AT A MEETING of the NEW FOREST HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL held at the District Council Offices, Lyndhurst on 8 March 2005.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: Mrs P.G. Banks (Chairman); F.J. Bright; L.T. Dunsdon; Mrs K. Heron; M.J. Kendal; Mrs E.M.F. Randall.

New Forest District Council

Councillors: M.H.G. Fidler; F.R. Harrison; P.E. Hickman; J. M. Hoy; B.M.F. Pemberton; D.N. Scott; M.J. Shand; Mrs P.A. Wyeth.

66. 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.

67. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 21 September 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

68. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications.

69. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

70. PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 5 in the Minute Book) outlining progress with schemes in the Transport Capital Programme for 2004/05 and 2005/06. Officers appraised the Panel of further progress made with schemes since the report had been published, including the receipt of confirmation of Police support for the North Pennington traffic management scheme.

Discussion focused on the Rumbridge Street, Totton Regeneration of Older Urban Areas scheme. Officers confirmed that the design did accommodate the existing bus lay-by on the A35 and that they were aware that there had been some suggestions that it was not large enough, the issue was being investigated. Members gave their support to the scheme but suggested that it would be useful, if possible, to incorporate a deceleration lane from the A35 into the proposal. It was also stressed that, in order to avoid unnecessary congestion each phase needed to be scheduled so as not to coincide with works to be undertaken by Transco. There was a general consensus that these proposals highlighted the vulnerability of Eling when Eling Lane was blocked, this could potentially have significant future implications for the emergency services as well as local residents.

Members welcomed the County Council's investment in cycle routes, but stressed that unless additional capacity for cycles was made available on trains, visitors to the New Forest would continue to use their cars. It was reported that the County Council were negotiating with rail operators to improve this situation, particular efforts were being made to ensure that folding cycles could be accommodated.

It was noted that Marchwood Parish Council had given their approval to the pedestrian facilities scheme programmed for 2005/06.

RESOLVED:

That the progress with schemes in the Transport Capital Programme be noted and that support be given to schemes approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for 2005/06.

71. HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE AND MINOR CAPITAL WORKS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 6 in the Minute Book) outlining progress with regard to the 2004/05 Highway Maintenance and Minor Capital Works programmes, and details of the 2005/06 Highway Maintenance budget and works programmes. It was noted that an additional £3.678 million had been added to the 2005/06 Capital Highway Maintenance Budget, 40 percent of which would be invested in footways with the remainder being spent on rural carriageways. This was expected to result in an extra 106 schemes being included in the programme.

Members highlighted the problems caused by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and buses travelling along Trotts Lane, Marchwood. In addition Officers were requested to investigate the possibility of scheduling the pedestrian refuge scheme on the A337 Romsey Road, Lyndhurst earlier in the 2005/06 programme.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted;

(ii) That the Executive Member for Environment be advised of the Panels comments on the proposed 2005/06 Capital Minor Works programme.

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

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 7 in the Minute Book) covering the main programmes of traffic management work in the New Forest area in 2004/05 and 2005/06.

In the ensuing discussion the following salient points were raised:

(i) Although New Forest District Council's preferred option had been to impose formal weight restrictions on the B3080/B3078/B3079, it had been agreed with Wiltshire County Council that initially a voluntary HGV routing scheme would be negotiated with local operators. Doubts were raised by Members as to the effectiveness of this scheme.

(ii) It was acknowledged that the Police had great difficulties in enforcing weight restrictions throughout the New Forest. A potential solution was considered to be the creation of depots, at which all HGVs delivering within the New Forest would be required to transfer their goods onto smaller vehicles.

(iii) The review of waiting restrictions in the Old Milton Green area of New Milton was likely to be implemented in April 2005.

(iv) The proposed signing and lining scheme for Harbridge had not received the support of the Parish Council and as a result was being revised with an anticipated implementation date of April 2005; the local County and District Members would be kept informed of progress.

(v) Proposed HGV restrictions on Foxcroft Drive, Holbury were welcomed, however it was suggested that other local highway issues could be resolved as part of this scheme. Officers therefore agreed to meet with the local Members on site.

