Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

STAKES ROAD, PURBROOK - PROPOSED PUFFIN CROSSING

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2005

COMPLETION DATE:

FEBRUARY 2005

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 Oct 04

(at Oct 04

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

74

74

Fees

16

16

90

90

Less developers/

other contributions

Nil

Nil

90

90

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

90

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

90

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

Budget

Net current expenditure

1.9

0.002

Capital charges

10.0

0.009

TOTAL net expenditure

11.9

0.011

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Stakes Road, Purbrook runs west to east between the A3 London Road and the A3(M) at junction 4, providing an important access route to many Purbrook schools. The traffic flow at the site of the proposed crossing is in the region of 10,000 vehicles daily.

At present, due to the traffic flow, pedestrians are experiencing some difficulty in crossing Stakes Road and a need has been identified for a safe and convenient pedestrian crossing facility at the proposed crossing location and site of a small convenience store. A School Crossing Patrol also operates at this site from 7.45 to 9.15 am and 3.00 to 4.15 pm.

A survey undertaken of traffic and pedestrian flows provided a PV² value of 0.75 x 10⁸ which justifies the provision of a formal crossing in accordance with County Council policy and Department for Transport guidance.

The crossing is proposed at the site of a busy local convenience store, which has the benefit of a small customer car park to the rear. However, the small layby to the front of the store will require removal to provide for the proposed crossing.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposal is consistent with County Council policies and the Solent Transport Strategy objectives to reduce accident potential, improve facilities for pedestrians and provide safer routes to school.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The project includes for the provision of a Puffin crossing and the removal of a lay-by to provide a safe pedestrian waiting area. The crossing design complies with Department for Transport and County Council standards, and has been safety audited at the appropriate stages in the design process. The provision of a crossing at this location is justified in accordance with the normal criteria.

Environmental Impact

The provision of a pedestrian crossing facility is likely to increase congestion as vehicles will be required to stop and wait whilst the crossing is in operation. At peak times in particular this may cause additional traffic to queue. It is estimated, based on the survey data available, that the traffic will be stopped for a period of approximately 30 minutes over a 12 hour daytime period. However, it must be appreciated that a Puffin crossing provides a variable stop period that takes account of the time pedestrians take in crossing from one footway to the other and minimises unnecessary delay to traffic.

Furthermore it is likely that delivery vehicles attending the local store will themselves cause minor delays by parking on-street to the western side of the crossing, which will require vehicles to pass on a `give and take' basis. The store receives twice daily lorry deliveries, with smaller vans delivering periodically throughout the day. The goods delivered vary in size and unloading time. However, it should be noted that lorries do occasionally unload on-street and often wait in the carriageway for accommodation within the lay-by. Overall, additional congestion through the loss of the lay-by is not expected to be significant.

Land Requirements

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

Statutory Procedures

All necessary statutory requirements have been satisfied in the development of this proposal.

Public Consultation

Public notices have been posted on site for 28 days providing details of the proposal. Objections were received and are summarised in the attached appendix.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor McIntosh, is supportive of the proposal.

Equalities

The proposal incorporates tactile paving for the visually impaired and flush kerbs at the crossing for wheelchairs, prams and the less mobile.

Maintenance Implications

The revenue implication of this proposal will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

Sustainability

The Puffin crossing supports walking which is a sustainable form of transport.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Alternative types of crossing are not appropriate in this case. The crossing needs to accommodate a wide variety of pedestrian users; therefore, the Puffin crossing is the most suitable in the circumstances.

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

Project file

Traffic Management Group

Sheridan House

Jewry Street

Winchester

OBJECTION

OFFICER COMMENTS

Resident lives near to the Co-Op store, and as a result the property driveway is often blocked by delivery lorries and customers.

The zig-zag markings proposed do not extend across the property driveway.

Suggestion made that the crossing should be sited at an alternative location and that the Co-Op should cease trading from the site.

The zig-zag markings will be extended across the resident's driveway to prevent the obstructive parking.

There is no suitable alternative location for the pedestrian crossing due to the position of private driveways to the west and junctions to the east. The crossing must be located in a position where pedestrians cross at present as this will ensure that the crossing is adequately utilised.

The Co-Op store provides an important and well supported community facility.

OBJECTION

OFFICER COMMENTS

Resident believes that the proposals will cause parking problems; at present vehicles do obstruct accesses.

Fully appreciates the need for the pedestrian crossing.

Vehicles will be prevented from parking close to the
Co-Op store, which may encourage a greater use of the car park to the rear.

The parking situation will be monitored following the provision of the crossing and, if issues should arise, further measures will be considered.

Resident concerned that the proposed railings will obstruct access to the property.

Requests that further measures to control parking are considered.

Concerned that the traffic lights will cause a degree of light pollution into the property during the hours of darkness.

The proposed railings will not obstruct the resident's access.

The parking situation will be monitored following the provision of the crossing and, if issues should arise, further measures will be considered.

The traffic lights will be appropriately shielded so as not to cause the coloured light to shine into the resident's front windows.

OBJECTION

OFFICER COMMENTS

Shop representative has concerns over the effect of the proposals on the operation of the Co-Op store.

The Co-Op receives twice daily deliveries; therefore the removal of the layby will create difficulties for lorries delivering to the store as they will no longer be able to park directly in front of the store. The side entrance to the rear car park is narrow and unsuitable for delivery vehicles.

There are health and safety issues for staff receiving the delivered goods and manoeuvring them into the store in crates.

A suggestion is made that a service layby be provided.

A service layby in front of the Co-Op store has been fully considered and design amendments investigated following a site meeting with the shop representative in June 2004, but unfortunately has not proved feasible. The pedestrian crossing is located in the optimum position, with no suitable alternative available.