AT A MEETING of the SOLENT TRANSPORT STRATEGY PANEL held on Friday 28 January 2005 in the Council Chamber, Hampshire County Council Offices, The Castle, Winchester.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: C.R.H. Davidovitz; T.G. Knight; R.H. Price.

East Hampshire District Council

Councillor D.K. Denston.

Eastleigh Borough Council

Councillors: D.J. Airey; S. Broomfield; K. House.

Fareham Borough Council

Councillors: J.V. Bryant; P. Davies; A. Mandry.

Gosport Borough Council

Councillors: Mrs I.E. Binfield; P.C. Langdon; P.R. Edgar.

Havant Borough Council

Councillor N.J. Tarrant.

New Forest District Council

Councillor F.R. Harrison.

Test Valley Borough Council

Councillors: J.T. Hall; C. Lewis.

Winchester City Council

Councillor F.G. Allgood.

22. ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN

In the absence of Councillor K.B. Estlin, Chairman of the Solent Transport Strategy Panel, and pursuant with Standing Order 34 (c) of the County Council's constitution, Members of the Panel appointed Councillor T.G. Knight as Chairman for the meeting.

23. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of debate declare their interest, and having regards to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

24. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2004 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

25. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman stressed the close links that the Panel needed to foster with the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) and requested Members report the outcomes of this meeting back to their colleagues on that Panel. It was also suggested that as PUSH comprised the Leaders and Chief Executives of the constituent authorities that the minutes of the Solent Transport Strategy Panel be circulated to them once they had been confirmed.

26. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

27. SOUTH EAST PLAN UPDATE

The Panel received an oral report by the Director of Environment informing them of the latest developments and the future timetable of the South East Plan. Members requested that, due to the importance of the subject, a briefing paper be circulated as soon as possible containing the information which they had received.

PUSH's position with regard to the South East Plan for the Solent area was clarified; all parties involved in the group had recommended to the South East England Regional Assembly that growth should be set at an as yet undetermined level which best encouraged economic development. However there was a consensus that such growth could not be sustained without considerable investment in infrastructure. Consequently data was being collected and research undertaken in order to demonstrate to the Government the current infrastructure deficit and to illustrate the levels of funding necessary within the region to support growth at any level. Specific reference was made to anticipated access problems resulting from the redevelopment of the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the presentation of the Director of Environment on the South East Plan be noted.

(ii) That a report concerning the information contained within the presentation be circulated to Members as soon as possible.

28. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN GUIDANCE AND FUNDING ALLOCATION FORMULA

The Panel received an oral report (supported by a handout attached as appendix one to these minutes) from the Director of Environment concerning guidance from Central Government on preparing the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and how funding was likely to be allocated. The presentation focussed on the progress and broad outline content for the new LTP and covered the Government's main themes of congestion, accessibility, road safety and air quality. The proposed approach of the County Council was outlined including suggested objectives of economic prosperity, quality of life and asset management. The overall approach and process were also outlined including provisions for consultation, potential programmes and a proposed timetable. Specific reference was made to the strong links which the Plan would have with both Portsmouth and Southampton City Council's LTPs. Officers highlighted the Government's requirement for urban areas to measure levels of congestion. Although confirmation had not yet been received that the Solent area would be classified as an urban area under this definition the County Council would be working on the assumption that it was until informed otherwise.

Members paid particular attention to accessibility and the potential uses of the government supplied `Accession' software. While it was accepted that there were limitations to the software, for example it did not take into account delays resulting from congestion, it was nevertheless felt to be a very useful analytical tool. So as to make best use of the resource the information obtained would, where possible, be disseminated to district councils, local strategic partnerships and other key stakeholders.

RESOLVED:

That the presentation of the Director of Environment on the Local Transport Plan be noted.

29. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 7 in the Minute Book) concerning the proposed policy and programme direction for the Solent strategy area.