(vi) Members welcomed progress with the Godshill Parish Partnership, and stressed the need for traffic prioritisation where traffic calming measures had been installed.

(vii) Officers were requested to review the road markings at the Colbury Right Turn.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the Executive Member for Environment be advised that the approach set out in paragraph 4.4, items (i) to (iii) of the report, represents an acceptable way forward.

73. CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 8 in the Minute Book) outlining progress on the Hampshire County Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safety Camera Partnership casualty reduction programmes for 2004/05 and 2005/06. Copies of the Safety Camera Partnership's Annual Review 2003/04 (attached as appendix one to these minutes) were circulated to the Panel. It was reported that, based upon provisional figures from Hampshire Constabulary, there had been a 26 percent decrease in the number of fatalities and serious injuries on roads within the New Forest in 2004, compared with a decrease of 37 percent countywide. Both figures were significantly better than the levels required by 2004 in order to meet the Government's casualty reduction targets for 2010. While this represented the lowest level ever recorded, initial figures for 2005 appeared to be less positive and illustrated the need for continued investment.

Following Members detailed questions it was advised that Hampshire County Council was committed to the continued use of vehicle activated signs. However, in line with Government guidance, it was the County Council's policy to install them only where there was a significant casualty problem. It was felt that such devices needed to be used in moderation, in order to maximise their effectiveness. It was emphasised that in addition to any such measures driver attitudes needed to be changed so that speed limits were perceived as a maximum rather than a target.

The Meeting was appraised of safety developments on the A326 following a recent fatality. As a short term measure pedestrian warning signs had been erected while a studies were undertaken to determine the most suitable course of action.

RESOLVED;

(i) That the report be noted;

(ii) That officers be congratulated for their excellent work in reducing casualties on Hampshire's roads.

74. TRAVEL PLAN PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 9 in the Minute Book) providing a progress update on the workplace and school travel plan programmes, as well as the Safer Routes to School programme, for the New Forest area. The Panel were informed of several updates to the report, including Foxhills Infant and Junior Schools, Weston Downland CE Aided Primary School and Priestlands Secondary School all achieving level 3 School Travel Plans. In addition it was noted that 41 schools in the New Forest (rather than 37 as reported) were engaged in the travel plan process.

Councillor Hickman declared an interest as School Travel Plan Champion for Pennington Junior School.

Members welcomed the significant progress being made with the School Travel Plan programme and noted that all elected Members had a responsibility to encourage schools in their divisions to actively engage in the travel plan process.

RESOLVED:


That progress made with the delivery of the Workplace and School Travel Planning and Safer Routes to School programmes in the New Forest area be noted.

75. OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 10 in the Minute Book) covering a wide range of activities undertaken by specialist teams within the Environment Department. It was noted that contrary to paragraph 4.15 of the report Dorset County Council (rather than Hampshire County Council) would be considering the replacement of the Avon Causeway bridge at a planning meeting on 6 May 2005.

It was confirmed that works planned for the Totton Bypass Footbridge and Redbridge Rail Bridge would not be undertaken simultaneously, and that work would where possible be carried out during non-peak hours. Officers advised the Panel of regulations relating to Section 278 agreements and suggested that queries regarding individual schemes be discussed outside of the meeting.

Concerns were expressed that local residents had not been kept informed of developments concerning a street lighting scheme in North Street, Pennington. It was agreed that this situation was regrettable and efforts would be made to ensure that it was not repeated. Members were advised that the column replacement scheme at Leelands, Lymington was scheduled to begin in January 2006.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

76. FORDINGBRIDGE AREA CANGO SERVICES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 11 in the Minute Book) detailing recent developments concerning the Fordingbridge Area Cango Service.

There was a general consensus that Cango was a very useful service, however it did need to be marketed effectively to ensure that it reached its potential. One way that this could be achieved was considered to be by allowing people to track the location of the bus service via the internet.

Members went onto discuss bus services from the New Forest to Bournemouth, and in particular the lack of services travelling via Castlepoint. Officers reported that they were in discussions with the bus operators for this route and would convey Members comments at their next meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.