Hampshire County Council

Executive Member - Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management

24 May 2005

Project Appraisal: Factory Road, Eastleigh - Environmental Improvements

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 2

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: SOUTH HAMPSHIRE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ITEM 2

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

FACTORY ROAD, EASTLEIGH - ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

AUGUST 2005

COMPLETION DATE:

JANUARY 2006

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2005/06

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at Apr 05

(at Apr 05

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

420

420

Fees

75

75

495

495

Less developers/

other contributions

495

495

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

295

295

2.

From other resources

(a) Developer Contribution

200

TOTAL

495

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Nil

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

2.58

0.003

Capital charges

44.00

0.036

TOTAL net expenditure

46.58

0.039

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

The existing Factory Road alignment provides a direct link between the new residential and business development at the former Pirelli factory site at its western end, and Eastleigh town centre at the eastern end. The new development is located approximately 600 metres from the town centre with its shops, offices, main transport interchanges and other amenities. Norwood Primary School is also located on Factory Road at its junction with Chamberlayne Road and is the local primary school for the Pirelli development nearby. By undertaking this proposal it is expected that the scheme will encourage residents and visitors associated with the new development to walk or cycle to and from the town centre.

Factory Road was identified as a potential `green street' in the Central Eastleigh Transport Strategy (March 2003), where green streets are described as roads with pedestrians and cyclists having priority over vehicular traffic, which should only be allowed for access. This aspiration prevails, although during the development of the scheme design the presence of underground utilities has prevented inclusion of the original proposal to line the street with trees. The remaining measures will however still help to enhance facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, deter unnecessary traffic movements and improve the street scene. The provision of improved street lighting will improve the sense of personal security and help reduce the fear of crime.

In addition to the Central Eastleigh Transport Strategy, the Eastleigh Borough Local Plan Review (2001-2011) Second Deposit contains an objective relating to the "renaissance of Eastleigh" (4.8) and "the need for ... environmental enhancements to the Factory Road area between the Pirelli Quarter and the Swan Centre" (4.9). This proposal will help to achieve this objective.

The redevelopment of the Pirelli site has provided financial contributions from the developer to both Hampshire County Council and Eastleigh Borough Council. As part of the redevelopment it is intended to provide a continuous green street theme from Passfield Avenue, through the redeveloped site to Factory Road and the town centre. The new infrastructure is expected to be provided by the developer as the development progresses, and accords with the Central Eastleigh Transport Strategy.

The scheme is being partly funded by Hampshire County Council through Local Transport Plan 2005/06 funding and partly by Eastleigh Borough Council utilising a developer contribution provided from the development site. The scheme has been considered, and is supported by, the Executive of Eastleigh Borough Council, and by the Eastleigh Local Area Committee which approved the contribution of £200,000 for the scheme on 30 November 2004.

Targets and Outcomes

The scheme aims to encourage walking and cycling between the former Pirelli site and Eastleigh town centre. As part of the consultation process surveys and questionnaires identified that a continuous level walking surface (25%), a reduction in traffic speeds (20%), CCTV camera provision (14%), and wider footways (13%) were the main factors identified by respondents that would encourage more people to walk or cycle in Factory Road. This information was considered in the design process and the proposed scheme incorporates such features. Although useful, this data was collected prior to the occupation of the Pirelli development nearby, which has increased the baseline levels for the use of Factory Road.

Since occupation of the first phase (over 600 new dwellings) of the development, the Borough Council has undertaken a survey which indicates that approximately 46% of the 114 householders who responded to the survey regularly shop in the town centre. Given the short distances involved, it is expected that many of these trips can be undertaken through walking or cycling and provision of this improvement scheme will make these modes more attractive to residents. In order to quantify the increased levels of use, on a modal basis, it is proposed to monitor all transport modes along Factory Road, both before and after scheme implementation, potentially utilising the CCTV equipment recently installed by the Borough Council.

