AT A MEETING of the EASTLEIGH HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL held on Friday 15 October 2004 at the Civic Offices, Eastleigh.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: C.R.H. Davidovitz (Chairman); Mrs P.G.E. Holden-Brown; P. Luffman

Eastleigh Borough Council

Councillors: D.J.A. Airey; W. Irish; G.G. Olson OBE; C. Thomas; J. Wright

54. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believe they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

55. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 17 October 2003, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to a minor amendment to paragraph 52: the date 16 February 2004 should read '16 February 2005'.

Arising thereon:-

Hampshire Highways Website: it was reported that the hits on the website were regularly monitored, as were all faults which are also notified via other sources. Confirmation of the number of hits and a breakdown of the number and types of fault reported would be available for the next meeting of the Panel.

56. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

Further to paragraph 52 of the minutes of the last meeting, the Chairman was pleased to report that Eastleigh Borough Council had found a way to maintain the Highways office at the Civic Offices. He thanked Councillor Airey whose efforts had been instrumental in the achievement of this outcome.

It was with sadness that the Chairman reported the death of County Councillor Bill Wheeler, Leader of the Labour Group of the County Council. His funeral would be taking place at 2.00pm that afternoon in Waterlooville that afternoon.

57. DEPUTATIONS

None.

58. JUNCTION OF HAMBLE LANE AND PORTSMOUTH ROAD -

TRAFFIC CONGESTION

At the invitation of the Chairman and with the concurrence of the Panel, Councillor W.J. Pepper of Eastleigh Borough Council made a brief presentation in respect of junction improvements at Portsmouth Road/Hamble Lane. The officers noted the points raised in the course of the presentation for further investigation as appropriate and would inform the Executive Member for Environment accordingly.

59. UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENT CONTROL AND VARIOUS AGENCY

ARRANGEMENTS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) updating Members on progress regarding the changing arrangements for four main areas of work undertaken by the Borough Council on behalf of the County Council, namely: Development Control Services, Traffic Management Services, Grass and Shrub Maintenance Agreement and Design and Implementation Agreement. Eastleigh Borough Council confirmed that they agreed in principle to the new arrangements and would be signing new agreements subject to the resolution of some outstanding issues, particularly in the area of indemnity insurance.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

60. PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEME IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) offering Members a detailed update on the progress of Transport Capital Programme schemes within the Borough. During the course of the ensuing discussions Members raised a number of concerns, inter alia:

_ Hursley Road/Hiltingbury Road traffic signals (Valley Park to Hiltingbury Cycle Route Stage I)

_ Squaring off of junction at Alexander Road/Winchester Road (Waitrose Development Package)

_ Completion of Phase II works (Valley Park to Toynbee School Cycleway)

_ Rubber kerbed traffic islands causing particular difficulties for buses/motorists (Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership: access to bus station)

_ Completion of direct link for bus routes between Hedge End and Southampton (A27 Botley Road North, Hedge End)

_ Possible drainage problem (northbound carriageway) and overgrown hedge (Hamble Lane Toucan Crossing)

_ Introduction of Selective Vehicle Detection (SVD) supported by the Local Strategic Partnership (Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership Leigh Road)

_ Crossing point for pedestrians/cyclists (Hound Road Cycleway, Netley)

_ Available space for additional pedestrian refuges (Romsey Road/Twyford Road, Eastleigh)

RESOLVED:

1. That Members noted the progress made on schemes in the Transport Capital Programme and supported the schemes approved for inclusion in the 2004/05 Capital Programme.

2. That comments made by the Panel be noted by officers and the appropriate action be taken.

61. HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE AND MINOR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMMES 2004/05

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) detailing progress in respect of the 2004/05 Highway Maintenance and Minor Capital Works programmes and also provided an update on the 2004/05 Highway Maintenance budget. During the course of the ensuing discussions, Members were pleased to note that considerable progress had been made in respect of the backlog of highway maintenance schemes although it was feared that Government funding in future years was unlikely to be as generous as in past years. Officers noted a number of specific issues raised by Members and the appropriate investigations would be undertaken. A particular area of concern highlighted was the need for suitable crossing facilities in Twyford Road for use by a Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind.

Officers also amplified sections 5 and 6 of the report in respect of provisions of the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the implications for the County Council, and a new Government requirement for all highway authorities to develop Asset Management Plans.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

62. EASTLEIGH TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

Councillor Luffman declared a personal interest as a resident of Falcon Square, Eastleigh.

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Engineering, Eastleigh Borough Council (Item 8 in the Minute Book) updating Members on progress made since March 2004 in respect of Eastleigh traffic management. In amplifying the report, officers drew Members attention to the report's appendix which detailed the Borough's Traffic Section Workplan. It was noted that a change in hours of existing controlled parking zones had recently been introduced extending residents' parking hours from 8.00am to 8.00pm, Monday to Saturday.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

63. CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) outlining progress on the Hampshire County Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safety Camera Partnership casualty reduction programmes. Members were pleased to note that the Partnership had been achieving good results and contrary to newspaper articles, indications are that a high proportion of the public support the use of safety cameras and agree that they make the roads safer.

