Item 2

AT A MEETING of the TEST VALLEY HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL held at the Guildhall, Andover on Monday, 17 October 2005.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Chairman:

p. Councillor M.J. Woodhall

Councillors:

p M. Cooper a D.A. Kirk

p A.G. Dowden p R.J. Perry

p R. Hughes p Mrs P. A. West

Test Valley Borough Council

Councillors:

P R.J. Bailey p A.V. Jackson

P J.T. Hall p P. Lashbrook

M.D. Hatley p Mrs S. Leach

Councillor Kirk notified that his absence was due him attending a European Social Inclusion conference as a representative of the County Council.

1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

In the absence of Councillor M.J. Woodhall, Chairman of the Test Valley Highway and Transport Advisory Panel, and pursuant with Standing Order 34 (c) of the County Council's constitution, Members of the Panel appointed Councillor Mrs P.A. West as Chairman for the meeting.

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COUNCILLOR MRS. P. A. WEST IN THE CHAIR

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2. 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 debate declare their interest, and having regards 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.

3. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 14 March 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

Minute 75 - Minutes

Since the last meeting white lines had been painted along Pilgrims Way in an attempt to reduce congestion. The results of the scheme were being monitored and if necessary further investigation into the implementation of a Traffic Regulation Order would be undertaken.

4. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman suggested that the public should be further encouraged to attend and participate in meetings of the Panel.

It was also agreed that, because of the influence that trunk roads and motorways have on the surrounding highways network, the Highways Agency should be invited to report to or attend a future meeting of the Panel.

5. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

6. PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 5 in the Minute Book) providing an update on transport schemes within the 2005/06 Capital Programme which included schemes carried over from the 2004/05 Programme.

Discussion focused on the proposed Chilworth to Southampton Cycleway which it was agreed was a worthwhile scheme but not the top priority for the area. Members felt that the money could be better spent on the construction of a cycleway from Chilworth to North Baddesley (between the St Denys Church Bus Stop and the Chilworth Golf Club), which was the preferred scheme of the local community, the Parish Council and local business', including the Chilworth Science Park. This scheme was also part of Test Valley Borough Council's Cycle Strategy (as agreed in July 1993) and, it was suggested, could be financed from within existing budgets (including developer contributions held for that area). Members noted that both of the proposed schemes had been considered by the Solent Transport Strategy Panel, and that following a cycle count on both routes, the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management would be taking a decision on which scheme should be progressed.

Following confirmation that as part of the North Baddesley to Rownhams cycle route, the gateway feature in North Baddesley would be altered to raise awareness of speed restriction, concerns were expressed regarding the presence of Japanese Knotweed in the area. Officers confirmed that funds from the maintenance budget could be used to pay for the treatment of this weed where it was known to occur on the highway, however it was extremely difficult to eradicate. Further discussion was had on progress with the Winchester Road/Cupernham Lane, Romsey scheme (and a potential planning application for that area), the implementation date and site clearance of the Rownhams/Nursling Traffic Management scheme and improvements required at the bus stop in Charlton following the Foxcotte Road/Charlton Road/Hatherden Road Traffic Management scheme.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

At this point in proceedings Councillor M.J. Woodhall, Chairman of the Test Valley Highway and Management Advisory Panel joined the meeting.

COUNCILLOR M.J. WOODHALL IN THE CHAIR

7. 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 Highway Maintenance and Minor Capital Works Programmes and giving an update on the 2005/06 Highway Maintenance Budget. Officers circulated an amended version of appendix 1 to the report (item 6x in the Minute Book). A number of minor amendments to Appendix 2 were noted.

Concerns were raised concerning the County Councils contractor, Raynesway Construction Southern, who it was alleged were regularly failing to commence works on the advised start date.

Following questions from Members it was confirmed that haunching work in Penton was due to begin shortly; it was not included in the report as the scheme had slipped over from the previous years programme.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

8. TRAFFIC MANGEMENT 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 Test Valley area in 2005/06. Officers stressed that those schemes listed in the report were those programmed for 2005/06, and that there were many more that they were aware of and which were being investigated for possible inclusion in future programmes.

