Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HART HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL
Held at Hart District Council, Fleet on 10 October 2005.
PRESENT :
Hampshire County Council
p Councillor P.R.C. Hutcheson (Chairman)
p Councillor A.P.Collett
Councillor J. Glen
p Councillor D. Simpson
p Councillor S. Wheale
Hart District Council
p Councillor D Gotel
p Councillor N Lambert
Councillor S. Parker
p Councillor Viv Street
1 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where the believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should declare their interest and , having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9,10,11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed. Any declaration to be made at the time of the debate. The were no declarations of interest.
2 MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 March 2005 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.
3 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS
There were none.
4 DEPUTATIONS
There were none.
5 PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment ( Item 6 in the Minute Book ) providing an update on transport schemes within the 2006/06 Capital Programme which includes schemes carried over from the 2004/05 Programme.
The uncontrolled crossing between the two roundabouts on the A323 near Elvetham Heath had yet to be constructed. The scheme had been designed but the discovery of unmarked cables required further work in obtaining costs for their relocation. Work was anticipated during the school summer holidays.
The Fleet Town Centre Improvements would be completed in late November / early December.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
6 UPDATE ON HIGHWAY AND MINOR WORKS PROGRAMME 2005/06
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment ( Item 6 in the Minute Book ) outlining progress with regard to the 2005/06 Highways Maintenance and Minor Capital Works Programmes, and giving an update on the 2005/06 Highway Maintenance Budgets.
The Director of Environment reported that all maintenance schemes should be completed on time.
Concern was expressed at the condition of some pavements in Fleet and whether finance would be available in 2006. It was explained that bids were assessed under the Highways Assessment of Maintenance Priorities (HAMP) rating system independently on a County wide basis. Finance was allocated on the basis of greatest need.
The Darby Green Road, footway widening had high priority for the first half on 2006.
RESOLVED :
That the report be noted
7 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment ( Item 7 in the Minute Book ) covering the main programme of traffic management work in the Hart Area in 2005/06.
Members were advised that the District Council were purchasing vehicle activated warning signs. The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation process was explained. This included consulting local Members and the police before Orders were advertised.
RESOLVED :
That the report be noted.
8 CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMME
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book ) outlining progress with the Hampshire County Council casualty reduction programmes for 2005/06 and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Camera Safety Partnership casualty reduction programme 2005/06, together with progress in Hampshire against the Government's road casualty reduction targets.
Excellent progress has been made in respect of casualty reduction targets with figures considerably ahead of profile at the present time.
In addition the low cost/high yield programme of engineering measures targeted at casualty reduction sites in the treatment of sites identified through the County Council's Casualty Reduction Partnership investigations with the police was explained. Such measures often included improved signing, carriageway markings and carriageway retexturing or resurfacing.
Members requested information on the following projects in the Low Cost Casualty Reduction Programme 2005/06 set out in the Appendix to the report:-
(a) the layout of the junction with Bourley Road with Beacon Hill, Fleet
(b) the latest accident record for Redfields Lane A287 junction at Church Crookham.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
9 TRAVEL PLAN PROGRAMMES
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment ( Item 9 in the Minute Book ) providing a progress update on the workplace and school Travel planning programmes for the Hart area; together with an update on the Safer Routes to Schools Programme.
An increase in organisations developing travel plans was reported. Government funding for the work of the School Travel Planning Team would
continue for a further two years. The team were currently working closely
with 25 of the 42 schools in the Hart area.
RESOLVED:
That, progress made with the delivery of the workplace and School Travel Plans and Safer Routes to School programmes in the Hart area be noted, together with the outcomes of the recent InfoMotion personalised travel
planning project.
10 OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment ( Item 10 in the Minute Book )covering a range of activities undertaken by specialist teams within the Environment Department.
The maintenance contract continued to ensure that over 99.6% of all street lights in the district were functioning at any one time. The cost of energy would significantly increase possibly by 70% in April 2006 when a new supply contract would be required.
Concerns were expressed at street lighting at Crondall and Yateley . Lighting at Yateley was not to the county-wide standard and was due for replacement. The cost of replacement was estimated to be between £500,000 and £1 million. It was reported that Yateley Town Council would be unable to finance the replacement programme.
The County Council funded the annual replacement of street lighting columns at a cost of £1.8million. A total of £50 million plus would be required over the next 10 years. Government assistance would be required if these targets were to be met.
The Government announcement for Public Funding Initiative (PFI) funding was awaited, and this might be an opportunity for the Yateley replacements.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
11 PASSENGER TRANSPORT REPORT
The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment ( Item 11 in the Minute Book ) detailing the position on local bus service support this year, describing the evolving Passenger Transport Strategy for the future and providing an update on the Blackwater Valley Quality Bus Partnership (QBP).
Pressure on funding for local bus services in the county had resulted in the withdrawal of funding for services 25 and 75 in the area.
Concern was expressed at the level of service from the Yateley area connecting to London and other transport hubs. The importance of the Hart Transport Review was stressed. It was suggested that improvements to the infrastructure at Frimley Park Hospital would enable bus access to the site.
Work was anticipated in early 2006 on bus stops on Route 3 in Blackwater and Yateley as part of the Blackwater Valley Quality Bus Partnership.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
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