Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

BUILDINGS, LAND AND PROCUREMENT PANEL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - POLICY AND RESOURCES

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

A3 BUS PRIORITY CORRIDOR, PORTSMOUTH-WATERLOOVILLE-HORNDEAN - SECTION 3 WATERLOOVILLE TOWN CENTRE

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

NOVEMBER 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

JANUARY 2006

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2004/05 AND 2005/06

1.

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

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at June 04

(at June 04

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

Contingencies

5,237

512

5,237

512

Fees

1,501

1,501

7,250

7,250

Total

7,250

7,250

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital Programme Integrated Block Allocation (pre 03/04)

152

(b) Capital Programme Major Scheme Funding (03/04 onwards)

6,798

6,950

2.

From other resources

(a) Havant Borough Council

300

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

7,250

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

(Network Management to confirm)

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

22

0.03

Capital charges

511

0.45

TOTAL net expenditure

533

0.48

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

The local and national need to develop sustainable transport and reduce and manage traffic growth has created a clear demand for public transport alternatives to car and road travel. Transportation studies and investigations have resulted in the South Hampshire Rapid Transit (SHRT) network, which is a system of public transport schemes for southern Hampshire to help relieve and supplement the existing road network. The A3 corridor has been identified by SHRT as a route requiring a high quality public transport service to help manage travel demand in line with corporate strategy aims.

Section 1, Widley to Purbrook, of the A3 corridor was approved by the former Planning and Transportation Committee on 22 January 2001, together with the proposal to use an innovative Term Contract to procure the construction of all sections of the route. The details of the Project Term Contract were approved by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources in January 2002 and the contract was subsequently let to Dyer and Butler. The project appraisal for Section 2b, Purbrook to Waterlooville, was approved on 12 September 2002, the advanced diversionary works started in March 2003 and the main works in June 2003. Section 2a Purbrook was approved in November 2003 and links Sections 1 and 2b to create a single coherent stretch of the corridor approximately three kilometres in length. A project appraisal for the advanced works associated with the town centre proposals for Section 3 was approved in December 2003; this project appraisal supplements the earlier version and covers all of the main works not previously approved.

Section 3 is the proposal for Waterlooville town centre, which is the mid point of the project and the main passenger destination within the Hampshire County Council part of the route. It incorporates, compliments or takes a significant step towards the proposals in Havant Borough Council's Local Plan for the extension of the pedestrian zone into London Road (south) and removal of through traffic in the town centre.

Sections 4 and 5, the final parts of the route from Waterlooville north to Horndean, are now under development and the final proposals will be appraised for approval in late 2005.

The A3 corridor project and SHRT have recently been drawn under the larger `umbrella' of Solent Transport, which is promoting the development and integration of public transport over the whole south Hampshire area.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The promotion and enhancement of public transport is one of the key methods of achieving a sustainable transport network, which is one of the founding principles of the Government's Ten Year Plan for Transport. The creation of improved, reliable, high quality bus services and infrastructure is identified in the County Council's Road Traffic Reduction Act Report 2000 as the type of measure necessary to achieve this objective. This project will contribute towards the priority area of increasing the use of public transport, which forms part of the travel and transport objectives within the corporate strategy for the stewardship of the environment.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

Section 3 can be considered in five separate elements, each of which has unique features that make it convenient to describe separately. It starts at the finish point of Section 2b, just south of Waterlooville, and travels north.

Section 3a Forest End is the stretch of the A3 north to the edge of the Forest End roundabout. With road widening there is only room for a single bus lane here and it has been put on the north bound side, where the greatest bus delays are incurred queuing to get through this busy junction. There is enough room for a south bound on road cycle lane, which is being provided for continuity of facilities for cyclists. A new pedestrian and cyclist crossing point is being provided adjacent to the Forest End side road junction, which in turn shall have exiting right hand turn manoeuvres banned due to safety concerns. Vehicles can in turn U-turn at the roundabout 25m away and this formalises how most sensible drivers already behave.

There is significant on-road parking at present, with the east side generally being visitors or commuters avoiding the town centre parking charges while the west side is mainly residential parking. Significant work has been undertaken to agree accommodation works for the construction of off-road parking within the curt ledge of those properties that have no off-road parking at present. In the few cases where this has not been possible alternative on-road parking has been sought within Forest End. In this way every effort has been made to mitigate the loss of on-road parking for local residents while the displaced town centre related parking is expected to find a more suitable parking place.