Members commented on the progress of several specific schemes listed in the appendix to the report, including the Monxton Parish Partnership and schemes on the A3057. It was requested that the introduction of speed limits on Flexford Road be investigated.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

9. CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 8 in the Minute Book) outlining progress on the Hampshire County Council casualty reduction programmes for 2005/06, together with road casualty reduction progress in Hampshire against Government targets. A copy of the Safety Camera Partnership's `Reducing Road Casualties' leaflet, together with a diagram showing killed and seriously injured accident numbers versus targets (item 8x and 8y in the Minute Book) were circulated.

In the course of the ensuing discussion the following salient issues were raised:

a) Officers confirmed that the casualty reduction targets that the County Council set itself were realistic but also challenging. Although these targets had been comfortably exceeded in 2004, there were many factors outside of the County Council's control which meant that last years success would be difficult to maintain and very challenging to improve upon further for 2005.

b) While the reduction in overall fatalities could to some extent be attributed to external factors such as improved car design, road safety engineering had also had a considerably impact over a number of years. Particular reference was made to the Low Cost High Yield Casualty Reduction Programme which was very successful in targeting locations and areas where there were treatable patterns of accidents resulting in significantly reduced numbers of casualties at those locations.

c) The effectiveness of yellow signs indicating the number of accidents/fatalities along a stretch of road which were often employed on routes with stubborn accident histories.

d) Requests were made for the A338 at Shipton Bellinger to be assessed for inclusion within a programme, as it had been the site of a number of accidents, many of which it was suspected went unreported.

e) It was confirmed that the Safety Cameras used within Hampshire were technologically robust and the data which they collected was accurate.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

10. TRAVEL PLAN PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 9 in the Minutes Book) providing a progress update on the workplace and school travel planning programmes for the Test Valley area as well as the Safer Routes to School programme.

Concerns were raised that few independent schools were engaged in the School Travel Plan process. Significant efforts had been made to encourage them to write such a plan, not just so that potential physical improvements could be made to their local transport infrastructure but also as a vehicle for developing pupils road safety skills. Members asked several detailed questions regarding potential schemes at several schools within the Test Valley, including improvements to the Winton Campus, Andover and Kimpton Primary School. Problems associated with finding suitable candidates to be School Crossing Persons were highlighted, particularly in relation to Knightwood Primary School and Portway Infant and Junior Schools. Officers were aware of these issues and were working with the individual schools to find and implement appropriate solutions.

In relation to work place travel plans it was also suggested that Council meetings did not start at 9.00 a.m. in order to reduce peak time traffic volumes.

RESOLVED:

That the progress made with the delivery of the Workplace and School Travel Plans and Safer Routes to School programmes in the Test Valley area, together with the outcomes of the recent `InfoMotion' personalised travel planning project be noted.

11. 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.

Members discussed the increased energy costs for street lighting, it was confirmed that this had put a strain on budgets, but that the increase was largely due to price realignment following preferential rates received in previous contracts. The energy which was purchased was `green energy'.

Issues concerning bus shelter maintenance, the need to ensure contractors adequately signposted temporary road works and future developer contributions from the Seven Acre Brewery Site and Bordon Chemical Site were also raised.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

12. 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, describing the evolving Passenger Transport Strategy, and providing an update on bus contract retendering and infrastructure improvements through three Quality Bus Partnership schemes.

Members welcomed the `Fare Pass' free travel scheme and hoped that it would be compatible with the Cango service and other forms of community transport, and that credit would be available for the use of taxis, as was the case under the present system.

There was a general consensus regarding the benefits of the various community transport schemes across the County. These were felt to be particularly necessary for links to an from local hospitals and in those areas where bus subsidies were being cut. It was also hoped that the concept of night buses, which were particularly well used at weekends, could be extended.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.