Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK - BASINGSTOKE TO ALTON AND ALRESFORD

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

OCTOBER 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

DECEMBER 2004

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2004/05

1.

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

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Sept 04

(at Sept 04

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

66

66

Fees

2

2

68

68

Less developers/

other contributions

68

68

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (04/05 Recreational Cycling allocation)

68

(b) Other

68

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

68

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

Nil

Nil

Capital charges

6.8

0.0068

TOTAL net expenditure

6.8

0.0068

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

In July 2003 the Executive Member for Environment approved the County Council's Recreational Cycling Strategy for 2003/04 with a £100,000 allocation from the current Local Transport Plan. In January 2004 this arrangement was renewed for 2004/05.

A key objective of the Recreational Cycling Strategy is to deliver both sections of, and local linkages to, the National Cycle Network (NCN) across Hampshire and to facilitate increased access to the countryside by cycle in line with National Cycle Strategy (NCS) objectives. An NCN route linking Reading and Basingstoke was opened in June 2003 and forms the first complete section of the route open and signed in Hampshire. At Reading the route links up with some 8,000 miles of existing NCN.

This project appraisal proposes to extend this route south from Basingstoke to Alton and Alresford, thus delivering an additional 22 miles of signed NCN in Hampshire. This involves both infrastructure improvements and signing of the route.

Usage of the route will be monitored. Existing monitoring counters are in place in Basingstoke. New monitoring equipment will be installed along the route in Chawton Park Wood.

These proposals have been developed in partnership with East Hampshire District Council, Forest Enterprise, Sustrans and other cycle user groups, including Hampshire Cycling (CTC) and the East Hampshire Cyclists' Forum.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The scheme is being funded through the Recreational Cycling Budget 2004/05 which supports the delivery of the Recreational Cycling Strategy 2002-2006. Support is given to the NCN in the Hampshire Local Transport Plan 2001-2006.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The overall project comprises three separate schemes, all of which are budgeted for in the 2004/05 recreational cycling programme.

(i) Chawton Park Wood and Chawton Park Farm - Improvements to the surface of a 1.6 kilometre section of bridleway (Bridleway 2 Chawton Parish) at an estimated cost of £40,000. This includes the cost of monitoring. (The principle of routing the NCN along this bridleway was approved by the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage on 15 June 2004 at his Decision Day meeting).

The scheme is necessary to bring it up to a standard suitable for the NCN.

The specification has been developed by officers, as well as using best practice guidance prepared for the County Council by Chris Blandford Associates on routes through the countryside.

The resurfacing will form a two metre wide path, comprising rolled limestone scalpings. This will form a solid and durable unbound path in keeping with the local environment and suitable for not only cyclists but also walkers and horse riders.

A location plan is attached and detailed plans will be displayed at the meeting. A plan showing the entire route will also be displayed at the meeting.

(ii) Hatch Warren Lane/Woods Lane link, Basingstoke - Construction of a new 50 metre long, 3 metre wide, shared use path linking the existing Hatch Warren Lane cycle scheme (constructed 2002) with Woods Lane, at an estimated cost of £16,000. The route then follows Woods Lane to the village of Cliddesdon and on to Alton and Alresford.

A location plan is attached and detailed plans will be displayed at the meeting.

(iii) Signing of the route between Basingstoke, Alton and Alresford using the standard Department for Transport (DfT) approved NCN signs, at an estimated cost of £12,000. Where appropriate signage will include distances and destinations.

Environmental Impact

The project will provide sustainable alternatives to the motor vehicle for journeys to work, school and for leisure.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

Statutory Procedures

None.

Public Consultation

Consultation has taken place on the scheme.

An objection to the scheme was received from the resident of Chawton Park Farm. This objection was considered by the Recreation and Heritage Policy Review Committee on 15 June 2004 and approval to proceed with the scheme through Chawton Park Wood and Chawton Park Farm was granted by the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage at the Decision Day Meeting of 15 June 2004.

All other responses received have been in support of the scheme.

Local Member's View

Regarding the proposals for Chawton Park Wood, the local Member, Councillor Sir James Scott, has been consulted. He has been lobbied by both the affected landowner and cycling representatives. He has sympathy with the former and understands the latter. If the proposed route is approved, it should be monitored for use.

Councillors Ludlow and Mrs Glasspool are supportive of the scheme.

Councillor Heath opposes the scheme.

Councillors Gurden and Mrs McNair Scott have been informed.

Equalities

The effects of this scheme on persons with restricted mobility have been considered in the design process. However, the primary aim of the project is to provide a scheme for cyclists.

Maintenance Implications

There will be minimal revenue implications of this proposal and they will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

Maintenance of the bridleway will be the responsibility of the Rights of Way Area Officer and as such this will be addressed through the annual Rights of Way maintenance programme. Sustrans network of volunteer rangers will also undertake basic maintenance.

Maintenance of the section of route within Chawton Park Wood on permissive forest tracks is covered by a published agreement between Sustrans and Forest Enterprise.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

The scheme will improve the environment for cycling and may help reduce dependence on the motor car in the locality. The delivery of the NCN will also provide new opportunities for sustainable tourism in the area.

4.

ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

(i) Not to deliver the NCN between Basingstoke, Alton and Alresford.

(ii) To route the NCN along an alternative Rights of Way through Chawton Park Wood, namely Bridleway 4 and Byway 9, Chawton Parish.

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

None.