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

Town Centre, Yateley

2.1 Consultants Atkins have been appointed to undertake the detailed development of proposals for a first phase of improvements in Yateley, utilising funding from the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) 2003/05 programme, the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and other sources totalling approximately £500,000. Implementation is programmed to commence in summer 2005.

2.2 The proposals for the first phase of improvements were included in a public consultation in November 2003 about the overall Village Design Framework for Yateley and received a good level of support.

2.3 A workshop on the Village Design Framework was held in September to enable local people to help resolve key issues facing Yateley. This was also well supported. The event was chosen as one of English Heritage's case studies for its `Building in Context Toolkit' programme. It is anticipated that the workshop will lead to eventual adoption of the Village Design Framework by Hart District Council as a Supplementary Planning Document 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.

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 Hart:

(i) As part of environmental improvements in Fleet town centre, the three existing Pelican crossings are to be relocated and changed to Puffins, with one additional Puffin crossing to be located near Church Road. The detailed designs are ongoing and the scheme will be delivered in 2005/06.

(ii) New Puffin crossing at Fleet Road, Hartley Wintney included in current year's 2004/05 capital programme.

(iii) Installation of closed circuit television in Blackwater is expected to be completed by the end of November 2004. One camera will be located on the A30 London Road, opposite the junction with Vicarage Road. It will be used for monitoring traffic conditions on the A30 and will form part of the Hampshire ROMANSE network.

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 been awarded to RCS. Further information on individual bridges affected is given below.

2004/05 Schemes in Hart

Malthouse Bridge, Church Crookham

4.6 This Grade II listed brick arch, which is subject to a 7.5 tonne weight limit, carries The Street over the Basingstoke Canal at Church Crookham and has restricted width, particularly for pedestrians. Extensive consultations on improvements have taken place and the preferred option is to provide a separate single-span steel footbridge to the south of the road bridge, whilst retaining the single lane carriageway for vehicles. Scheme preparation is ongoing and it is hoped the footbridge will be installed in autumn 2004. A handrail has already been provided on the north parapet of the road bridge as an aid for pedestrians.

Road/Rail Interfaces

4.7 The length of Elvetham Road, C401, that runs parallel and close to the main Southampton/Waterloo railway line, west of Fleet Station, is one of the road/rail interfaces being considered for protective measures in 2004/05. Consultations with Network Rail and other interested parties are under way and details such as timing and traffic management will follow.

Aluminium Parapets

4.8 Four bridges in the Hart area are included in the programme for aluminium parapet replacement:

(i) Coxheath Road bridge over the Basingstoke Canal in Church Crookham;

(ii) River Whitewater bridge;

(iii) Colt Hill subway; and

(iv) Broad Oak cattle creep on the A287 Odiham Bypass.

Work on these structures is programmed for November 2004 and further details on exact timing and traffic management will follow.

5. Development Related Work

5.1 Works within the Hart 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.

9013/BGM