Contact: Colin Taylor, tel 01730 266411 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report details the 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

The Square, Hamble-le-Rice

2.1 Phase 1 - Copper Hill Terrace paving is completed. Working in partnership with Eastleigh Borough Council the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) programme is part-funding a scheme for The Square in Hamble. A draft brief has been prepared and consultation is currently taking place.

2.2 The Square is an important space in the centre of the Conservation Area and is the point of arrival for visitors to Hamble. The aim of the scheme is to create a formal public space which can be used for community events, improve existing bus and parking facilities, and introduce visitor information. The scheme will use high quality, traditional materials and care will be taken to provide a suitable setting for adjoining historic properties.

2.3 The scheme is being funded through the ROUA 2003-2005 programme and the Eastleigh Borough Council Capital Improvement programme, with a total budget of £500,000 allocated in the 2005/06 and 2006/07 period. Other sources of funding are currently being investigated.

2.4 Following approval of the Project Appraisal on 11 November 2003, Phase 1 improvements to the footway on one side of The Square, which forms the frontage to the listed Copper Terrace, has now been completed. A second Project Appraisal will be brought forward for the next phase of work next year.

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. This aspect of traffic and travel information will be further enhanced and integrated locally on a sub-regional basis through close working with the City Councils on the Solent Transport Initiative.

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 Closed circuit television links have been established and are operational. Four views of Leigh Road are now available to operators in the Monument House control room, and two views of Southampton Road and Hedge End village crossroads. Other schemes proposed for implementation during 2004/05 within Eastleigh are covered elsewhere in papers being presented to this Panel. There are no major maintenance works planned for 2004/05 in Eastleigh.

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 Limited (RCS) carries 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, 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 started. Further information on individual bridges affected is given below.

2004/05 Schemes in Eastleigh

Bursledon Bridge, A27

4.6 Concrete repairs to this three-span reinforced concrete arch which carries the A27 over the River Hamble at Bursledon are now complete. Fencing has also been provided at all four corners of the bridge to deter youths from congregating and jumping into the river.

Allington Lane No 1 Bridge, Fair Oak

4.7 This bridge carries the C194, Allington Lane, over a tributary of the River Itchen, just north of the junction with Firtree Lane. It is sub-standard for load carrying capacity and a strengthening scheme is being prepared, for construction in 2004/05. Further details, such as timing and traffic management, will follow as they are finalised.

Aluminium Parapets

4.8 The parapets will be replaced on three structures in the Eastleigh area: Tanhouse subway, Heath House Lane, Hedge End, and two underpasses on the A335, Wide Lane, near Junction 5, M27. Work on all three structures is programmed for January 2005 and details of traffic management for individual bridges will follow.

4.9 Parapets were due to be strengthened on two further bridges in the Eastleigh area, but 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 Eastleigh currently being carried out under Section 38 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.

8977/CT