Archived decisions

Contact: Jon Ryder, ext 5162 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report identifies the current position and proposed development strategy for the extension to the Fareham Western Wards Western Distributor Road at Warsash.

1.2 The proposed section of new road is the final section of the Western Distributor Road constructed under earlier capital programmes. The proposal forms a link between Warsash Road, at its junction with Lockswood Road, and Dibles Road, at its junction with Schooner Way (see attached location plan).

2. Scheme Overview

2.1 The proposal for the Fareham Western Wards Western Distributor Road originates from the Fareham Borough Local Plan, which confirmed the Distributor Road in principle, and was adopted in 1992. The County Council achieved planning permission for the Western Distributor Road in March 1995, between Priory Park (now Upper Brook Drive) and Dibles Road, which includes the length of road under consideration in this report. Works to construct the section of the distributor road between Upper Brook Drive and Warsash Road were completed and opened in April 2000; the section of Dibles Road was completed in February 2002. The section between Warsash Road and Dibles Road is the missing link that is required to connect these earlier stages of the route together.

2.2 The proposal aims to provide the following:

(i) a 7.3 metre wide carriageway to connect Warsash Road to Dibles Road, at its junction with Schooner Way, together with associated footways, street lighting, and landscaping work;

(ii) a new roundabout with central island on Warsash Road at its junction with the proposed link road and Lockswood Road, to replace the existing mini-roundabout; and

(iii) closure of Cutters Avenue at its junction with Warsash Road, but subject to preparation and approval of the appropriate supporting Traffic Regulation Orders.

3. Current Position

3.1 The scheme was currently in the Hampshire County Council Transport Capital Programme for 2004/05, as updated and approved on 21 January 2005 at an estimated cost of £1,400,000. Subsequently at the meeting on 22 March 2005 the scheme was deferred to the 2005/06 Capital Programme.

3.2 This section of the Fareham Western Wards Western Distributor Road has been designed to the preliminary design stage and purchase of the land required to implement the scheme was completed on 31 March 2005.

3.3 The land being purchased is the full extent of the site currently known as Warsash Motors, located on Warsash Road, Warsash. Approval to proceed with the purchase of the land was provided by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on 15 September 2004, through a report submitted by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services.

3.4 Preliminary site investigations have identified that the land required for the road is contaminated by the presence of Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia Japonica). This plant is controlled by legislation made under The Wildlife and Countryside Act, and methods to deal with its presence are set out in a Code of Practice produced by the Environment Agency. Such controls are applied as Japanese Knotweed is invasive and vigorous, to the detriment of native plants and animals. Proliferation of the plant through physical means is illegal, as the plant can reproduce itself from root fragments and plant pieces the size of a penny. The plant is so vigorous it can grow through tarmac road surfaces and concrete foundations.

3.5 The Code of Practice identifies three methods of eradication: through a three year programme of herbicide spraying; or through excavation to a minimum depth of three metres, within a seven metre radius of each plant. Safe disposal of the excavated material must then be achieved, including safe haulage to approved landfill sites where it must be buried to a depth of at least five metres. Alternatively, a combination of herbicidal treatment and excavation can be employed, which can shorten the treatment time to two years.

3.6 The nature of the site, with the presence of a 1.5 metre diameter surface water sewer and an open watercourse, effectively prohibits the excavation methodology, given the extent of the temporary works required to maintain the watercourse and protect the sewer. Initial estimates indicate that treatment through this method could add a further £350,000 to the cost of the scheme. By comparison the herbicidal treatment method is expected to cost less than £5,000, although there is a three year delay for the delivery of the scheme, with a commencement of works delayed until autumn 2008.

4. Works Programme and Capital Programme Deferral

4.1 The scheme was formerly in the 2004/05 Capital Programme. However, given the Japanese Knotweed problem it will not be possible to make a works start until this financial year.

4.2 Land purchase has recently been completed as originally planned within the 2004/05 programme, but the main scheme works will be deferred until 2008/09. A programme of advance works for herbicidal treatment would commence in summer 2005 to enable eradication of the Japanese Knotweed over the following three summers, and accordingly the scheme has been moved to the 2005/06 Capital Programme.

4.3 The scheme is currently funded through a combination of Local Transport Plan (LTP) (Supported Capital Expenditure) funding and developer contributions. It is proposed to complete the land purchase using the LTP funding and implement the road scheme using the developer funding currently reserved for the scheme. The developer contributions are secure and the delayed construction start will not compromise this funding source.

5. Interim Site Management

5.1 It is proposed to undertake a programme of eradication of the Japanese Knotweed over the next three summers, however this has implications on the management of the site over the period from completion of the acquisition to the commencement of the road works.

5.2 Officers are currently exploring the option of a short term lease of the premises, within the parameters of the existing land use planning constraints, and with due regard to the neighbouring residential areas. In the absence of being able to conclude a letting on suitable terms, officers will consider measures to support the responsible management of the site in the interim. This may extend to the demolition of the existing premises to ground level, together with other site security measures to minimise the potential for site management problems, such as vandalism, nuisance, injury to trespassers and illegal occupation.

5.3 Opportunities for either option are currently being explored and progress will be reported accordingly. If expenditure beyond the costs already sanctioned is expected then standard reporting procedures under the County Council's Standing Orders will apply.

5.4 In the interim period it is proposed that the eradication programme for the Japanese Knotweed be commenced in summer 2005, and that detailed design of the road scheme continues to be progressed.

Recommendation

That the Executive Member for Environment supports the approved expenditure for land purchase referred to in paragraph 3.2, notes the position with this scheme and approves the advance work in respect of Japanese Knotweed control at a cost not exceeding £5,000.

298/JR