Item 2

AT A MEETING of the GOSPORT HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL held at Gosport Borough Council, Gosport on 11 November, 2004

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: M.S. Geddes (Chairman); P.J. Chegwyn; K. Searle; D.F. Wright

Gosport Borough Council

Councillors: Mrs I. Binfield; M. Davis; P.C. Langdon; D. Smith; B. Taylor.

Local Strategic Partnership

S.P. Howells; I.G. Lycett.

57 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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 declare their interest and, having regard 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. Any declaration to be made at the time of the debate. There were no declarations of interest.

58 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2004 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

59 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were none.

60 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

61 UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENT CONTROL AND VARIOUS AGENCY ARRANGEMENTS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) updating on Development Control Services; Traffic Management Services; Grass and Shrub Maintenance and Agreements and Design and Implementation Agreements.

Negotiations were continuing on the detailed terms of the agreements..

Minimal resources were available for the implementation of the Design and Implementation Agreement and no formal decision had been made by the Borough Council.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

62 PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) on progress on Schemes in the Capital Programme.

Progress with schemes prioritised by the autumn round of Area Transport Strategy Panels would be dependent on availability of funding.

Schemes for the Gosport Urban Centre Improvements - £100,000 SCE had been selected and prioritised by the Borough Council on various grounds including Safe Routes to Schools; prevention of accidents, enhanced pedestrian facilities.

Concern was expressed with the delay in completion of the Newgate Lane/Tukes Avenue Cycleway Scheme.

RESOLVED:

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

63 HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE AND MINOR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME 2004/05

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) outlining progress with the 2004/05 Highways Maintenance and Minor Capital Works Programme and updating on the 2004/05 Highways Maintenance Budget.

The Traffic Management Act 2004 placed a duty on the County Council to keep traffic moving and minimise congestion for all road, footway and cycle track users, and the public would be given advance notice of such works.

Concern was raised regarding Grove Road/Green Lane traffic island due to vehicle parking and the profile of the road surface.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

64 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES 2004/05

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) regarding the main traffic management work completed and progress in the Gosport area in 2004/05.

With the forthcoming introduction of car parking charges on 15 November 2004, concern was expressed regarding the displacement of vehicles to adjacent streets. Traffic Regulations measures were already being considered to address this issue.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

65 CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on the Casualty Reduction Programme, including the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Camera Safety Partnership casualty reduction programmes.

Additional funding had enabled surface treatment measures to be put in hand, which had assisted in achieving a reduction in fatal and serious accidents to the lowest ever levels in the County. Good progress had been made during the year towards the end of the year target of a 26% reduction. Members welcomed these achievements, and the use of mobile road safety cameras.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

66 TRAVEL PLAN PROGRAMMES (INCLUDING SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL)

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) outlining progress with workplace, school travel planning programmes for the Gosport area, including an update on the Safer Routes for Schools.

The School Travel Planning Team of 5 staff, based in the Environment Department, were working steadily to increase the take up of schools with Travel Plans. The unit was working closely with the Education Department.

RESOLVED:

That progress made with the delivery of the workplace travel plans, school travel plans and Safer Routes to Schools programmes in the Gosport area be noted.

67 STREET LIGHTING - GOSPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on the various elements of the Street Lighting service in the Gosport area.

The 99% level of all street lighting in the area on at any one time had been maintained.

The Column Replacement Programme in the Gosport area for 2004/05 was as follows:-

- The Curve, Gosport, works ongoing.

- Pettycot Crescent, Gosport, works ongoing.

- Military Road, Gosport, completed.

Work anticipated in both Crescent Road and Mill Lane/San Diego Road would be carried out in Spring 2005.

RESOLVED:

That there report be noted.

68 OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) on programme details for Intelligent Transport Systems; Bridgeworks; and Development related works.

Officers were thanked for the range and detail disclosed in reports, which Members felt helpful.

The deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) continued during 2004/05, and had achieved increased traffic control facilities; enhanced traffic and travel information, which was provided and disseminated through the internet.

Members noted the success of the St Annes Hill Bridgeworks, especially the traffic management arrangements.

It was noted that works to the Alver Bridge might need coordination with proposed sea defence works within the area.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

69 PASSENGER TRANSPORT REPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 13 in the Minute Book) outlining the services provided by the Passenger Transport Group and details of work undertaken in the Gosport area.

The County Council had influence over only 25% of bus services and was limited to its ability to help with service indicators. The key objective was to maintain successful partnerships and build others.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

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