Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER-ENVIRONMENT

Item 7

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

BAY HOUSE SCHOOL, GOSPORT - SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL SCHEME, COMPRISING THE INSTALLATION OF NEW AND ADDITIONAL CYCLE STORAGE FACILITIES AND THE INSTALLATION OF CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION MEASURES

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 2005

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 2005

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2004/05

1.

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

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2004

(at 2004

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

79

79

Fees

1

1

80

80

Less developers/

other contributions

Nil

Nil

80

80

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

80

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

80

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

Nil

Nil

Capital charges

Nil

Nil

TOTAL net expenditure

Nil

Nil

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

The developed set of proposals are intended to make the journey to school safer and easier for pupils of Bay House School. The scheme addresses the concerns raised in the School Travel Plan which was received by the County Council School Travel Plan Team in 2001 and revised by the school in 2004. The overall objective is to encourage as many children as reasonably possible to be active and independent by cycling to school on a regular basis.

The school currently has over 2,000 pupils on its roll aged between 11 and 18, half of which live in the urban area of Gosport, to the north and east of the school. The remainder are drawn from the more economically favoured, suburban areas of Alverstoke and Lee-on-the-Solent.

Currently the school has a good record of pupils walking and cycling to school, with 34% walking and 31% cycling. In addition, the school has changed the structure of its day so that all pupils now finish at 3 pm. This enables pupils to walk or cycle home during daylight hours thus reducing parents' concerns over safety and the perceived necessity to use the car.

Current cycle storage facilities are very old and in need of replacement. Further, it is felt that by increasing the amount and quality of the storage, more pupils will be encouraged to cycle to school.

Maintaining existing cycling levels is an important objective. More children should cycle to school once this scheme is implemented, now that they can be confident that their bicycles will be able to be kept on the site safely. An increase of 3% would be a reasonable target to aim for.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

This scheme forms part of the developing County Council programme of Safer Routes to School initiatives linked to School Travel Plans.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The Scheme comprises the installation:

(i) of new and additional cycle storage facilities; and

(ii) of closed circuit television measures.

Environmental Impact

The scheme will contribute to a safer and improved environment for children and teachers to leave their bicycles.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within the school grounds.

Statutory Procedures

After consultation with Development Control (Planning) it was felt unlikely that a formal planning application was required. However, when exact details of where the cycle shelters are to be sited, together with their measurements, are established a formal decision will be made. A planning application would be the responsibility of the school and this scheme would not be implemented until the relevant permissions had been granted.

Public Consultation

The school is very supportive of the scheme. No further consultation is required as the works are confined to the school grounds.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Mrs Snaith, has been informed of the proposals and has raised no issues.

Equalities

Not applicable.

Maintenance Implications

There will no maintenance implications of this proposal as they will be maintained by the school.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The closed circuit television will discourage acts of theft and vandalism from the school and thus encourage children to cycle to school.

Sustainability

The scheme will improve the environment for those cycling to school and help to reduce dependence on the private car for the journey to school.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Taking no action.

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

Bay House School Travel Plan

Environment Department

Ashburton Court West

Room 415