Contact: Simon Found, ext 6593 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides a progress update on transport schemes within the 2005/06 Capital Programme, which includes schemes that have carried over from the 2004/05 programme. The summary of schemes in the 2005/06 Capital Programme is shown in the attached appendix.

1.2 The table below shows the county-wide improvement programmes for 2005/06 and where applicable to the New Forest area the report item is given for reference.

	County-wide Allocation
County-wide Programme 2005/06	£'000s LTP	£'000s EF	Report Item
Passenger Transport Information	172		11
LTP Monitoring and Initiatives	150		N/A
Pedestrian Crossing Programme	530	192	10
Rail Stations/Interchanges	50		11
Air Quality	69		N/A
Central ITS	200		10
Minor Schemes	200	2	6
Recreational Cycling	77		N/A
Community Transport Schemes	300		11
Community Safety Initiative	97	25	10
Minor Traffic Management	525		7
Safer Routes to School Programme	1,500		9
Casualty Reduction Programme	3,000	245	8

1.3 Individual schemes within the Transport Capital Programme are financed from the Local Transport Plan (LTP), which consists of Central Government Supported Capital Expenditure. In addition, schemes may receive external funding (EF) from developers or other contributors such as the District Council.

2. Capital Schemes 2004/05

Station Road, New Milton - Puffin Crossing (£77,000 LTP, £15,000 EF)

2.1 This scheme was completed in April 2005.

2.2 Since the controlled crossing has been in operation a number of on-site observations, feedback from local residents/traders and the undertaking of a Stage 3 (post-opening) safety audit has resulted in some remedial measures being implemented.

2.3 The issues that were addressed are as follows:

(i) Vehicles parking in the layby north of the crossing and obstructing a business access.

This has been addressed by implementing a white lining scheme at the private access. Initial indications show that this has been successful.

(ii) Vehicles parking on the area of new footway near the crossing point and restricting visibility for pedestrians and drivers.

This has been addressed by installing a row of bollards on the footway to prevent vehicles parking on the new section of footway. It was subsequently necessary to remove one of the bollards to ensure the access to a private forecourt area in front of a business immediately adjacent to the crossing.

North Street, Pennington Traffic Management (£70,000 LTP)

2.4 This scheme consists of a new section of footway between the access to the recreation centre/school and the A337 Pennington Roundabout together with build-out traffic calming measures and the upgrade of the street lighting along North Street.

2.5 Concern over one of the build-outs constructed was raised by several local residents and District Councillor Hickman, as it was restricting access/egress to their properties. Following a meeting with interested parties an alternative solution was agreed. This has resulted in the offending build-out being removed and the new footway being extended further along North Street.

2.6 These additional works will be implemented in conjunction with the traffic road humps planned for this road.

2.7 The delay in implementing the road hump measures has been due to the need to advertise the measures in accordance with Section 92 of the Highways Act 1980.

2.8 Resource issues further delayed this process. Advertisement of the measures commenced in July 2005 and during the 28 notice period 14 letters were received regarding the proposal.

2.9 Out of the 14 letters 10 were in support of the proposals and four either objected or proposed alternative measures to traffic calming. Permission is being sought from the Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy to proceed with the traffic calming measures.

2.10 It is hoped that a contractor will be able to complete the scheme in November 2005. Monitoring of the scheme will be undertaken later in the year to assess whether the aims and objectives were met.

Sway Footways (£12,000 LTP)

2.11 This scheme formed Phase 2 of the improvement scheme to provide better, safer pedestrian facilities, especially for schoolchildren attending St Lukes Primary School.

2.12 The works were completed on-site in May 2005.

Hythe Pier (£90,000 LTP)

2.13 Works to renew the decking on the pier are ongoing, with allocations scheduled until 2007/08 in support of the maintenance work being carried out by White Horse Ferries, the owners of the pier and operators of the Hythe to Southampton Ferry. To date 75% of the overall length of the pier has been redecked.

2.14 On 13 September 2005 the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management decided the 2005/06 contribution would be transferred to urgent repair of the Town Quay, Southampton terminal.

