Contact: Jon Ryder, ext 5162 email: [email protected]

Contact: Helen Merrills, ext 5204 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The County Council's Transport Capital Programme identifies funding for individual named integrated transport improvement schemes and also includes other county-wide improvement programmes and block allocations.

1.2 The table below shows the county-wide improvement programmes that are applicable, and identifies the funding allocation made from the Local Transport Plan (LTP) for the 2005/06 year. The table also identifies where further information about the works appropriate to each programme can be found on the agenda.

1.3 This report provides a progress update on the named integrated transport schemes within the 2005/06 Transport Capital Programme, as approved by the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management on 13 September 2005, for implementation in the Fareham area. These are summarised in the attached appendix. The report also provides a progress update on schemes started in earlier programmes which were incomplete at the last meeting.

1.4 Individual schemes within the Transport Capital Programme are financed from the LTP, which consists of Central Government supported capital expenditure (SCE). In addition schemes may receive external funding (EF) from developers or other contributors.

2. Transport Capital Schemes - 2003/04

Portchester Home Zone - £200,000 LTP, £499,000 Department for Transport, £50,000 Fareham Borough Council, £251,000 Highways Maintenance

2.1 The main civil engineering contractor, Caroway Construction, completed all the works early this year. Minor additional works have been identified together with some maintenance works which are being undertaken at appropriate times prior to the end of the maintenance period in November.

2.2 Landscaping works have also been substantially completed with the majority of trees and shrubs establishing successfully. Regular residents' monthly working parties, as well as the standard contract maintenance is continuing to ensure the landscaping is well cared for. Minimal vandalism has occurred.

2.3 A residents' feedback event was held in May 2005 and the results were generally very positive indicating the Home Zone was an improvement. A number of items of detail raised through this process are being addressed with the maintenance works. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to gain sufficient residents' interest in establishing a Home Zone Association, but they will continue to be engaged to encourage their involvement in the Home Zone.

2.4 After-traffic surveys have also been carried out since the completion of the Home Zone. Traffic volumes have reduced by over 20%, and traffic speeds similarly have reduced to an average of below 20 miles per hour (mph). Other items being monitored include property prices, accident figures and crime figures. At this stage it is too early to state if there are any positive trends.

2.5 With works now complete, an opening by the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management will take place on the afternoon of 21 September. This will include a bulb planting ceremony by the local children together with local residents' representatives who have worked with officers throughout the project.

3. Transport Capital Schemes - 2004/05

Portchester Rail Bridge, Portchester Traffic Signals - £60,000

3.1 This proposal aims to improve traffic management under the railway bridge at Station Road, Portchester through the provision of traffic signal control.

3.2 A detailed design was completed and a project appraisal approved by the former Executive Member for Environment in February 2005 to install two-way traffic signals on the Hill Lane and Station Road approaches to Portchester Rail Bridge. Provision has also been incorporated within the signals for the fire station on Hill Lane, to ensure safe egress for emergency vehicles.

3.3 Although originally programmed to commence in March 2005, a new policy within Network Rail concerning work near existing railway bridges necessitated further procedures being followed to allow supervision of the work by Network Rail. Works were able to commence in July 2005 and were substantially completed by the end of August 2005. Monitoring of the new traffic signals will be ongoing to maximise efficiency for traffic flows.

Fareham-Gosport Quality Bus Partnership - Bus Infrastructure Improvements - £145,000 LTP £50,000 EF

3.4 This scheme includes the provision of Real-Time Information System (RTPI) along the main bus routes between Fareham and Gosport. STOPWATCH RTPI for the bus routes serving the A32 corridor between Fareham and Gosport will improve the quality of up to date service information for passengers. First Bus has been consulted and various bus stops along the route have been identified and prioritised for the provision of the RTPI display. The central RTPI system is in place and buses operating along the A32 corridor are fitted with Portsmouth City Council's automatic vehicle location technology.

