Contact: Brian Millen, tel.01256 764444 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report covers a wide range of activities undertaken by specialist teams within the Environment Department and gives details on programmes for:

(i) Regeneration of Older Urban Areas;

(ii) Intelligent Transport Systems;

(iii) Bridgeworks; and

(iv) Development Related Works.

2. Regeneration of Older Urban Areas

North Camp, Farnborough

2.1 The Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) programme is working closely with Rushmoor Borough Council in developing proposals for North Camp that accord with the Local Transport Plan objectives.

2.2 The latest phase of improvements to pavements in Lynchford Road and Camp Road is substantially complete. Detailed plans are now being finalised for the southern end of Camp Road and the well used route across the adjacent public open space. The scheme will utilise the balance of the ROUA 2001/03 programme funding for this project and will go out to tender in the autumn.

3. Intelligent Transport Systems (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.

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 The following schemes are proposed for implementation during 2004/05 within Rushmoor:

(i) A323 Ash Road near Herrett Street, Aldershot - conversion of existing Zebra crossing to a Puffin crossing.

(ii) New Toucan crossing at Lynchford Road, Farnborough - deferred to 2004/05 from 2003/04; start date in October (North Hampshire Transport Strategy budget).

(iii) Hospital Hill/Pennefather's Road, Aldershot Health Centre, Aldershot - developer funded traffic signal scheme.

(iv) Real-time bus passenger information (RTPI) system - the entire fleet of 84 buses in Rushmoor will be fitted with automatic vehicle location equipment and initially 22 signs will be installed at the bus stops along Route 1. Further work will be undertaken on the development of web-based and mobile telephone dissemination facilities. Discussions are taking place on integrating information between the Hampshire and Surrey RTPI systems.

4. Bridgeworks

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. Raynesway Construction Southern (RCS) carry out the majority of maintenance, through a term maintenance contract. Some specialist works, such as graffiti removal, and larger schemes, such as bridge replacements, are awarded by tender.

4.2 The majority of bridge maintenance, replacement, assessment and strengthening is capital funded via the Local Transport Plan (LTP), but inspections, routine maintenance 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 UK roads from 1 January 1999. The assessments are now complete and strengthening of sub-standard bridges is ongoing.

Road/Rail Interfaces

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. This will continue over several years, as funding is made available.

Aluminium Parapets

4.5 The Highways Agency has identified that aluminium vehicle parapets made by BACO, installed before 1994, are not to current standards. All such parapets on county bridges have been prioritised and a contract for their replacement has just been awarded to RCS. Further information on individual bridges affected is given below.

2004/05 Schemes in Rushmoor

4.6 Wharf Bridge, Aldershot

Two bridges carry the A325, Farnborough Road, over the Basingstoke Canal in Aldershot. The strengthening and refurbishment of the older bridge, a single brick arch, was completed by Dean & Dyball in May 2004. Throughout design and construction care was taken to preserve the appearance and integrity of the original bridge and the scheme has been entered for the Institution of Civil Engineers' Historic Bridge and Infrastructure Awards.

4.7 Aluminium Parapets

The parapets were due to be strengthened on eleven structures in Rushmoor; seven bridges and two retaining walls on the A331, northern Blackwater Valley Route in Farnborough, and two subways in Aldershot. However, the Highways Agency has advised that strengthening is no longer an approved option and therefore complete replacement will be needed. Due to the extra costs involved, this has been deferred to the next financial year.

5. Development Related Works

5.1 Works within the Rushmoor area currently being carried out under Section 38 or Section 278 Agreements are detailed in Appendix 1.

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

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

8943/BGM

APPENDIX 1