Rumbridge Street, Totton (£600,000 LTP, £600,000 Regeneration of Older Urban Areas, £100,000 New Forest District Council)

2.15 The aim of this scheme is to regenerate the Old Totton area and improve the economy for local businesses as well as improve the environment for pedestrians and residents of this area.

2.16 The scheme is being implemented in several phases, of which Phase 1 has been substantially completed. Phase 1 has resulted in improvements to Rumbridge Street between the A35 Totton Bypass junction and Brockenford Lane junction.

2.17 The improvements have seen the permanent removal of the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) car park, the provision of a shared use cycle track and footway and measures to reduce the speed of vehicles entering and travelling along Rumbridge Street.

2.18 Work outstanding for Phase 1 is the landscaping of the former HGV car park which includes tree planting and grass seeding. This work is best undertaken in the September/October period to ensure the survival of the trees and the growth of grass.

2.19 Phase 2 of the scheme will result in improvements to Winsor Road.

2.20 The detailed design of Phase 2 of the overall scheme is being undertaken by New Forest District Council with an implementation date of January 2006.However, this date is dependent upon the completion of utility work by TRANSCO in Eling Lane, Totton which is currently ongoing.

Longslade Bottom Cycle Way/Footbridge (£20,000 LTP)

2.21 This scheme was completed in April 2005. Initial indications show that it has increased use and proved popular with cyclists and pedestrians alike.

3. Capital Schemes 2005/06

A337 Pennington Cross to Belmore Road Cycle Route (£125,000 LTP)

3.1 This scheme provides a shared use cycle track and footway along the A337 Milford Road between the Pennington Roundabout and Belmore Road. An on-road advisory cycle lane along Belmore Road was implemented during spring 2005.

3.2 This scheme provides a safer environment for cyclists travelling to the town centre and also for pupils cycling to schools in Pennington.

Marchwood Pedestrian Facilities (£50,000 EF)

3.3 Following support from the local Member, Councillor Kendal, and Marchwood Parish Council for the proposed footway/pedestrian link scheme for Admiralty Way to Marchwood Village, the scheme has been progressed through to the detailed design process.

3.4 It is currently expected that the detailed design for the scheme will be completed soon to allow a Project Appraisal to be submitted later this year.

New Forest Bus Infrastructure (£100,000 LTP)

3.5 This scheme is reported elsewhere on the agenda as part of the Passenger Transport Report under `Lymington-New Milton-Bournemouth Quality Bus Corridor'.

Rookes Lane/Ridgeway Lane, Lymington (£155,000 LTP)

3.6 The aim of this scheme is to introduce traffic calming measures along the length of Rookes Lane and Ridgeway Lane, to reduce vehicle speeds and provide a new footway on one side of the carriageway to ensure safe pedestrian movement for local residents and users of the local recreation ground and skateboard park.

3.7 The scheme required the removal of two trees on a section of verge which is to be converted to footway. The two trees were subject to preservation orders, therefore a planning application had to be submitted to request their removal.

3.8 Planning permission was subsequently granted to remove the trees but a condition was imposed which required that two replacement trees be planted. This has therefore been added to the overall scheme.

3.9 Following advice from officers from the Town Council and District Council it was agreed to defer implementation of the scheme until October 2005. The reason for delaying the scheme was due to this road being used to transport boats to and from the marina. August is a peak time for these movements and in September a used boat sale took place which resulted in additional movement of boats.

Ashurst to Lyndhurst Cycle Route (LTP £490,000)

3.10 This scheme will provide a shared use cycle track/footway between Ashurst and Lyndhurst which is an important link in the New Forest Strategic Cycle Route Network. In addition to the cycle route, an uncontrolled pedestrian crossing facility has been incorporated into the scheme to enable pedestrians to cross the busy A35 Southampton Road to the existing bus stop on the approach to Lyndhurst.

3.11 Discussions with English Nature identified the need for land to be provided in mitigation. The proposed solution is to fence in the existing Ashurst Cricket Pitch which is no longer used and return it to grazing land. This proposal is acceptable to English Nature and The Forestry Commission.

