AT A MEETING of the WINCHESTER HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL held on Tuesday 25 October 2005 at The Guildhall, Winchester.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

p T. G. Knight (Chairman)

Councillors:

p F. G. Allgood p P. K. Mason

p Mrs C. B. Bailey a Mrs P. G. Peskett

p Mrs P. Dickens p Mrs J. A. Porter

a Felicity Hindson

Winchester City Council

Councillors:

p Mrs G. Busher p E. Jeffs

p P. Clohosey p R. Knasel

p P. Davies p B. Lipscomb;

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Peskett.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believe 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.

3. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 1 March 2005, were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:-

Agency Arrangements for Highway Verge Maintenance Work carried out by District Councils as Agents for the County Council: it was reported that an explanation of which Council cuts the grass and when would be circulated to Members of the Panel including Parish Clerks.

Traffic Management Programmes 2004/05 and 2005/05: it was reported that preliminary ideas for traffic measures in Church Lane, Colden Common with outline costs for schemes would be included in the next financial year and would be subject to detailed consultation with Parish Councils.

4. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's Communications.

5. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

6. PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME

The Panel received, discussed and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) which provided a progress report on transport schemes within the 2005/06 Capital Programmes. Further to the report, Members were advised that the Bishops Waltham footpath would be formally opened next Summer and that the Sparkford Road Traffic Management scheme had been revised to manage the downhill speeds of traffic and provide an over run area for large vehicles.

In response to a concern about cyclists using the pedestrian refuge through Romsey Road Corridor, the Director of Environment advised that a video survey had been undertaken and the results had shown that there were no issues present.

Members noted in relation to Real Time Information on the internet and vis mobile phones messaging that there was an opportunity to utilise the information and widen the dissemination of information to a greater number of people.

Real Time Information displays at bus stops were provided on a priority basis based on cost and this was part of an ongoing monitoring process.

In addition to the schemes listed in the report, the Director of Environment reported that a scheme for the provision of an off road cycle route from Otterbourne to Common to Thornden School had now been included in the Capital Programme.

The Officers also answered detailed questions and undertook to provide further information to individual Members as appropriate.

7. UPDATE ON HIGHWAY AND MINOR WORKS PROGRAMME 2005/06

Councillor P. Davies declared a personal interest as a Member on the Board of the Winchester Housing Group.

The Panel received, discussed and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) which outlined progress with regard to the 2005/06 Highway Maintenance Budget and Minor Capital Works Programmes and provided an update on the 2005/06 Highway Maintenance Budget. In amplifying the report the Director of Environment reminded the Panel that the Special Maintenance Programme 2005/06 as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, was subject to amendment, if urgent, unforeseen works were required; generally, however, schemes shown in such programme schedules proceeded as indicated.

Officers answered Members' detailed questions.

8. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES 2005/06

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) which outlined the main programmes of traffic management work in the Winchester area.

Particular concerns were expressed at speed limits and there was a general view to reduce the speed limits in the County should be reduced from 30 mph to 20 mph and that there should be additional vehicle actuated signage.

The Officers noted these matters for further action as appropriate.

9. CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMME

The Panel received, discussed and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) which provided progress on the Hampshire County Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safety Camera Partnership casualty reduction programmes, together with details of the road casualty reduction progress in Hampshire against the Government's targets.

In amplifying the report, the Officers indicated their willingness to at all times to investigate perceived high risk locations, whether notified by Councillors or members of the public. They also advised Members that safety measures, once introduced, were subject to regular monitoring.

Members congratulated the Officers on the excellent results achieved.

10. TRAVEL PLAN PROGRAMMES

Councillor Mrs P. Dickens declared a personal interest in view of her employment

with the NHS.

Councillor Mrs J. A. Porter declared a personal interest as a Governor at Peter

Symonds College.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the

Minute Book) which provided a progress update on the workplace and school

travel planning programmes and Safer Routes to Schools Programmes in the

Winchester area, together with information on a recently completed county-wide

personalised travel planning project.

A Member felt that the Royal Hampshire County Hospital should be encouraged

to provide shower facilities and to standardise its travel plans to enforce an

exclusion zone around the hospital so that employees who live within a mile do

not receive a parking permit.

Members were asked to provide any assistance to encourage schools in their areas

to participate.

RESOLVED:

That the progress made with the delivery of the workplace, school and personalised travel planning and safer routes to school programmes in the Winchester area together with the outcomes of the recent InfoMotion personalised travel planning project be noted.

11. PASSENGER TRANSPORT

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11

in the Minute Book) on the position on local bus service support for 2005/06 and

on the evolving Passenger Transport Strategy for the future.

The Panel noted that District Councils had recognised the need to fund free bus

travel for the over 60's and bus passes were currently being considered.

12. MIRACLES PROGRESS REPORT

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) which detailed progress to date in developing and implementing the Multi Initiatives for Rationalised Accessibility and Clean Liveable EnvironmentS (MIRACLES) Project. Particular concerns were expressed about car parking for Hampshire County Council (HCC) employees and overall congestion in Winchester and the Officers advised that congestion was an ongoing problem in the town centre and proposals were being developed for Winchester. Travel planning was being considered for HCC employees and a survey had been conducted and the results were being analysed.

13. OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 13 in the Minute Book) which detailed programmes for Street Lighting, Country Towns Initiative, Bridgeworks, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and Development Related Works for the Winchester area.

In response to a Member question about street lighting and solar energy, the Director of Environment reported that solar energy was being considered within the Department however there was an issue with the size of solar panels necessary to generate sufficient energy to street lights.

Particular concern was expressed about Micheldever Bridge and the pressure to add heavier weights on axels. The Director of Environment advised that when Heavy Goods Vehicle axle weights had increased in the past, Central Government had provided funding through Hampshire County Council bids check structural capacity of all bridges. The Director of Environment could not confirm whether this would be the case for any future increase in axle loading. Historically, solutions for sub-standard bridges ranged from weight restrictions to bridge strengthening but were subject to individual circumstances.

14. MEETINGS OF THE PANEL DURING 2006

The date and time of the next meeting of the Panel will be notified to Members.