Archived decisions

Contact: Paul Turner, ext 6978 email: [email protected]

1. Background

1.1 Elvetham Road was part of an overall transport strategy for the area which included the Fleet Town Centre relief road and a proposed direct spine road through Elvetham Heath. Elvetham Road is approximately two kilometres long and runs between the A323 Reading Road North/Fleet Road and the A3013 Fleet Road. In 1999 it was proposed to traffic calm this road using funds from the Elvetham Heath development.

1.2 A public exhibition held in 2001 to gauge acceptance of this scheme indicated general support for measures to reduce speed. The traffic calming scheme was implemented in May 2002 and has reduced the average speed of vehicles by some 6-10 mph to around 35 mph.

1.3 However, there have been a number of accidents, where vehicles are speeding between features and colliding with the buildouts. The results of questionnaire surveys conducted in December 2003 and August 2004 indicate a large majority of the respondents are no longer in favour of the current traffic calming buildouts and would like them removed.

1.4 A summary of the results of the August 2004 public consultation (copy of the public leaflet attached as Appendix 1) are as follows:

A more detailed breakdown of these results is attached as Appendix 2.

1.5 The results were presented to the Hart Highway and Transport Advisory Panel on 25 October 2004. The discussion at the Panel revealed both District and County Members were in favour of removing the traffic calming scheme and that further consideration should be given to the situation on Elvetham Road.

2. Highway Safety

2.1 During the three year period prior to traffic calming in Elvetham Road there was only one personal injury accident recorded. This involved a car hitting the rear of another which was turning left. In the three year period following the implementation of traffic calming measures, three separate personal injury accidents were recorded, each of which involved vehicles colliding with one another. In addition, there have been several `damage only' accidents involving vehicles hitting the traffic calming buildouts.

3. Current Situation

3.1 There is strong local opposition to the scheme currently in place (see Appendix 2), although residents living along Elvetham Road show a higher level of support for traffic calming.

3.2 The traffic situation in Fleet has altered since the traffic calming scheme was first promoted. There is no longer a town centre relief road proposed, which would have provided an alternative route for traffic. A major scheme to improve Fleet town centre is due to commence in May 2005. Elvetham Road is therefore likely to play a more significant role in Fleet's road network.

4. Finance

4.1 The costs relating to the design and implementation of the original scheme have been met by contributions from the Elvetham Heath developer, these costs amount to £120,000. The costs to meet the removal of the scheme are estimated to be £30,000.

Recommendations

1. That the existing traffic calming scheme on Elvetham Road, Fleet be removed at a total cost of £30,000.

2. That the traffic situation on Elvetham Road be reviewed after completion of the town centre improvements.

9035Rpt/PST