Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: SOUTH HAMPSHIRE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ITEM 6

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

HIGHLANDS ROAD, FAREHAM - PROPOSED PUFFIN CROSSING

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

DECEMBER 2005

COMPLETION DATE:

FEBRUARY 2006

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2005/06

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2005

(at 2005

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

57

57

Fees

13

13

70

70

Less developers/

Nil

Nil

other contributions

70

70

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

70

(b) Other

70

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

70

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

2.6

0.003

Capital charges

7.5

0.006

TOTAL net expenditure

10.1

0.009

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

Highlands Road forms a local distributor road to the north of the A27, on the western side of Fareham. It provides a link between schools, housing areas, shops and churches. A need has been identified to provide a safe and convenient crossing facility at the proposed location.

The 12-hour traffic flow (7 am-7 pm) is over 13,200 at the proposed crossing site, which poses a problem for the 500 pedestrians requiring to cross the road in this vicinity each day. The survey undertaken provided a PV² value of 1.15 x 10⁸, which fully justifies the provision of a formal crossing.

The proposed site is a desired crossing point by many schoolchildren accessing the local Henry Cort Secondary School and the Fareham Park Infant and Junior School. In addition people cross here to access bus stops, the nearby church hall, which hosts regular events, and shops to the north of the site.

The scheme was part of the 2004/05 Transport Capital Programme and will need to be transferred into the 2005/06 programme.

Targets and Outcomes

Road Safety

In a 7 am to 7 pm 12-hour survey period approximately 500 people crossed Highlands Road in a 100 metre section which includes the proposed crossing site. During the same time period over 13,200 vehicles passed through this section of road, providing potential conflict of different road users.

In the three year period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2005 there have been seven recorded personal injury accidents on Highlands Road and Hillson Drive within 200 metres of the proposed Puffin crossing site. Children on their way home from school were involved in four of these accidents, of which three sustained slight injuries and one serious injuries. A cyclist was slightly injured in one other accident and car occupants slightly injured in two accidents. This scheme will therefore help to reduce the risk of further pedestrian accidents occurring by provision of a signalled crossing point to stop vehicles and protect pedestrians as they cross. A high proportion of schoolchildren need to cross Highlands Road on their journeys to and from schools in the area, and the peak hours for pedestrian crossings reflect this, being made between 8-9 am and 3-4 pm. Overall, this scheme will help maintain the trend in the County Council's reduction in road accident casualties to achieve the national targets set for 2010.

A school crossing patroller currently operating on Highlands Road to the south of the junction with Hillson Drive will relocate to the proposed Puffin crossing site, which will enhance the safety of this service.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

The proposal is consistent with County Council policies and the Solent Transport Strategy objectives to reduce accident potential, improve facilities for pedestrians and provide safer routes to school.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

3.3

3.4

The project comprises:

(i) providing a Puffin crossing on Highlands Road, to the north of the junction with Hillson Drive;

(ii) removing a bus lay-by on the eastern side of Highlands Road to allow the optimal siting of the crossing to satisfy pedestrian desire lines, and a new bus shelter installed a short distance to the north; and

(iii) undertaking some minor kerbing works in a bus lay-by on the western side of the proposed crossing to facilitate the installation of the signal equipment and tactile paving area.

A location plan is attached and a detailed plan will be displayed at the meeting.

The crossing design complies with Department for Transport and County Council standards, and has been safety audited at the appropriate stages in the design process.

Environmental Impact

3.5

The provision of a crossing is likely to increase short term congestion as vehicles will be required to stop and wait whilst the crossing is in operation. However, with the current operation of the school crossing patrol, there is already a minor impact on traffic flow, when schoolchildren and parents are guided across the road. Using modelling results of the junction, and the traffic and pedestrian flows recorded in the survey, the average queue at the start of the green signal will be three vehicles for both the morning and evening peak period (ie 8-9 am and 3-4 pm). The average additional journey time for vehicles travelling this route, based on peak period counts, will be six seconds in the morning and seven seconds in the afternoon. The maximum time a vehicle would be delayed is about 16 seconds. This instance would occur when a vehicle is forced to stop just as the lights are changing to the pedestrian phase. All these results are based on the assumption that pedestrians arrive at an average uniform rate, with equal levels of traffic on each approach. It must also be appreciated that a Puffin crossing provides a variable stop period that takes account of the time pedestrians take in crossing from one footway to the other.

Land Requirements

3.6

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

Statutory Procedures

3.7

All necessary statutory procedures have been satisfied in the development of this proposal.

Public Consultation

3.8

Public notices have been posted on site for 28 days, providing details of the proposal. No comments have been received.

Local Members' View

3.9

The local Members, Councillors Bryant and Ellis, support the proposal.

Impact Assessments

3.10

The proposed crossing incorporates tactile paving and audible warnings beneficial for all user groups, in particular the mobility impaired (young and old), people with pushchairs and children, and schoolchildren. Assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in the development of this scheme and it is not expected to compromise equalities in terms of race, creed or gender, but to further improve access for all.

Maintenance Implications

3.11

3.12

3.13

3.14

The revenue implication of this proposal will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

The installation of traffic signals at this location will result in additional revenue expenditure, both in respect of maintenance works and its operation. Maintenance works include repairing equipment reported faults, carrying out a biannual lamp change and undertaking an annual electrical inspection. Operating costs are incurred in respect of electrical power and telecommunications.

The traffic signals equipment is anticipated to operate satisfactorily for between 10 and 15 years. After this time it will need to be replaced. The anti-skid surfacing may need to be renewed at more regular intervals to ensure adequate performance.

If the maintenance costs of new ITS installations and equipment are not taken into account at the setting of the annual base budget, and the budget does not match the rate of growth of equipment, then there will be an increasing pressure to reduce maintenance standards and on the ability to replace ageing and obsolescent equipment.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.15

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

3.16

3.17

The scheme will aid pedestrian movement within the local community, providing a safe road crossing to link residential areas with nearby schools, shops and church facilities. It will help to encourage walking as a travel mode. The Puffin will be located close to bus stops on each side of Highlands Road, therefore this will assist in providing safe access to using this alternative travel mode.

The new crossing also complements the School Travel Plan prepared by Henry Cort Secondary School which has identified the pedestrian routes required by pupils and the need to improve them.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

Alternative types of crossing are not appropriate in this case. The crossing needs to accommodate various pedestrian users from the locality, and also to control traffic flows to enable them to cross in safety.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

Project file

Environment Department

Traffic Management Group, Sheridan House, Jewry Street, Winchester