Archived decisions

Contact: Dominic McGrath, ext 6054 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 A possible Transport Capital Programme for 2006/07 was presented to the last meeting of the Panel that took into account the likely funding available and the emerging priorities for the new Local Transport Plan (LTP).

1.2 This report provides a list of potential schemes for the area strategy programme that is put forward for Members to comment, consider priorities and, subject to those considerations, endorse. The report also repeats the indicative county-wide programme presented at the last Panel meeting. It should be stressed that the final content of all the county-wide and area programmes will be subject to the actual funding levels yet to be set by Central Government.

2. Background

2.1 The Department for Transport (DfT) has previously indicated that Hampshire should plan for an allocation of £13.093 million from the LTP process for integrated transport in 2006/07. However it is expected that a revised allocation for 2006/07 will be announced later this year. It is understood that this allocation will be based on a funding formula derived by Central Government. The implications of this formula for Hampshire are not yet known, but it could result in a lower allocation than the suggested £13.093 million. Hence there is a strong possibility that the possible programmes contained in this report will need to be reviewed and potentially revised downwards. However, in terms of forward planning it is important to have at least an indicative list of schemes and projects at this time in order to ensure that a full programme can be delivered in 2006/07.

2.2 Current forecasts for 2005/06 delivery and likely requirements for transfers to support maintenance, the development of future transport projects and other transport initiatives suggest that there will be approximately £7 million available to be spent on the 2006/07 programme in that year. In recent years this has meant planning for a programme level of £11 to £12 million (of which £7 million would be delivered in the start year and the remaining expenditure being carried forward into the following year).

2.3 Experience shows that some projects are found to be unsuitable during

development or are unduly delayed in their development through the design, consultation or negotiation. It is also possible that the Government may award some form of bonus or reward funding through the LTP process. Therefore it is proposed that a potential programme is prepared at a higher level of approximately £15 million.

3. Potential Area Strategy Programmes

3.1 Appendix 1 sets out the officers' recommendations for the area strategies and a brief description of each scheme or project and how it relates to County Council and DfT objectives and indicators.

3.2 Taking account of a potential county-wide programme of £8.4 million (shown in appendix 2), out of the suggested potential total programme of £15 million, £6.6 million remains for area strategy schemes. Where schemes will be partly funded from development it is only the County Council share of the investment that is counted against the £6.6 million total. In terms of need and scale of transport problems it is considered reasonable to suggest that the largest allocations should be allocated to the Solent and North Hampshire areas, followed by the Central Hampshire and New Forest areas. In broad terms the identified potential schemes listed in Appendix 1 result in the following totals (excluding external funding):

Solent £4,070,000

North Hampshire £2,030,000

Central Hampshire £1,100,000

New Forest £550,000

3.3 These totals exceed the indicative £6.6 million but this does allow flexibility in determining a final programme, taking into account the present uncertainty about actual funding levels and further work confirming the deliverability of schemes. Members are invited to consider priorities to assist in producing a final programme.

3.4 Each Transport Strategy Panel is being asked to comment on, and subject to those comments, endorse the list of possible schemes and advise the Executive Members for Environment accordingly.

Recommendations

That the Panel

(i) notes that the overall cost of the possible pool of county-wide and area strategy schemes listed in the report exceeds the actual level of funding likely to be allocated by central government, but this is necessary in order to ensure adequate forward planning;

(ii) notes that the actual programme will be subject to the level of funding yet to be confirmed by Central Government; and

(iii) be requested, subject to any views expressed at the meeting, to endorse the list of possible area strategy schemes.

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Appendix 1

Potential Solent Transport Strategy Schemes for 2006-07

Deferred schemes from 2005/06

Lee on the Solent Sustainable Suburbs - £150,000

This previously delayed scheme aims to assist pedestrians and the mobility impaired in the High Street area of Lee-on-the-Solent. Proposals are being developed to improve road safety and road crossing opportunities for pedestrians. The proposed measures include footway build-outs, drop kerb crossings and traffic management features at Milvil Road/Marine Parade West Junction, Manor Way/High Street/Pier Street Junction, Pier Street/Marine Parade West and Beach Road.

