Archived decisions

Contact: Simon Found, ext 6593 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 on the attached Appendix.

1.2 The table below shows the county-wide improvement programmes for 2005/06 and where applicable to the New Forest 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 2004/05

Station Road, New Milton - Puffin Crossing (£77,000 LTP, £15,000 EF)

2.1 This scheme will provide an important pedestrian link across the B3058 Station Road adjacent to the Health Centre, local shops and railway station. The Project Appraisal for the scheme was approved by the Executive Member for Spatial Strategy in January 2005. A contract for the scheme has successfully been let and construction of the crossing commenced shortly afterwards. The scheme is due to be completed during March 2005.

2.2 Monitoring of the scheme will take place later in the year to assess the level of success and whether the targets set were achieved.

North Street, Pennington - Traffic Management (£70,000 LTP)

2.3 Implementation of the traffic calming measures and new footway commenced in September 2004.

2.4 As required by Section 92 of the Highways Act 1980, the Highway Authority has advertised the proposed traffic humps. The advertisement was delayed due to the Christmas period and the need for written support for the proposals from Hampshire Constabulary.

2.5 Concern has been raised by local residents over another feature within the scheme which previously had been supported. Following meetings with Lymington Town Council, local District Councillor and local residents, the scheme has been altered marginally. This alteration does not affect the budget for the scheme.

2.6 The scheme is scheduled to be completed in April 2005.

Sway Footways (£12,000 LTP)

2.7 This project forms Phase 2 of the improvement scheme to provide better pedestrian facilities, especially for school children attending St Luke's Primary School.

2.8 Implementation of the works will result in a new footway in Middle Road adjacent to West's Butchers shop, together with an uncontrolled crossing point on Middle Road. Works commenced on site in 2005 and are scheduled to be completed in March 2005.

Hythe Pier (£90,000 LTP)

2.9 The work to renew the decking on the pier is ongoing. To date over three quarters of the overall length of the pier has been redecked.

Rumbridge Street (£600,000 LTP, £300,000 ROUA, £100,000 NFDC)

2.10 The aim of this scheme is to regenerate the Old Totton area and improve the economy for local businesses as well as improve the environment for pedestrians.

2.11 Phase 1 of the scheme, which has an approved Project Appraisal, will result in improvements on Rumbridge Street at the western end of the scheme between the A35 Totton Bypass junction and Brokenford Lane. Implementation of this phase of the works commenced in February 2005.

2.12 Phase 2, which also has an approved Project Appraisal, will result in improvements to Winsor Road. Implementation of this phase of the scheme is dependent upon the completion of utility work on other local roads in the area.

New Forest Bus Infrastructure Improvements (£100,000 LTP)

2.13 The infrastructure improvements in the New Forest area will not be able to be carried out this year and will be deferred to a later financial year.

2.14 This is solely because the bus operator, Wilts and Dorset, has not finalised the changes to its services.

Longslade Bottom Cycle / Footbridges (£20,000 LTP)

2.15 The proposed bridges to complete the cycle route were constructed and installed by the Forestry Commission in February 2005. A maintenance agreement for the bridges has been agreed between Sustrans and the Forestry Commission.

Ringwood Pedestrian and Cycle Improvements (£100,000)

2.16 The improvements to pedestrian cycle facilities are ongoing.

3. Capital Schemes 2005/06

Rookes Lane/Ridgeway Lane, Lymington (£155,000 LTP)

3.1 The aim of this scheme is to introduce traffic calming measures along the length of Rookes Lane and Ridgeway Lane to reduce vehicle speeds and provide a new footway on the residential side of the two roads to improve safety for pedestrians.

3.2 Negotiations with one landowner have taken longer to complete than anticipated due to an issue with two existing trees that had Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) on them. A planning application to remove the trees on safety grounds (poor visibility for vehicles and pedestrians) has been submitted to New Forest District Council.

3.3 The District Council has indicated that the two trees could be removed providing replacement trees are planted within the site.

3.4 Following further discussions with the landowner, agreement has been reached on replacing the trees. The County Council's Estates Practice is now progressing the legal agreement with the landowner.

3.5 It is currently envisaged that the implementation of the scheme will commence in April 2005.

Ashurst to Lyndhurst Cycle Route £490,000 LTP)

3.6 This proposed cycle route alongside the A35 between Ashurst and Lyndhurst is an important link in the New Forest Strategic Cycle Route network.

3.7 Following the public consultation on the scheme proposals a request was received via the Parish Council and local County Council Member, Councillor Kendal to investigate whether a pedestrian crossing facility could be provided to improve safety for pedestrians, especially schoolchildren, crossing the A35 Southampton Road.

3.8 Additional design work has been undertaken and a scheme has been designed which will incorporate a crossing point into the cycle route schemes across the A35 Southampton Road near to the Princes Crescent junction.

3.9 The Project Appraisal for the scheme was approved by the Executive Member for Spatial Strategy in January 2005. It is currently envisaged that implementation will commence in April 2005.

Water Lane, Totton (£120,000 LTP, £245,000 EF)

3.10 Following the public consultation exercise in June 2004 and the initial public workshop in September 2004, a further workshop was held in November 2004. The aim of this second workshop was to present the options favoured by residents and local businesses and the preferred option in terms of the type of traffic calming features.

3.11 The outcome was that the preferred method of traffic calming was the introduction of speed tables at several junctions along Water Lane.

3.12 The Project Appraisal for this scheme was approved in December 2004. However, due to the nature of the traffic calming features they have to be formally advertised. The process to advertise the traffic calming measures is currently being progressed and therefore implementation of the measures will commence in 2005/06.

3.13 A further option which was agreed at the initial workshop was the change in priority at the Water Lane/Hammonds Green junction.

3.14 The detailed design which will form Phase 2 of the Water Lane scheme will be implemented during 2005/06, subject to approval by the Executive Member for Spatial Strategy.

Marchwood Pedestrian Facilities (£50,000 EF)

3.15 A scheme has been developed that will create a new section of footway along Normandy Way and provide an uncontrolled crossing point into Marchwood Village.

3.16 Marchwood Parish Council has requested that a scheme be provided. A plan of the proposals has been forwarded to the Parish Council requesting its views and support.

3.17 Subject to approval by the Parish Council it is anticipated that a Project Appraisal will be submitted for Executive Member approval, with implementation planned for 2005/06.

Milford Road to Belmore Road Cycle Route (£125,000 LTP)

3.18 This scheme will provide a shared use cycle track/footway alongside the A337 Milford Road between the Pennington Cross Roundabout and Belmore Road.

3.19 An advisory on-road cycle lane will then continue along Belmore Road towards the town centre.

3.20 Lymington Town Council has been consulted on the scheme proposals and its comments have been addressed within the design.

3.21 The cycle track/footway will pass over an open culvert and following discussions with the Environment Agency it has been agreed that a wooden bridge should span the culvert. This will allow access to the culvert for maintenance/operation purposes.

3.22 The Project Appraisal for the scheme was approved in January 2005 and it is anticipated that the scheme will be implemented in March/April 2005.

Hythe Pier (£90,000 LTP)

3.23 This sum of money will fund the ongoing maintenance work on the pier decking. This is the last contribution to be made towards maintenance works.

Recommendation

To 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.

174/SJF

APPENDIX

CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2004/05

CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2005/06