Archived decisions

Contact: Richard Cowling, ext 5202 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides a progress update on transport schemes within the 2004/05 Capital Programme, together with the schemes for the 2005/06 Capital Programmes that were approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 21 January 2005. The 2005/06 summary of schemes is shown in the attached appendix.

1.2 The table below shows the county-wide improvement programmes for 2005/06 and where applicable to the East Hampshire area the report item is given for reference.

1.3 Schemes in the Capital Programme are financed from the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and/or external funding (EF) received from developers or other contributors.

2. Capital Schemes 2003/04

Petersfield (Tesco's Off-site Works) - Pedestrian Signing - £2,000 EF

2.1 This refers to a specific developer's contribution for the provision of locally appropriate pedestrian signing from the recent supermarket development off Hylton Road in Petersfield towards the town centre. A layout for four new signs has been agreed and can now be implemented.

Bordon Public Transport Facilities (Lidl Development) - £40,000 EF

2.2 This refers to a developer's contribution that is specific to the provision of new footpath links, new bus shelters, footpath signage and cycle route signage in the area. Two sections of footway on Conde Way were specified, one on the north side between Garnett Road, the point where the footpath emerges from Pinehill Road, and one on the south side between the bus stop opposite Chase Hospital and York Close. Both sections of footway have been completed. Three bus shelters have been installed: two on Conde Way, one near Norman Close and one near the Fire Station, and one at Chalet Hill, near the junction with Varna Road.

2.3 The bus shelters were installed in June 2004; however, one shelter was subsequently badly damaged through a vehicle collision and a replacement has been reordered and was reinstalled in January 2005. The pedestrian/cycle route signing from York Close to the Forest Shopping Centre, and the same from Conde Way via the Garnett Road to Pinehill Road walkway, is no longer included in the scheme due to the route specified in the developer agreement not being suitable. A letter was sent to the developer to request that these funds be used for other works, due to this unsuitability, but no reply was received, therefore a reminder letter has been sent.

3. Capital Schemes 2004/05

Central Hampshire Transport Strategy Villages Initiative Schemes - £60,000 LTP

3.1 STEEP - traffic management enhancements consisting of improved traffic signing; carriageway markings; a new gateway feature at the existing entry point to the 40 mph speed limit on Stoner Hill; a possible section of new footway near Bedales School on Church Road; and three or four new passing places on the narrow lanes in the area. Consultation with the Parish Council has been ongoing, with an exhibition in September 2004 providing positive feedback on the proposals. Detailed design has commenced and the works are anticipated to be implemented during late 2004/05 through to early 2005/06. Additional funding for this scheme will be provided from a combination of Traffic Management revenue budget, Safer Routes to School programme and the Parish Partnership programme.

3.2 CLANFIELD - a preliminary design for a new pedestrian refuge on Chalton Lane has been prepared. The refuge will be located near the junction with Sunderton Lane, and will aid pedestrian crossing movements between the residential area and the park and pavilion on the north side of Chalton Lane. The refuge will also contribute to vehicle speed management on Chalton Lane. Detailed design is being undertaken, with a view to implementation before the end of March 2005.

3.3 KINGSLEY - this scheme consists of traffic management enhancements on the B3004 Forge Road, which include traffic signing improvements; the provision of a `gateway' treatment at the existing speed limit entry points to the village; localised coloured surfacing treatments; and the provision of two uncontrolled pedestrian crossing points. Consultation has been ongoing with the Parish Council. The signing, lining and surfacing measures are largely complete, and the two pedestrian crossing points are expected to be implemented during March/April 2005. Additional funding for this scheme will be provided from a combination of Traffic Management revenue budget and the Parish Partnership programme.

3.4 LINDFORD - following a trial period with an additional pedestrian refuge installed on the B3004 Liphook Road in Lindford, feedback has been considered and it has now been agreed to remove it . Works are expected to take place in March 2005. Despite attempting to provide a safe crossing point for pedestrians, conflict with traffic, the needs of nearby premises and parking provision resulted in the decision to remove the refuge, which is located by the shops at Elmfield Court. Another refuge has already been provided near the junction with Mill Chase Road, which has been welcomed and is to remain. Additional funding for this scheme will be provided through the Parish Partnership programme.