Section 3b Forest End roundabout is the junction itself and the approaches for both the A3 Maurepas Way and Rockville Drive. The feasibility of changing the junction to traffic signals to incorporate bus priority was studied and while a layout was possible it was felt that the peak hour queues for other traffic would be too excessive. This would also be compounded by traffic growth from the adjacent major development area. Therefore since the junction operates well at the moment and buses get improved priority access to it from 3a and 3c the roundabout has been retained. However there is still scope to revisit this as part of the major development area improvements to the local road network.

The existing pedestrian Pelican crossing adjacent to the doctor's surgery will be upgraded to a Toucan so that cyclists can be safely routed to and from the town centre without having to cross the Forest End roundabout.

There is the desire to allow buses to exit from 3c London Road (south) and turn left into Rockville Drive. The existing bend is too sharp for large vehicles such as buses, traffic signals would not be suitable without changing the whole roundabout and doing a 270 degree turn around the roundabout is not a safe or expected manoeuvre. Therefore negotiations have been held with the petrol filling station to see if a small corner of their forecourt can be dedicated for highway to allow the junction to be widened. These negotiations are on-going and an alternative routing through 3c can be provided in the meantime.

Negotiations are continuing with Wickes the builders merchant in Rockville Drive to see if a new loading bay can be created using a combination of their and highway land. This will remove the obstructions that can occur with deliveries at present, aiding general traffic flow and bus priority if services are rerouted from Stakes Hill Road.

Section 3c is the main shopping area for the south of the town in St George's Walk, Stakes Hill Road and London Road (south). At present all these roads are open to traffic and it is proposed to remove through traffic (except for buses and some delivery access) and extend the existing pedestrian zone of the north part of the town centre.

The Havant Local Plan includes proposals for the removal of all through traffic and extension of the pedestrian zone with all bus services rerouted through Swiss Road. At present Swiss Road is a cul-de-sac that provides access to pay and display parking at shop floor level close to the ASDA supermarket and service access for several shops. It runs parallel to London Road (south) but has no access to the A3 at the Forest End roundabout. Extensive investigations and negotiations have been undertaken to see if a new route and interchange can be provided here for the numerous bus services that run through the town centre, but all proposals would require the loss of a large amount of the existing parking.

ASDA leases this land from Havant Borough Council and while it supports public transport improvements the Swiss Road car park is the most valuable for its store (and town centre) because it best caters for vulnerable shoppers such as parents with toddlers, the disabled and the elderly. It is not possible to offer alternative parking of such quality in mitigation, therefore ASDA objects to the proposals due to the parking loss. Since it owns the long term

lease it would be incredibly expensive to overcome its position. This effectively removes Swiss Road as an option at present, although it may still be reconsidered if and when there is major town centre redevelopment in Waterlooville.

The alternative proposal to Swiss Road is to still remove all through traffic and extend the pedestrian zone, but retain the current access for buses across the pedestrian area in a single lane route, with two-way flow controlled by traffic signals. This would mimic the type of bus and pedestrian areas now found in many town centres, with bus passengers able to use the existing bus stops right in the middle of the shopping area. This will deliver the vast majority of improvements planned for the town centre, which can be easily altered and bus access redirected if in the future a new route such as Swiss Road becomes available.

High quality materials will be used for the 3c works to complement the existing pedestrian zone so that they form an environmental improvement scheme in their own right. Street furniture will be designed to link together the north and south of the town centre and establish a shared character for both. An on-street public access information terminal will be provided for the town centre, which can supply public transport information and be expanded to meet e-Government requirements and potentially bus ticket purchases and other transactions. Havant Borough Council is to install a new centrepiece column and clock as a feature for the improved town centre focal point. Enough new pedestrian space will be created so that the weekly market can expand into London Road (south), a new pedestrian crossing will be included in the bus traffic signals at the London Road/St George's Walk junction and access retained for Swiss Road from St George's Walk. Some ornamental tree planting is proposed as long as there is no major disturbance to underground services.

It is intended that the Stakes Hill Road junction with London Road (south) should be closed to all traffic, which is supported by bus operators only if the alternative Rockville Drive junction with Forest End roundabout in 3b can be improved. Until then this can remain open for buses and special delivery access (such as the market), removing over 95% of the through traffic from the junction. This can then be easily modified when the new bus access has been completed.

The majority of shops affected have rear delivery access, and for most without these proposals have been made to provide new rear access as accommodation works. It is proposed that essential deliveries in London Road be restricted to non-peak times so that they do not interfere with bus priority needs. The existing on-road short term parking and taxi rank will be removed, all of which is in line with the Local Plan proposal.