In terms of traffic speeds, existing survey data indicates that traffic speeds are already below 20 miles per hour (mph) on Factory Road, which is attributable to the need for drivers to give way at the side street junctions, which are located approximately every 75 metres along the route. The removal of this need to give way at these junctions would normally increase traffic speeds, however the provision of vertical traffic calming measures and width restrictions on Factory Road will contain traffic speeds at or near to existing levels. The four roads crossing Factory Road are local residential streets and speed surveys taken in the vicinity of these junctions indicate that vehicle speeds, especially in the case of Nutbeem Road, are currently above the posted speed limit of 30 mph. By introducing the need to give way on these streets, traffic speeds will be substantially reduced in the vicinity of the junctions with Factory Road, with speeds being reduced to almost zero at the give way line. It is proposed to undertake further speed and volume surveys on Factory Road, Nutbeem Road, Chamberlayne Road, Cranbury Road and Desborough Road both before and after implementation of this scheme, to determine its impact on local traffic flows and vehicle speeds.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

3.2

The proposal is to improve the environment within Factory Road and provide an attractive, convenient and safe route to the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists, through the provision of enhanced and widened footways, and a low speed/low flow road traffic environment for on-road cycling. The improved footways will also aid accessibility for the mobility impaired and other user groups, particularly as road crossing movements are improved through the provision of the raised carriageway areas. In terms of traffic management vehicular access will remain unchanged, however vehicle speeds will be contained through the use of vertical traffic calming measures. These will consist of raised areas of carriageway (`speed tables'), together with changed priorities at junctions with side streets and formalised on-street parking bays. These measures will encourage a low traffic speed environment, discourage unnecessary traffic, and enhance the street environment for pedestrians, cyclists and residents. The change of priorities at these junctions is also expected to benefit the side streets by introducing the need to give way at the junctions with Factory Road, which will encourage lower traffic speeds and deter unnecessary through traffic from using these roads. The proposal is therefore consistent with current policy by:

(i) encouraging walking and cycling;

(ii) contributing towards the health and well-being of local people; and

(iii) reducing dependency on the private motor car.

Norwood School is located on the Factory Road/Chamberlayne Road junction and the improved footways, crossing locations and extended footway area outside the school are expected to enhance safety and encourage more parents to deliver children to school as pedestrians rather than by car.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.3

3.4

3.5

The scheme has been designed to meet the objectives of improving the street environment, improving accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists and the mobility impaired, whilst reducing traffic speeds and deterring unnecessary through traffic.

The scheme comprises:

(i) resurfaced footways along Factory Road using a combination of enhanced materials (conservation slab construction) and bituminous footway construction;

(ii) widened footway on the northern side of Factory Road by reducing the carriageway width;

(iii) enhanced road crossing points at footpath level, designed to improve access for wheelchair and pushchair users;

(iv) carriageway narrowing to a minimum width of 3.2 metres, with `chicane' alignments and frequent passing places;

(v) formalised on-street parking bays;

(vi) vertical traffic calming features consisting of raised speed tables at the junction of each side road, and at the junctions with back alleys;

(vii) changed junction priorities at the existing side roads, including Nutbeem Road, Chamberlayne Road, Cranbury Road and Desborough Road. The priority change will give Factory Road priority over the side streets, which has the dual function of slowing traffic that crosses Factory Road and allows cyclists to travel down Factory Road without having to give way;

(viii) enhanced materials for the resurfaced footways and speed tables, to improve the street scene and achieve a visual contrast between road and footway areas;

(ix) improved street lighting consisting of new lighting columns and lanterns. The new columns are of a simple contemporary style and used in similar schemes around the county; and

(x) a modest art project forms part of the proposals. An artist is working with children at the Norwood Primary School to develop ideas and designs to apply within Factory Road. The brief includes work on the street light columns (two columns will support metal/mesh banners) and the area outside the school.

A location plan is attached and a detailed drawing will be displayed at the meeting.

The design conforms to current standards and the proposals have been subjected to a detailed design stage safety audit.

