AT A MEETING of the TEST VALLEY HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL held at the District Council Offices, Romsey on 14 March 2005.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: A.G. Dowden; P.A. Pierce; Mrs P.A. West; M.J. Woodhall.

Test Valley Borough Council:

Councillors: R.J. Bailey; M.D. Hatley; P. Lashbrook; Mrs S. Leach.

73. ELECTION OF A CHAIRMAN

In the absence of Councillor M.J. Woodhall, Chairman of the Test Valley Highway and Transport Panel, and pursuant with Standing Order 34 (c) of the County Council's constitution, Members of the Panel appointed Councillor Mrs P.A. West as Chairman for the meeting.

74. 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.

75. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 12 October 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following sentence being added to the end of the second paragraph of Minute 67, Traffic Management Programmes 2004/05:

`Officers also agreed to investigate the potential need for a traffic regulation order on Pilgrims Way, Valley Park'.

Arising thereon:

Minute 66 - Highway Maintenance and Minor Capital Works

Members reported that a number of objections had been raised by local residents due to an increase in traffic noise levels following the resurfacing of Flexford Road. This situation would continue to be monitored, however it was expected that as the road surface warmed up during the summer the chippings would become embedded further into the road surface, thus resolving the issue.

76. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman, on behalf of the Panel, offered sincere condolences to the parents of the child who had recently been tragically killed in an accident involving a school bus on the Vigo Infants School site.

77. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

78. 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. In addition to those schemes listed in the report, the 2005/06 programme also included a Bus Quality Partnership between Andover and Salisbury. It was further reported that due to winter maintenance works and other setbacks the Winchester Road Footway scheme had fallen behind schedule.

Officers were requested to investigate the possibility of moving a shelter near Bede's Lea public house on Rownhams Lane so as to improve visibility for members of the public waiting for bus services. It was confirmed that the shelter would be moved further up the road, closer to the garage.

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.

At this point in proceedings Councillor M.J. Woodhall, Chairman of the Test Valley Highway and Transport Advisory Panel joined the meeting.

COUNCILLOR M.J. WOODHALL IN THE CHAIR

79. 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.

In the ensuing discussion the following salient points arose:

(i) Traffic management issues at Baddesley Road, Chandlers Ford were noted. Particular reference was made to the disregard of speed limits shown by some drivers and the associated safety issues. Officers agreed to investigate these issues and bring them to the attention of the Police.

(ii) It was explained that maintenance to speed cushions on King Arthur's Way, Andover involved essential work to prevent the cushions falling into a state of disrepair.

(iii) It was acknowledged that, following the construction of nearby flats, it had become increasingly difficult for pedestrians to cross New Street, Andover. Officers were aware of this situation and would be undertaking a traffic survey of the area in due course.

(iv) Clarification was received that slab replacement, as referred to in the appendices to the report, could relate to either the use of new or recycled slabs or black top. Following on from this it was noted that where they had undertaken works on the highway, utility companies became responsible for the maintenance of that section of road or footway for two years; legislation did not allow the County Council to undertake this work on behalf of the utility company and then recharge the costs.

(v) Officers were asked to review the surfacing of the Rowhams Lane/Botley Road junction.

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.

80. 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 Test Valley area in 2004/05 and 2005/06. The Panel were informed that unlike previous years the 2005/06 Traffic Management Programme was funded from the capital, rather than revenue, budget.

Discussion focused on parking facilities at the Andover War Memorial Hospital. Following the Primary Care Trust's decision to charge for parking in the hospital car park it was anticipated that increased pressure would be put on surrounding on and off street parking facilities. It was agreed that following completion of work at the adjacent Nursing Home, an in-depth study needed to be undertaken to try and resolve traffic issues for the wider hospital area.

In addition Members also highlighted difficulties resulting from heavy goods vehicles using rural lanes, particular reference was made to problems in Monxton. This individual case would be investigated, however it was understood that finding an alternative route for the vehicles may not be possible without putting excessive pressure on other neighbouring villages. Support was expressed for the Abbots Ann Parish Partnership junction alteration scheme, however officers were requested to ensure that the current trial scheme was maintained until the permanent scheme was constructed. It was confirmed that the A338, Parkhouse Roundabout re-signing scheme would take place in conjunction with nearby works proposed by Mott Macdonald.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the Executive Member for the Environment be advised that an investigation into potential car parking problems at the War Museum Hospital, Andover should be undertaken once works on the adjacent nursing home are complete.

81. 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 on provisional figures from Hampshire Constabulary, there had been a 37 percent decrease in the number of fatalities and serious injuries on roads within Hampshire in 2004 compared with the 1994-98 base level. This represented the lowest level ever recorded and met with the public service agreement level required for 2004. However initial figures for 2005 appeared to be less positive and illustrated the need for continued investment. It was noted accidents on all of Hampshire's highways, including motorways, were included in the statistics but that off-road accidents involving motorised vehicles were not included.

Following Members questions officers gave a detailed explanation of the process used for determining which schemes were included in the Low Cost Casualty Reduction Programme.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

82. 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 Test Valley area. It was reported that, in order to have the biggest impact, the County Council were focusing work place travel plan resources on larger companies and in those areas where infrastructure improvement works were programmed. It was noted that all companies seeking approval of planning applications were required to have a travel plan.

The School Travel Planning Team were congratulated on the considerable progress which they had made since the Panel's previous meeting, but it was acknowledged that further work was needed. It was reported that travel planning was undertaken on a voluntary basis, but that schools were unlikely to receive infrastructure investment unless they had a travel plan. Members indicated that more pressure needed to be placed on schools to engage in the process, however they also needed to be offered the support necessary to produce a plan.

RESOLVED:

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

83. 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.

Progress with the implementation of new Intelligent Transport systems were noted, it was recognised that this would inevitably require continued investment in maintenance which would have to be accommodated within future budgets.

The Panel welcomed the installation of automatic height activated detector signs on Greatbridge Road, Romsey and noted that where damage was caused to a bridge by a vehicle the County Council did, where appropriate, seek compensation from the driver.

It was acknowledged that considerable efforts continued to be made to ensure that Section 38 agreements were completed on schedule, particular reference was made to section six of the Saxon Fields development in Andover. Members went on to have a full discussion on the problem of litter on the trunk roads. While it was agreed that, due to the safety implications, resolving this issue was invariably a very costly procedure it was felt that the Highways Agency needed to take a more proactive approach.

RESOLVED:

(i) That the report be noted.

(ii) That the Executive Member for Environment be advised of the concerns expressed by the Panel regarding litter on Hampshire's highways.

84. PASSENGER TRANSPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 11 in the Minute Book) informing Members of developments with passenger transport projects in the Test Valley.

The Panel heard that urban evening buses in the Andover area had proven to be very successful, although the rural service had received less usage than anticipated. The evening services were part of a six month trial, should they prove successful this could be extended. It was considered that similar services could potentially be developed from the Wallops to Salisbury, and from southern Test Valley into Eastleigh (the latter being a proposal which had already met with some interest from bus operators). Members welcomed the report and requested that they be kept updated with the schemes progress, they also suggested that it would be useful, if possible, to receive further information regarding usage and cost of the service.

With regard the Romsey Cango scheme it was reported that tenders had been received and the service was expected to be operational by mid to late summer 2005.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.