Contact: Jonathan Ryder, ext 5162 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 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 Fareham 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. Transport Capital Schemes 2003/04

Portchester Home Zone - £200,000 LTP, £499,000 Department for Transport, £50,000 Fareham Borough Council, £251,000 Highways Maintenance

2.1 The main civil engineering contractor, Caroway Construction, commenced work in March 2004 with substantial completion of this element of works in November.

2.2 Extensive consultation has continued during the construction phase of the project due to residents' changing requirements for vehicle crossings and the need to trial the route with the refuse freighter to ensure satisfactory access for refuse collection and emergency services. The scheme has therefore been amended slightly to take account of these changes.

2.3 Landscaping works commenced in November and are now well advanced with all but some spring planting completed. Residents have been assisting with planting parties in each of the streets and options for a Garden Club as part of the Home Zone Association are being discussed. The streetscene has been greatly enhanced with trees and shrubs which a number of residents have indicated that they will help to maintain.

2.4 Consultations will continue with residents to monitor the success of the scheme together with assisting with the maintenance of some of the landscaping works. The main objective now is to ensure the community spirit is maintained and there is a change in the way the streets are used.

Car Park Information System for Fareham Town Centre - £280,000 EF

2.5 The work to install variable message signs which provides car park information in and around Fareham Town Centre is complete.

3. Capital Schemes 2004/05

St Margaret's Lane, Titchfield - Traffic Management - £60,000 LTP

3.1 Following an assessment of traffic movement in the vicinity of St Margaret's Lane a scheme has been generated to improve conditions for pedestrians, improve access to public transport and deter unnecessary through traffic.

3.2 Preliminary design work is underway to develop measures consisting of:

(i) reduction of entry to A27 roundabout to one lane;

(ii) revised road marking layouts;

(iii) enhanced traffic signing and gateways; and

(iv) narrowing of the junction with Common Lane to assist traffic management and to provide pedestrian links to enhanced bus stops on Common Lane.

3.3 A trial layout to include a single lane entry on the approach to the A27 roundabout was installed during December. Further surveys have therefore been carried out to monitor traffic on St Margaret's Lane and Warsash Road. Stakeholder consultations will be carried out including consultation with local Members, Fareham Borough Council and the Titchfield Village Trust following the results of the survey.

3.4 Subject to the progress of consultations, design work and the results of the survey, implementation of the scheme is anticipated during late spring.

Newgate Lane/Tukes Avenue Cycleway - £104,000 EF

3.5 The provision of the formalised pedestrian and cycle link between Newgate Lane and Tukes Avenue was substantially completed in December 2004.

3.6 The proposals included the provision of a two metre wide cycleway alongside the footpath which is segregated by road markings at the western end of the route and a grass verge at the eastern end. The street lighting was installed during December and the outstanding remedial work has been scheduled for completion by the end of March 2005, with landscaping and seeding work to follow on during the spring.

Westbury Road, Fareham - £10,000 EF

3.7 This proposal aims to convert an existing footpath into a shared cycle / pedestrian route, linking Osborn Road and the town centre shops in West Street. Detailed design has been undertaken by Fareham Borough Council which is substantially complete. Investigations undertaken have confirmed the land on Westbury Road is private land and is a public right of way, footpath number 96. In order to legitimise cycling on this footpath it is necessary to undertake procedures associated with the Cycle Tracks Act 1984. This can be a time consuming and expensive process which could impact on the delivery of the scheme, therefore preliminary work will be undertaken which will include the upgrading of the street lighting.

Park Lane, Fareham - Traffic Management - £45,000 LTP

3.8 The proposed scheme aims to provide traffic management and cycle improvements in Fareham as detailed below;

i) Provision of a new kerbed traffic island on Gordon Road at its junction with Park Lane;

ii) Provision of an on carriageway passive route (cycle signs and on road cycle symbols only) from Miller Drive, via Park Lane, William Price Gardens to Harrison Road. The route includes provision of a kerbed build out on Harrison Road to enable cyclists to rejoin the carriageway from William Price Gardens.

iii) Provision of an on carriageway passive cycle route continuing along Harrison Road to Osborn Road.

iv) Provision of an on carriageway passive cycle route along Southampton Road from Harrison Road to Wickham Road including a short section of off road facility along Wickham Road, incorporating localised footway widening.

v) Provision of areas of antiskid surfacing in Park Lane at the junctions of Serpentine Road and Miller Drive, the bends on Serpentine Road, and in Park Lane between North Hill and Serpentine Road.

3.9 Following public consultations and revision of the design following a safety audit the detailed design has been substantially completed. The scheme is linked with Westbury Path but it is proposed to proceed with the implementation of the Park Lane work subject to Project Appraisal approval in March. Work is anticipated to commence as soon as possible after approval.

Broom Way, Fareham - Cycleway - £424,000 EF

3.10 This scheme was approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 11 January 2005 and preliminary work commenced onsite during February.

3.11 The proposals are to provide an off road cycle route on the western side of the carriageway with street lighting, associated kerbing, drainage and landscaping. The route will be improved from Cherque Farm to Peel Common roundabout and will include improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians along the route. The crossings on Gosport Road and Newgate Lane, by Peel Common roundabout will be upgraded to Toucan crossings to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists.

3.12 Commencement of the main works is scheduled for March and will follow the removal of the section of hedgerow on Broom Way. Work is expected to be substantially completed within sixteen weeks of commencement.

Salterns Lane Traffic Calming - £49,000 EF

3.13 Following public consultations and discussions with Local and County Members a report was submitted to Fareham Borough Council Executive Members in September, recommending a traffic calming scheme which includes reinstatement of speed cushions, provision of cycle lanes and enhanced signing and road markings.