Objectives - Safety, Safe and Strong Communities, Equalities, Market Towns, Economy, Accessibility

LTP targets - Accessibility, Safety

New Schemes

Archers Road replacement footbridge - £1.5 million

Achers Road footbridge was constructed across the Eastleigh to Romsey railway line in 1924 from concrete. The existing structure is nearing the end of its usable life. It has steep, narrow stairs is inaccessible to all but the most able members of the community. Despite this over 960 pedestrians were recorded using the footbridge during a 12 hour survey in September 2002. The bridge provides a vital pedestrian link to the town centre, bus and train stations and it avoids the narrow footways and congested traffic on Twyford Road. The bridge is also well used by children on route to schools and colleges in the area. Feasibility studies are considering a replacement structure that will provide access for the mobility impaired and cyclists in addition to existing users.

(NB Implementation in 2006/07 is dependant upon securing necessary rail possessions.)

Objectives - Accessibility, Equalities, Communities.

LTP targets - Severance, Town Centre Access, Accessibility, Cycling.

Emsworth Town Centre Accessibility - £250,000

This scheme involves improving pedestrian links from the north of the town into the town centre, improving access to bus stops and completing the final section of the A259 Warblington to Emsworth cycle route, providing a new toucan crossing and addressing numerous safety concerns. The final section of the cycle route will compliment the existing facilities which 190 cyclists were recorded using on one day in spring 2002. It will also provide a route for pupils attending Warblington School, and will complement Safer Routes to School measures planned for other local schools.

Objectives - Accessibility, Safety, Strong and Safe Communities.

LTP Targets - Town Centre Access, Cycling, Bus Patronage, Safety, Mode Share, Safer Routes to School.

Hythe Town Centre Accessibility - £350,000 + EF

The primary scheme aims to assist pedestrians and the mobility impaired in St Johns Street /The Marsh area of Hythe where there are currently poor facilities. Proposals are being developed to improve pedestrian links and downgrade the prominence of vehicular traffic. The scheme will be progressed in conjunction with NFDC major enhancement works to the St Johns Street car park. A secondary scheme could complete the Hardley to Hythe cycle route which is currently in the 2005/6 programme.

Objectives - Safety, Safe and Strong Communities, Equalities, Economy, Accessibility

LTP targets - Accessibility, Safety

Whiteley Accessibility - £250,000 + EF

The scheme seeks to address pedestrian access issues between the Whiteley employment areas and Whiteley Village Shopping Centre by providing pedestrian links and a toucan crossing on Whiteley Way. It also completes the Whiteley to Park Gate cycle route, linking Whiteley to Swanwick Rail Station and also to Park Gate and Segensworth areas.

Objectives - Safety, Safe and Strong Communities, Equalities, Economy, Accessibility

LTP targets - Accessibility, Safety

Totton Causeway Cycleway Upgrade - £150,000

The cycleway between Southampton City Centre and Totton was implemented in the late 1980s as the first significant cycleway in Hampshire and it remains a popular route. The objective of the proposed scheme is to upgrade the cycleway between the city boundary and the A326, together with the spur to the town centre in accordance with current guidance and best practice. The work will complement future proposals in the centre of Totton.

Objectives - Safety, Equalities, Economy, Accessibility

LTP targets - Bus Patronage, Mode Share, Accessibility, Safety

Romsey Accessibility - £80,000

In advance of a comprehensive community street audit, two potential issues have been identified and investigated. A pair of refuges on Botley Road would assist perditions using the Tadburn Stream footpath as well as improving access to the QBP service 15 bus stops. A pedestrian phase on the southern and eastern arms of the traffic signals at Romsey Railway Station will improve access for passengers to the town centre.

Objectives - Accessibility, Safety, Equalities, Economy, Market Towns

LTP targets - Accessibility, Safety

A27 Swaythling Road, West End - £40,000 + EF

A contribution has been obtained from a new housing development to assist pedestrians to cross the A27 in the vicinity of Hales Road, but this is insufficient to construct a pair of refuges which are proposed as the most appropriate measures, due to the need fro localised road widening. Apart from addressing the severance caused by the A27, the proposals will also improve access to local bus stops.

Objectives - Safety, Equalities, Economy, Accessibility, Safe and Strong Communities

LTP targets - Accessibility, Safety

Quality Bus Partnerships

Routes 38 & X9 Southampton to Waterside - £350,000

Route 39 Havant to Clanfield - £250,000

Route 40 Wecock Farm to Southsea - £500,000

Hedge End to Southampton (New Service) - £200,000

A continuing programme of improved passenger facilities and information systems which are proving successful in encouraging bus use.

