AT A MEETING of the WINCHESTER HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL held on Wednesday 1 March 2005 at The Guildhall, Winchester.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K. B. Estlin (Chairman); Mrs A. E. Bailey; Mrs P. Dickens;

P.K Mason; Mrs P.G. Peskett.

Winchester City Council

Councillors: Mrs G. Busher; P. Clohosey; P. Davies; R. Knasel; B. Lipscomb;

H. Verney.

74. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believe they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard 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.

75. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 27 October 2004, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

76. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman referred to an extra £3.5m being granted to the capital programme for 2005/06 to fund additional maintenance schemes, with investment prioritised towards the minor rural roads and urban footways categories. After a review of the condition surveys a total of £950k has been allocated to the area managed by Hampshire Highways East and covering the three district councils.

The Chairman also advised that the current lease was due to expire on 31 March 2005 on the offices at Abbey Mill presently occupied by the Hampshire Highways Winchester Sub Team. The team would be moving to the 1^st floor of the SERCO offices with effect from 21 March. New contact details would be sent to Members as soon as available.

77. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

78. AGENCY ARRANGEMENTS FOR HIGHWAY VERGE MAINTENANCE WORK CARRIED OUT BY DISTRICT COUNCILS AS AGENTS FOR THE COUNTY COUNCIL

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) updating Members on the new agency arrangements for highway verge maintenance made between the County Council and the district councils for work including grass cutting, shrub bed maintenance, hedge trimming and tree maintenance.

The Director of Environment explained that there was an inspection programme for all roads and footways which were frequently inspected for defects and overhanging branches.

During the course of discussions, Members noted the grass maintenance responsibilities of the County Council and the City Council and the funding arrangements agreed between the two Authorities.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

79. PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME

Councillor Mrs P. Dickens declared a personal interest in view of her employment with the NHS.

Councillor P. Davies declared a personal interest as a Member on the Board of the Winchester Housing Group.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) updating progress on transport schemes within the 2004/05 Capital Programme and schemes for the 2005/06 Capital Programmes that have been approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 21 January 2005. During the course of the ensuing discussions Members raised a number of concerns, inter alia:

· Bus Gate at Knowle Village.

· B2177/B3354 Corridor, Colden Common.

· Sparkford Road Traffic Management.

RESOLVED:

Members noted the progress made on schemes in the Transport Capital

Programme and supported the schemes approved for inclusion in the

2005/06Capital Programme.

80. HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE AND MINOR CAPITAL WORKS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) outlining progress with regard to the 2004/05 Highway Maintenance and Minor Capital Works Programmes and proposals for future programmes and details of the 2005/06 Highway Maintenance Budget and Programmes. A revised Appendix 3 to the report was circulated.

During the course of the ensuing discussions, Members were pleased to note that all the schemes were visited by an Officer from the Technical Advice Team from Hampshire County Council and each item identified was given a point number, the more points the greater need for highway works.

Members agreed that Scheme B for a new footpath to link the new Household Waste Recycling Centre at Prospect Road, New Alresford and Scheme E to include a missing link of 150m footpath at Mislingford Road, Swanmore be recommended for construction from the Minor Capital Works Programme.

The Director of Environment advised that he would writing to all Panel Members for suggestions of prospective schemes to be included in the rolling programme for the Minor Capital (Under £10,000) Schemes.

RESOLVED:

1. That sections 2 to 5 of the report on Highway Maintenance be noted.

2. That the construction of Schemes B and E in Appendix 5 of the report for

Minor Capital Works programme for 2005/06 be approved and that

appropriate funding be allocated to these schemes and the Executive Member

for Environment be advised accordingly.

81. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES 2004/05 AND 2005/06

The Chairman reported receipt of a petition from local residents requesting consideration of a 30mph speed limit on Church Lane, Colden Common. The Director of Environment indicated that a progress report on the matter would be submitted would be brought to the next meeting of the Panel.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) covering the main programmes of traffic management work in the Winchester area in 2004/05 and 2005/06. The schemes included are the currently revenue funded Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and signing and lining schemes, together with capital funded rural traffic calming schemes promoted in partnership with the Parish Councils. A Panel Member requested information about the new one way traffic system at Parchment Street, Winchester and the City Council's officer advised that through a survey of residents in the affected roads in the vicinity they would be asked for their views.

Members noted that the Cabinet at Winchester City Council had agreed to supplement the Programme with an additional £30,000 to clear some of the backlog of investigations and that Winchester City Members would have an opportunity to review Appendix 3 of the report.

At the request of Members the Director of Environment agreed to include indicative scheme delivery dates where possible by quarter in future reports.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

82. CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) outlining progress on the Hampshire County Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safety Camera Partnership casualty reduction programmes. Members were pleased to note that the Partnership had been achieving good results but disappointed to hear about the high fatalities and serious accidents in January 2005.

Members noted that the final year figures for all killed and serious injury casualties for the 2004 calendar year were not yet fully confirmed but indications showed that the provisional figures were significantly ahead of target for 2004 and may be within 3-4% of the target set by Government for the year 2010.

In response to a question about whether speed was a contributory factor in fatal and serious accidents the Director of Environment advised that it was believed that speed was a significant underlying cause but it was hoped that better management of actual speed limits which drivers would recognise and respect would assist in tackling casualty figures.

A copy of the Safety Camera Partnership's Annual Report for 2003/04 was circulated.

At the request of Members the Director of Environment agreed to submit a report on speed limits and management to a future meeting of the Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

83. TRAVEL PLAN PROGRAMMES (INCLUDING SAFER ROUTES TO

SCHOOLS)

Councillor Mrs P. Dickens declared a personal interest in view of her employment

with the NHS.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) providing a progress update on workplace, school and personalised travel planning programmes for the Winchester area. It also included an update on the Safer Routes to School programme for schemes within the Winchester area.

Members' attention was drawn to the lack of independent schools which although

had all been contacted had not shown any interest in developing School Travel

Plans. Members were asked to provide any assistance to encourage these

particular schools to participate.

RESOLVED:

That the progress made with the delivery of the workplace, school and personalised travel planning and safer routes to school programmes in the Winchester area be noted.

84. WINCHESTER PARK AND RIDE BUS SERVICES AND MIRACLES

PROJECT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) detailing the new Park and Ride bus service to Romsey Road, starting on 7 March 2005 and an update on part of the MIRACLES Project. In respect of the Park and Ride bus service it was noted that the passenger numbers would be monitored through on board surveys by the Operator, Stagecoach and also by Hampshire County Council separately to determine whether the trial period should be extended.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

85. OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing the programmes for Hampshire Villages Initiative and Country Towns Initiative; Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS); Bridgeworks; Development related works and Recreational Cycling. Members noted that the Community Safety Initiatives in respect of Ashburton Road, Alresford, Colebrook Street, Winchester, Norman Road, Winchester and St Catherine's/Portal Road, Winchester had not been undertaken and would either be withdrawn by Winchester City Council or be further investigated. The Director of Environment offered Winchester City Council the opportunity to include these schemes in the 2005/06 Community Safety Initiative Programme, Winchester City Council should contact the County Street Lighting Engineer if they considered it appropriate to progress any of the schemes.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

86. MEETINGS OF THE PANEL DURING 2005

The next meeting of the Panel would be held on Tuesday 25 October at 10.00am

at The Guildhall, Winchester.