Discussion focused on the provision of transport links in the Gosport and Fareham area. There was a general consensus that regardless of the outcome of the Light Rapid Transport (LRT) bid further improvements needed to be made to the local transport network. Particular reference was made to the importance of the redevelopment of the Fareham interchange. Officers updated the Panel on the latest developments with regard to the LRT, a decision on which was expected from Government in the summer. It was hoped that this decision would be positive, however whatever the outcome the next LTP would include schemes designed to resolve the transport issues faced by both Gosport and Fareham.

Other salient points raised were as follows:

(i) The planned future expansion of the Solent Travelcard to other modes of transport (including rail and water transport).

(ii) The encouragement of existing, as well as new, ferry services along the south coast.

(iii) The need for an increased frequency in local rail services.

(iv) The current severance of Totton by various transport links.

(v) The lack of bus services operating in the evening.

RESOLVED:


That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the Panel endorses the policy and programme direction proposed for the Solent area.

30. TRANSPORT CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2005/06

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 8 in the Minute Book) setting out the proposed 2005/06 capital programme which was presented to the Executive Member for Environment on 21 January 2005.

Members commented on the level of slippage from the 2004/05 programme into the 2005/06 programme. It was agreed that this could lead to the expectations of local communities being unfairly raised. Officers acknowledged that this situation did need addressing. Further efforts would be made to ensure that communications at officer level were enhanced so that district councils were fully aware when projects were not progressing on time. However it was advised that in some cases slippage was unavoidable due to factors outside the County Councils control, such as the extension of schemes following public consultation or cuts in Government finance.

Following questions regarding the financing of Traffic Regulation Orders implemented as part of the Safer Routes to School programme, it was noted that the all schools were required to have a travel plan by 2010 but that the Government had made little additional funding available to implement these plans.

RESOLVED:


That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the Panel endorsed the proposed programme for 2005/06.

31. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN CAPITAL PROGRAMME - PRIORITISATION OF SCHEMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 9 in the Minute Book) outlining the proposed methodology for the assessment and prioritisation of schemes within the next LTP. Members were requested to inform officers of any suggestion they had concerning the prioritisation methodology by the 4 February 2005. These suggestions would then be fed into a final draft scheme which would be submitted to the Panel for its endorsement at a future meeting. Following Members' questions confirmation was received that government priorities, such as congestion, would need to be given due consideration when drafting the final scheme.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the Panel endorses the headings indicated in section four of the report, covering all objectives that should be incorporated in the final assessment scheme, and the approach taken to `weighting' subject to any views to be submitted to officers by 4 February 2005

(ii) That the Executive Member be advised that the Panel endorses the headings as the basis for future assessment and ranking of schemes within the LTP 2006-11.

32. STRATEGY PROGRESS AND ISSUES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 10 in the Minute Book) setting out progress on various issues in the Solent transport area. Discussion focused on congestion issues at the Portsmouth Road/Hamble Lane junction, near Bursledon. Members considered that, although the installation of a toucan crossing at the junction had had some success there was still a considerable problem which needed resolving. This problem was seen as part of a wider issue of access to the Hamble peninsula which had been the subject of the Hamble Access Transport Strategy. It was concluded that in addition to reconsidering the various options available for alterations to the Portsmouth Road/Hamble Lane junction, the overall strategy should also be reviewed.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted;

(ii) That the Panel receive a report from the Director of Environment on further possible option for the Portsmouth Road/Hamble Lane junction at its next meeting; and

(iii) That a report be received at a future meeting of the Panel setting out the options available for improving access to the Hamble peninsula.

33. PROVISION OF LOW-FLOOR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES FOR BUS SERVICES IN THE HAMBLE AREA

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 11 in the Minute Book) concerning a project appraisal for low floor accessible vehicles to be used on bus services in the Hamble/Hound area which the Executive Members for Environment approved on 11 January 2005 subject to the agreement of the Panel.

Members welcomed the scheme and hoped that it would be one which could be extended to other areas of the County.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member fore Environment be advised that the Panel endorses the project appraisal for Low-Floor Accessibility Vehicles to be used on bus services in the Hamble/Hound area, at an estimated cost of £100,000.