3.5 Works to integrate with Portsmouth City Council's RTPI system through the development of server-to-server links, for the tracking of buses along the routes, is still ongoing and has taken longer than anticipated. Subject to the successful integration with the Portsmouth City Council RTPI system, 16 new style displays are intended to be installed within the bus shelters along the routes by the end of the financial year. A prototype of this display has already been tested on-site with successful results. Once the technical issues have been resolved and costs agreed with Portsmouth City Council, the number of bus shelter replacements will be finalised.

Broom Way, Fareham - Cycleway - £424,000 EF

3.6 The proposals provide an off-road cycle route on the western side of Broom Way between the Peel Common roundabout and the new Cherque Farm southern relief road. The proposals include street lighting, kerbing, drainage and landscaping to improve conditions for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians along the route. Additional road markings are included at Peel Common roundabout to improve lane discipline at the roundabout. The crossings on Gosport Road and Newgate Lane at Peel Common Roundabout have been upgraded to Toucan crossings to accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists.

3.7 This scheme was approved by the former Executive Member for Environment on 11 January 2005. Preliminary work commenced on site during February and the main works commenced as scheduled during March 2005. The scheme is programmed for completion during September 2005.

Newgate Lane/Tukes Avenue, Fareham-Gosport - Cycleway - £121,000 EF

3.8 This proposal formalises a pedestrian and cycle link between Newgate Lane and Tukes Avenue, Bridgemary, and has been substantially completed.

3.9 The scheme includes the provision of a two metre wide cycleway alongside the footpath which is segregated by road marking at the western end of the route and a grass verge at the eastern end. Additional street lighting has been installed along the route. Remedial work, including grass seeding and the installation of additional barriers and signing, has also been completed. Additional landscaping work at the Newgate Lane end of the scheme will be undertaken during the autumn planting season.

St Margaret's Lane, Titchfield - Traffic Management - £60,000 LTP

3.10 The scheme aims to improve conditions for pedestrians and access to public transport in the vicinity of St Margaret's Lane, and deter unnecessary through traffic from using St Margaret's Lane.

3.11 The proposals consist of:

(i) reducing entry to the A27 roundabout to one lane;

(ii) revising road marking layouts;

(iii) enhancing traffic signing and gateways; and

(iv) narrowing of the junction with Common Lane to assist traffic management and to provide pedestrian links to enhanced bus stops on Common Lane with the provision of a new bus shelter.

3.12 A trial layout to include a single lane entry on the approach to the A27 roundabout was installed during December 2004. Traffic surveys have been carried out on St Margaret's Lane, Titchfield and Warsash Road since the trial layout has been installed, to monitor the effects of the scheme and ensure there is no an adverse effect on traffic movements in Titchfield village.

3.13 Stakeholder consultations with local Members, Fareham Borough Council and the Titchfield Village Trust are planned to take place following final traffic monitoring which will take place in the area during September following the school summer holidays. These will include traffic monitoring in Bridge Street and Posbrook Lane.

3.14 Upon completion of the consultations a project appraisal will be prepared for consideration by the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management early in the new year.

4. Transport Capital Schemes - 2005/06

Fareham Decriminalised Parking - £130,000 LTP

4.1 Following a report to the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management on 28 June 2005 approval was given to establish a Permitted Parking Area (PPA) and a Special Parking Area (SPA) in Fareham Borough, and that an Agency Agreement for decriminalised parking enforcement should be established with the County Council. Expenditure of £130,000 for set up costs was also approved.

4.2 The next stages will involve:

(i) processing the necessary Traffic Regulation Orders to consolidate waiting restrictions;

(ii) arranging a draft Agency Agreement; and

(iii) making an application to Central Government for approval of the PPA and SPA.

4.3 It is anticipated that the programme to process the above will lead to implementation of the decriminalised parking enforcement (PPA and SPA) in October 2006.

Fareham Western Distributor Road (Schooner Way-Warsash Road) - £1,025,000, LTP, £420,000 EF

4.4 This is the last section of the local distributor road to be constructed and will provide a link between the existing mini-roundabout on Warsash Road at its junction with Lockswood Road, and Dibles Road at its junction with Schooner Way, Warsash. Land negotiations have been completed and the required land for the link road has been purchased.

4.5 Earlier site investigation work identified the presence of Japanese Knotweed on the site, which has a three year eradication programme using herbicides. The programme of Knotweed eradication has commenced and is expected to be completed in summer 2008, when the road construction work can commence.