Members attention was drawn to two updates to the report's appendix, namely:

Woodhouse Lane, Hedge End - estimated cost £4,000

A334 Broad Oak - estimated cost £3,000; programme quarter end (provisional) -

now October 2004

Members raised a number of concerns, particularly the deferral into 05/06 of the Asda roundabout scheme in Chandlers Ford and also the wear of anti-skid road treatments. Officers would reassess the Asda roundabout scheme in light of the current situation regarding the development proposals for the Asda site, and look into the provision of additional information on the refurbishment of existing schemes, including those where anti-skid wear problems had been identified.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

64. TRAVEL PLAN PROGRAMMES (INCLUDING SAFER ROUTES TO

SCHOOLS)

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the progress of workplace, school and personalised travel planning programmes for the Eastleigh area. Members noted this was the first time the report had been presented in this particular format and welcomed the information it provided.

Members noted that extended and increased funding from the Department for Transport until March 2006 had provided significant additional staffing resource for the School Travel Planning team based within the Transport Policy Group of the County Council's Environment Department.

In respect of the 2004/05 Safer Routes to School programme, the following updates were noted:

_ Merdon Junior School, Chandlers Ford/St James CE Primary School,

West End - both schemes under construction

_ Berrywood Primary School, Hedge End - scheme completed

_ The Crescent Primary School, Eastleigh - works due to commence

December 04/January 05

_ Fair Oak Infant School - scheme at design phase

_ Scantabout Primary School, Chandlers Ford - works due to commence end October 04

_ The Toynbee School, Chandlers Ford, Shakespeare Junior School/Crestwood School, Eastleigh - works due to commence December 04

_ Alderman Quilley School, Eastleigh - scheme at design phase

_ Bursledon Infant and Junior Schools - works due to commence January 05

_ Hiltingbury Infant School, Chandlers Ford/Wyvern School, Fair Oak - schemes at design phase

Members' attention was drawn to the personalised travel planning project called `Infomotion', whereby individuals are provided with tailored public transport timetable information and free trial travel vouchers for use on local public transport. Of particular interest was the new initiative used for the Dowds Farm development at Hedge End, which sees the personalised travel planning service included in a S106 Agreement. Initial quotes from consultants for provision of this service were competitive and the service is paid for entirely by the developer. Although relatively new in the UK, the initiative is tried and tested in parts of Europe and has led to a 10-15% modal shift. Results will be closely monitored to see if this service could be rolled out in a wider capacity.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

65. STREET LIGHTING REPORT

Councillor Wright declared a personal interest as a resident of Mortimers Lane, Fair Oak.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the various elements of the street lighting service in the Eastleigh area. Members attention was drawn to the anticipated level of funding required annually for the next 10 years in respect of the column replacement programme. It was noted that the replacement programme for the Eastleigh area, as detailed in paragraph 3.2 of the report, was approximately three weeks behind schedule.

During the course of the ensuing discussions Members raised concerns, inter alia:

· graffiti on all street lighting columns in Abbey Hill, Netley Abbey

· delay of lighting for bollards forming part of the pedestrian islands in Oakmount Road, Chandlers Ford

· problems in Mortimers Lane, Fair Oak

Officers would investigate the above concerns and liaise with Members as appropriate.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

66. OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing the programmes for Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA); Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS); bridgeworks, and development related works. In order to amplify section 5 of the report on development related works, a handout was circulated to Members for information. Members concerns raised in respect of a footbridge in Archers Road were noted, and officers reported this footbridge would form part of the bid for funding to central Government in the Local Transport Plan during 2005.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

67. PASSENGER TRANSPORT REPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 13 in the Minute Book) outlining the services provided by the Passenger Transport Group and the work undertaken in the Eastleigh area. In amplifying the report, officers reported that a decision had been made by the Executive Member for Environment on 12 October 2004 approving funding towards replacement costs for four of the minibuses operated by Eastleigh Community Services.

Further to paragraph 5.4 of the report, Members noted that Solent Blue Line were currently 15 drivers short and this was accounting for late or missed services for which there had been many complaints. The County Council would be speaking to Mr Stockley, the Managing Director of Solent Blue Line about this situation but it was emphasised that the County Council are not responsible for commercial services which are the sole responsibility of the bus operator. Members commented that the lack of drivers had been a problem for sometime and was part of a nationwide problem currently being suffered by bus operators.

RESOLVED:

The report was noted.

68. MEETINGS OF THE PANEL DURING 2005

The following arrangements for meetings of the Panel during 2005 were noted:

Friday 11 March and Friday 14 October 2005 - both meetings would commence at 10.00am and be held at Eastleigh Borough Council's civic offices.