Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 7

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

EASTERN AVENUE, ANDOVER - PUFFIN CROSSING

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 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 Nov 2004

(at Nov 2004

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

39

39

Fees

17

17

56

56

Less developers

24

24

32

32

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

32

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

(a) Cover Developers

24

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

56

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

2.2

0.003

Capital charges

7.0

0.006

TOTAL net expenditure

9.2

0.009

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

Eastern Avenue forms part of the ring road around Andover town centre, which continues to accommodate a high volume of traffic. The road separates important amenities in the town, such as the railway station, main shopping centre and civic amenities, and creates a barrier for pedestrians from a very large residential area who wish to walk to the town centre.

Traffic flows along Eastern Avenue remain high, resulting in reported difficulties for pedestrians crossing Eastern Avenue. A need has been identified for a safe and convenient pedestrian crossing facility adjacent to a new retirement home which will increase pedestrian demand still further at this location. Surveys undertaken of traffic and pedestrian flows provide a PV² value of 0.65 x 10⁸ for the four busiest hours of the day at present and justify the provision of a formal crossing, as indicated on the attached location plan.

Eastern Avenue is within a 30 mph speed limit, where speeds are within the range expected for that speed limit. This, in combination with the pedestrian levels, provides the conditions where a Puffin crossing is the most appropriate and acceptable type of installation.

It has been agreed that funding for the scheme will be shared with the developer of a new retirement home.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposal is consistent with County Council policies and the Central Hampshire Transport Strategy to reduce accident potential, improve facilities for pedestrians and provide safer routes to school.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The crossing design complies with the Department for Transport and Hampshire County Council standards, and has been safety audited at the appropriate stages in the design process. The provision of a crossing at this location is justified in accordance with the normal criteria.

Environmental Impact

The proposal has negligible consequence for the environment.

Land Requirements

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

Statutory Procedures

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

The police have been consulted and have raised no objection to the proposal. The Secretary of State will be informed of the proposal.

Public Consultation

Public notices have been posted on site for 28 days providing details of the proposal. No objections were received.

Local Members' Views

The local Members, Councillor Kirk and Councillor Mrs West, support the proposal.

Equalities

The proposals incorporate tactile paving for the visually impaired, with flush kerbs at the crossing for wheelchairs, prams and the less mobile.

Maintenance Implications

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

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

Sustainability

The Puffin crossing supports walking which is a sustainable form of transport.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

It is considered that the proposed Puffin crossing is the only suitable option.

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

Project File (Eastern Avenue, Andover)

Traffic Management Section

Sheridan House

Jewry Street

Winchester