Contact: Jonathan Ryder, ext 5162 email: [email protected] email: @hants.gov.uk

1. Summary

1.1 The County Council's Transport Capital Programme identifies funding for individually named integrated transport improvement schemes and also includes other county-wide improvement programmes and block budget allocations.

1.2 The table below shows the county-wide improvement programmes applicable to the Gosport area and identifies the funding allocation made from the Local Transport Plan (LTP) for the 2004/05 year. The table also identifies where further information about the works appropriate to each programme can be found on the agenda.

1.3 This report provides a progress update on the named integrated transport schemes within the 2004/05 Transport Capital Programme as approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 14 September 2004 for implementation in the Gosport area. These are summarised in the attached appendix. The report also provides a progress update on schemes started in earlier programmes which were incomplete at the last Panel meeting.

1.4 Individual schemes within the Transport Capital Programme are financed from the LTP, which consists of Central Government supported capital expenditure (SCE) and/or external funding (EF) received from developer or other contributors.

1.5 The 2005/06 Transport Capital Programme will be considered in January 2005 by the Environment Policy Review Committee and then the Executive Member for Environment. The programme will be influenced by the level of the Local Transport Settlement for 2005/06 for Hampshire, which will be announced by the Government in December 2004, and by the level of spending commitments carried forward into 2005/06 from the 2004/05 programme. Area Transport Strategy Panels are being asked at the autumn round of meetings to prioritise schemes within their areas to assist the Executive Member for Environment.

2. Transport Capital Schemes 2003/04

Bridgemary Bus Stops - £100,000 EF

2.1 This scheme was implemented to improve the bus stop infrastructure in the Bridgemary area. Work commenced on site during February 2004 and was completed in April 2004.

2.2 The improvements consisted of the replacement of some of the existing bus shelters, together with the provision of new bus stop signs and poles, including new timetable cases. Bus boarding facilities have also been improved at various locations in Bridgemary by introducing raised kerbs, together with pavement build-outs at some locations to improve access for the mobility impaired. This item of work is also reported in the Passenger Transport Report (Item 13).

3. Transport Capital Schemes 2004/05

Fareham-Gosport Bus Quality Partnership - £250,000 SCE, £50,000 EF

3.1 This scheme includes the provision of a Bus Departure Information System (BDIS) at Gosport Bus Station and the provision of a Real Time Passenger Information System (RTPI) along the A32 between Fareham and Gosport.

3.2 The improvement at the Gosport bus station follows on from earlier work completed in March 2003, to improve waiting facilities at the bus station. The installation of the BDIS will improve the quality of passenger transport information through the provision of electronic boards at each bus departure bay, giving up to date information about bus departure times, destinations, departure bay, and variations to timetable. The proposal includes the provision of a BDIS workstation at the First Bus Depot at Hoeford. The contract to implement this work is expected to be awarded in November with a view to installation being completed by March 2005.

3.3 The provision of RTPI along the A32 will improve the quality of up to date service information for passengers along the route. This is achieved through the provision of electronic message boards within bus shelters. Through liaison with the bus operator, 16 bus stops along the A32 have been prioritised for provision of the information boards, which may necessitate the provision of new bus shelters to accommodate the equipment. Resolution of the detail of the improvements required at each of the 16 bus shelters is currently being resolved.

3.4 The system works through the application of Automatic Vehicle Location Technology (incorporating Global Positioning System technology), where the position of the bus is updated every five seconds, and an on-board computer automatically relays information to a central computer should a variation to timetable arise. The driver can view the information displayed and modify the bus speed as appropriate, to help compliance with the published timetable. The system also enables the bus company to monitor bus service punctuality.

3.5 A Project Appraisal was approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 14 September 2004 to enable procurement of these works. Completion of this work is anticipated for March 2005. This item of work is also reported in the Passenger Transport Report (Item 13).