The Square, Liphook - £16,000 LTP, £13,000 EF

3.5 This proposal relates to the provision of a Zebra crossing at the southern end of The Square in Liphook. Main civil works were completed in December 2004 with the street lighting and Belisha beacons programmed for installation in the last week of January 2005.

Holybourne to Four Marks Cycle Lane Stage 3a - £86,000 EF

3.6 This proposal aims to extend the existing cycle facilities on Anstey Road from the Health Centre north-eastwards to the junction with Anstey Mill Lane. It is proposed that this section of Anstey Road will be provided with on-road cycle lanes. A further link along Anstey Mill Lane towards the industrial estate is proposed; however, this is to be an advisory-signed route only. Consultation with Alton Town Council and property frontagers was undertaken, with issues raised incorporated into the detailed design where appropriate. Local Member support for the scheme was attained and the Project Appraisal was completed in April. Construction was

substantially completed in November 2004. A Stage 3 safety audit can now be arranged. Further feasibility design work to progress the future extension of the route along Anstey Road from Anstey Mill Lane towards Eggars School will commence in the next financial year.

4. Capital Schemes 2005/06

Cycleway Links Fletcher's Field, Liphook - £50,000 EF

4.1 This proposal incorporates the provision of a cycleway between Fletchers Field and Portsmouth Road, so that a route between Midhurst Road and Bohunt Community School can be developed. The proposal includes footway widening on Portsmouth Road to provide an off-road facility between Fletchers Field and Churchfield Court. The route traverses third party land at Fletchers Field, which has a restrictive covenant preventing the formation of vehicular (cycle) access onto Portsmouth Road. Legal advice has been sought in order to progress this scheme and a way forward has now been determined. Detailed planning permission was granted in February and hence work on the detailed design has been commissioned with a target for completion of the scheme in the fourth quarter of this calendar year.

A31 Junction Lymington Bottom, Four Marks - £100,000 LTP, £10,000 EF

4.2 This scheme is for safety-related improvements to the junction in Four Marks, which currently features a long, narrow central island in the middle of four lanes of traffic (two in each direction) - the outside of which are intended to be for right turning traffic but are often used for overtaking manoeuvres. The junction is at the bottom of a dip, with steep climbs either side. This leads to higher than normal traffic speeds through the junction and therefore contributes to the difficulty for pedestrians wishing to cross the A31 at this point. The junction is a central crossing location for secondary school children as there are bus stops used by school buses on both sides of the junction. The junction is mentioned as a hazard in the School Travel Plan for Four Marks Primary School, which is situated to the south of the junction.

4.3 The scheme aims to improve the junction by modifying the central island to remove opportunities for traffic to use the outside lane for overtaking. The island would also be widened and include crossing points for pedestrians. This will substantially reduce the exposure distance for pedestrians crossing the junction. A preliminary design was completed some time ago but funding for implementation has not been secured until recently. Consultation with the Parish Council will be undertaken to secure its support before a detailed design is commissioned.

Alton Accessibility - £250,000 LTP

4.4 This scheme consists of a package of measures entitled Alton Accessibility Project. The proposed schemes are the outcome of a pedestrian street audit carried out in October 2004 and a wider consultation on specific issues in November 2003. The package of schemes will be continue into LTP2 2006-2011 for completion within the 2006/07 capital programme. The schemes focus on the theme of accessibility and improving access to and within the town centre. Specific schemes include pedestrian refugees on A339 Whitedown Lane,  providing a safe pedestrian route in the area around Lenten Street, improving the Normandy Street/Orchard Lane roundabout for pedestrians and cyclists and completing the residents' parking scheme. Only the Resident's Parking Scheme is currently being resourced. The remaining elements will be resourced in the near future, to support delivery in 2005/06.

Recommendation

That Members note the progress with the schemes in the Transport Capital Programme and support the schemes approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for 2005/06.

9179/RC

APPENDIX

CAPITAL PROGRAMME