Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

Item 1

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

ANDOVER STATION TO TOWN CENTRE

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2005

COMPLETION DATE:

APRIL 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/Construction/Fees

350

350

Less developers/

10

10

other contributions

340

340

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

340

(b) Other

10

350

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

350

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Nil

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

3

0.003

Capital charges

34

0.03

TOTAL net expenditure

37

0.033

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

In 2002 a feasibility study was undertaken on behalf of Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council to identify the most suitable routes for six prioritised cycling schemes within Andover. A total of 36 cycle routes were identified by the County Council and incorporated within the Local Transport Plan. The routes were then presented to the former Andover Transportation Strategy Members' Panel where six schemes were prioritised. Andover Station to Town Centre is identified as Scheme 1 on the priority list and has links from the Railway Station to various important areas in the town centre. In the same year Test Valley Borough Council developed a Test Valley Borough Local Plan Review which developed a Cycle Strategy and Network beyond 2000 which was updated in 2003.

The settlement patterns of the Borough with the concentration of development, particularly employment and shopping opportunities and the close proximity of larger urban areas such as Southampton, Basingstoke and Salisbury, has meant that journeys for a range of purposes can involve considerable distances and that many of them are completed by the motor vehicle. The aims of the strategy are to increase the use of cycling as a means of transport, improve the safety of cycling for existing and potential cyclists and increase the use of cycling as a leisure activity.

This project is to implement a safe and convenient cycle track/footway that follows both an off- and on-road route, to help cyclists access the railway station and the town centre via an upgraded Toucan crossing point on Western Avenue which gives access to shops and facilities in the town.

The scheme aims to provide facilities in Andover that will encourage cycling as a healthy alternative to the motor vehicle and seeks to improve public health through increases in active travel and promote the use of other alternative public transport. It is expected that congestion in and around Andover Station and the town centre will be reduced as a result of introducing this scheme and contribute towards the improvement in air quality, encourage sustainable travel and help tackle social exclusion by improving accessibility for those households without a car and increase in travel choice for everyday trips.

The provision for additional cycle parking at Andover Station is soon to be increased with the cooperation of South West Trains. Currently an average of 80 cycles are stored at the station each day and there is a waiting list of some 30 people for additional cycle locker availability. As part of this scheme, additional cycle parking provision will be made in other convenient points in and around the town centre. This being the first of the proposed routes into the town, it is planned to be eventually linked to all the remaining five priority routes which connect the town to the surrounding areas that have been identified by the Members' Panel.

The Hampshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) Fourth Annual Progress report states that the target for cycling is to quadruple the number of cycling trips by 2010 from a 1996 base. This target is subject to review in the next LTP period 2006-2011.

The 2003 SUSTRANS National Cycle Network (NCN) Route User Monitoring Report identified a steady increase in the number of cycle trips undertaken. Cycle trips on the NCN (excluding any new routes), increased
by 10% from 2002 to 2003. On traffic-free sections nearly a third of all trips were for utility purposes (13% for commuting) and more than half of these were under three miles.

The provision of this important link will offer an attractive and safe facility for both pedestrians and cyclists in the area.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposal is consistent with the County Council's LTP, Central Hampshire Transport Strategy and the former Andover Transport Strategy. It will further improve accessibility and encourage more sustainable forms of transport.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The construction of the on- and off-road cycle track/footway, along with improvements to the two central island crossing points, will comply with the Department for Transport and Hampshire County Council's standards and have been the subject of safety audits. A location map and detailed design will be displayed at the meeting..

Environmental Impact

There are no adverse environmental impacts as a result of this proposal.

Land Requirements

An area of land not exceeding 30 square metres and shown edged red on DWG No. HD5028359/1/SK/0003 is required to complete this route so that cyclists and pedestrians may pass between Anton Mill Road and Bentall Place towards the Broadway.

Statutory Procedures

The sections of footway identified on the scheme drawings as being for shared use by pedestrians and cyclists will be converted by approval of this Project Appraisal, using powers provided under Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980.

Public Consultation

The local Cycle Tourist Club representatives have been involved in the planning of this route and detailed design plans have been made available at Test Valley Borough Council offices at Beech Hurst, Andover for the public to view.

Local Members' View

Councillors Kirk, Pierce and West support this scheme.

Equalities

The proposed scheme will make provision for cycling as a healthy alternative to the motor vehicle, connecting local residents with the Town Centre and the Railway Station, and the proposed upgraded crossing points will incorporate tactile paving for the visually impaired, with flush kerbs for wheelchairs, prams and electric buggies for the less mobile.

Maintenance Implications

The revenue implications of this proposal will be taken into account in the setting of this budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

The scheme will encourage the further use of non-motorised vehicle travel by providing a safer alternative to the motor car in the localised area. The presence of new road markings consisting of coloured surfaces, lines and symbols, directional/information signage and central refuges will assist in reducing vehicle speeds and also provide clear new directions to the various facilities within Andover Town Centre. Wherever possible recycled materials are to be used for the construction of this scheme.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

A contra-flow cycle route was considered in Bridge Street, however due to the lack of space available it was believed that the route should avoid this area and be routed further to the south which offered the safer option and would cater for higher use. The contra-flow section was considered unacceptable on the grounds of safety.

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

Andover Cycles and Pedestrians

Andover Railway Station to Town Centre

Drawings

HD5028359/1/001/002/003/004

HD5028359/1/SK/0003

BA/03/11/04