Contact: Chris Lait, tel 01329 824485 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report details the programmes for:

(i) Regeneration of Older Urban Areas;

(ii) Intelligent Transport Systems;

(iii) Bridgeworks;

(iv) Recreational Cycling; and

(v) Development Related Works.

2. Regeneration of Older Urban Areas

Castle Street, Portchester

2.1 The Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) scheme for Castle Street, implemented by the County Council and Fareham Borough Council in partnership, is now complete. An official opening was held on 14 June and was very well supported by the local community.

Shore Road, Warsash

2.2 Following a public exhibition of the proposals on 23 April 2004, consultants Atkins have finalised the detailed plans for Shore Road and Passage Lane at Warsash. The Project Appraisal was approved on 13 July 2004. Advance tenders have been sought for the provision of specialist stone paving material and the main works will proceed to tender in September. It is planned to commence work in January 2005 with completion by May 2005.

Town Quay, Fareham

2.3 Funding for an environmental improvement scheme for this important and historic area close to the town centre has now been secured by the ROUA 2003-05 programme and by Fareham Borough Council. The work will be undertaken by the two authorities in partnership continuing the successful joint working and common approach established on previous urban regeneration projects. In line with the overall programme priority of completing projects that have already been started, implementation of work at Town Quay will be undertaken after the Warsash scheme. However, because of progress on a study of the Market Street roundabout, and prospective development on adjacent sites, it is planned to begin detailed assessments in September 2004. Implementation of work at Town Quay is unlikely to occur until mid to late 2005.

3. Intelligent Transport Systems Group (ITS)

3.1 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.

3.2 During 2004/05 the deployment of ITS continues to be significant and includes a large number of new traffic signals, pelican crossings, cycle crossings, real-time bus passenger information systems, car park information systems, variable message signs, bus departure information systems, etc. This has resulted in a significant increase in the scope and geographic coverage of ITS facilities in Hampshire. The increase in the deployment of ITS will mean increased traffic control facilities, and an enhanced traffic and travel information service can be provided and disseminated through the media and internet. This aspect of traffic and travel information will be further enhanced and integrated locally on a sub-regional basis through close working with the City Councils on the Solent Transport Initiative.

3.3 An important role of the ITS group is the maintenance and operation of the traffic control and other associated on-street ITS equipment. The majority of traffic signals and pelican crossings report faults automatically through to the traffic and travel information centre in Winchester and all sites are visited regularly to inspect the condition of the equipment. Any faults are then reported to the appropriate maintenance contractor for remedial action and repairs. Sites are refurbished or replaced through the revenue budget to ensure that equipment is operating in a safe and effective manner and complies with current standards and regulations.

3.4 It is likely that the provisions contained in the secondary powers of the Traffic Management Act will place greater emphasis on the role of the ITS Group, as the requirements for monitoring and improving the operation of the highway network will place greater responsibilities on the County Council.

3.5 Capital Programme 2004/05

(i) Fareham car park occupancy monitoring and car park variable message signs (VMS), system installation. Completion in September.

(ii) Telford Way, Southampton Road, detailed design and specification of new toucan crossing.

(iii) Southampton Road, near Lower Church Road, detailed design and specification of new puffin crossing.

(iv) A27 Downend Road - separate stage right-turn into Downend Road; complete.

(v) New puffin crossing at Highlands Road near Hilson Drive, Fareham. Currently developing design/delivery programme, implementation spring 2005.

(vi) Real-time bus passenger information system for the A32 corridor between Gosport and Fareham. Implementation during 2004/05.

4. Bridgeworks Programme 2004/05

4.1 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 1,400 road bridges, 300 footbridges and numerous ancillary structures, such as retaining walls and gantries.

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

Load Assessment and Strengthening

4.3 This programme was instigated by EU legislation that allowed 40 tonne lorries on to UK roads from 1 January 1999. The assessments are now complete and strengthening of sub-standard bridges is ongoing. There remain about 25 bridges subject to interim measures, such as weight limits

or monitoring, that will be strengthened over the next five or six years, funding permitting. Within Fareham this includes Longwater bridge in River Lane just north of the M27.

