Contact: Richard Hague, tel (01962) 857807

email: [email protected]

Contact: John Foggo, tel (01252) 774428

email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report covers the main programme of traffic management work in the Hart area in 2005/06. This year's programme is, for the first time, entirely Capital funded and includes Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), signing and lining schemes.

2. Background

2.1 Under the revised agency arrangements for traffic management, Hart District Council has taken direct responsibility for certain traffic management functions throughout the District area on behalf of the County Council. These arrangements have been in operation since 30 December 2004.

2.2 As part of the agency arrangements, regular liaison meetings take place between officers of the County and District Councils to discuss proposed schemes and develop positive partnership arrangements.

2.3 Traffic management issues are raised in a number of ways, usually by Parish Councils, local Borough or County Members or the public. Typically, concerns raised relate to the speed and volume of traffic, congestion, parking problems or potential safety hazards.

3. Progress

3.1 A list of schemes included in the 2005/06 traffic management programme for the Hart District area are shown in the attached appendix. The list includes schemes being progressed by the County Council as well as the Borough Council.

3.2 The Traffic Management Programme constantly evolves during the year, with new schemes that may arise as a high priority being added to the list as appropriate. However, this can have the effect of delaying the implementation of some programmed schemes that have a lesser justification.

3.3 Schemes included in the list are, at this stage in the year, either operational or expected to be completed by the end of the financial year as well as those requiring attention as soon as resources allow. Schemes still being processed in this way can themselves be subject to delay, modification or deletion as consultations progress, or where the TRO advertising procedure gives rise to objections.

3.4 The introduction of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) has settled down well, and in this connection, it should be noted that the District and County Councils are members of the National Parking Adjudication Service (NPAS) Joint Committee. This is the national body, based in Manchester, established under the relevant legislation to provide an independent adjudication service for drivers or vehicle owners wishing to appeal against a penalty charge notice. The County representative, Councillor Phrynette Dickens, is the Assistant Chairman of the NPAS Joint Committee.

3.5 Regulations are expected to be made during the next few months which will enable authorities already operating DPE to introduce camera enforcement of bus lanes under the Transport Act 2000. These will be superseded in due course by regulations under the Traffic Management Act when the provisions for civil enforcement outside London come into effect, although this is not expected to be until at least 2007. They will include not only parking and bus lane enforcement, but also some other moving traffic offences such as banned turns, no entry and yellow box markings.

4. Impact Assessments

4.1 The Traffic Management Programme proposes a set of measures that would benefit all sectors of the community through improved on-street parking controls, assistance to the safe movement of traffic and further control and reduction of traffic speeds. The impact of specific measures would be assessed as they are developed through to Project Appraisal, where appropriate, and following implementation.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

556/RJH

APPENDIX

HART HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL