Archived decisions

Contact: David Duckett, tel 02392 545424

email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report covers the following issues:

(i) Traffic Regulation Order Programme;

(ii) Tukes Avenue Safety;

(iii) Signs Renewal Programme;

(iv) Decriminalised Parking Enforcement;

(v) Amenity Lighting;

(vi) Introduction of Car Parking Charges; and

(vii) Sea Britain Events 2005.

2. Traffic Regulation Order Programme

2.1 The current status of the County Council funded Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) programme, as approved by the Borough Council Community and Environment Board, is shown in the attached Appendix.

2.2 Progress on other TROs arising in support of safety schemes, development proposals and temporary works is also included.

2.3 The Borough Council has resolved to introduce off-street car parking charges (see below for further details), and waiting restrictions are required to address potential displacement of traffic to on-street locations. Measures in Spring Garden Lane, Mumby Road and Stoke Road are to be inserted in the programme for early implementation.

2.4 The number of unplanned TROs for safety schemes, development and temporary works and the measures in support of car parking may delay the original programmed schemes. In such an event they will be carried forward to next year's programme.

3. Tukes Avenue Safety

3.1 Borough and County officers are progressing the above scheme. Preliminary proposals comprise build-outs to reduce vehicle speeds and enhance pedestrian crossing points in the vicinity of the parade of shops, Kent Road and Woodcott Primary School. These proposals are currently under review in consultation with the County Member and Ward Councillors. Public consultation is anticipated with local residents. The scheme is provisionally included as a capital scheme in the safety programme for 2005/06.

4. Signs Renewal Programme

4.1 Work is continuing on the phased upgrading and renewal of advance direction signs and other signs within Gosport. In the current year the County Council has provided £10,000 for improvements on Rowner Road and these works will be concluded in March.

5. Decriminalised Parking Enforcement

5.1 The Borough Council was invited to consider undertaking decriminalised parking enforcement (DPE) as agent to the County Council and an allocation of £100,000 was made for start-up funding in the draft Capital Programme for 2005/06. An assessment of the costs and merits of DPE has been undertaken by independent consultants in consultation with officers and this has concluded that there is no prospect of DPE being self-financing in Gosport. It is estimated that the start-up costs will exceed the nominal allocation by over £100,000 and the long-term annual revenues from penalty charges may fall some £50,000 below the costs of enforcement and administration. The outcome was reported to the Borough Leadership meeting, where support was expressed for DPE in principle. However, it was concluded that better financial terms needed to be negotiated with the County Council before DPE could be progressed. Specifically, the Borough wishes to recover the establishment costs in full and is also seeking a cap on potential revenue losses.

5.2 The Borough Council has since resolved to introduce car parking charges which may give rise to on-street parking issues best addressed by DPE. The administration and enforcement required for charging may also provide some opportunity to reduce forecast operational and establishment costs. Parking charges will also provide a revenue stream that could be used, to a degree, to support DPE, but there remains the need for negotiation on funding for DPE to become financially viable for the Borough.

5.3 The Capital Programme for the Solent Area is currently under review and no provision for DPE is expected for 2005/06. The scheme will need to be considered for inclusion in the Local Transport Plan Programme for 2006/07.

6. Amenity Lighting

6.1 The Borough has established a budget of £5,000 to be used for match funding of Amenity Lighting schemes and submitted three bids to the County Council. The County Council has supported the scheme for enhanced footpath lighting at Pettycot Crescent. A scheme for lighting on the footpath between Hazelworth Drive and Monckton Walk is on the reserve list, to be implemented if funding is available. The cost of these two schemes is estimated at £9,000.

7. Introduction of Car Parking Charges

7.1 The Borough Council has resolved to introduce car parking charges in the town centre, Stoke Road and the foreshore car parks. The Off-Street Parking Places Order is being processed by the Traffic Management Section, with a view to implementation of charges in the near future.

7.2 It is anticipated that the car parking charges will promote turnover in the car parks for short stay users and promote a modal shift away from the car, which will assist in meeting transport objectives and address concerns over car park capacity. Traffic management issues are likely to arise as noted in paragraph 2.3.

8. Sea Britain Events 2005

8.1 Work has commenced on the planning of temporary traffic management measures in support of major events in the Sea Britain calendar.

8.2 On 28 June 2005 there will be an International Fleet Review in the Solent and a re-enactment of a Napoleonic sea battle and fireworks display in the Southsea area. The International Festival of the Sea will be held at the Portsmouth Historic Naval Base between 30 June and 3 July, and the Gosport Waterfront Festival between 1 July and 3 July.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

9051/DD

APPENDIX

TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER STATUS REPORT - 14.10.04

County Council Funded Annual TRO Programme

(TROs are for waiting restrictions unless otherwise stated)

Developer Funded Programme

Safety Scheme TROs

Temporary TROs for Hampshire Highways, utility companies, events etc.