Hampshire County Council Basingstoke and Deane Highway and Transport Advisory Panel 6 April 2005 Other Highway Related Programmes Report of the Director of Environment

Item 11

Contact: Brian Millen, tel 01256 764444 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report details the programme for:

(i) Bridgeworks;

(ii) Intelligent Transport Systems;

(iii) Street Lighting;

(iv) Development Related Works; and

(v) Recreational Cycling.

2. Bridgeworks 2004/05 and 2005/06

Scope

2.1 This programme summarises:

(i) schemes completed in 2004/05;

(ii) schemes started in 2004/05, but carrying over into 2005/06; and

(iii) schemes due to start in 2005/06.

Introduction

General

2.2 The Bridges Section of the Environment Department is responsible for all existing County highway structures, together with new structures built as part of road works, housing and industrial schemes. This covers inspection, maintenance, replacement, load assessment and strengthening.

2.3 Raynesway Construction Southern (RCS) carry out most maintenance, through a term contract. Some specialist works, such as graffiti removal, and larger schemes, such as bridge replacements, are awarded by tender.

Funding

2.4 Most work on bridges is capital funded via the Local Transport Plan (LTP), but inspections, routine maintenance and environmental maintenance of subways are revenue funded.

Load Assessment and Strengthening

2.5 This programme was brought about by EU legislation that allowed 40 tonne lorries on roads from 1 January 1999. The assessments are now complete and strengthening of sub-standard bridges is on-going.

Road/Rail Interfaces

2.6 Following the Selby crash in February 2001 parapets and safety fences at road/rail interfaces have been prioritised, most of which are bridges. A rolling programme for protective measures has started and will continue over several years, as funding is made available.

Aluminium Parapets

2.7 The Highways Agency has identified that aluminium vehicle parapets made by BACO, installed before 1994, are not to current standards. All such parapets on County bridges have been prioritised and a contract has been awarded for their replacement to RCS. Work started in September 2004 and was completed in March 2005. Details for individual bridges are given below.

Structural Painting

2.8 A contract is being prepared for structural painting and details on bridges affected will follow, as they are finalised.

Rucstalls Flyover, Basingstoke

2.9 This three span reinforced concrete bridge carries Old Common Road/Black Dam Way over the A30, Ringway South. Dyer & Butler completed the strengthening of the bridge, together with replacement of the sub-standard aluminium parapets, in June 2004.

Broadford No. 1 Bridge, Stratfield Saye

2.10 This bridge carries the C80 over the River Loddon near Stratfield Saye and was subject to a temporary weight limit. Rocon Construction completed construction of a new bridge in July 2004.

Courseford Bridge, Plastow Green

2.11 This bridge carries the U3, Union Lane, over Kingsclere Brook at Plastow Green and was sub-standard for load carrying. Nuttalls completed construction of a new bridge in May 2004.

Knights Little Bridge, near Headley

2.12 This bridge carries the A339, which was de-trunked in April 2003, over the River Enborne near Headley on the Hampshire/Berkshire border. It was identified that the bridge needed repair and a successful bid for extra funding was made via the LTP. Work is programmed for autumn 2005 to replace and waterproof the deck, and install new parapets and safety fences.

2.13 It is proposed to maintain two lanes of traffic during the works and this may involve the use of a temporary bridge alongside the existing. Further details will follow as they are finalised.

Ship Inn Footbridge, Ashford Hill

2.14 A footbridge will be provided just east of the road bridge, as part of a new footpath on the B3051, between the Post Office and Ashford Hill. The site is on the edge of a Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. Design is complete, but consultation with English Nature has taken longer than expected. It is hoped to start work on site in late spring 2005.

Green Way Footbridge, Basingstoke

2.15 This footbridge crosses the B3400, Churchill Way West, between the West Ham and Worting Road roundabouts. The footbridge is not to current standards, particularly for ease of access, and will need major repairs over the next few years. A Toucan crossing for pedestrians and cyclists is planned across the B3400 adjacent to the footbridge, as part of the Gabriel Park to West Ham Leisure Centre cycle route. Once this Toucan crossing is in place the footbridge will be demolished. Consultations about the crossing are ongoing and further details of timing and traffic management will follow.

Buckskin Lane Footbridge, Basingstoke

2.16 The decking of this footbridge, over the C225, Buckskin Lane near Worting Road roundabout, is deteriorating and has been patched recently. The amount of damage is being investigated and it is proposed to carry out more extensive repairs, including re-decking, in summer 2005. The footbridge will need to be closed during the works and details of timing will follow when they are finalised.