High quality materials will be used to improve the street scene so that it complements the existing pedestrian zone. Havant Borough Council are contributing towards some of these improvements, particularly the new focal point and ornate clock tower in the town centre.

Section 3d is the junction of St George's Walk and the A3 Maurepas Way, where at present all vehicles can turn left in and left out onto the town centre dual carriageway bypass. Buses can also turn right into St George's Walk with the aid of traffic signals and it is proposed to expand this so that they can turn right out onto Maurepas Way as well. This will offer immediate time saving for buses that currently have to turn left and then do a U-turn at the B2150 Hambledon Road roundabout. This roundabout already suffers congestion at peak times and the new facility will safeguard against any new delays that may arise from future development. It is not proposed to change any of the dual carriageway lanes to bus lane and there is no room for road widening.

Section 3e is the junction of Rockville Drive and Stakes Hill Road to the east of the town centre. This is already signalised and only minor changes will be required for either the removal of through traffic in the town centre or the rerouting of buses down Rockville Drive.

There are also features that are common to most or all of the sub sections of Section 3 eg new decorative street lighting, drainage improvements, new road signs, new high quality bus shelters with electronic real time information signs, updated closed circuit television (CCTV) to provide improved traffic monitoring and security surveillance.

Further details of the Section 3 proposals will be displayed at the meeting.

Environmental Impact

The proposed works are wholly within either the highway boundary or land immediately adjacent to it. In this town centre location there is only nominal effect upon existing flora and new trees will be provided as part of Section 3c. The proposals do have an impact on the street landscape but this will be an environmental enhancement of the rather run down existing street scene in London Road (south). The changes to highway access will remove through traffic and improve the town centre environment for pedestrians and cyclists. The displaced traffic will either disperse to more suitable routes or change to a more suitable form of travel.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition essential. However, the scheme can be improved if a small piece of land can be dedicated from the petrol filling station at Forest End; these negotiations are on going and will be completed if the owner agrees. The construction of a new rear access road to serve 232 to 242 London Road would help relieve proposed delivery constraints, and negotiations for this are continuing. Accommodation works have been proposed for off-road residential parking for 3 to 27 London Road and will be provided subject to agreement and planning permission.

Statutory Procedures

The PU diversions have been determined through the New Roads and Street Works Act procedure. In general accommodation works to property adjoining the A3 is permitted development, with the exception of the off-road parking proposals for 3 to 27 London Road. These are being developed in liaison with Havant Borough Council to ensure suitability.

Traffic Regulation Orders are required for the new restrictions. Neither the local Members nor the Police have raised an objection to the proposed Orders and only five objections have been received during the public notice period, which are summarised in Appendix 2. It is proposed that the Orders are made under delegated powers if this project appraisal is approved.

Public Consultation

Regular progress reports have been made to the South East Hampshire Transportation Panel over the past three years about the principles and progress of the A3 corridor. Additional reports have been presented to the South Hampshire Rapid Transit Future Developments Working Party and the Havant Highway and Transport Advisory Panel.

Frequent Steering Group meetings have been held with representatives from Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Havant Borough Council, East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire Constabulary and First (the main bus operator for the route) to discuss and develop the project proposals.

The Waterlooville Town Centre Consultative Panel is chaired by Havant Borough Council and includes local County Members, District Ward Members and key town centre stakeholders. It has assisted for over three years in the investigation, development and identification of Section 3 and helped determine the principles used for the main scheme proposals. It has been instrumental in the completion of the detailed design, its comments have been addressed where ever possible and the Panel supports the final proposals with a couple of conditions:

(i) that the Section 3c works do not preclude the future use of Swiss Road for town centre bus services (and their removal from London Road); and

(ii) that in its opinion retaining any traffic through the London Road (south)/Stakes Hill Road junction is a danger to crossing pedestrians and so every effort should be made to allow buses to use Rockville Drive (by securing the petrol filling station land in 3b).

As explained previously the proposals do not hamper any future use of Swiss Road and negotiations will continue to see if an agreement can be reached about the petrol filling station land.

The Town Centre Manager is a member of the Panel and acts as a liaison for local businesses. Extensive consultations in the form of letters, newsletters, exhibitions and meetings have been held with local businesses to inform them of the proposals and balance their needs with the project objectives. Previous sections of the route have benefited from our site staff and contractor establishing a regular information/notice and consultation process during the construction, which will be used here to minimise the inconvenience in such a busy and sensitive area.

