Contact: Jonathan Ryder ext, 5162 email: jon.ryder@ hants.gov.uk

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 Gosport 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 2004/05

Anglesey Gardens, Gosport - Footway Improvement - £30,000 EF

2.1 The existing path through Anglesey Gardens between Anglesey Road and the old railway line is currently used by pedestrians and cyclists. The scheme aims to improve the existing facilities and will formalise existing use by cyclists and pedestrians. The path links to the existing cycleway between Stoke Road and Stokes Bay, which follows the disused railway line. The proposals include the widening of the existing footpath to three metres, and provision of street lighting. The improvement has been approved by Gosport Borough Council's Community and Environment Board. A Project Appraisal was approved in January 2005 by the Director of Environment and work will be implemented during March 2005.

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

2.2 The provision of the formalised pedestrian and cycle link between Newgate Lane and Tukes Avenue is substantially complete.

2.3 The proposals included the provision of a two metre wide cycleway alongside the footpath which is segregated by a 150 millimetre wide road marking along the western end of the route and the installation of street lighting. The eastern end of the cycleway is segregated by a grass verge. The street lighting was installed during December and the outstanding landscaping and seeding is to be undertaken during the spring.

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

2.4 This scheme was approved by the County Council's Executive Member for Environment on 11 January 2005 and will proceed to implementation. The main contract works will be commencing in March 2005.

2.5 The scheme will provide an off-road cycle route on the western side of the carriageway with street lighting and associated kerbing, drainage and landscaping. To provide a safer route for public use, 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 will be upgraded to Toucan crossings to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists.

2.6 Commencement of the main works anticipated in March will follow the removal of a section of hedgerow on Broom Way being undertaken in advance of the bird nesting season.

2.7 Traffic Management proposals for the works have been organised to minimise disruption, in particular during the morning peak time. Any temporary traffic signals will be operational outside peak times when required. Safe access for pedestrians and cyclist will be maintained throughout the work which will have a construction period of sixteen weeks.

Fareham - Gosport Quality Bus Partnerships

£145,000 LTP, £50,000 EF

2.8 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.

2.9 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 the 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 county-wide BDIS contract that includes Gosport bus station will be awarded during February to Tandata Systems Ltd. The electronic display screens can then be manufactured with a proposed installation and commissioning date during April/May 2005.

2.10 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 Council's automatic vehicle location technology. Works will begin during March to link Portsmouth City Council's RTPI system with Hampshire County Council's 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.

2.11 A Project Appraisal for the scheme was approved by the Executive Members on 14 September 2004.

A32 Gosport - proposed changes to the operation of Traffic Signals £15,000 - EF

2.12 A Project Appraisal for proposed improvements to the operation of a number of traffic light signals along the A32 corridor in Gosport was approved in January 2005. The operational changes are expected to help improve the efficient movement of vehicles at the junctions.

2.13 New stop line vehicle sensors will be installed at the following junctions:

(i) A32 Forest Way / Priddys Hard;

(ii) A32 Tichbourne Way / Frater Gate:

(iii) A32 Cunningham Drive;

(iv) A32 Lederle Lane; and

(v) A32 Wych Lane.

2.14 In addition, the operation of the traffic signals will be changed to utilize existing detection equipment and improve traffic capacity at:

(i) A32 Fareham Reach; and

(ii) A32 Salterns Lane.

2.15 The work is currently underway and is programmed for completion in March 2005.

3. Transport Capital Schemes 2005/06

Gosport Urban Centre Improvements - £100,000 LTP

3.1 Gosport Borough Council has developed a number of localised pedestrian improvement schemes in the Borough. Feasibility drawings have been submitted to the County Council proposing five schemes, which are:

(i) Grange Lane footway improvement (east side between Cornwell Close and Samson Close);

(ii) Jellicoe Avenue pedestrian refuge (south side of Western Way);

(iii) Privett Road/Military Road/Gomer Lane roundabout - enlarged traffic islands/pedestrian refuges;

(iv) Marine Parade East/Portsmouth Road pedestrian refuge; and

(v) Portsmouth Road - existing shared use cycle track - enhanced crossing facilities at Browndown Road.

3.2 Land investigations have identified that the proposals for Grange Lane and Military Road encroach on private land. Land ownership is being investigated to confirm the status of the verge near the Military Road footpath. The landowners for the section of land required on Grange Lane are being contacted but, in the meantime, detailed design is progressing. Subject to the consultations regarding the land, the detailed design and cost estimates, the individual schemes will be prioritised and implemented during 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.

9216/HM

APPENDIX

CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2005/06