Contact: Paul Turner, ext 6978 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the attached Project Appraisal for North Popley to Town Centre Pedestrian and Cycle Routes, Basingstoke, at an estimated cost of £185,000 (£160,000 developer funding and £25,000 LTP funding ), be approved.

(ii) That, under the powers contained in Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980, the footways identified within the proposal be converted to a shared use cycle track for use by cyclists and pedestrians.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aims 2 and 4 (Stewardship of the Environment and Building Strong and Safe Communities) of the Corporate Strategy by providing safe passage for both pedestrians and cyclists between the town centre and the North Popley residential areas. It will also encourage the use of these environmentally sustainable forms of transport.

2.2 The County Council Local Transport Plan 2 (LTP2) cycling target is to halt the decline in cycling by 2010 from the 2005-06 base.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 The option to do nothing was rejected as being unresponsive to the needs of pedestrians and cyclists in this area.

3.2 The addition of a mini-roundabout was considered at the junction of Sherborne Road/Darlington Road and Merton Road. This was rejected as not being attractive to the needs of cyclists as roundabouts can present difficulties for cyclists and vehicles to safely negotiate together.

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

443Decn/PST