Brunel Road Bridge, Basingstoke

2.17 This bridge carries Brunel Road over the A340, Ringway West at Houndmills. It is proposed to replace a damaged expansion joint and this will need lane closures controlled by traffic signals. Exact details of timing and traffic management will follow, when they are agreed.

Grange Farm Bridge, Old Basing

2.18 This bridge carries the C58, Redbridge Lane over the River Loddon at Old Basing and is sub-standard for load carrying. It is planned to strengthen the bridge in 2005/06 and further details will follow as they are finalised.

Overton (Scrubbs) Bridge, near Micheldever

2.19 This bridge carries the C29, Overton Lane over the Southampton/Waterloo railway line, north of Micheldever, and has high priority for safety measures. Discussions with Network Rail on possible options are taking place; it is planned to carry out the work in 2005/06. Further details will follow as they are agreed.

Aluminium Parapets

2.20 Since September 2004 RCS has replaced the parapets on six structures in Basingstoke:

(i) Rucstalls Flyover;

(ii) Churchill Way East/Basing View underpass;

(iii) Cliddesden Road subway;

(iv) Cranbourne Lane subway;

(v) Hackwood Road North and South subways; and

(vi) Long Bridge on the A33 at Sherfield-on-Loddon.

Painting Contracts

2.21 The extent of the painting contract has not yet been finalised, but it will include the parapets on the Popley Way subways, as these were postponed from 2004/05. Exact details of timing and traffic management will follow as they are agreed.

3. Intelligent Transport Systems Group (ITS) Programme 2004/05 and 2005/06

Introduction

3.1 The ITS Group of the Environment Department manages the feasibility, design, implementation, operation and maintenance of traffic control and traffic and travel information systems throughout Hampshire. In 2004/05 ITS deployment has reached significant levels, increasing the amount of on-street ITS equipment operated and maintained by the Group. The Traffic Management Act and the Local Transport Plan have placed further responsibility on the Group for the monitoring of, and improvement to, the operation of the highway network.

3.2 Basingstoke Real-Time Passenger Information (RTPI). The central RTPI system was installed in May 2004 and three vehicles operating routes 1, 3 and 6 were fitted with tracking devices for communication testing purposes. The remaining Basingstoke Stagecoach bus fleet has now been fitted with tracking equipment, this will enable 64 buses operating in the area to be tracked. Electronic information signs will be deployed initially on routes 1 and 6. Information will also be disseminated through the internet and mobile telephone (SMS) facilities.

3.3 Bus Departure Information System (BDIS) 2004/05. Thirteen at-stop electronic BDIS displays have been installed on bus shelters at Basingstoke bus station and work is underway to install the final three post-mounted electronic BDIS displays to complete the scheme. The main summary display screen at Basingstoke train station was installed and completed during October 2004. Two main summary display screens at the North Hampshire Hospital are ready to be installed once new building works are completed.

3.4 The following are proposed for implementation during 2005/06:

(i) new Toucan crossing at Worting Road, near Gabriel Park, Basingstoke;

(ii) new signal junction at Popley Way/Sherborne Road, Basingstoke. Detailed design in spring 2005;

(iii) new signal junction at Popley Way/Chineham Lane, Basingstoke. Installation expected spring 2005;

(iv) new Puffin crossing at Hackwood Road and Cliddesden Road (the Lamb public house); and

(v) alteration to the phasing of the traffic signals at Overton cross roads. It is proposed to separately stage the main road through Overton at the request of the Parish Council. The phasing will change initially for a trial period of three months.

4. Street Lighting

Maintenance

4.1 The maintenance contract continues to provide over 99% of all street lights on at any one time with performance levels improving since the change to `working days'. The maintenance contract was originally measured in calendar days and this has been changed to Monday to Friday, or `working days'. Further improvements are anticipated as a result of the `Working Closer Together' Project which commenced early March 2005. This project will see the present street lighting team being split into two new sections: Corporate and Contract Delivery. The Contract Delivery team will be embedded with the Contractor, Southern Electric Contracting, at its offices in Cosham and Basingstoke.

Column Replacement

4.2 The column replacement programme for 2004/05 has been completed. The  status of the programme is as follows:

(i) Pelton Road, Basingstoke - works completed 15 June 2004;

(i) Ashwood Way, Basingstoke - works completed 15 June 2004;

(iii) Roman Road, Basingstoke - works completed 7 June 2004; and

(iv) Roman Way, Basingstoke - works completed 7 June 2004.

