Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

YATELEY TO BLACKWATER CYCLE ROUTE

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

DECEMBER 2004

COMPLETION DATE:

JANUARY 2005

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2004/05 (additional scheme approved by Executive Member for Environment on 14 September 2004)

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2004

(at 2004

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

38.6

38.6

Fees

41.4

41.4

Less developers/

Nil

Nil

other contributions

80.0

80.0

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

80.0

(b) Other

Nil

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

80.0

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

This scheme was approved as an addition to the Capital Programme for 2004/05 by the Executive Member for Environment on 14 September 2004. The original estimate at that time was £100,000 but further work on the detailed design for this project appraisal has resulted in a reduced total cost of £80,000.

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

1.4

0.002

Capital charges

7

0.006

TOTAL net expenditure

8.4

0.008

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Rosemary Lane and Darby Green Road are residential roads where speeds regularly exceed the 30 miles per hour (mph) limit. The roads serve properties in Rosemary Lane and Darby Green Road and several roads feeding from them.

Local residents of Rosemary Lane and Darby Green Road have campaigned for a cycle route for several years, to make it a safer environment for residents and cycling commuters who are currently subjected to high levels of rat-running and high vehicle speeds. It is believed that the proposals would be an ideal solution.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposal is consistent with the County Council's North Hampshire Transport Strategy. The aim is to provide a safer facility for its current users through increased awareness to other vehicle type users. This may also assist in increasing cycle usage in the area due to the safety improvements, and reduce the reliance on the car, the results of which will be shown through pre and post implementation monitoring.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The installation of the advisory cycle route will consist of coloured surfacing across junctions and recognised danger points for cyclists. Additional signage will also be implemented, to act as a constant reminder to other vehicle type users in the area that there are cyclists also using the road. The scheme complies with Department for Transport and Hampshire County Council standards and has been subjected to safety audits. A location plan is attached and a detailed scheme plan will be displayed at the meeting.

Environmental Impact

There are no adverse environmental impacts as a result of this proposal.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

Statutory Procedures

No Statutory Procedures are required for this scheme.

Public Consultation

Due to the nature of the scheme, with no physical changes to the road layout, a limited public consultation was carried out. This took place during 24 June 2004 to 30 July 2004, and involved the display of plans at both Blackwater and Hawley and Yateley Town Councils where members of the public could inspect the plans at their leisure and submit their views. Local Members, Councillors Collett and Hutcheson, and Blackwater and Hawley Town Councillor, Councillor Wren, gave their support for the scheme, but no other comments were received.

Local Members' View

The local Members, Councillors Collett and Hutcheson, support these proposals.

Equalities

The effects of this scheme on persons of restricted mobility have been considered in the design process. However, the primary aim of the scheme is to improve conditions for cyclists.

Maintenance Implications

The maintenance surfacing used to highlight the presence of cyclists across junctions will need to be maintained.

The revenue implications of this proposal will be taken into account in the setting of the annual budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

The scheme may reduce the need of the car in the localised area and improve the environment for cycling - a sustainable form of transport.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

The designers investigated many ways in which a cycle route could be implemented along the route. Due to the constraints of the highway width, and possible land acquisition issues, many of these designs were found to be unworkable and were disregarded. These alternatives gave consideration to an on-road cycle route, additional pedestrian refuges, and a shared cycle and pedestrian path. Alternative routes through the local vicinity were also considered, however none of these were found to have an appropriate directness to be feasible. The chosen route and design was found to have the most convenience for its users, and with the added safety improvements, would be the best option.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

Blackwater to Yateley Cycle Route

Environment Department

Room 415