AT A MEETING of the BASINGSTOKE AND DEANE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL held on Wednesday 6 April 2005

at the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Offices.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors: K. G. Chapman (In the Chair); P. A. Heath; Jo Kelly;

Mrs A. M. McNair Scott; J. G. L. Wall

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Councillors: Mrs S. M. Allen; A.D. McCormick; G. C. Hood; S. Parker;

Mrs S. B. Rowland; Mrs M. J. Tucker

65. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believe they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard 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.

66. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 10 November 2004, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

67. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's Communications.

68. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

69. PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 5 in the Minute Book) detailing progress on transport schemes within the 2004/05 Capital Programme together with schemes for the 2005/06 Capital Programme that have been approved by the Executive Member for Environment on 21 January 2005.

Members expressed concerns about the the A33 Reading Road Roundabout and Popley Way junction in the light of the scheme being reviewed and an enhanced scheme being implemented in 2006/07. Members hoped that the pedestrian /cycling element would not be limited or disappear due to signalling on the roundabout and that the facilities would not be compromised.

In response to a question concerning the A340 into Basingstoke and repairs on the Tadley Road, the Director of Environment advised that the A340 in Tadley was managed by the Highways Team in Winchester and he would request a detailed report from the Project Manager for the next meeting of the Panel. There were significant drainage problems on the Popley Fields development and uncertainty about the link road through the housing development had led to delays in creating a bus lane and land issues.

Members reported problems concerning the glass Adshel bus shelters across the Borough being vandalised and the need for tougher glass and the Director of Environment undertook to look into this matter and report to the next meeting of the Panel.

A particular area of concern highlighted was the need to review the proposals for the Brighton Hill Roundabout at Basingstoke. Members felt that the additional finance should redesign the roundabout instead of providing a bus lane. The Director of Environment advised that the proposals would be held in abeyance and revisited in light of the comments made by Members and a report submitted to the next meeting of the Panel. Members emphasised the need for the scheme to be progressed earlier than expected in the light of the new houses being built and the personal injury accidents near the Winchester Road Roundabout.

RESOLVED:

That the progress with the schemes in the Transport Capital Programme be noted and those approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for 2005/06 be supported.

70. HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE AND MINOR CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMMES 2004/05 AND 2005/06

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) detailing progress in respect of the 2004/05 Highway Maintenance and Minor Capital Works Programmes, proposals for future programmes and details of the 2005/06 Highway Maintenance Budget and Programme.

The Director of Environment confirmed that all deferred schemes for Footway Surface Dressing would be programmed for May 2005.

Members agreed that the Scheme for a new footpath at Hyde's Platt southwards on the west side of Little London Road, Silchester and the Scheme for a new footpath adjacent to the Recreation Ground, Vyne Road, Sherborne St John be recommended for construction from the Minor Capital Works Programme.

RESOLVED:

1. That paragraphs 2.1 - 5.6 of the report on Highway Maintenance be noted.

2. That the construction of Schemes 1 and 2 in appendix 5 of the report for Minor Capital Works Programme for 2005/06 be approved and that appropriate funding be allocated to these schemes and the Executive Member for Environment be advised accordingly.

71. WEEDKILLING IN BASINGSTOKE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) informing Members of the intention to retain weedkilling in the County Council's Highway Term Maintenance Contract during 2005/06 and 2006/07.

Members noted that a meeting had been held with the weedkilling contractor and work had started in Popley and Old Basing.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

72. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) covering the main programmes of traffic management work in the Basingstoke area.

In response to a Member's concerns about the study carried out on the B3400 and possible speed restrictions to reduce accidents, the Director of Environment undertook to check progress and advise Members at the next meeting of the Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

73. CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) outlining progress on the Hampshire County Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safety Camera Partnership casualty reduction programmes. Members noted that the Public Service Agreement target for 2004 of a 26% reduction in Killed and Seriously Injured casualties had been met and that a provisional figure of a 37% reduction had been recorded. Members congratulated the officers on the achievement of such good results.

Members noted that when a collision occurred near the County Boundary it was attended by the nearest emergency services but if dealt with by a neighbouring Police Force, the records were handed over to Hampshire Constabulary.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

74. TRAVEL PLAN PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the

Minute Book) updating Members on the progress of workplace, school and

personalised travel planning programmes for the Basingstoke area including an

update on the Safer routes to Schools Programme.

Members noted that the organisations who had been awarded Partnership Funding from the Travel Plan Partnership Fund had now completed their business travel plans and other Organisations had been invited to apply for funds.

Members noted that in respect of the School Travel Plan Programme that some schools still needed guidance and support and expressed concern that Members should be advised about the School Travel Plans and asked that local Members be copied into the e-mail to the Schools. Members also requested that following the County Council Election that all Members be given the names of Schools which had been `contacted and awaiting response so that individual Members can follow up the interest.

RESOLVED:

That the progress made with the delivery of the workplace, school and personalised and travel planning and safer routes to school programmes in the Basingstoke and Deane area be noted.

75. OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the Minute Book) detailing the programmes for Intelligent Transport Systems, Bridgeworks, Development Related Works, Recreational Cycling and Street Lighting. It was noted that Knights Little Bridge at Headley on the A339 will be replaced which may cause temporary traffic disruption on the A339.

The small footbridge at Ashford Hill has also been ordered and installation is anticipated for Summer 2005. Members noted that the Grange Farm Bridge at Old Basing would be strengthened.

In respect of the Intelligent Transport Systems Group Programme, the Director of Environment advised that it was proposed to install a Toucan crossing at Hackwood Road and Cliddesden Road (the lamb public house) rather than a Puffin crossing. Proposed installation dates for the Toucan at Worting Road/Gabriel Road and the Toucan at Hackwood/Cliddesden Road (outside the Lamb Public House) were requested and the Director of Environment agreed to supply these direct.

In response to a written question, the Director of Environment advised that the A33 lighting was unreliable and needed attention as it was subject to failure particularly when there was heavy rain and the area cabling needed renewing. Comments would be passed on to street lighting for attention.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

76. PASSENGER TRANSPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) setting out progress on the Bus Quality Partnership for routes 1 and 6, the proposal to incorporate route 3 and the position on the tendered bus network.

Members noted that route 1 was a very significant bus route and was the second busiest route in the County and carried over 900,000 passenger journeys each year. An approximate growth on routes 1 and 6 was 20% and it was expected that the growth would be sustained.

Members further noted that one of the aims of the quality partnership was for buses to be more environmentally friendly in line with the new exhausts standards which had recently come into force. Work was being undertaken with Stagecoach to reduce the omissions further beyond the European Standards.

The Director of Environment advised that the bus routes were expanding to incorporate route 3 Popley to East Hants and would receive some upgrades as Stagecoach were bidding for new vehicles for the route.

Members expressed concern about rural areas and the need for them to be preserved as villagers were dependent on transport and the Director of Environment undertook to find out.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

77. CHINEHAM RAILWAY STATION

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 13 in the Minute Book) regarding the project to open a new railway station at Chineham, on the Basingstoke-Reading line. Members noted that business case was at a preliminary assessment stage, further work was needed and a presentation would be submitted to the panel meeting in November 2005.

RESOLVED:

The report was noted.

78. DATE, TIME AND VENUE FOR THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PANEL

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 9 November 2005 at 10.00am at

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Offices.