Archived decisions

Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Policy and Resources

11 November 2004

Project Appraisal: Fleet Town Centre Improvements

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 3 (ii)

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER -

POLICY AND RESOURCES

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

FLEET TOWN CENTRE IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

MAY 2005

COMPLETION DATE:

NOVEMBER 2005

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2005/06

1.

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

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Oct 04

(at Oct 04

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

nil

nil

Construction

2,303

2,303

Fees

715

715

3,018

3,018

Less developers/

2,618

2,618

other contributions*

400

400

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

400

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a) Developer contribution

2,475

(b) Hart District Council

143

(c)

TOTAL

3,018

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

9.85

0.011

Capital charges

266.00

0.233

TOTAL net expenditure

275.85

0.244

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Hampshire County Council, in cooperation with Hart District Council, developed a package of complementary transport measures to improve traffic movement, road safety and access around Fleet town centre, and thus improve its overall environment and vitality as Hart's principal urban centre.

Traffic in Fleet Road increased by 14% between 1991 and 1994. There has been virtually no increase since 1994, which suggests that the road is close to capacity at peak periods. Traffic along this section of the road may increase by less than 10% during the next ten years, due to a small increase during off-peak periods. Little or no growth is expected during peak periods due to capacity restrictions.

Fleet Road is one of the worst sites in Hampshire for accidents involving vulnerable road users. In the three years from June 2001 to June 2004 there were 18 road accidents recorded in Fleet Road involving personal injuries. A total of 47% of these involved pedestrians and/or cyclists.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The project supports the aims of both the strategic transport policies in the former North East Hampshire Transport Strategy (1999), and the Hampshire Local Transport Plan, 2001-2006. Both strategies emphasise:

(i) reducing dependency on car travel, to slow down the growth in car use;

(ii) promoting sustainable alternatives to car travel, especially walking, cycling and use of public transport;

(iii) improving road safety, especially for vulnerable road users;

(iv) improving the environment, for example air quality, noise and reduced conflict between traffic and people; and

(v) strengthening the local economy by maintaining good access and movement.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The scheme design complies with Department for Transport and Hampshire County Council standards and has been safety audited at the appropriate stages in the design process.

The area of improvement extends between the junctions with Reading Road and Birch Avenue (as illustrated on the attached location plan).

The principal changes will include carriageway reconstruction/ strengthening, new granite kerbing and footway repaving. Raised carriageway speed controlling features (tables) will be introduced at four Puffin crossings and at the junctions with Ghurkha Square car park access, Victoria Road, Branksomewood Road and Church Road. The pedestrian refuges at Reading Road will be improved and there will be an additional bus stop to the west of Church Road.

Restricting general short-term parking facilities will help to reduce vehicle/ pedestrian conflict. Existing bays will be retained as loading bays and disabled parking .

In conjunction with the project, planning permission is being sought for a new service road off Branksomewood Road which will provide rear access for the businesses at 152-166 Fleet Road and will allow the provision of 20 new short-term parking spaces to compensate for those lost on Fleet Road. Hart District Council has agreed to contract with Hampshire County Council for the design, supervision and construction of the new car parking and landscape areas at Birchhayes, Branksomewood Road and has agreed funding for this that does not exceed £143,000 including contingency. An improved pedestrian link to Church Road car park is proposed.

Full details of the proposed scheme are shown on drawing numbers 17/A3013/6/250-252 and 058 which will be displayed at the meeting.

Monitoring of the scheme is proposed, to assess measurable and perceived benefits or otherwise, comprising: surveys designed to measure public (and retailer) satisfaction with the scheme; a set of traffic counts to include HGV and cycle movements on Fleet Road and other local routes; and bus journey times along Fleet Road.

It is proposed that part of the funding from developer contributions be allocated to the deployment of a part-time travel plan coordinator to promote the development of sustainable travel initiatives and form a commuter forum in the Fleet area. A number of local authorities around the country have taken the approach of using developer contributions to fund a coordinator.

The role of the coordinator would include:

(i) liaising with all key stakeholders;

(ii) developing, promoting and helping to implement workplace travel plans;

(iii) raising transport awareness;

(iv) stimulating interest and work with new and existing organisations; and

(v) organising events with officers and members of the Commuter Forums.

The deployment of a travel plan coordinator is subject to the agreement and support of Hart District Council.

Environmental Impact

The works will necessitate the removal of two small trees, however ten new trees will be introduced as part of the scheme. Existing planters are to be rebuilt. These planters will incorporate integral public seats at some locations and will include a combination of permanent and seasonal planting. New street furniture will complement the Edwardian theme of the existing layout.

Land Requirements

The construction of the rear service road from Branksomewood Road requires the dedication of land from Hart District Council ownership to Hampshire County Council. Hart District Council has agreed that this transfer will be at nil cost to Hampshire County Council.

Statutory Procedures

All necessary statutory requirements will be satisfied in the development of this proposal. Planning permission for the rear service road off Branksomewood Road is being sought by Hart District Council.

Traffic regulation orders amending the current parking restrictions, as well as details of the proposed table treatment areas, will be advertised and reported to the Executive Member in due course. Temporary road closure orders to facilitate some of the carriageway reconstruction will be needed.

Public Consultation

A set of proposals was developed and taken to public consultation in November-December 2001. There was broad public support for the proposals, both in details and overall; however a few changes have been made to reflect various concerns raised.

Regular liaison meetings have been held with Hart District Council during the preparation of the detail design of the project, between December 2003 and July 2004.

Local Member's View

The local Members, Councillors Hutcheson and Stocks, support the proposals.

Equalities

Accessibility will be improved with dropped kerb pedestrian crossings, which will assist all users, including people with disabilities. The proposed plateaux at junctions and at Puffin crossings will reduce traffic speeds and improve crossing facilities.

The proposals incorporate tactile paving for the visually impaired, with flush kerbs at all crossing points for wheelchairs, prams and the less mobile.

Maintenance Implications

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

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal. The local Crime Prevention Officer has been consulted and all concerns have been satisfactory resolved.

Sustainability

This scheme will encourage walking and the use of public transport and help to change some travel behaviour.

The proposals are designed to make the route a safer and more attractive environment for pedestrians and cyclists, and it is envisaged there will be some modal shift away from the use of the private car, particularly for shorter journeys.

Sustainable construction practices are incorporated into the scheme design and its contract documents. These will include the on-site recycling of all excavated existing carriageway material.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Other highway proposals for Fleet have included the provision of an inner relief road and the introduction of a one-way traffic system. The environmental improvement option received broad public support at the consultation stage.

A variety of layouts and finishes have been examined in close consultation with Hart District Council and local interest groups in arriving at the current proposals.

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

None.