Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

RINGWOOD WALKING AND CYCLING (ACTIVE TRAVEL) PROGRAMME - PHASE 1

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

SEPTEMBER 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 2005

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

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Nov '03

(at Nov '03

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

81

81

Fees

19

19

100

100

Less developers/

Nil

Nil

other contributions

100

100

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

100

100

(b) Other

Nil

Nil

100

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

100

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

3.5

0.004

Capital charges

10.0

0.008

TOTAL net expenditure

13.5

0.012

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Ringwood has a population of 13,600 living within one mile of the town centre, mainly to the north, east and south of the town. In the late 1970s the A31 Trunk Road was improved, creating a barrier of easy access between the northern primarily residential areas stretching from the A338 Salisbury Road across to Poulner to the central part of the town (south of the A31 trunk road). This road pattern, together with recently increased growth in traffic levels, has added to local through traffic movement, impacting on a number of residential roads unsuitable for this level of traffic use.

A great deal of the known motorised traffic movement is caused by local trips between the aforementioned residential areas, the town centre (Furlong car park) for the shopping areas, the five local schools, the Recreation Centre and many other attractors in the town. Additionally, walking and cycling already registers moderate use on Gravel Lane, Southampton Road and Quomp routes into the town from the northern and southern areas of the town, and along the Castleman Trail, forming an important part of the County Council's Recreational Cycling Strategy linking Ringwood and the New Forest to Dorset.

With current travel patterns and traffic conditions, Ringwood has the potential for increasing the modal share of non-motorised (active travel) use for short journeys. Although it is not possible at this stage to predict what increases in cycling and walking activity might arise from a package of improvement measures concentrated on theses modes, there is certainly significant scope for increases in activity and to contribute to key Government objectives for cycling and walking as contained in the National Cycling Strategy and the recently published Department for Transport's Walking and Cycling Action Plan. In recognition of this potential and the possible future re-development prospects in the town, a project to assess walking and cycling needs and opportunities was initiated in September 2002. This involved setting up a Working Group comprising County Council, New Forest District Council and Ringwood Town Council officers and Members.

During the last two years, the Working Group has identified over 140 individual measures which could be delivered to promote five high quality strategic walking and cycling routes that would link Blashford, Poulner, Hightown and Moortown areas of the town. The measures could form a programme of delivery over a number of financial years, phased through the Local Transport Plan (LTP), commencing in 2004/05 and 2005/06 and extending into the second LTP (2006-11). As detailed programmes are developed, further contributory funding opportunities can be explored, as linked to potential land use redevelopment opportunities in the town.

(See location plans showing the Walking and Cycling routes to be displayed at the meeting.)

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposals are consistent with the aims and objectives set out in the Hampshire LTP and the New Forest Transport Strategy documents. The main aim is to reduce the harmful effects of transport, improve the safety of all travellers and improve the quality of the local environment for residents.

The overall project process accords with the provisions for "Improving the walking and cycling environment" in a new Department for Transport Walking and Cycling Action Plan published in spring 2004. This is the Government's action plan for increasing levels of walking and cycling in England.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

For Phase 1 the proposals in summary cover a wide-ranging installation of drop crossings in Gorley Road, Southampton Road, Salisbury Road, Parsonage Barn Lane and Christchurch Road. New and widened footways would be provided in Gravel Lane, Mansfield Road and Southampton Road; a safety improvement to Gravel Lane; an existing cycle facility upgrading in Southampton Road and other miscellaneous minor works. A listing of the various measures covering the whole project are compiled in five Walkabout Schedules prepared by the working group and these also show the Priority/Action indicating the LTP programme period.

A breakdown of the Phase 1 measures and works estimates are shown as follows:

(i) 42 pairs of drop crossings/minor works sites mostly providing improved walking routes across side road junctions - £19,000;

(ii) Southampton Road/Parsonage Barn Lane footway widening and pedestrian refuge alteration - £9,000;

(iii) Southampton Road/Mansfield Road cul-de-sac area footway widening - £3,250;

(iv) Southampton Road/Mansfield Road B3347 junction pedestrian and cycle refuge island alteration/safety improvement, including anti-skid surfacing - £16,500;

(v) Mansfield Road B3347 Service Road new footway, cycle link and cycle parking area - £5,500;

(vi) Southampton Road/Gorley Road junction uncontrolled pedestrian crossing footway link/safety improvement - £3,250;

(vii) Hightown Road/Castleman Way uncontrolled pedestrian crossing improvement/refuge island alterations - £3,500;

(viii) Southampton Road On-Road Cycle Route upgrading - £16,000; and

(ix) Quomp-Traffic Management (provisional) - £5,000.

