AT A MEETING of the EAST HAMPSHIRE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL of Hampshire County Council held at the Civic Offices of East Hampshire District Council at Petersfield on Friday, 5 November 2004.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: J.K. West (Chairman); Mrs E.M. Byrom; A.R. Ludlow; Sir James J. Scott

East Hampshire District Council

Councillors: M. Ashton; R. Ayer; R.W. Chilton; Mrs D.K. Denston

56. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

57. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising:

Minute No. 43 - Weed Control in Hampshire

The Director of Environment advised that, in the light of concerns expressed by Members of the Panel, discussions were being held with the contractor concerning the weed control service although it was pointed out that any change to the contract would result in additional expense. Attention was drawn to problems caused by weed killer being sprayed on top of kerbs spreading to adjacent areas of grass or private property.

Minute No. 44 - Environment Department's highways website

The Director of Environment reported that few complaints were as yet being made on the Environment Department's highways website although the number of correspondents was increasing.

Minute No.50 - Capital Minor Works Programmes 2003/04 and 2004/05

The Director of Environment advised that it was now hoped to include the new footway on School Lane, Sheet and the widening of the footway along Long Lane in this year's capital programme with the footway reconstructions at Standford, Finchdean and Rowlands Castle being included in next year's programme.

58. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman apologised for the recent change of date of the Panel meeting but advised that this was due to an extra full County Council meeting being held.

59. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

60. UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENT CONTROL AND VARIOUS AGENCY ARRANGEMENTS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) which consisted of an update on development control and various agency arrangements. Particular attention was drawn to the delay in completing the development control agency agreement which was being examined by the Legal Services Team at East Hampshire District Council. It was further confirmed that East Hampshire District Council did not wish to carry out the traffic management function and that it was hoped to shortly complete the agreement relating to urban grass and shrub maintenance. No formal response had been received from East Hampshire District Council concerning the design and implementation agreement although officers present indicated that the District Council did not wish to take up the offer.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

61. PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Panel received the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which provided a progress update on the named integrated transport schemes within the 2004/05 transport capital programme that had been approved for implementation in the East Hampshire area.

The following points were raised by Members during the course of discussion on the schemes:

(i) The civil work in respect of the damaged bus shelter at Bordon had been done and orders would be placed shortly.


(ii) The Petersfield Town Centre Scheme had been entered in the Conservation and Design Awards.


(iii) Members expressed strong support for the completion of the footpath/cycle route from the East Hampshire District Council offices to Petersfield station.


(iv) Further work was being undertaken on the Pullens Lane, Petersfield crossing where some cutting back of vegetation had been carried out; it might be possible to obtain part of the funding from developers' contributions but it was stressed that money was not the only issue.


RESOLVED:

That the progress with schemes in the Transport Capital Programme be noted and the schemes approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for 2004/05 be supported.

62. 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) which outlined progress with regard to the 2004/05 Highway Maintenance and Minor Capital Works Programmes and gave an update on the 2004/05 Highway Maintenance budget. The report also covered the Traffic Management Act 2004 which places a new duty on the County Council to keep traffic moving and minimise congestion and disruption for all users of roads, footways and cycle tracks and the requirement to start development of asset management plans in the United Kingdom for highway networks.

During the ensuing discussion it was reported that a report had been drawn up identifying footpaths and footways in Horndean and whether the Countryside Section or the Highways Department are responsible for maintaining them. It was felt that interested local members should liaise with Mr Todd of Hampshire Highways East with the aim of walking round the area and then a rating process as to the importance of the various works would be needed. The possibility of financial contributions from supermarket company Morrisons would be looked into.

RESOLVED:

That progress on the Highway Maintenance Programmes be noted.

63. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES 2004/05

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) which covered the main programmes of traffic management work in the East Hampshire District area in 2004/05. These are the revenue funded Traffic Regulation Orders and signing and lining schemes together with capital funded Parish Partnership schemes.

