AT A MEETING of the NEW FOREST TRANSPORT STRATEGY PANEL held at Appletree Court, Lyndhurst on 29 October 2004.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K.B. Estlin (Chairman); Mrs P.G. Banks; B.D. Dash; L.T. Dunsdon; M.J. Kendal.

New Forest District Council

Councillors: M.H.G. Fidler; J.D. Heron; D.N. Scott; Mrs P.A. Wyeth.

Test Valley Borough Council

Councillors: A. J. Gentle; C. Lewis.

11. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of debate declare their interest, and having regards 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.

12. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

13. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no chairman's communications.

14. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

15. UPDATE ON NATIONAL AND REGIONAL TRANSPORT POLICIES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 5 in the Minutes Book) providing a summary of a number of important policy statements which had been announced by the Secretary of State for Transport.

Members were advised of several of the resolutions from a special meeting of the County Council, held on 28 October 2004, regarding the South East Plan. The Panel agreed that at even at growth level consistent with Regional Planning Guidance Nine considerable investment in infrastructure would be required not only in the south east of the county but also in the New Forest area.

RESOLVED:


That the update of national and regional policies be noted.

16. UPDATE ON HAMPSHIRE STRATEGIES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising developments since the spring meeting of the panel, including the Annual Progress Report 2004, Casualty Reduction and Speed Cameras, Travel Plans and the MIRACLES project in Winchester.

Members welcomed the County Councils policy regarding speed cameras and speed actuated signs. It was noted that across the county there had been a 35 percent reduction in speed related accidents on those roads where speed cameras had been installed. The Panel suggested that, in order raise awareness of the benefits of speed cameras, it would be useful to publish the accident statistics for those individual stretches of highway on which cameras had been placed.

The Panel went onto discuss the Safer Routes to School programme. Members highlighted the value of pedestrian refuges outside of schools, however it was acknowledged that budgetary constraints meant that not every scheme could be implemented.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

17. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN 2006 TO 2011 UPDATE AND PROCEDURAL DECISIONS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 7 in the Minute Book) discussing the draft Local Transport Plan (LTP) guidance received from the Department for Transport and procedural timetable issues that needed to be addressed to produce a good LTP by the deadline of 29 July 2005.

It was agreed that, due to the lack of time available in which to draft and submit, the LTP, it should continue to be updated and amended after the final submission date. The Panel were advised that District Councils would be consulted throughout the LTP process, although the method of that consultation would be left up to the Members of each individual Authority. Members went on to stress the importance of continued consultation with neighbouring Authorities including the National Park Authority.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised of the Panels agreement with the timetable set out in Section 3 of this report and the proposed consultation arrangements set out in Section 4.

18. KEY LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN POLICY DECISIONS FOR HAMPSHIRE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 8 in the Minute Book) concerning key policy decisions for Hampshire County Council in its new Local Transport Plan.

There was a general consensus that, subject to the Government confirming that the decision could be reversed at a later stage, no area of the New Forest should be declared a congestion zone. However it was agreed that congestion should continue to be a priority, particularly in the Lyndhurst area.

Members expressed support for an increased focus on accessibility, which was considered to be of particular relevance in the New Forest where high quality transportation links were essential for social inclusion.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that in preparing the Local Transport Plan:

(i) the County Council should only put forward congestion targets for the Solent Area;

(ii) accessibility planning consultation should be primarily through Local Strategic Partnerships, as set out in section 4 of the report;

(iii) themed approaches with investment concentrated on specific transportation areas should be promoted;

(iv) the idea of long term settlement transport master plans should be progressed; and

(v) investment should continue to be broadly in line with the Department for Transports indicative allocations between integrated transport and maintenance/bridges.

19. KEY LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN DECISIONS FOR TRANSPORT STRATEGY PANELS AND AREA SPECIFIC TOPICS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 9 in the Minute Book) setting out the progress made on significant transport issues in the New Forest Strategy area and outlining possible themed campaigns for consideration in the Local Transport Plan.

It was agreed that once in place the New Forest National Park Authority would have a significant influence on transport policies and should therefore be invited to nominate a representative to sit as an observer on the Panel.

Members suggested water transport as a possible theme for further investigation for the New Forest, with an emphasis on improved links from the Waterside to Southampton. Additional themes for consideration were rural access and public transport, including rail interchanges.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the current status of schemes detailed in the report be noted, and that the Executive Member for Environment be advised of the Panels views with regard to potential themed campaigns within the New Forest area.

(ii) That, once established, the New Forest National Park Authority, should be invited to nominate a representative to sit as an observer on the New Forest Transport Strategy Panel.

20. NEW FOREST DISTRICT STRATEGIC CYCLE ROUTES

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Policy, Design and Information (New Forest District Council) (item 10 in the Minute Book) providing an update on amendments to the Strategic Cycle Route Plan for the New Forest.

Several minor queries were raised with regard to the locations and design of specific cycle routes, however there was general agreement with the proposals set out in the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment be requested to consider the final amended proposals for incorporation into the next and future Local Transport Plans.

21. CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2005/06

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 10 in the Minute Book) identifying the need to prioritise schemes within the indicative Transport Capital Programme for 2005/06.

The Panel highlighted several schemes within the preparation pool which they felt merited implementation and others which were deemed to be a low priority. However in light of financial constraints on the budget it was agreed that the priorities of the Programme were broadly correct.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed draft Capital Programme for 2005/06 (as set out in Appendix Two) be endorsed.