Objectives - Improved Services, Accessibility

LTP targets - Bus Patronage, Accessibility, Town Centre Access, Air Quality

Appendix 2

County-wide Indicative Allocations 2006/07

1. Casualty Reduction Programme - £3,000,000.

Highly successful programme comprising low-cost safety scheme programme (60 plus sites per year), targeted road condition improvement and remedial site betterment programmes as well as the casualty reduction partnership and selected larger schemes where there are opportunities for significant casualty reductions.

Objectives - Safety and Safe Communities, Health.

LTP Targets - Safety/Casualty Reduction (mandatory).

2. Safer Routes to School - £2,000,000.

Schemes emanating from school travel plans. National target for all schools to have travel plans by 2011; County Council aiming to achieve the target before that date.

Objectives - Widen Travel Choice, Safety, Health, Local Congestion.

LTP Targets - Travel Mode to School (mandatory), Cycling numbers (mandatory), Bus Patronage (mandatory).

3. Community Transport - £500,000.

Continuing programme of support for community transport projects including grants for the purchase of vehicles for new services and renewal of vehicles for existing services.

Objectives - Accessibility, Life Opportunities, Widen Travel Choice, Communities, Equalities.

LTP targets - Bus Patronage, Accessibility.

4. Concessionary Fares - Bus Cardreaders - £650,000.

One-off programme to install cardreaders on all Hampshire buses in support of the county-wide concessionary fares scheme which is funded by district councils but administered by the County Council. Smartcard technology which would reduce delays at stops and substantially reduce administration costs associated with running the system may be able to be introduced in 2006/07. Potential for additional functions for smartcards is currently being investigated.

Objectives - Reduce ongoing revenue costs, Accessibility.

LTP Targets - Accessibility, Bus Patronage, Bus Punctuality.

5. Traffic Management Schemes - £460,000.

Ongoing programme of minor traffic management schemes incorporating the parish partnerships programme from 2004/05 onwards (previously revenue funded).

Objectives - Communities, Safety, Congestion.

LTP Targets - Safety.

6. Pedestrian Crossings Programmes - £500,000.

Ongoing programme of new formal crossings (Puffins, Toucans and Zebras), improvements to subways and new and improved informal crossings (Refuges, Dropped Crossings and facilities to help people with disabilities to cross roads).

Objectives - Safety, Safe Communities, Severance, Accessibility, Equalities.

LTP targets - Safety, Severance (possible) .

7. Minor Schemes - £200,000.

Long established programme of minor local highway improvements county-wide aimed at improving safety and conditions for pedestrians in particular.

Objectives - Communities, Safety.

LTP targets - Safety.

8. Passenger Transport Information - £180,000.

Continued development and operation of passenger transport information service, part of national arrangement.

Objectives - Improved services (information).

LTP targets - Bus Patronage.

9. Intelligent Transport Systems - £250,000.

Development of new systems and their deployment across the county, including transport information kiosks, real-time information systems.

Objectives - Improved services (information). Efficiency of networks.

LTP Targets - Bus Patronage, Congestion (possible target), Air Quality.

10. Access to Countryside - £200,000.

Improvements to rights of way and access to countryside for all people, incorporating previous recreational cycling programme. To be administered by the Recreation and Heritage Department.

Objectives - Life Opportunities, Environment, Leisure/Economy/Tourism/ Health.

LTP Targets - Accessibility, Cycling, Mode share to school (parts).

11. LTP Monitoring and Initiatives - £250,000.

Includes purchase and renewal of equipment for monitoring LTP targets including air quality, traffic flows, etc. Initiatives include ongoing partnership programme with workplace travel plans and colleges, etc and new initiatives, including pilot projects relating to sign clutter, etc.

Objectives - Monitoring and review to improve services, Environment.

LTP targets - Workplace travel , Congestion, Air Quality.

12. Community Safety Initiative (Street Lighting) - £60,000.

Longstanding programme of partnership schemes with district councils and others particularly directed to lighting schemes for pedestrians.

Objectives - Safe Communities, Personal Security, Accessibility.

LTP targets - Accessibility, Severance, Town Centre Access.

13. Rail Stations/Interchanges - £150,000.

Ongoing programme of improvements to interchange facilities particularly at railway stations.

Objectives - Improve Services, Communities, Safety.

LTP Targets - Public Transport Patronage, Bus Patronage, Cycling, Town Centre Access.

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