Following local consultations over needs to the south of Christchurch Road, a traffic study has been made of the Quomp and other local roads to ascertain suitable measures to reduce traffic levels and speeds, consistent with creating a pleasant walking and cycling route using this road. A much fuller consultation is to take place with residents in the autumn with a view to moving forward with trial measures, possibly a road closure, as part of the Phase 1 work.

Additionally, as part of the partnership programme, New Forest District Council will be undertaking works in 2004/05 to install new pedestrian finger post signs and cycle parking within the core town centre shopping and commercial areas.

Cordon surveys are to be undertaken annually on key route corridors to monitor changes to traffic, walking and cycling travel patterns.

Environmental Impact

The proposals should help to secure a safer and improved environment for all pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits or within the owner's boundary where the owner will have formally given consent.

Statutory Procedures

There are no statutory procedures required, subject to the outcome of consultation over options for the Quomp. Should a preferred option require statutory procedures these will be progressed by New Forest District Council.

Public Consultation

A full public exhibition of the project work was held in Ringwood Town Council Offices on 22 and 23 April 2004 and the main Public Library in Ringwood (un-staffed) from 20 to 23 April 2004. Over 30 visitors were recorded but it is estimated that more than 100 people viewed the proposals at the exhibition. Overall there was general support for the improvements with particular general emphasis on the need to improve pedestrian access throughout the town and to reduce the impact of through traffic in the Quomp and Cloughs Road.

A total of 80 questionnaires were returned. Respondents were asked to answer seven questions:

1. Do you consider that there is a need to improve walking routes in Ringwood?

2. Do you consider that there is a need to improve cycling routes in Ringwood?

For these questions 63 and 70 respectively agree with the need the remainder ranged between being neutral, disagree and don't know.

3. Do you broadly agree with the routes that have been considered by the group?

For this question 54 agree and 17 disagree with the remainder neutral and don't know. The 17 to disagree did not offer any alternative routes.

4. Is there any particular proposal that you agree with?

5. Is there any particular proposal that you disagree with?

6. What would encourage you to walk more to and from the town centre?

7. What would encourage you to cycle more to and from the town centre?

Do you have any further comments?

A summary of the responses to these questions has been taken on board by the Working Group and will be considered in the delivery of further phases of work, yet to be agreed.

Ringwood Town Council's Planning and Environment Committee has considered proposals prepared by the Working Group. Its Members agreed "that any improvements to Quomp and Hightown Road (forming part of the walking and cycling route between the town centre and Moortown) should be given the highest priority, particularly in light of the County Council's request for an independent feasibility study to be carried out in this area to look at all options to improve traffic management. It was also agreed that the most-used routes of Southampton Road, Mansfield Road and Gravel Lane should come next in the list of priority". The Town Council has also raised concern that projects should not be treated in isolation such as the overlapping current traffic and parking issues in Hightown Road associated with Ringwood Junior School.

A response to the Town Council has been provided by the Director of Environment. The response indicates that the Phase 1 programme of measures should be based upon works that are deliverable in the current financial year. Also it has been explained that proposals being the subject of further study, consultation or design would be considered for subsequent years' programmes, taking account of the possibilities of any development-led funding. Further, the need for a study of Hightown Road traffic issues identified by the Working Group will therefore have the wider brief to examine the impacts of Safer Routes to School travel patterns in association with the School Travel Plan team, as well as other current local traffic issues and access implications.

New Forest District Council has consulted its Ringwood Members and they are satisfied with the proposals.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Waddington, supports the Walking and Cycling Project and Programme of measures, particularly the need to resolve at the earliest opportunity problems for all road users at the junction of Southampton Road with the B3347 roundabout.

Equalities

The footway improvements, particularly the drop crossings, will make travel easier for disabled people, especially wheelchair and cart users. Also, the tactile paving incorporated into the works will assist the blind and partially sighted.

Maintenance Implications

The revenue implications of this proposal will be taken into account when the annual base budget is set.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no direct impact on this proposal. However, the improvements, if successful in raising levels of active travel in and around the town, will enhance the sense of safety and security for all those using the area.

Sustainability

The proposed improvements will increase travel choice opportunities in Ringwood.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Taking no action.

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

Ringwood Walking and Cycling - Phase 1

Walkabout Schedules

Environment Department