Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 5

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

STATION ROAD, NEW MILTON - PROPOSED PUFFIN CROSSING

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 2004

(at 2004

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

45

45

Fees

23

23

68

68

Less developers/

other contributions

15

15

53

53

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

53

(b) Other

2.

From other resources

15

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

68

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)

The B3058, Station Road provides a strategic link for New Milton up to the A35 and onwards to the motorway network. The traffic flow at the site of the proposed crossing is approximately 6,600 vehicles per 12 hour day. There is only a marginal difference between the peak hour and non-peak hour traffic flows.

At present, due to the road layout and parked vehicles, pedestrians are experiencing some difficulty in crossing Station Road and there is a need for a safer and convenient pedestrian crossing facility at this location. This need has further increased since the opening of a new health centre adjacent to the crossing location which serves the local community.

A survey undertaken of traffic and pedestrian flows provided a PV² value of 0.75 x 10⁸ which justifies the provision of a formal crossing in accordance with County Council policy and Department for Transport guidance.

The crossing is proposed at the site of a busy local health centre and local shops. The health centre has off-road parking while there is a lay-by outside the local shops. However, the number of parking spaces within the lay-by will be reduced by four spaces to ensure adequate visibility for pedestrians and drivers approaching the crossing.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

The proposal is consistent with the aims and objectives of both the Local Transport Plan and the New Forest Transport Strategy. This facility will be of great benefit to pedestrians and especially the mobility impaired and elderly.

The target for increased use of this crossing facilities is to achieve a PV² value of 1x10⁶.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The project includes the provision of a Puffin crossing and the removal of a section of a lay-by to provide a safe pedestrian waiting area and ensure adequate visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.

The removal of the lay-by which will be infilled will result in the overall loss of four parking spaces.

The design of the scheme complies with Department for Transport and County Council standards, and has been safety audited at the appropriate stages in the design process.

Environmental Impact

There is no significant environmental impact from this proposal.

Land Requirements

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

Statutory Procedures

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

Public Consultation

Public notices have been posted on this site for 28 days giving details of the proposal. A number of letters have been received on the proposals, a summary of which is shown in the attached appendix.

The main concern raised is the effect of losing some on-street parking spaces on trade for local shops. There is other parking available nearby and it is therefore considered that the benefits of a safe crossing should outweigh this potential impact.

One letter received supports the crossing but has suggested an alternative location nearer the town centre.

This alternative is not feasible because there is inadequate visibility for pedestrians and motorists alike.

Lastly, one objection is based on the fact that part of the lay-by that will be filled in to provide the crossing and ensure adequate visibility was originally dedicated by the landowner to the highway authority for the lay-by.

Advice from Legal Practice is that the dedication was for "highway purposes" and therefore the County Council is legally able to implement the crossing on the area of lay-by which will be lost for parking.

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Rice, has supported the proposal since its development. Councillor Rice has been informed of the objections and letters received on the proposal and has still pledged his support for the scheme.

Equalities

The proposed crossing incorporates tactile paving and audible warnings for the visually impaired, with flush herbs at the crossing point for wheelchairs, prams and the less mobile.

Maintenance Implications

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

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

An alternative scheme was considered which would have resulted in the overall loss of two parking spaces in an adjacent lay by as opposed to four spaces with the proposed scheme.

This was rejected as third party land would have to have been either dedicated or required for highway purposes and the current landowner was not prepared to enter into any agreement.

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

Station Road, New Milton

Working File

Implementation

Environment Department

Comment

Response

Land was dedicated for use as lay-by not for a crossing. Crossing will reduce parking outside shops.

Land was dedicated for highway purposes and will be continued to be used for highway purposes. Alternative scheme put forward to landlord but rejected.

Supports much needed facility but questions its proposed location.

Alternative locations not feasible due to sub standard visibility.

Proposal will affect customer parking and put businesses in decline.

Scheme still retains some on-street parking, only loss of 4 parking places.

As above.

As above.

As above.

As above.

As above.

As above.

As above.

As above.

As above.

As above.