Archived decisions

Contact: Jonathan Ryder, ext 5162 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The County Council's Transport Capital Programme identifies funding for individually named integrated transport improvement schemes and also includes other county-wide improvement programmes and block budget allocations.

1.2 The table below shows the county-wide improvement programmes applicable to the Fareham area and identifies the funding allocation made from the Local Transport Plan (LTP) for the 2004/05 year. The table also identifies where further information about the works appropriate to each programme can be found on the agenda.

County-wide Programme	2004/05 County-wide Allocation (£'000)	Report Item
Safer Routes to Schools	1,250	10
Pedestrian Crossing Programme	400	12
Minor Schemes	250	7
Central Intelligent Transport Systems	200	12
Recreational Cycling	140	12
Community Safety Initiative	60	11
Casualty Reduction Programme	3,200	9
Community Transport	650	N/A
Passenger Transport Information	160	N/A

1.3 This report provides a progress update on the named integrated transport schemes within the 2004/05 Transport Capital Programme as approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 14 September 2004, for implementation in the Fareham area. These are summarised in the attached appendix. The report also provides a progress update on schemes started in earlier programmes which were incomplete at the last Panel meeting.

1.4 Individual schemes within the Transport Capital Programme are financed from the LTP, which consists of Central Government supported capital expenditure (SCE) and/or external funding (EF) received from developers or other contributors.

1.5 The 2005/06 Transport Capital Programme will be considered in January 2005 by the Environment Policy Review Committee and then the Executive Member for Environment. The programme will be influenced by the level of the Local Transport Settlement for 2005/06 for Hampshire, which will be announced by the Government in December 2004, and by the level of spending commitments carried forward into 2005/06 from the 2004/05 programme. Area Transport Strategy Panels are being asked at the Autumn round of meetings to prioritise schemes within their areas to assist the Executive Member for Environment.

2. Transport Capital Schemes 2002/03

Fareham Town Centre Signing - £150,000 SCE

2.1 This scheme is to provide a comprehensive system of new direction signing in and around Fareham Town Centre to provide drivers, including heavy commercial vehicles (HGVs), with clear directional information to local destinations by the most appropriate routes. The work was substantially completed in July 2004.

3. Transport Capital Schemes 2003/04

Hill Road/Station Road, Portchester - £5,000 SCE, £55,000 EF

3.1 This traffic management scheme was implemented to reduce vehicle speeds and assist with the safety of all road users. Traffic calming measures have been implemented on Hill Road and these were completed in July 2003.

3.2 A priority system is being trialled at the Portchester Station railway bridge in order to provide a widened footway link under the railway bridge. The consequence of this was a narrowing of the carriageway to one lane with priority being given to traffic travelling north away from the A27.

3.3 Due to ongoing concerns regarding traffic management under the bridge a feasibility study is being undertaken to ascertain if a traffic signal scheme would be viable and improve traffic control under the bridge .

3.4 Initial results indicate that traffic signal control would be viable. However, further work is being undertaken to establish engineering costs, which are expected to be in the order of £100,000. It is proposed to recommend this scheme, at the forthcoming Solent Transport Panel, for inclusion in a future capital programme.

Portchester Home Zone - £200,000 SCE, £499,000 Department for Transport, £50,000 Fareham Borough Council, £251,000 Highways Maintenance

3.5 The main civil engineering contractor, Caroway Construction, commenced work on 15 March 2004. The scheme is progressing on programme, with residents praising the cooperation of the contractor.

3.6 Within Sunningdale Road works are substantially complete, Castle Grove is completed to wearing course level and preparation works are well advanced within Myrtle Avenue. This element of the scheme is due for completion in October.

3.7 Extensive consultation has continued during the construction phase of the project due to residents' changing requirements for vehicle crossings and the need to trial the route with the refuse freighter to ensure access for refuse collection and emergency services.

3.8 Preparations have commenced with regard to the landscaping works and residents have been discussing options for a Garden Club as part of the Home Zone Association. Subject to weather, it is hoped that landscaping works will be completed by Christmas.

3.9 On completion of the works, the traffic regulation orders will be implemented and the monitoring phase of the project will commence.

Car Park Information System for Fareham Town Centre - £280,000 EF

3.10 This scheme is funded through developer contributions received by Fareham Borough Council and is being implemented on its behalf by the County Council.

