AT A MEETING of the EASTLEIGH HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL held on Friday 14 October 2005 at the Civic Offices, Eastleigh.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors:

p C. R. H. Davidovitz (Chairman)

Eastleigh Borough Council

Councillors:

1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate, 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. No such declarations were made.

2. MINUTES -

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2005 were confirmed as a correct record.

Arising thereon:

(1) Minute 73(ii) - Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership Infrastructure

The Panel received a paper prepared by the Director of Environment, Hampshire County Council which provided additional information on the Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership infrastructure. Initial indications were that the scheme was proving successful. At the request of Members, the officers undertook to investigate the concerns of taxi drivers at alleged problems presented by the traffic island at the corner of Leigh Road and Upper Market Street which had been left in place for safety reasons.

(2) Minute 73(iv, v) - Winchester Road Traffic Study

In answer to Member questions, the officers confirmed that although currently not in a programme, the Study was the subject of ongoing discussions between officer representatives of the two Councils.

3. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications

4. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations

5. PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMMES The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment, Hampshire County Council (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which provided a progress report on transport schemes within the 2005/06 Capital Programme. A detailed discussion ensued during the course of which the following issues were raised (inter alia): -

(1) Valley Park to Toynbee School Cycleway

In answer to Member questions, the officers reported that discussions were currently taking place over the Flexford Bridge, Chandlers Ford scheme in the light of significant increases in costs since the original decision to proceed was taken.

(2) A27 Botley Road North, Hedge End - Bus Access

The officers anticipated that subject to the caviats identified in the report, the scheme would be completed in May 2006.

(3) Hamble Bus Route 16 - Capital Grant

Members reported encouraging early indications in respect of the new bus service between Hamble/Netley and Southampton which had commenced in September 2005.

(4) Hound Road Cycleway, Netley

In answer to Member questions, the officers reported that various alternative design solutions had been investigated in an effort to reduce costs on the project but each had come out over-budget. Efforts were continuing however to secure the necessary additional funding. In an effort to move matters forward it was agreed that an officer should attend the Bursledon, Hamble-le-Rice and Hound Area Committee informal meeting to discuss options and possible low cost interim measures.

(5) Kipling Road Traffic Management

The officers reported that the public consultation exercise for the forthcoming Kipling Road Traffic Management Scheme should be completed very shortly.

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, Hampshire County Council (Item 7 in the Minute Book) which outlined progress with regard to the 2005/06 Highway Maintenance and Minor Capital Works Programmes and gave an update on the 2005/06 Highway Maintenance Budget. In response to Member concerns at the deterioration of coloured road surfacing in some locations, the officers advised that priority attention was given to those where casualty figures had increased; however, as ever, there were funding issues. The Chairman encouraged Members to report problem locations.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

7. PASSENGER TRANSPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment, Hampshire County Council (Item 8 in the Minute Book) on the current position on local bus service support in the current year and outlining evolving passenger transport strategy for the future.

The Chairman acknowledged Eastleigh Borough Council's concerns at the tightness of the timescale for consultation on County Council proposals for local bus subsidy support in 2005/6 and commended the Borough Council for being one of only two district councils in Hampshire to respond within the requested timescale.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

8. EASTLEIGH TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

The Panel considered the report of the Head of Engineering, Eastleigh Borough Council (Item 9 in the Minute Book) on progress made, and new issues arising, with regard to Eastleigh traffic management since the last meeting.

During the course of the ensuing discussion, attention was drawn to the need for further improvements to the access to the Rose Bowl Stadium, West End.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

9. CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment, Hampshire County Council (Item 10 in the Minute Book) outlining progress on the Hampshire County Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safety Camera Partnership casualty reduction programmes for 2005/06, together with details of the road casualty reduction progress in Hampshire against Government targets.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

10. TRAVEL PLAN PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment, Hampshire County Council (Item 11 in the Minute Book) on progress on the workplace and school travel planning programmes in the Eastleigh area, and associated matters.

The Panel emphasised the key importance of maintaining momentum in the development of school travel plans and were advised that attention was now being focussed on the operation of schemes once they were in place. Members also noted that an officer review of travel plan levels was currently taking place. (para 2.2 of the report refers).

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

11. OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment, Hampshire County Council (Item 12 in the Minute Book) detailing the programmes for street lighting, Hampshire Villages Initiative, bridge works, Intelligent Transport Systems and development-related works. Further to his report, the Director of Environment advised that in respect of the Column Replacement Programme 2005/06 the following schemes had now been completed:-

· The Copse, Eastleigh

· Ormond Close, Eastleigh

· Hocombe Park Close, Eastleigh

· Richmond Close, Eastleigh

The officers then answered detailed questions and undertook to provide further information to individual Members on a number of matters of detail.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

12. ARRANGEMENTS FOR NEXT MEETING.

Members noted that the next meeting of the Panel would be held on Friday 10 March 2006 at 10.00 am at Eastleigh Borough Council offices.