4.6 Once the new link road is opened, it is proposed that Cutter Avenue will be closed to through traffic at its junction with Warsash Road, except to pedestrians and cyclists. However this is subject to public consultation and the satisfactory progression of the appropriate Traffic Regulation Orders.

4.7 Progression of the detailed design work for the link road scheme will continue in readiness for implementation in summer 2008.

Westbury Road (Path), Fareham - £10,000 EF

4.8 This proposal aims to convert an existing footpath into a shared use cycle/pedestrian route and improve the footpath, linking Osborn Road and the town centre shops in West Street.

4.9 The first stage of work has been ordered to implement the footpath and lighting improvements on Westbury Road (Path). Confirmation of a start date is expected from the contractor and work is expected to start soon.

4.10 Westbury Road (Path) is a public right of way. In order to legitimise cycling on this footpath the necessary procedures under the Cycle Tracks Act 1984 are being progressed and will follow on as a second stage of implementation.

Park Lane, Fareham - Traffic Management - £45,000 LTP

4.11 The proposed scheme aims to provide traffic management and cycle improvements in Fareham as detailed below:

(i) providing a new kerbed island on Gordon Road at its junction with Park Lane;

(ii) providing an on-carriageway passive route (cycle signs and on road cycle symbols only) from Miller Drive, via Park Lane, William Price Gardens to Harrison Road. The route includes provision of a kerbed build out on Harrison Road to enable the cyclists to join the carriageway and also to assist pedestrians crossing the road;

(iii) providing an on-carriageway passive cycle route continuing along Harrison Road to Osborn Road;

(iv) providing an on-road passive cycle route along Southampton Road to Wickham Road including a short section of off-road facility along Wickham Road, incorporating localised footway widening. A Traffic Regulation Order is to be advertised to change the length of the one-way system at the southern end of Southampton Road from 45 metres to 5 metres; and

(v) providing areas of anti-skid surfacing on Park Lane at the junctions of Serpentine Road and Miller Drive, and at locations between North Hill and Serpentine Road. Further anti-skid surfacing is proposed at the bends on Serpentine Road including the junction of Serpentine Road and Mead Way.

4.12 Following public consultations, and revision of the design due to safety audit recommendations, the design work has been completed. The Project Appraisal was approved by the Director of Environment on August 26 2005 and work is scheduled to commence after completion of the work on Westbury Path.

Salterns Lane, Fareham - Traffic Calming - £37,000 EF

4.13 Following public consultations and discussions with local and county Members a report was submitted to the Fareham Borough Council Executive, recommending a traffic calming scheme which included the reinstatement of speed cushions, provision of cycle lanes and enhanced signing and road markings at Salterns Lane, Fareham. The scheme aims to deter unnecessary through traffic from the route, and reduce vehicle speeds in this residential area.

4.14 Following safety audit recommendations, amendments to the design have been undertaken. The Project Appraisal for this scheme, at a cost of £37,000, was approved by the Director of Environment following consultations with the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management and Fareham Borough Council. The work is programmed to commence in September 2005 with completion expected in October 2005.

Yew Tree Drive, Whiteley - £250,000 LTP, £250,000 EF

4.15 This proposal provides a bus-only connection between Yew Tree Drive, Whiteley and the A3051 Botley Road, Swanwick, and includes a new roundabout on Botley Road. The proposal is being developed by Persimmon Homes, and involves a contribution towards the cost of the proposal by the County Council. It is expected that the scheme will enable a bus-only link to be established which will improve access for buses to Swanwick railway station, and improve journey times for both scheduled buses and works buses serving the businesses located on the Whiteley business parks.

4.16 Progression of the scheme is however dependent on the developer's construction programme, which will trigger implementation upon occupation of the 50^th house. The bus-only link is to be constructed by the developer, under a planning obligation for a housing development, which was granted planning permission in January 2005 by Fareham Borough Council. The legal and engineering details of the scheme are currently being progressed in conjunction with the developer.

5. Impact Assessments

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

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

485/JR

APPENDIX

CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2005/06