3.14 Following safety audit recommendations, amendments to the detailed design are currently being undertaken. The scheme is proceeding to Project Appraisal and subject to approval, work is scheduled for implementation in April.

Fareham - Gosport Quality Partnerships £200,000 LTP, £50,000 EF

3.15 This scheme includes the provision of a Bus Departure Information System (BDIS) at Gosport Bus Station and the provision of a Real Time Passenger Information System (RTPI) along the A32 between Fareham and Gosport.

3.16 The improvement at the Gosport bus station follows on from earlier work to improve waiting facilities at the bus station, which are similar to those already completed at Fareham bus station. As with Fareham bus station, the installation of the BDIS will improve the quality of passenger transport information through the provision of electronic boards at each bus departure bay, giving up to date information about bus departure times, destinations, departure bay, and variations to timetable. The proposal includes the provision of a BDIS workstation at the First Bus Depot at Hoeford, enabling the bus operator to disseminate live information about bus services. Phase 3 of the Countywide Bus Departure Information Systems contract that includes Gosport Bus Station has been awarded in February. The electronic display screens can then be manufactured with a proposed installation and commissioning date during April/May 2005.

3.17 The provision of RTPI along the A32 will improve the quality of up to date service information for passengers along the route. This is achieved through the provision of electronic message boards within bus shelters. Through liaison with the bus operator, sixteen bus stops along the A32 have been prioritized for provision of the information boards, which may necessitate the provision of new bus shelters to accommodate the equipment. Resolution of the detail of the improvements required at each of the sixteen bus shelters is currently being resolved. The central RTPI system is now in place and buses operating along the A32 are fitted with Portsmouth City Councils automatic vehicle location technology. Works will begin during March to link Portsmouth City Councils RTPI system with Hampshire County Councils RTPI system to enable the dissemination of RTPI information onto the electronic signs. The design of housing for the signs is currently being finalised with manufacture of the signs to follow suit. Installation of the signs will take place during summer 2005

3.18 A Project Appraisal for the scheme was approved by the Executive Member on 14 September 2004.

Fareham Western Distributor (Schooner Way-Warsash Road) - £1.15million LTP, £375,000 EF

3.19 This is the last section of the local distributor road to be constructed and the land negotiations are continuing that are essential to enable the scheme to progress. Upon the successful acquisition of the land a more detailed assessment of the site conditions can be obtained, given the presence of Japanese Knotweed and land contamination. These features will have an impact on the delivery of the scheme as the removal of Japanese Knotweed will involve a three year eradication programme. Once full site assessment has been undertaken the impact upon costs and programme will become clearer, however in the meantime detailed design of the scheme is being progressed.

4. Capital Schemes 2005/06

Yew Tree Drive, Whiteley - £250,000 LTP, £250,000 EF

4.1 A bus only connection between Yew Tree Drive and Botley Road including a new roundabout is included in a package of measures being offered by the developers, Persimmon Homes. An outline planning application has been approved by the Secretary of State and a detailed application is anticipated later this year. Progression of the scheme is however dependent on the developers construction programme, which will trigger implementation upon occupation of the 50th house. The bus only link is to be constructed by developers, under a planning obligation for a housing development which was granted planning permission in January 2005 by Fareham Borough Council. The legal and engineering details of the scheme are currently being progressed in conjunction with the developer, to enable construction of the scheme at the earliest opportunity.

A27 Corridor, Fareham - Traffic Management, Pedestrian Crossings £260,000 LTP £150,000 EF

A27 Southampton Road / Lower Church Road Toucan Crossing

4.2 Preliminary design work and surveys are currently being undertaken for the proposals to install a Toucan crossing on the A27 Southampton Road near its junctions with Titchfield Park Road and Lower Church Road. Proposals to reduce the speed limit are currently being investigated in consultation with the Police and Traffic Management Section.

4.3 A cycle link from Titchfield Park Road via the proposed Toucan Crossing to Southampton Road and Primate Road is also included within the parameters of the scheme. Subject to the completion of the design, consultations and Project Appraisal approval, implementation of the scheme is expected in September 2005.

A27 Southampton Road / Telford Way Toucan, Park Gate

4.4 Proposals are being developed to provide a Toucan crossing on the A27 Southampton Road east of Telford Way. The crossing is intended to form a pedestrian link between the residential and industrial area separated by the A27 Southampton Road. A cycle link from the A27 Southampton Road via the proposed Toucan Crossing to Swanwick Station is to be investigated which would utilise the routes currently being constructed as part of the Telford Way development. The cycle route will continue from Collingwood Rise to Lower Duncan Road and continue to Swanwick Station. The cycleway currently being constructed by developers between Telford Way and Collingwood Rise is substantially complete. The proposals will complete the route to Swanwick Station, and will also provide a link to Southampton Road and Lower Church Road.

Portchester Rail Bridge, Portchester Traffic Signals £100,000

4.5 Due to ongoing concerns regarding traffic management under the bridge a feasibility study undertaken to ascertain if traffic signals would be viable and improve traffic control under the bridge was completed.

4.6 A detailed design has been completed and a Project Appraisal was approved by the Executive Member for Environment in February. Work to install two way traffic signals on the Hill Lane approaches to Portchester Rail Bridge will commence during March 2005. Provision has been incorporated within the signals for the emergency fire service at Porchester Road.

Fareham Decriminalised Parking - £130,000 LTP

4.7 Feasibility work is currently ongoing for the development and implementation of decriminalised parking enforcement throughout the Fareham Borough. Consultations and preparation including a review of the exiting Traffic Regulation Orders is being undertaken prior to implementation. The funding is provided to help with establishment costs.

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.

9195/JR

APPENDIX

CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2005/06