Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS PROGRAMME AND LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN - TRAFFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME RUMBRIDGE STREET, TOTTON

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

NOVEMBER 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

MAY 2005

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

1.

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

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at May 2004

(at May 2004

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

nil

nil

Construction (phase 1 only)*

*250

1,140

Fees**

**90

Less developers/

-

-

other contributions

340

1,140

*Capital programme for complete scheme is £1 million

** Fees include £40,000 towards the development of the overall scheme. The fee element on subsequent Project Appraisals will consequently be proportionately less.

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme - LTP

0

600

(b) Other:ROUA 2001/03

240

ROUA 2003/05

300

*

1,140

2.

From other resources

(a) None

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

1,140

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

3.5

0.004

Capital charges

33.0

0.029

TOTAL net expenditure

36.5

0.033

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Rumbridge Street represents the original 'high street' of Totton. The street retains a strong village character with a predominance of buildings of the late Victorian/Edwardian era. However, due to neglect over a number of years and new development in other parts of Totton it has taken on a rundown appearance and is suffering the effects of under-investment from both the public and private sector.

The street provides important local shopping facilities for Old Totton and Eling together with a range of specialist outlets serving the wider area around Totton. There is also a strong tradition of independent specialist traders operating from Rumbridge Street.

However, like many urban areas the street is dominated by traffic to the detriment of pedestrians and the local environment. The retail trade is also under threat from nearby out-of-town shopping and large scale commercial development, like West Quay in Southampton.

This scheme provides an opportunity to further strengthen the position of vulnerable local landmarks and adds further value to the range of initiatives already undertaken in Rumbridge Street and surrounding areas, eg street lighting aimed at improving the quality of the environment and regenerating Totton. It will also set a high standard for future development in this area.

These initiatives are encompassed within the Urban Design Framework adopted by New Forest District Council as Supplementary Planning Guidance. This framework has identified the need to make major improvements in the town centre which will overcome the existing traffic congestion in the area while at the same time improve the built environment which has been decaying in recent times. This in turn will make the area a better place to live and work and ensure its economic vitality in years to come.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposed improvements in the Rumbridge Street area of the town centre meet the policy aims of the planning framework document adopted by Hampshire and New Forest Councils.

The scheme meets the objectives of the Local Transport Plan adopted by Hampshire County Council in 2001 and the South West Hampshire Transport Strategy, now the Solent Transport Strategy, developed by the County and District Councils to identify transportation, safety, environmental and economic opportunities in the town.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The complete scheme consists of traffic management measures along Rumbridge Street and the adjacent Windsor Road that will deter traffic that does not have a destination within this part of Old Totton and reduce the speed of traffic that continues to use Rumbridge Street. Footway improvements associated with these measures will also improve the accessibility to this area for pedestrians.

The traffic management measures proposed will involve the removal of the deceleration lane on the A35 Totton bypass at the Rumbridge Street junction to slow traffic that enters Rumbridge Street.

The adjacent lorry park will be closed and the area landscaped over with the entrance to the public car park being realigned.

Coloured surface treatment traffic calming will be laid at regular intervals along Rumbridge Street to encourage slower vehicle speeds.

Windsor Road, between Rumbridge Street and Eling Lane, will become one-way in the eastbound direction, with Rumbridge Street becoming one-way to general traffic in a westbound direction between Batts Corner and Windsor Road junctions.

However, the traffic regulation order needed to make this section of Rumbridge Street one way will still allow buses, taxis and bicycles to travel eastbound along this section of Rumbridge Street.

Traffic signal control at Batts Corner (Rumbridge Street/Eling Lane/High Street/Junction Road junction) incorporating a pedestrian crossing phase is being considered for inclusion as a later phase of the overall scheme.

The footways along Rumbridge Street will also be improved using materials that are in keeping with this part of Old Totton.

The design of this scheme adheres to Hampshire County Council's standards and national guidance. A safety audit of the phase 1 works has been completed.

A plan will be displayed at the meeting.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. Agreement with frontages will be sought to carry the new surfacing finishes from kerb to building line. The boundary of the highway and private forecourts will be delineated in an appropriate material.

Environmental Impact

The combined effects of these works, together with the proposed changes to traffic movements in the Rumbridge Street area of Totton and the use of environmentally sensitive materials, will greatly improve the general environment of this part of Totton. All construction materials will be selected for their quality and long-life, providing better value for money for long term maintenance costs.

Statutory Procedures

Traffic Regulation Orders are required to implement the proposed access arrangements. Clarification is being sought as to whether planning permission will be required for work on private forecourts.

Public Consultation

Public consultation on a broad range of improvements for Totton Town Centre, including Rumbridge Street, was undertaken in September 2002. The results of the exercise indicated a high level of support for the overall initiative, particularly for the Old Totton area.

A separate public exhibition displaying the detailed proposals for Rumbridge Street only was undertaken on 24 June 2004. The plans were subsequently displayed at the Totton and Eling Town Council Offices from 28 June to 15 July 2004.

A total of 161 visitors were recorded at the exhibition but it is estimated that a number of people did not register their name in the attendance book and the number of visitors was estimated to be nearer 200.

A total of 43 questionnaires were returned with comments on the scheme, of which 28 (65%) supported the proposals.

Local Members' View

The local Members, Councillors Bright and Mrs Randall, support the proposals. The proposals are also supported by Members of New Forest District Council and the Town Council.

Equalities

The widened pavements, together with dropped kerbs and tactile paving, will give improved access for disabled people to this area of Totton.

Maintenance Implications

The proposed improvements will result in a small increase in maintenance costs. These costs will be taken into account when setting the annual base budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Improved street lighting, together with the surrounding environment and an increase in economic activity in the area, would have the likely effect of deterring anti-social behaviour.

Sustainability

This scheme will improve facilities for pedestrians and therefore encourage local people to walk. Air quality should also improve as a result of the scheme being implemented.

The project demonstrates the advantages of investment in the principles of appropriateness, high quality and long life, and supports the County Council's corporate Urban Living Strategy.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Alternative design approaches have been considered. The current scheme is consistent with the adopted urban design framework and transport strategy for the area, is considered to enhance the character of the area, and represents the most appropriate technical solution. No other options were considered to meet the scheme objectives or the principles of the ROUA programme

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

Rumbridge Street Working File

Room 112, Environment Department