Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: NORTH HAMPSHIRE AND SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 4

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

A343 NEWBURY ROAD, ANDOVER

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

SEPTEMBER 2005

COMPLETION DATE:

NOVEMBER 2005

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

7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

The project includes the provision of a Puffin crossing, new footway links to Smannell Road, the relocation of bus lay-bys/stops incorporating new high level kerbing for easier bus-boarding and the removal of a little used lay-by on the northbound side of Newbury Road which will be landscaped. This will provide a safe pedestrian waiting area and ensure adequate visibility for both pedestrians and drivers.

The A343 Newbury Road provides a strategic link between Andover and Newbury. The traffic flow at the site of the proposed crossing is approximately 14,638 vehicles 7 am to 7 pm day-time flow. Traffic volume is relatively constant because there is only a marginal difference between the peak hour and non-peak hour traffic flows.

At present, due to the absence of any formal crossing at Enham Arch, pedestrians are experiencing difficulty in crossing Newbury Road and there is need for a safer and convenient pedestrian crossing facility at this location. This need has increased as new retail outlets in the vicinity have been introduced that serve the local community and the road is increasingly becoming a barrier to local amenity and assessibility.

A weekday survey carried out in October 2004 taken within 50 metres north of Enham Arch bridge indicates that the number of pedestrians crossing between 7 am and 7 pm was 104. This provides a PV² value of 0.69 x 10⁸ which falls within the discretionary recommended range for a formal controlled crossing in accordance with County Council policy and Department for Transport guidance. Vehicle flows indicate a peak hour flow of 1,600 vehicles at 8 am and 1,800 vehicles at 5 pm. In view of the sustained hourly traffic flow throughout the day this is considered to be a site with good justification.

7.2

Details

The crossing will be close to the busy Tesco Superstore and other retail outlets on the nearby business park. The bus lay-bys/stops will be relocated with the bus stops having high kerbs for easier bus-boarding. The width of carriageway on the northbound lane of Newbury Road will be reduced to ensure adequate visibility for pedestrians and drivers approaching the crossing.

A location plan is attached and a detailed plan (number 17/A343/9/102) will be displayed at the meeting.

7.3

Standards

The design of the scheme complies with Department for Transport and County Council standards, and has been safety audited at the appropriate stages in the design process.

7.4

Targets and Outcomes

Road Safety

The LTP target was that by 2010 there would be a 40% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured when compared to the average 1994-98 level. This target is considered to be on track. Since this target was set in the late 1990s there has been an overall downward trend in the number of deaths and serious injuries, although year on year figures have tended to fluctuate. It is anticipated that the road safety strategies and programmes will contribute to achieving this target by 2010.

As with the target for deaths and serious injuries, there has been an overall downward trend in the number of children killed or seriously injured since a 50% reduction was set to be achieved by 2010. Similarly it is anticipated that the road safety strategies and programmes, together with the safety education and training schemes that are running, will contribute to successfully achieving this target by that time.

As for achieving a 10% reduction in the number of slight casualties per 100 million vehicle kilometres by 2010, there has been a steady fall in the actual number of slight casualties since this target was set, whilst at the same time traffic growth has been experienced. Therefore when measuring casualties in terms of vehicle kilometres this target is on track to be met and is supported by the various road safety programmes already in place.

The accident data in the immediate vicinity of the planned crossing shows that between March 2002 and February 2005 there has been one fatal, one serious and one slight pedestrian/cycle accidents recorded, one of which was a child. This scheme for a proposed Puffin crossing and additional footway links will therefore help to reduce the risk of further accidents and safeguard against the accident frequency growing if no intervention works are carried out.

7.5

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

All the necessary statutory requirements have been satisfied in the development of this proposal. Public notices have been posted on this site for 28 days giving details of the proposal and no objections have been received.

7.6

Policy Considerations

The proposal is consistent with the aims and objectives of both the Local Transport Plan and the Test Valley Transport Strategy. This facility will be of great benefit to vulnerable road users, eg pedestrians, especially the mobility impaired and the elderly.

7.7

Environmental Impacts

There is no significant environmental impact from this proposal.

7.8

Land Requirement

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

7.9

Alternative Arrangements

An alternative scheme was considered which would have resulted in the loss of one lane of the southbound carriageway, from Smannell Road to Enham Arch, as opposed to the removal of a little used northbound lay-by.

7.10

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Hughes, supports the proposals.

7.11

Impact Assessments

The proposed crossing incorporates tactile paving and audible warnings beneficial for all user groups, in particular the mobility impaired (young and old), people with pushchairs and children, and school children. Assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in the development of this scheme and it is not expected to compromise equalities in terms of race, creed or gender, but to further improve access for all.

7.12

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

7.13

Sustainability

The proposed Puffin crossing and additional footway links support walking which is a sustainable form of transport. All materials used will contain recycled materials, wherever possible.

8.

Financial Arrangements

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

23.5

Developer Funding

155

Supervision

11

Project Works

120.5

Land

Nil

____

____

Total

Total

155_

155_

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

3.5

0.004

Capital Charge

16

0.013

____

____

Total Expenditure

19.5

0.017

____

____

8.3

Maintenance Implications

The installation of traffic signals at this location will result in additional revenue expenditure, both in respect of maintenance works and operation. Maintenance works include repairing faults, biannual lamp change and undertaking an annual electrical inspection. Operation costs are incurred in respect of electrical power and telecommunications. Traffic signal equipment is anticipated to operate satisfactorily between 10 and 15 years after which it will need to be replaced. The anti-skid surfacing may need to be renewed at more regular intervals to ensure adequate performance.

If the maintenance costs of new ITS installations are not taken into account at the setting of the annual base budget and does not match the rate of growth of ITS equipment, then there will be an increasing pressure to reduce maintenance standards and on the ability to replace ageing and obsolescent equipment.

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

Working File - A343 Newbury Road, Andover

Environment Department

Room 415