Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 8

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT: A323 ASH ROAD, ALDERSHOT - TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 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

220

220

Fees

30

30

Less developers/

other contributions

250

250

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

250

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a)

0.

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

250

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

5

0.006

Capital charges

24

0.021

TOTAL net expenditure

29

0.027

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

The A323 Ash Road and High Street has a daily traffic flow of around 19,500 vehicles. There are mixed residential and retail properties on the route and schools and a recreational park in close proximity. The present facilities of footways, a Zebra crossing and pedestrian refuges are in many cases below current standards, not necessarily appropriate to the road type, and are not always positioned in the correct place to meet the appropriate desire lines.

Accident figures for the past five years show some 39 accidents on the route which is approximately one mile long. Of these, 8 have involved pedestrians and of this number three have occurred on the Zebra crossing. Speed is also perceived to be a problem.

The aims of the scheme are to address these issues, ensuring that the highway facilities in the area are updated and improved. This will ensure that not only are the facilities safer for all user groups, but also more accessible for the vulnerable. This will encourage walking as a sustainable mode of transport and the scheme target is not only to achieve this, but also to reduce the speed and historical accident rates in the future.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposals are consistent with the County Council's North Hampshire Transport Strategy. They will provide safer facilities for the users of the area, and encourage various forms of transport.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The scheme involves:

(i) the installation of new, and replacement of some existing, pedestrian refuges along the route of the A323 Ash Road and High Street (eight pedestrian refuges in total are involved);

(ii) the upgrading of a Zebra crossing to a Puffin crossing at the junction with Herrett Street;

(iii) improvement to parking bays at the locals shops at the corner of Ash Road and Herrett Street; and

(iv) the rationalisation and upgrading of footways along Ash Road to include raised kerbing at bus stops and replacement of damaged areas.

(v) Ash Road is also to be resurfaced in a `quiet' asphalt compound and be relined with central hatchings to give a perception of road narrowing and so reduce speed.

These changes comply with the Department for Transport and Hampshire County Council standards and the design has received a safety audit. A location plan is attached and a detailed plan will be displayed at the meeting.

Environmental Impact

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

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

Statutory Procedures

Statutory procedures are required to convert the Zebra crossing to a Puffin, and these will be advertised accordingly prior to any works commencing.

Public Consultation

Public Consultation took place on 10 November 2004, having been advertised twice in a local newspaper and through a letter drop to 600 local residents. It was attended by 70 members of the public between the hours of 09:30 and 19:30.

Questionnaires were provided, splitting the scheme into six primary plans (see attached plan), and 39 responses were received. Results were very positive, with the following results:

Plan 1 - 100% were in favour of the proposals;

Plan 2 - 97.4% were in favour of the proposals;

Plan 3 - 92.3% were in favour of the proposals;

Plan 4 - 89.7% were in favour of the proposals;

Plan 5 - 89.7% were in favour of the proposals; and

Plan 6 - 94.8% were in favour of the proposals.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Roberts, supports these proposals.

Equalities

The proposed footways will provide access for all, and the proposed crossing points will incorporate tactile paving for the visually impaired. Flush kerbs at the crossing points and raised kerbs at bus stops will be implemented for wheelchair users, prams and the less mobile.

Maintenance Implications

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

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

Sustainability

The scheme will encourage walking in the localised area, which will assist in the reducing of vehicle speeds. Where possible, signage will be in high reflective surfaces for visibility, as a sustainable alternative to electrically illuminated varieties.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

Other options have been considered, such as reducing the attractiveness of the Ash Road into Lower Farnham Road route by banning right hand turns, but these were discarded due to the expected negative impacts of the associated traffic flow in the area.

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

Ash Road Working File

Environment Department