Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 4

PROJECT:

ROOKES LANE/RIDGEWAY LANE, LYMINGTON TRAFFIC CALMING SCHEME

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 Nov 2004

(at Nov 2004

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

115

115

Fees

40

40

155

155

Less developers/

other contributions

155

155

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

155

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

155

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

3.4

0.004

Capital charges

15.0

0.013

TOTAL net expenditure

18.4

0.017

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

This scheme has been a proposal in the New Forest District Local Plan for several years. The development of the new marina in southern Lymington has resulted in this road carrying a higher volume of traffic as it is the signed route from the A337 Milford Road. This in turn has increased the conflict between pedestrians and vehicles as there is no footway provision at present along most of this road on the residential side.

The pedestrian activity along Rookes Lane/Ridgeway Lane is also enhanced by the adjacent Woodside Recreation Park which has a children's play area/skateboard park that serves the local community.

Concern over the speed of traffic along this route has also been raised by local residents.

This improvement will complement the traffic scheme already implemented at the Rookes Lane/All Saints Road junction and along All Saints Road.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The objectives of the scheme to improve safety for pedestrians and provide traffic calming measures along Rookes Lane and Ridgeway Lane in Lymington are in compliance with the New Forest Transport Strategy (which incorporates the Coastal Towns Transport Strategy).

The target for the scheme is to reduce the 85%ile speed of vehicles to 30 mph or less.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The scheme has been designed to provide a new footway along the northern side of Rookes Lane and the eastern side of Ridgeway Lane (north of Rookes Lane). A small section of footway around the junction of Rookes Lane and All Saints Road will also be constructed. In addition, traffic calming features will be installed along the same sections of road, which will reduce the speed of through traffic.

Finally, a new pedestrian access will be created into Woodside Gardens for Rookes Lane.

The design of this scheme adheres to the design standards of the Department for Transport and those of the County Council.

A plan of the proposed scheme will be displayed at the meeting.

Environmental Impact

The scheme is expected to provide improved pedestrian movement along and across Rookes Lane and Ridgeway Lane, as well as reducing the speed of vehicles on these roads, thereby improving general road safety.

Land Requirements

Small sections of land are required from gardens that front the road. Initial discussions with residents during consultation on the scheme have been favourable and have indicated that residents are prepared to dedicate land for highway purposes so that the scheme can progress to implementation.

Statutory Procedures

All the necessary statutory requirements have been satisfied in the development of this proposal.

Public Consultation

A public exhibition was held in the Committee Room of New Forest District Council Offices in Lymington on Thursday 5 June between 1400 and1900 hours. The exhibition was manned by officers from Hampshire County Council and New Forest District Council.

Following the exhibition plans were put on public display in the reception area of the District Council offices in Lymington.

Questionnaire-style comment sheets were available for members of the public/local organisations to register their views on the proposed improvements.

Approximately 150 questionnaires were taken during the entire exhibition, of which 78 completed forms were returned, giving a sample rate of 52%.

The results drawn from the returned questionnaires showed that 71.8% of respondents agreed that the scheme would have an overall benefit while 5.1% disagreed and 23.1% were neutral in their views.

On the issue of improving pedestrian movement, 88.5% of respondents agreed, 10.3% were neutral and 1.2% disagreed.

Furthermore, 38.5% agreed that the scheme would reduce traffic speeds, thereby improving road safety generally, 26.9% disagreed while 34.6% had neutral views.

Finally, 71.8% agreed that the scheme would improve access to Woodside Gardens, with 2.6% disagreeing and 23.1% being neutral.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Hayes, supports the proposals.

Equalities

The new footway, together with dropped kerbs and tactile paving, will give safer and easier access to Lymington Town Centre and to Woodside Gardens/recreation ground.

Maintenance Implications

The new footway will have to be maintained but is not expected to have a significant revenue implication.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

Sustainability

This scheme will provide improved facilities for pedestrians and will therefore encourage local people to walk to the town centre as an alternative to other forms of transport.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

An alternative scheme was originally designed for Rookes Lane/Ridgeway Lane which involved the removal of several mature trees and the loss of some of the land within a recreation park. This option would also have resulted in a section of Rookes Lane becoming an access-only road to several properties fronting this road. This option was rejected as it was deemed environmentally unacceptable and its cost would have exceeded the funding available.

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

Rookes Lane/Ridgeway Lane,

Lymington Working File

Implementation Team

Environment Department