4.3 A £1.6 million programme of work is planned for 2005/06 and is scheduled to commence in April. The draft programme for the Basingstoke area is as follows:

(i) Houndmills Road, Basingstoke - awaiting programme dates from contractor;

(ii) Brunel Road, Basingstoke - awaiting programme dates from contractor; and

(iii) Joule Road, Basingstoke - awaiting programme dates from contractor.

Community Safety Initiative (CSI)

4.3 The CSI programme for 2004/05 is nearing completion but has been affected by a number of late withdrawals. The present status of the programme in the Basingstoke and Deane area is as follows:

(i) Basing Road/Eastrop Park Cycleway, Basingstoke - works underway and due for completion by the end of the financial year;

(ii) Fletcher Close, Basingstoke - works completed; and

(iii) Fairlawn Road, Tadley - works completed.

The draft 2005/06 programme for the Basingstoke and Deane area is as follows, subject to Executive Member approval:

(i) Fairlawn Road, Tadley (phase 2);

(ii) Mount Pleasant Drive, Tadley;

(iii) Milkingpen Lane, Old Basing;

(iv) Cuffelle Close/St Gabriels Lea footpath, Chineham; and

(v) Sorrells Close, Chineham.

Energy

4.4 Following the start of the new supply contract in April 2004, consumption has tended to rise at a higher rate than expected. The reason for the unexpected rise in the early part of the year has been investigated but no clear explanation has arisen. However this trend has now reduced and energy costs are expected to be contained within the readjusted budget.

New Computer System

4.5 The new street lighting computer management system, Deadsure, designed to monitor the street lighting maintenance contract, became operational on 10 February 2005. The new system was required as the previous system, SLIMs, was mainframe-based and the mainframe was switched off at the end of March 2005. There are still a number of problems to resolve but the inclusion of the street lighting GIS database and the expectation of the web browser and mobile field based operational returns make this an innovative system for the future.

5. Development Related Works

5.1 Development related works carried out within the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council area by Hampshire Highways are set out in Appendix 1. Details of external funding and schemes relevant to that funding held by the County Council's Development Control section are detailed in Appendix 2.

6. Recreational Cycling

6.1 The Environment Department, in partnership with the Recreation and Heritage Department, administers the county-wide Recreational Cycling infrastructure programme, which had an allocation of £100,000 from the Transport Capital programme in 2004/05.

2004/05 Schemes Affecting the Basingstoke and Deane Area

National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 12 - Basingstoke to Alton and New Alresford

6.2 This project proposes to extend the existing NCN south from Basingstoke to Alton and New Alresford. This will provide opportunities for an increase in cycling in this area, supporting cycle trips to school, work and for leisure.

6.3 These proposals have been developed in partnership with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Winchester City Council, East Hampshire District Council, Forest Enterprise, Sustrans and local cycle user groups, including Hampshire Cycling and the East Hampshire Cycle Forum.

6.4 The overall project comprises three separate schemes, all of which were budgeted for in the 2004/05 recreational cycling programme. These are as follows:

(i) Chawton Park Wood (East Hampshire)

Chawton Park Wood, managed by Forest Enterprise, provides a safe and attractive route for recreational cyclists. This scheme will provide surface improvements to a 1.5 kilometre section of bridleway through the wood. At the time of writing the works were expected to be competed by the end of the financial year. The scheme is estimated to cost £40,000.

(ii) Cliddesden Lane/Woods Lane Cycle Link Scheme, Basingstoke

This scheme provides an important off-carriageway cycle link between Woods Lane and the shared use footway on the north-west side of Cliddesden Lane. The works have now been completed at a cost of £16,000.

(iii) NCN signing scheme - Basingstoke to Alton and Alresford

Following completion of the schemes identified in items (i) and (ii), the National Cycle Network route between Basingstoke and Alton/ Alresford will be signed at an estimated cost of £12,000. At the time of writing this scheme is due to be completed by the end of the financial year.

National Cycle Network route 23 - Thornhill Way to Reading Road Link, Basingstoke

6.5 The National Cycle Network route 23 between Basingstoke and Reading was opened in June 2003. This route provides the first link from the Thames Valley into Hampshire.

6.6 The proposed scheme, forming part of the above route, provides improvements to a short section of the route between the southern end of Cufaude Lane and the existing cycle track on the eastern side of Thornhill Way. The works include widening the existing footway between Cufaude Lane and the old Reading Road roundabout to create a 3 metre wide shared use cycle track, and to modify the roundabout splitter island to provide an improved crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists. The scheme is due to be under construction in March 2005 at an estimated cost of £9,000.

6.7 The proposals have been developed in close partnership with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Chineham Parish Council.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers
The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.
NB the list excludes:
1.	Published works.
2.	Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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