Gosport Urban Centre Improvements - £100,000 SCE

3.6 Gosport Borough Council has developed a number of localised pedestrian improvement schemes in the Borough. Feasibility drawings have been submitted to the County Council proposing five schemes, which are:

(i) Grange Lane footway improvement (east side between Cornwell Close and Samson Close);

(ii) Jellicoe Avenue pedestrian refuge (south side of Western Way);

(iii) Privett Road/Military Road/Gomer Lane roundabout - enlarged traffic islands/pedestrian refuges;

(iv) Marine Parade East/Portsmouth Road pedestrian refuge; and

(v) Portsmouth Road - existing shared use cycle track - enhanced crossing facilities at Browndown Road.

3.7 Preliminary design is currently being undertaken. Subject to consultations, detailed design and cost estimates, the individual schemes are expected to be developed for implementation later in the current financial year.

Lee-on-the-Solent Sustainable Suburbs - £100,000 SCE

3.8 This scheme aims to assist pedestrians and the mobility impaired in the High Street area of Lee-on-the-Solent. Proposals are being developed to improve road safety and road crossing opportunities for pedestrians. The proposed measures include footway build-outs, drop kerb crossings and traffic management features at Milvil Road/Marine Parade West Junction, Manor Way/High Street/Pier Street Junction, Pier Street/Marine Parade West and Beach Road.

3.9 Preliminary public consultations have been carried out by Gosport Borough Council. Evaluation of the responses is to be undertaken, along with further consultations as appropriate to progress the proposals. The County Council will be undertaking the evaluation of the consultation responses before progressing the design.

Anglesey Gardens, Gosport - Footway Improvement - £30,000 EF

3.10 The existing path through Anglesey Gardens between Anglesey Road and the old railway line is currently used by pedestrians and cyclists. The scheme aims to improve the existing facilities and will formalise existing use by cyclists and pedestrians. The path links to the existing cycleway between Stoke Road and Stokes Bay, which follows the disused railway line. The proposals include the widening of the existing footpath to three metres, and provision of street lighting. The improvement has been approved by Gosport Borough Council's Community and Environment Board. A Project Appraisal for the scheme is expected to be considered shortly by the Director for Environment and if approved, work is expected to be implemented during February 2005.

Newgate Lane/Tukes Avenue Cycleway - £100,000 EF

3.11 This scheme will provide a formalised pedestrian and cycle link between Newgate Lane and Tukes Avenue, which will improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The proposals are to widen the existing footpath along the route to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians. This includes the provision of a two metre wide cycleway alongside the footpath, which is segregated by a grass verge outside the Gosport Borough Council's Recreation Ground. Pedestrian guard railing and staggered barriers will be installed on the route and the street lighting will be improved.

3.12 Construction work for the footpath widening has been completed; however the street lighting is expected to be installed during October. Completion of the scheme was scheduled for September 2004 but has been delayed as a result of vandalism at the site, including the theft of the railings that border the recreation ground. Minor works to complete the scheme, incorporating the reinstatement of the railings, and some outstanding traffic signs are imminent.

Broom Way Cycleway - £390,000 EF

3.13 This scheme aims to provide an off-road shared footway and cycleway on the western side of the carriageway, together with street lighting. The scheme aims to provide a safer and more attractive route for pedestrian and cyclists between Cherque Farm and Peel Common roundabout, where it connects to existing pedestrian and cycle facilities. Improvements for equestrians are also incorporated into the scheme. The existing cycle crossings on Gosport Road and Newgate Lane, near Peel Common roundabout, are proposed to be upgraded to Toucan crossings to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists.

3.14 A narrow strip of land is required to implement the scheme, and acquisition of this land may impact upon the delivery programme; however, negotiation with the landowner is continuing. Although subject to the satisfactory conclusion of consultations with stakeholders, and land acquisition, the detailed design is currently being progressed. A project appraisal is being prepared for consideration by the Executive Member for Environment in January 2005 and if approved work onsite is expected to commence in February 2005.

Recommendation

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

9044/JR