AT A MEETING of the NEW FOREST TRANSPORT STRATEGY PANEL held on 31 January 2005 in the Wellington Room, Hampshire County Council Offices, The Castle, Winchester.

PRESENT

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: J.K. Glen (in the Chair); Mrs P.G. Banks; B.D. Dash; L.T. Dunsdon.

New Forest District Council

Councillors: M.H.G. Fidler; J.D. Heron; D.N. Scott.

Test Valley Borough Council

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

22. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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.

23. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 29 October 2004 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

24. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications.

25. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

26. 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. Since the previous meeting of the Panel the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) had published, and begun consultation on, a draft version of the Plan (which was available on SEERA's website - http://www.southeast-ra.gov.uk/southeastplan/plan/view_plan.html). It was anticipated that there would be little additional growth in the New Forest, however increased housing in the Solent area would have a substantial impact, particularly on the Waterside. Members agreed that there was a current infrastructure deficit and therefore Government investment was essential in order to accommodate any additional level of development. As a result of this the County Council were undertaking their own consultation not only on the draft South East Plan but also on the associated infrastructure requirements. It was hoped that this, together with other research could be used to demonstrate to the Government the levels of funding necessary within the region to support growth at any level.

RESOLVED:

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

27. 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 was also outlined including provisions for consultation, potential programmes and a proposed timetable.

During the ensuing discussion the following salient points arose:

(i) congestion and poor air quality in Lyndhurst;

(ii) the need for joint working between the County and Districts in order to prevent the `severance' of communities by transport links;

(iii) accessibility, both for visitors to the National Park and for residents accessing local services.

(iv) the cost in officer time of preparing the LTP; it was noted that considerable efforts were made to ensure that the preparation of the LTP did not obstruct the implementation of schemes.

RESOLVED:

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

28. 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 New Forest strategy area.

Members emphasised the importance of encouraging modal shift to forms of transport other than the car. It was acknowledged that locating a central strategic car park in Ringwood, from which motorists could choose to car share or use other modes of transport, was a useful development in encouraging this shift. However concerns were raised that it was having a detrimental effect on the town and did little to encourage visitors to the area. Reference was made to the importance of the rail link between Brockenhurst and Lymington not just for the purposes of access to Lymington but also in order to support the ferry link to the Isle of Wight. The Panel went on to discuss the importance, for reasons of safety, of clearly marking cycle lanes.

RESOLVED

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

29. 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.

Following Members' detailed questions it was explained that the 2005/06 Programme was part of the first LTP and therefore did not necessarily represent the priorities previously discussed as part of LTP 2006-2011, such as congestion and air pollution. That said it was noted that the coming years programmes did not ignore these priorities and that many of the intended schemes would contribute to the aims of the second LTP. In addition to this considerable research was being undertaken to find the best solution for individual areas of congestion and pollution, only once this had been completed could appropriate remedial measures be taken.

The proposed pedestrian crossing facilities on the A326 at Hythe was highlighted. It was reported that this scheme was in the Capital Programme `preparation pool'. Should the scheme be implemented it was suggested that it could be combined with an extension of the existing Hythe cycle route to the strategic network.

RESOLVED:

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

30. 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 suggestions they had concerning the prioritisation methodology by the 14 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.

There was a general consensus that there should be some form of weighting, and it was suggested that safety should be seen as a priority. Emphasis was also placed on the better use of available capacity on the road network and on congestion relief, particularly on the A337 and the A326.

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 14 February 2005.

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

31. STRATEGY AND PROGRESS ISSUES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 10 in the Minute Book) outlining progress on recent transport projects in the New Forest area.

Members noted that the Operation of the New Forest Road Network sub group continued to meet regularly to consider congestion relief in Lyndhurst and the wider New Forest area. Of particular interest were the results of the monitoring exercise undertaken following the implementation of the `Colbury right turn' which would be reported to the sub group at its next meeting and subsequently to a meeting of this panel.

It was agreed that while the principal of demand management in the New Forest was one which should be explored, road closure was not considered an appropriate course of action for Emery Down.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted; and

(ii) That the Panel endorses the course of action regarding Emery Down as set out in the report, but also supports the continuing work on demand management in the New Forest including pilot projects looking at road closures.

32. NEW FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL: DECRIMINALISATION OF ON-STREET PARKING ENFORCEMENT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 11 in the Minute Book) setting out the joint proposals to implement a special parking area covering the New Forest district. An amended version of appendix 3 to the report (appendix 3x in the Minute Book) was circulated. Members stressed the importance of decriminalising parking enforcement, particularly as a means of reducing congestion.

RESOLVED:

That the Panel recommends the Executive Member for Environment to agree that:

(i) the joint funding of the remainder of the setting up of the Special Parking Area covering the New Forest District area be supported;

(ii) the funding be subject to incorporation into the District and County Council's 2005/06 future Capital Programmes;

(iii) the County Council will have an agency agreement with New Forest District Council for the delegation of responsibilities for all aspects of the implementation and delegated powers of enforcement;

(iv) approval be given for an application to the Secretary of State to designate the New Forest District as a Special Parking Area and as a Permitted Parking Area pursuant to Section 43 and Schedule 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1991;

(v) under Section 19 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Local Authorities (Arrangements for Discharge of Function) Regulations 2000, a separate agreement be completed between the County Council and New Forest District Council to delegate the functions and services given to the County Council by the Secretary of State in designating the area as a Special Parking Area/Permitted Parking Area; and

(vi) that consultation with the New Forest National Park Authority (Establishment Team) is undertaken as part of the application to the Department for Transport for decriminalised parking.

33. NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTNERSHIP WORKING

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Policy, Design and Information (New Forest District Council)(item 12 in the Minute Book) outlining the opportunities for partnership working with the New Forest National Park Authority (NFNPA) on transport related issues that impact on the New Forest National Park and adjacent areas.

Discussion focussed on possible measures which could be used to deter lorries from using roads in the New Forest (unless they were serving local communities). It was suggested that further restrictions, either on size or on the times at which they could deliver, could be placed on the use of lorries within the Forest. Alternatively deliveries within the District could be restricted to smaller vehicles, with larger lorries being required to transfer their goods at designated `drop off points'.

RESOLVED:


That the Panel encourages the County Council and New Forest District Council to seek to work closely with the New Forest National Park Authority to develop, secure funding and implement measures that will contribute towards meeting the aims and objectives set out in the New Forest Transport Strategy with priority given to:

(i) the implementation of the approved New Forest Strategic Cycle Route;

(ii) identifying locally acceptable demand management measures for all vehicular traffic;

(iii) measures to deter lorries from using forest roads unless necessary for serving local communities; and

(iv) measures to promote car free tourism.

34. DATE, TIME AND VENUE FOR THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PANEL

It was noted that further meetings of the Panel would be held on the following dates:

Thursday 24 March 2005 at 9.30 a.m.;

Thursday 9 June 2005 at 9.30 a.m.;

Thursday 27 October 2005 at 9.30 a.m..