Contact: Richard Cowling, ext 5202 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the attached Project Appraisal for pedestrian safety and speed management related modifications to the junction of the A31 with Lymington Bottom, Four Marks, at an estimated cost of £110,000, be approved.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aims 2 and 5 (Stewardship of the Environment and Improving Services) of the Corporate Strategy by improving conditions for pedestrian safety, particularly for schoolchildren forced to cross the A31 at this location to access the bus stops and allows younger children to be more easily escorted to the nearby primary school on foot, thus reducing the requirement for vehicle journeys.

2.2 The junction is located at the bottom of a dip on the A31 as it approaches the centre of Four Marks from Winchester and thus experiences higher vehicle speeds from both directions. The current junction layout also allows vehicles to overtake through the junction by abusing the right-turn lanes. This also contributes to the high surveyed speeds. The width of the road makes the junction particularly difficult for pedestrians to cross.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 The option of a roundabout was considered early in the design process, due to its speed management capabilities. This junction is one of the highest points in Hampshire and as such has experienced severe weather in winter. In order to afford vehicles the maximum opportunity to reach the top of the hills on both sides of the junction during severe snow falls, a roundabout was discounted as it would force all vehicles to slow dramatically and deviate off the optimum path up the hills. A roundabout would also not provide the pedestrian crossing points that the final design does.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor J K Glen

463Decn/RC