Environmental Impact

3.6

The scheme will provide an overall improvement to the street scene, as well as creating a safer and more attractive environment for all user groups. The improved street lighting will use modern lighting apparatus which will focus light to the paved surfaces and help reduce overall light pollution levels.

Land Requirements

3.7

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

Statutory Procedures

3.8

3.9

The revised parking arrangements have been the subject of a Traffic Regulation Order which was advertised in the local press and by site notices on 27 January 2005 by Eastleigh Borough Council under its Traffic Management Agency Arrangement. No objections were received to the proposals and, subject to the approval of this project appraisal, the orders will be made before completion of the scheme.

The vertical traffic calming features have been designed in accordance with the Road Hump Regulations, and procedures for consultation and advertising of the proposals under these regulations were completed on 4 March 2005. No objections to the proposals were received.

Public Consultation

3.10

3.11

Two public exhibitions attended by approximately 100 local residents have been undertaken during the design of this project, together with 50 face to face interviews. At the second exhibition, held on 11 and 12 June 2004, attendees were invited to complete a questionnaire. Analysis of the 80 returned questionnaires demonstrated that a majority (79%) felt the proposals would improve Factory Road. The only significant objections raised were the inclusion of trees which have since been omitted from the final design.

Further consultation has also taken place as part of the design process with representatives of other users of the street, including the Norwood Primary School, Tourism South East, Eastleigh Baptist Church and existing local businesses.

Local Member's View

3.12

The local Member, Councillor Davies-Dear, fully supports this proposal.

Equalities

3.13

3.14

The scheme aims to improve accessibility for the mobility impaired by improving, widening and repaving the footways along Factory Road. They are designed to enable easier access by wheelchair and pushchair users, with footpath level road crossings at all junctions.

The Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind has been consulted and is supportive of the proposals.

Maintenance Implications

3.15

3.16

The use of high quality materials has a corresponding increase in maintenance costs.

The new street lights will be adopted and maintained by Hampshire County Council, however responsibility for the two artwork banners on the lighting columns will remain with Eastleigh Borough Council.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.17

3.18

The scheme includes the provision of enhanced lighting which will contribute towards the sense of enhanced personal security and help reduce the fear of crime.

In addition to this, in a separate project funded through Eastleigh Borough Council, CCTV cameras have been installed along Factory Road and into the new (Pirelli) development ahead of implementation of this scheme. The implementation of both proposals will contribute towards a safe and attractive route to and from Eastleigh town centre.

Sustainability

3.19

3.20

3.21

The route provides a direct link over a relatively short distance between new residential and business developments and the town centre. The provision of this scheme is expected to encourage residents and users of the new developments to walk and cycle to the town centre which will contribute towards the reduction of dependence on the private motor car.

The design minimises the amount of excavation of the existing carriageway construction and the resultant disposal of surplus material to landfill. Concrete blocks (Tegula) have been selected in preference to natural stone products.

The limited depth of excavation and the size of the scheme mean that road material recycling is not a cost effective solution for the main carriageway surfacing.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

4.2

4.3

Alternative parking arrangements were considered during the initial design stage, along with other traffic calming options such as road humps. The selected design offers increased benefits to the mobility impaired in terms of a level walkway and is therefore the preferred option for meeting the objectives of the scheme.

An alternative scheme consisting of road closures with retained pedestrian and cycle access along Factory Road was considered at the feasibility stage of the scheme's development. Whilst this may have offered a more cost effective method of achieving the scheme objectives, it was discounted in the light of initial objections from local businesses, the local refuse collection service and residents. The chosen design was the preferred option in meeting the scheme objectives, and is complementary to the concept of providing a road of green street status as shown in the Central Eastleigh Transport Strategy.

The original design included trees which had been intended to line the street but, due to the presence of underground services (and the prohibitive cost of their relocation), these have had to be omitted in the final proposals.

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.

TITLE

LOCATION

Project File

Environment Department

Room 415