing maintenance of traffic calming features and will be taken into account at the setting of the annual budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

The scheme will improve the environment for walking and will help reduce dependence on the motor car.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

To take no action on the proposals from the School Travel Plan.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

Merdon Junior School Travel Plan

Environment Department

Safer Routes to School