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) Intelligent Transport Systems;

(ii) Bridgeworks;

(iii) Development Related Works; and

(iv) Recreational Cycling.

2. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)

2.1 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.

2.2 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.

2.3 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.

2.4 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.

2.5 The following schemes are proposed for implementation during 2004/05 within Basingstoke and Deane:

(i) New toucan crossing at Worting Road near Gabriel Park, Basingstoke.

(ii) New puffin crossing at Hackwood Road and Cliddesden Road (The Lamb public house). Currently in the 2004/05 programme but may be installed as a toucan crossing in association with the cycle route through the War Memorial Park.

(iii) Basingstoke Real-Time Passenger Information (RTPI). The central RTPI system was installed May 2004 and three vehicles operating Routes 1, 3 and 6 fitted with tracking devices are under test. Once the trial is completed and successful, the remaining Basingstoke bus fleet will be fitted with tracking equipment. Only once the fleet is fitted and all buses are being tracked successfully on their appropriate routes will electronic information signs be deployed on Routes 1 and 6 and RTPI will be implemented through the mobile telephone (SMS and WAP) and on the internet. This scheme includes provision under the BEST programme 2004/05.

3. Bridgeworks

3.1 The Bridges Section of the Environment Department is responsible for all existing county highway structures and new highway structures built as part of roadworks, housing schemes and industrial developments. It covers inspection, maintenance, replacement, load assessment and strengthening. Raynesway Construction Southern (RCS) carry 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.

3.2 Most work on bridges is capital funded via the Local Transport Plan (LTP), but inspections, routine maintenance and environmental maintenance of subways are revenue funded.

Load Assessment and Strengthening

3.3 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

3.4 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

3.5 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.

2004/05 Schemes in Basingstoke

3.6 Rucstalls Flyover, Basingstoke

This three span reinforced concrete bridge carries Old Common Road/ Black Dam Way over the A30, Ringway South and strengthening was completed by Dyer & Butler in June 2004. The sub-standard aluminium parapets were also replaced, using the traffic management in place for the main contract.

3.7 Broadford No. 1 Bridge, Stratfield Saye

This bridge carries the C80 over the River Loddon near Stratfield Saye and was subject to a temporary weight limit. Rocon Construction completed construction of a new bridge in July 2004.

3.8 Courseford Bridge, Plastow Green

This bridge carries the U3, Union Lane, over Kingsclere Brook at Plastow Green and was sub-standard for load carrying capacity. Nuttalls completed construction of a new bridge in May 2004.

3.9 Knights Little Bridge, near Headley

This bridge carries the A339, which was de-trunked in April 2003, over the River Enborne near Headley on the Hampshire/Berkshire border. The bridge was identified as being in need of repair and a successful bid was made for extra funding via the LTP. It is proposed to replace the deck, waterproof the new deck and install new parapets and safety fences. Further details, particularly with regard to timing and traffic management, will follow as design and consultation progresses.

3.10 Ship Inn Footbridge, Ashford Hill

A new length of footpath is being provided on the east side of the B3051, between the Post Office and Ashford Hill village. This will include a new footbridge over the stream adjacent to the existing road bridge. Design and consultation is under way and it is hoped to start work on site in spring 2005.

3.11 Green Way Footbridge, Basingstoke

This footbridge crosses the B3400, Churchill Way West, between the West Ham and Worting Road roundabouts. The footbridge is not to current standards, particularly with respect to ease of access, and will need extensive maintenance over the next few years. As part of the Gabriel Park to West Ham Leisure Centre cycle route, a Toucan crossing for pedestrians and cyclists is to be installed on the B3400 adjacent to the footbridge. It has therefore been decided to demolish the footbridge, once the Toucan crossing is in place. Consultations about the overall scheme are ongoing and further details will follow as they are finalised.

3.12 A339, Daneshill Railway Bridges

As part of the post Selby protective measures, high containment parapets will be installed in front of the existing steel and brick parapets at the Daneshill railway bridges on the A339. This section of the A339 was de-trunked in April 2003 and the handover agreement for these bridges included this upgrade, which is funded by the Highways Agency. The works include parapet installation together with carriageway and footway realignments. Temporary speed limits will be in operation during the construction, which is programmed for March to June 2005. Further details of timing and traffic management will follow as they are finalised.

3.13 Aluminium Parapets

The parapets will be replaced on five structures in Basingstoke and one in Sherfield-on-Loddon:

(i) Eastern Spine Car Park Bridge;

(ii) Cranbourne Road subway;

(iii) Cliddesden subway;

(iv) Hackwood Road North and South subsways; and

(v) Long bridge on the A33 at Sherfield-on-Loddon.

3.14 Work on these structures is programmed for November/December 2004 and will take place under lane closures controlled by temporary signals.

4. Development Related Works

4.1 Works within the Basingstoke area currently being carried out under Section 38 Agreement are detailed in Appendix 1.

4.2 External funding and schemes relevant to that funding are detailed in Appendix 2.

5. Recreational Cycling

5.1 The Environment Department, in partnership with the Recreation and Heritage Department, administers the county-wide Recreational Cycling infrastructure programme, which currently has an allocation of £100,000 from the Transport Capital Programme. The principle of supporting the programme has been approved by the Executive Member for Environment, resulting from an earlier review of the Recreational Cycling Strategy (2002-06). This concluded that the prioritisation of the Strategy's delivery in both cycling promotion and facility delivery has considerable potential to assist the implementation of the County Council's Local Transport Plan cycle use targets (now under review for the Second Local Transport Plan). The infrastructure programme concentrates on the delivery of important links in the county - wide recreational network. The programme also aims to contribute to the delivery of the National Cycle Network (NCN) and the National Byway where appropriate, thus giving increased opportunities for cycle use both within Hampshire and linking to strategic networks developed by neighbouring authorities.

2004/05 Schemes in the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Area

National Cycle Network Route 12 - Basingstoke to Alton and New Alresford

5.2 This project proposes to extend the existing National Cycle Network (NCN) south from Basingstoke to Alton and New Alresford. The link from Basingstoke to Reading was completed last year in partnership with the Borough Council, linking at Reading to some 8,000 miles of existing NCN. This extension southwards will provide opportunities for an increase in cycling in this area, leading to increased cycle trips to school, work and, of course, for leisure.

5.3 The overall project, which also forms a link to the Winchester - Farnham NCN route, comprises three separate infrastructure schemes, all of which are budgeted for in the 2004/05 recreational cycling budget. The extension will deliver an additional 22 miles of signed NCN in Hampshire. The measures are as follows:

(i) Chawton Park Wood, near Alton (East Hampshire), improvements to bridleway - estimated cost £40,000;

(ii) Hatch Warren Lane/Woods Lane link, Basingstoke - estimated cost £16,000; and

(iii) scheme signing - estimated cost £12,000.

5.4 The works within Basingstoke comprise the construction of a new 50 metre length of 3 metre wide shared use cycle path linking the existing Hatch Warren cycle scheme (constructed in 2002) with Woods Lane. The route then follows Woods Lane to Cliddesdon village and then on to Alton and Alresford.

5.5 These proposals have been developed in close partnership with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Winchester City Council, East Hampshire District Council, Forest Enterprise, Sustrans and local cycle user groups, including Hampshire Cycling and the East Hampshire Cyclists Forum.

5.6 A Project Appraisal report for the scheme was presented to the Executive Members for Environment and Spatial Strategy on 12 October 2004. The proposed delivery date is February/March 2005.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

9061/BGM

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