Particular attention was drawn to the large number of comments which had been received in respect of the proposed 40/50 mph speed limit on the A339 Alton to Basingstoke road and the possible implementation time of 3 to 6 months and the Parish Partnership scheme which entails match funding with parish councils although it was pointed out that parish council funding can be limited.



RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

64. CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) which outlined progress on the Hampshire County Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safety Camera Partnership casualty reduction programmes. The report covered the low cost engineering solutions such as improved signing, carriageway markings, carriageway surface retexturing and resurfacing and the intention of the County Council to contribute to the Government's national casualty reduction targets by the year 2010. Analysis of figures showed that so far for 2004 there had been encouraging further reductions from the equivalent 2003 levels for both fatal and serious casualties. Installation of fixed safety (speed) cameras was progressing well and their effectiveness from a road safety point of view was stressed. Members requested that at the next meeting they receive a report on the signs for motor-cycle routes with a high accident level.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

65. TRAVEL PLAN PROGRAMMES (INCLUDING SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOLS)

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) which provided a progress update on the workplace and school travel planning programmes for the East Hampshire area; it also included an update on the safer routes to schools programme for schemes within the East Hampshire area. An updated appendix is attached to these minutes.

During the debate on the report attention was drawn to the need to produce a plan for pupils travelling from Horndean to Havant.

RESOLVED:

That progress made with the delivery of the workplace and school travel plans and safer routes to schools programmes in the East Hampshire area be noted.

66. STREET LIGHTING REPORT - EAST HAMPSHIRE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) which considered the various elements of the street lighting service which affect the East Hampshire area.




RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

67. OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) which detailed the programmes for the Hampshire Villages Initiative, the Intelligent Transport Systems Group, bridgeworks, development related works and recreational cycling. Particular attention was drawn to the schemes at Rowlands Castle, Headley and Steep which are part of the Hampshire Villages Initiative and the deferral to the next financial year of the parapets which need strengthening on the River Slea bridge on the B3004 near its junction with the A325 at Sleaford. Concerns were expressed at the recent receipt by the East Hampshire Cyclists Forum of a letter from the Highways Agency in which they stated that the second stage of the cycle link from Clanfield towards the Buriton Roundabout would not now be proceeded with. It was felt that a letter should be sent from the Panel to the Highways Agency requesting details as to the reason for this decision.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.


(ii) That clarification be sought from the Highways Agency as to the reasons for the decision not to proceed with the second stage of the cycle link from Clanfield towards Buriton Roundabout.

68. PASSENGER TRANSPORT REPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 13 in the Minute Book) which outlined the services provided by the Passenger Transport Group and detailed the work undertaken in the East Hampshire area. The Group has 70 staff and 700 school escorts and is divided into five teams with a wide customer base; it deals with such matters as passenger transport strategy, passenger transport infrastructure, information provision, community transport and subsidised bus services. Particular attention was drawn to the redesigned two vehicle service being operated under the "Call and Go" branding which forms part of the Cango family of branding. The revised service operates in Havant Borough and in the East Hampshire District Council parishes of Clanfield and Horndean. Attention was also drawn to the three Cango vehicles which had been deployed on the Alton area network since August 23^rd and the South West Trains operated bus which entails a £1 fee for journeys from Petersfield railway station to the eastern areas of Petersfield. Members stressed the need to have coordinated publicity in respect of public transport provision. A copy of the leaflet "Getting about in East Hampshire" is attached to these Minutes.





RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

69. A3 HINDHEAD

The Panel received an oral report on the possible adverse effect on side roads of the A3 Hindhead scheme. The Director of Environment was trying to secure funding to improve the side roads and had put together a package and submitted it to the enquiry.

70. DATE, TIME AND VENUE FOR THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PANEL

It was noted that the next meeting of the Panel would be held at 10.00 a.m. on Tuesday, 8 March 2005 at the Civic Offices of East Hampshire District Council.

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