Road/Rail Bridges

4.4 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 been started. With 148 bridges county-wide, this will continue over several years, as funding is made available. Within Fareham there are 13 locations identified but all have been ranked with a low priority and are therefore unlikely to have any major works carried out for a number of years.

Aluminium Parapets

4.5 The Highways Agency has identified that aluminium vehicle parapets made by BACO, manufactured prior to 1986, are not to current standards. All such parapets on county bridges have been prioritised and a contract for their replacement or strengthening is out to tender. The timing and extent of work has not yet been finalised. Further information on individual bridges affected is given below.

2004/05 Schemes in Fareham

Aluminium Parapet Replacement

4.6 The parapets will be replaced on three bridges in the Fareham area:

(i) Delme Arms Flyover, that carries the A27 Eastern Way over the roundabout;

(ii) Gosport Road bridge, that carries Newgate Lane B3385 over Gosport Road A32; and

(iii) North Wallington River bridge, that carries Standard Way over the River Wallington.

4.7 Contract preparation is underway and detailed discussions concerning programming and traffic management are ongoing with the relevant parties. It is anticipated that works on Delme Flyover will coincide with the February 2005 school half-term.

Bursledon Bridge, A27

4.8 Concrete repairs to this three span reinforced concrete arch, which carries the A27 over the River Hamble at Bursledon, are now complete. Fencing has also been provided at all four corners of the bridge to deter youths from congregating and jumping into the river.

Cams South Culvert

4.9 This corrugated steel Armco culvert carries the A27, on the south side of Delme Arms roundabout, over the north end of Fareham Lake. The apron and revetment have been damaged by scour and repair works are currently being prepared. Consultations with the Environment Agency and English Nature are ongoing as this is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Stony Anjou

4.10 This narrow Grade II listed bridge, located in Fishers Hill, Titchfield, has been struck by vehicles on numerous occasions. Priority signs are in place to encourage only one vehicle to cross at a time and yellow and black chevrons emphasise the hazard. Most recently, white lining has been added alongside the stone parapets to keep vehicles away from them. However, if collisions continue further measures to prevent damage will need to be considered.

5. Recreational Cycling

5.1 The Environment Department, in partnership with the Recreation and Heritage Department, administers the county-wide Recreation Cycling Programme, which currently has an allocation of £100,000 from the Transport Capital Programme. The principle of supporting the programme was approved by the Executive Member for Environment, resulting from an earlier review of the Recreational Cycling Strategy (2002-06), showing that the prioritisation of the Strategy's delivery in both cycling promotion and facility delivery has considerable potential to assist the implementation of the County Council's Local Transport Plan and Road Traffic Reduction cycle use targets (now under review). To deliver important links in the cycling facilities' network, often in rural areas, the Strategy needs to be assisted with capital funding from the LTP, and this was supported. The programme also aims to contribute to the delivery of the National Cycle Route (NCN) and the National Byway, thus giving increased opportunities for cycle use both within Hampshire and linking to networks developed by neighbouring authorities.

2004/05 Schemes in Fareham

Wickham to Fareham -Phase 1

5.2 Bridleway 82 forms an important link of an off-road route for cycle use between the Wickham to Fareham disused railway line and the northern end of Fareham Park Road, leading to Henry Cort School. The condition of the bridleway over this section is very poor; the upper flat section is frequently muddy and the sloped section can be particularly slippery in wet weather for all user groups, including walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The sloped section is also stepped, which causes particular difficulty for cyclists as most are forced to dismount when using the slope.

5.3 The scheme aims to improve the gradient to the sloped section and to remove the steps thus making the route safer for all users. The surface of both the slope and the flat section of the bridleway, which also provides access for children cycling to Henry Cort School, will be significantly improved. The proposal is expected to add value to the utility cycle network locally and Safer Routes to Schools initiatives.

5.4 The scheme has an estimated works cost of £6,000 and a planned construction start in November 2004.

6. Development Related Works

6.1 Works within Fareham currently being carried out under Section 38 or Section 278 Agreements are detailed in Appendix 1.

6.2 External funding and schemes relevant to that funding are detailed in Appendix 2.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8899/CL