All residents of the town centre and the immediate surrounding area have been invited to two public exhibitions (one for the initial alternatives and one for the final proposals). Through these and newsletters they have been informed of the scheme objectives, Section 3 proposals and final design. A summary of the feedback from consultation questionnaires is attached in Appendix 2, which shows continued support for the principles of the scheme and the final Section 3 proposals. Havant Borough Council has considered public comments when determining which of the alternative options for the central feature clock should be adopted.

Pre-construction consultation began in July when a `One-Stop-Shop' caravan was set up in Waterlooville precinct, to which local businesses were invited by letter. The opportunity was also taken to answer any questions posed by shop customers. A total of 110 people visited between 8am and 4pm.

Additional consultation is also being undertaken specifically for the position of both the bus shelters and street light columns, so that residents, traders and Members can help develop agreement for their location.

Where the bus route would remove existing on-road parking and adjacent residents do not have off-road parking, accommodation works have been offered if feasible to create off-road parking on their land. Each owner affected has been consulted about what can be done; these are mitigation measures for the owner's benefit which will only be undertaken with their agreement, but ultimately the scheme could if necessary proceed without these works. The response has been very good and works have been arranged that are mutually beneficial.

Newsletters have been used to inform and keep local residents and businesses up-to-date during the construction phase, and this will be continued for Section 3.

Local Members' View

The proposals for Section 3 affect the wards of two local Members, Councillors McIntosh and Beagley. Both are actively involved in the project development and the Waterlooville Town Centre Consultative Panel. They both support the principles of the proposed improvements and will continue to be consulted as the main works proceed.

Both they and most Havant Borough Council Members prefer the original aim of removing all vehicles from London Road south to create complete pedestrianisation. They are disappointed that this could not be done by routing buses through the adjacent Swiss Road, which reflects the views of many residents who have spoken to them. However, they appreciate that this is not possible at present and so accept the current proposals in the short term, although they still wish for Swiss Road to be reconsidered as part of any future town centre development proposals.

In a similar way they would prefer to see the closure of the Stakes Hill Road junction which they feel is hazardous for pedestrians to cross. This feature is being pursued as much as possible as part of the on-going A3 Corridor project, and if necessary they would support it as an independent scheme after that.

Equalities

The local Access Group in Havant has been consulted on the principles of the project and the typical features being included in the main works. All bus stops will have high kerbs for level access to buses and audio version of the real time information will be available for the visually impaired. Standard highway improvements such as dropped kerb crossings, tactile edging, contrasting colours, new footway and road surfacing have been provided as a principle design requirement for the scheme.

Maintenance Implications

Where required structural carriageway repairs will form part of the main works to add value to the project and avoid the need for maintenance road works in the near future. Where the hollow kerb drains are used to remove gully gratings that and upgraded street lighting will be carried out as part of the advanced works.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

In order to improve public safety all the new bus shelters use clear side wall materials for conspicuity and include lighting. Although ultimately it is planned that this will be toughened glass but polycarbonate may be used short term until the new CCTV cameras are operational. These will be dual role cameras to both monitor traffic and provide security surveillance of the bus shelters. The images and camera control are shared between HCC and Havant Borough Council control rooms, both of which can divert pictures to the Police if an offence occurs.

The Police have been consulted regularly about the development of the project and have not raised any issues about crime and disorder.

Sustainability

The creation and enhancement of the public transport network is a key principle in delivering a sustainable transport strategy.

The A3 corridor project features as a leading highway construction scheme within Hampshire County Council's Corporate Strategy for Sustainable Development. It has developed and is employing methods of recycling existing materials in situ, waste reduction, recycling and sourcing materials locally and in an environmentally-sensitive manner.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Various options for a north-south link between Portsmouth and Horndean were studied as part of the transportation studies undertaken for the SHRT network. Neither an off-road solution nor an on-road tram-based system was very feasible and an on-road bus system with priority features using the A3 corridor was recommended as the most suitable solution.

Originally the proposals for the town centre were to redirect all buses from London Road (south) to the adjacent Swiss Road. However, this would result in the lose of over half of the car parking area here, which ASDA considers most valuable to vulnerable customers. Since ASDA owns the lease to this land it is not possible to proceed without its agreement and it has not been possible to find alternative parking of the same quality in lieu of what would be removed. Therefore while this is shown as the preferred layout in the Havant Local Plan it cannot be delivered at this time.

All bus services could be removed from London Road south by diverting them via Stakes Hill Road and Rockville Drive. However the Town Centre Panel consider this an undesirable junction to retain, especially since it would require an area of shared bus and pedestrian use

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

13/3/33 Project Files

Environment Department

Room 427