3.11 Fareham Town Centre is undergoing the third phase of comprehensive redevelopment, known as Market Quay. The development reinforces the need for improved car parking management facilities, signage and information.

3.12 Eight variable message signs (VMS) are to be situated at various locations and will provide information about the following car parks. This includes an additional sign which is to be added at Osborn Road:

(i) Market Quay car park on West Street;

(ii) Osborn Road (multi-storey) car park on Osborn Road;

(iii) Lysses (long stay) car park on Wallington Way;

(iv) Civic Way (multi-storey) car park on Civic Way; and

(v) Bowling Green car park on Osborn Road.

3.13 The system will benefit drivers as the signs will display car park availability and will reduce time spent travelling around the town when looking for spaces. The car park signs are of a matrix type which is based on designs deployed successfully by similar projects in Basingstoke, Winchester and Southampton. The system will be controlled and monitored from the County Council's Traffic and Travel Information Centre in Winchester.

3.14 The information will also be displayed on the ROMANSE website, indicating the number of car spaces currently available in each of the selected car parks. This will provide drivers with pre-trip information about where to park, thus assisting to reduce congestion.

3.15 All of the four car park monitoring out-stations have been installed and seven of the eight VMS faces have been erected. The eighth sign is due for installation during August. The remote Urban Traffic Control in-station is installed and awaiting commissioning.

3.16 The majority of the communications are in place and completion is scheduled for mid-September 2004.

4. Transport Capital Programme - 2004/05

St Margaret's Lane, Titchfield - Traffic Management - £60,000 SCE

4.1 Following an assessment of traffic movements in the vicinity of St Margaret's Lane a scheme has been generated to improve conditions for pedestrians, improve access to public transport and deter unnecessary through traffic.

Preliminary design work is under way to develop measures consisting of:

(i) reduction of entry to A27 roundabout to one lane;

(ii) revised road marking layouts;

(iii) enhanced traffic signing and gateways; and

(iv) narrowing of junction with Common Lane to assist traffic management and to provide footway links to enhanced bus stops on Common Lane.

Implementation is currently anticipated for the early spring.

Newgate Lane/Tukes Avenue Cycleway - £101,000 EF

4.2 This scheme will provide a formalised pedestrian and cycle link between Newgate Lane and Tukes Avenue, and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The scheme proposals are to widen the existing footpath along the route to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians. This includes the provision of a two metre wide cycleway alongside the footpath which will be segregated by a 150 millimetre wide road markings along the western end of the route. The eastern end of the cycleway will be segregated by a grass verge. Pedestrian guard railings and staggered barriers will be installed on the route and street lighting will be improved. Construction work has started on site and completion is scheduled for September 2004.

Westbury Road, Fareham - £10,000 EF

4.3 This proposal aims to convert an existing footpath into a shared cycle/pedestrian route, linking Osborn Road and the town centre shops in West Street. Preliminary design has been undertaken by Fareham Borough Council; however, following the results of a recent safety audit further investigation is required before proceeding to detailed design. This scheme is linked with a project in Park Lane.

Park Lane, Fareham - Traffic Management - £45,000 SCE

4.4 The proposed scheme provides on-road cycle lanes at Park Lane between Miller Drive and the Leisure Centre, and signed cycle routes from Park Lane to the town centre and the existing Cams Hill cycle route. Traffic management measures are included within the scheme and consist of localised anti-skid surfacing at the junctions along Park Lane and at the bends on Serpentine Road. Also included is the provision of a traffic island at the junction of Gordon Road and new `give-way' markings at the Park Lane junction with Trinity Street. Fareham Borough Council has completed public consultations and the scheme proceeded to detail design stage. Implementation was expected during the summer; however, further investigation is required following the results of a recent safety audit.

Broom Way, Fareham - Cycleway - £390,000 EF

4.5 This scheme aims to provide an off-road cycle route on the western side of the carriageway with street lighting. To provide a safer route for public use, the route will be improved from Cherque Farm to Peel Common roundabout and will include improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians along the route. The crossings on Gosport Road and Newgate Lane are proposed to be upgraded to Toucan crossings to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists. A narrow strip of land is required to implement the scheme, and acquisition of this land may impact upon the delivery programme, however negotiation with the landowner is continuing. Although subject to the satisfactory conclusion of consultations with stakeholders and land acquisition, the detailed design is progressing and work onsite is currently anticipated to commence early in the new year.

