Archived decisions

Contact: Matt Grantham, ext 5563 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 that are applicable to the Rushmoor 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.

1.3 This report provides a progress update on the named integrated transport schemes within the 2004/05 Transport Capital Programme that have been approved for implementation in the Rushmoor area. These are summarised in the attached appendix.

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 to prioritise schemes within their areas to assist the Executive Member for Environment.

2. Transport Capital Programme - 2004/05

Blackwater Valley Quality Bus Partnership - Real-Time Information - £300,000 SCE/£170,000 EF

2.1 Initially for the Farnborough and Aldershot area and concentrating on bus routes 1 and 6, this scheme is to improve passenger information facilities and provide real-time information (RTI) systems at bus stops. This will consist of up-to-date timetable and information displays to increase the attractiveness of bus travel. Buses are to start having tracking equipment installed in October this year.

A323 Ash Road, Aldershot - Traffic Management - £250,000 SCE

2.2 The scheme involves improvements to the infrastructure of the highway in Ash Road. This includes the movement and addition of crossing points, relocation of footways to meet desire lines and changes to the highway layout. Following public consultation planned for late 2004, implementation is expected early in 2005. Any funds remaining from the completed scheme will be available for associated maintenance works in the area.

North Camp, Farnborough - Traffic Management - £120,000 SCE

2.3 This scheme involves the development of Traffic Management in the North Camp area. The first stage of this will involve Park Road, which will become one-way with a northern traffic flow. This will be accompanied by the implementation of speed cushions, build-outs and additional residential parking.

A327 Summit Avenue, Farnborough - Cycle/Pedestrians - £100,000 SCE/£220,000 EF

2.4 The scheme involves the implementation of a shared pedestrian/cycle route along the A327 Summit Avenue to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The proposed route will be on the southern side from the Nokia development to Southwood Road, where it will join an on-road section down the distributor road, until it reaches the existing Elles Road link. New street lighting will also be implemented along Summit Avenue to bring it up to standard. Public consultation took place in February 2004 and it is expected that works will start late 2004/early 2005. A PV² count also took place in September 2004 to evaluate whether the road met County Council regulations for a controlled crossing point.

Aldershot Quality Bus Partnership - £100,000 SCE

2.5 The scheme is to continue with the Blackwater Valley Route 1 Quality Bus Partnership to improve bus stops, shelters and timetable information. The improvement zone will be between the Farnborough College of Technology and Hospital Hill, passing through the North Camp area. The scheme is currently at detail design stage and work is expected to start later this year.

Farnborough Route 6 - Bus Infrastructure - £100,000 SCE

2.6 In the early stages of design, the scheme aims to improve the bus infrastructure in Farnborough along Route 6. This will involve initiatives such as improvements to waiting facilities, the addition of modernised bus stop poles and, where possible, improvements to civil works such as improved kerbing for both access and safety.

Lynchford Road Toucan Crossing, Farnborough - £75,000 SCE

2.7 The crossing point will provide a signal controlled facility for pedestrians and cyclists across the busy Lynchford Road, at a point close to Morris Road in North Camp. This will aid local residents and school users of the area. Works commenced in September 2004 and are now substantially complete.

Highway Improvements West Aldershot - £200,000 EF

2.8 Implementation of various initiatives to improve the area in terms of safety, accessibility and sustainability included the pedestrianisation of Upper Union Street, introduction of traffic calming measures in the local vicinity, additional parking (with limits/restrictions), relocation of a crossing point, and implementation of a shared cycle/pedestrian footway. The scheme is now substantially complete.

A327 Elles Road Street Lighting - £120,000 EF

2.9 The scheme involved the implementation of street lighting along two currently unlit sections of Elles Road, a shared pedestrian/cycle path, and the upgrading of existing street lighting on Meudon Avenue which was below standards. The scheme was completed in July 2004.

Ayling Lane Traffic Calming, Aldershot - £55,000 EF

2.10 The scheme involved the implementation of speed humps along Ayling Lane and traffic calming chicanes on Church Lane West, to discourage use of the roads as through routes and to improve safety. The scheme resulted from local residents' requests for a solution to the traffic problems in the area and was completed in July 2004.

A325 Farnborough Gate to Borough Boundary Cycle Route - Final Phase - £50,000 EF

2.11 The scheme is to complete the missing link in the Rushmoor Cycle Route which currently exists between the Farnborough Gate Retail Park and the Surrey boundary in the direction of Frimley Rail Station. Works are expected to start in early 2005.

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.

8921/MG

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