3.12 As a result implementation of the scheme has been delayed. It is currently envisaged that the scheme will be put out for tender in October 2005 with construction commencing in January 2006.

Ringwood Pedestrian and Cycle Improvements Phase One (£135,000 LTP) and Phase Two (£50,000 LTP)

3.13 The Phase 1 project is now completed and involved the provision of a number of walking and cycling measures in the town and along Southampton Road and Gorley Road towards Poulner. In Southampton Road this included improvements to the road crossing island/carriageway.

In Mansfield Road there were works to provide a new link between Gravel Lane and the closed section of Southampton Road; measures at the Parsonage Barn Lane/Southampton Road junction in Southampton Road and Gorley Road; extensive works to improve footways and provide new and improved dropped kerb crossings on side roads; and upgrading of the existing on-road cycle route in Southampton Road. Lastly, in partnership with New Forest District Council, there were works supporting the experimental closure in The Quomp.

3.14 The Phase 2 project to widen a section of footway on Southampton Road involves the need to acquire land. Also because it is likely that there will be at least one objection leading to the need for Compulsory Purchase Order procedures, alternative options including a traffic build-out with carriageway alterations are currently being explored.

Water Lane, Totton (£120,000 LTP, £245,000 EF) part of Casualty Reduction Programme

3.15 For the purpose of implementation, the scheme for Water Lane has been split into two phases.

3.16 Phase 1 of the scheme is for the implementation of traffic calming `tables' at several locations along Water Lane.

3.17 Formal advertisement of the traffic calming measures as required under Section 92 of the Highways Act 1980 took place in May 2005. Only two objections were received to the measures, one from a coach company and the other from a local resident.

3.18 Permission is being sought from the Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy to proceed with the traffic calming measures. Subject to approval the works are aimed to be completed by October 2005.

3.19 Phase 2 of the scheme comprises the change in priority/alignment of the Water Lane/Hammond Green junction. This measure received strong support from the local community through the consultation process.

3.20 It is anticipated that the detailed design of this scheme will be completed by October 2005. Subject to approval of the scheme's Project Appraisal by the Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy it is envisaged that the implementation of the scheme will commence in January 2006.

New Forest Demand Management (£10,000 LTP)

3.21 Hampshire Highways West has identified ten finger-post signs in the Bramshaw area that will be replaced under this project. The destination shown on the new signs will be reduced in consultation with the Parish Council and New Forest District Council to effect some form of demand

management. It is hoped that by only signing the next village, traffic will migrate to the Strategic Road Network to navigate the Forest rather than clog up the minor road network. The new finger post signs will be of traditional design. It is envisaged that work will be completed by the end of 2005 as a contractor is currently being sought.

New Forest Cycle Strategy

3.22 The National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 2 from Hythe to Christchurch was identified by the Cycle Working Group in the New Forest as a priority for implementation. The crossing point on the A326 at Applemore has been the subject of a feasibility study which provides for a crossing to the north of the Applemore roundabout, across Sizer Way to join up with the Roman Road and the NCN2 towards Hythe. The detailed design work for this scheme is currently being undertaken. Subject to the approval of a Project Appraisal the scheme will be implemented in early 2006 (Q4, 2005/06 programme).

Decriminalised Parking £120,000 LTP

3.23 See item on Traffic Management Programme elsewhere on the agenda.

4. New Forest Bus Infrastructure, Lymington-New Milton-Bournemouth Quality Bus Corridor

4.1 A £100,000 scheme to improve the infrastructure on the Hampshire section of Route 123 between Lymington and the county boundary at Barton-on-Sea will go before the Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy on 13 September 2005. Improvements will include new high quality bus stop poles with integrated information displays showing bus stop location and direction of travel, raised boarding kerbs and bus stop clearways. Strong patronage growth is anticipated. If approved, it is expected that works will commence in early 2006.

5. Impact Assessments

5.1 This report provides a position statement only, therefore an impact assessment, in terms of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act, has not been undertaken.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

491/SF

APPENDIX

NEW FOREST TRANSPORT STRATEGY

CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2005/06