Salterns Lane Traffic Calming - £49,000 EF

4.6 Following public consultations and discussions with Local and County Members, a report is to be submitted to the Fareham Borough Council Executive Member in September, recommending a traffic calming scheme which includes reinstatement of speed cushions, provision of cycle lanes and enhanced traffic signing and road markings. If approved, a detailed design will be completed, with a view to implementation early in the new year.

A27 Corridor, Fareham - £260,000 SCE

4.7 A supplementary bid to the Government for additional SCE funding was successful. The objectives associated with the bid relate to:

(i) reducing the severance effect of the A27, particularly for pedestrians and cyclists, by improving road crossing opportunities;

(ii) improving links to Swanwick Station; and

(iii) improving the reliability of local bus services.

A detailed programme of work continues to be investigated and proposals will be submitted to the Executive Member for Environment later this year.

A27 Southampton Road/Lower Church Road Toucan - £140,000 SCE, £60,000 EF

4.8 Preliminary design work is being carried out for the proposal to install a Toucan crossing on the A27 Southampton Road near its junctions with Titchfield Park Road and Lower Church Road. This proposal aims to assist with linking the communities on the eastern and western sides of the road whilst providing access to the Segensworth employment areas from Locks Heath/Warsash. It is proposed to include a cycle link from Titchfield Park Road via the proposed Toucan crossing to Southampton Road and Primate Road. Further work is being undertaken to ascertain an appropriate speed limit for the safe operation of the Toucan crossing. The scheme is currently at the preliminary design stage.

A27 Southampton Road/Telford Way Toucan, Park Gate - £150,000 EF

4.9 Proposals are currently being developed to provide a Toucan crossing on the A27 Southampton Road east of Telford Way. The crossing is intended to form a pedestrian and cycle link between the residential and industrial areas separated by the A27 Southampton Road. The scheme includes localised cycle links to the old Southampton Road and to the new cycleways currently being constructed by developers between Telford Way and Collingworth Rise. The provision of this scheme will help to form a future link leading to Swanwick railway station. Traffic, cycle and pedestrian surveys have recently been undertaken and preliminary design is progressing.

Fareham Western Distributor (Schooner Way-Warsash Road) - £1.25 million SCE, £375,000 EF

4.10 This is the last section of the local distributor road to be constructed and land negotiations are continuing that are essential to enable the scheme to progress. Upon the successful acquisition of the land a more detailed assessment of the site conditions can be obtained, given the presence of Japanese Knotweed and land contamination. These features will have an impact on the delivery of the scheme as the removal of Japanese Knotweed can involve a three year eradication programme. Once a full site assessment has been undertaken the impact upon costs and programme will become clearer, however in the meantime detailed design of the scheme is being progressed.

Fareham - Gosport Bus Quality Partnership - £250,000 SCE, £50,000 EF

4.11 This scheme includes the provision of a Bus Departure Information System (BDIS) at Gosport Bus Station and the provision of a Real Time Passenger Information System (RTPI) along the A32 between Fareham and Gosport.

4.12 The improvement at the Gosport bus station follows on from earlier work to improve waiting facilities at the bus station, which are similar to those already completed at Fareham bus station. As with Fareham bus station, the installation of the BDIS will improve the quality of passenger transport information through the provision of electronic boards at each bus departure bay, giving up to date information about bus departure times, destinations, departure bay, and variations to timetable. The proposal includes the provision of a BDIS workstation at the First Bus Depot at Hoeford, enabling the bus operator to disseminate live information about bus services.

4.13 The provision of RTPI along the A32 will improve the quality of up to date service information for passengers along the route. This is achieved through the provision of electronic message boards within bus shelters. Through liaison with the bus operator, 16 bus stops along the A32 have been prioritised for provision of the information boards, which may necessitate the provision of new bus shelters to accommodate the equipment. Resolution of the detail of the improvements required at each of the 16 bus shelters is currently being resolved.

Recommendation

That Members note the progress with schemes in the Transport Capital Programme and support the schemes approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for 2004/05.

8886/JR

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