AT A MEETING of the NEW FOREST TRANSPORT STRATEGY PANEL held on Thursday 27 October 2005 in the Wellington Room, Hampshire County Council Offices, The Castle, Winchester.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Chairman:

p Councillor J.K. Glen

Councillors:

p Mrs P.G. Banks p L.T. Dunsdon

p B.D. Dash p Mrs K. Heron

New Forest District Council

Councillors:

p M. H. G. Fidler p J.D. Heron

p D.N. Scott p Mrs P.A. Wyeth

Test Valley Borough Council

Councillors:

p Councillor A. Gentle p C. Lewis

Councillor M.J. Kendal was also present for the meeting.

12. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

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.

13. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

Feedback on Local Transport Plan (item 8)

The A326 to Tatchbury Mount link road scheme had been recorded for assessment within the 2006-2011 Local Transport Plan (LTP) programme.

Operation of New Forest Roads Sub-Group (item 11)

It was confirmed that the sub-group was constituted of Councillors Kendal, Wyeth, Banks and Heron, and was chaired by Councillor Glen.

14. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's communications

15. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

16. LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 5 in the Minute Book) providing an update on the development of the full LTP. Discussion focused on the inadequacies of the Government's funding formula, which was based on population and failed to take into account the actual requirements of an area. These issues had been raised by officers with the Government.

RESOLVED:


That the timetable and details for the development of the full Local Transport Plan be noted.

17. CAPITAL PROGRAMME AND SCHEME ASSESSMENT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 6 in the Minute Book) discussing the five year transport capital programme put forward in the County Council's provisional Local Transport Plan and proposing a way forward to finalising the 2006/07 programme.

In the ensuring discussion the following salient points arose:

a) Although only £1 million per year had been provisionally allocated to air quality schemes, funding from other programs, such as congestion, would be to the benefit air quality, particularly in designated Air Quality Management areas.

b) The Quomp, Ringwood had been added into the 2006/07 provisional program since the last meeting of the Panel.

c) The benefits of `unmade' paths (a opposed to pavements) for pedestrians adjacent to country lanes were highlighted.

d) Cango schemes were welcomed, however it was felt that they needed to be marketed more effectively in order to maximize their benefits.

e) Members requested that a number of schemes be investigated, including improvements to the Romsey Road/Buttons Lane junction, alterations to the A36/Canada Road roundabout and the need for a street light in Minstead.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy be advised of the Panel's agreement with the spending plan, provisional Capital Programme for 2006/07 and the local priorities identified for the next five years (subject to those issues mentioned above).

18. THE PROVISIONAL LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN 2006-2011: AREA STRATEGIES AND ACCESSIBILITY

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 7 in the Minute Book) including those sections of the provisional LTP relating specifically to the New Forest Strategy Area and outlining how work on accessibility initiatives and improvements will be progressed in Hampshire over the LTP2 period.

Members expressed disappointment at the removal of subsidies from several bus services within the New Forest. This was of particular concern due to the imminent introduction of a new senior citizen bus pass scheme. Members requested that a report on bus services in the New Forest be submitted to a future meeting of the Panel. Strong support was expressed for the New Forest Tour bus and the need for this service to continue.

Further discussion was had on proposed sign clutter pilots. Although this scheme was welcomed, it was suggested that, in addition to auditing official signage, the pilot should also consider the Councils policy on `brown' tourist information signs and illegal signs on the highway.

RESOLVED:

a) That the report be noted.

b) That the Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy be advised of the Panel's views (as listed above) on the New Forest area strategy sections of the LTP and further accessibility and sign clutter pilots.

19. NEW FOREST TRANSPORT STRATEGY UPDATE

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 8 in the Minute Book) giving an update on recent decisions impacting on the strategy area.

Members welcomed the progress made regarding the introduction of weight restrictions on the B3078/B3079/B3080, and requested that a suitable scheme be implemented as soon as possible.

Contrary to information contained within paragraph 4.1 of the report it was noted that the County Council had approved the New Forest parking clock scheme for a further 24 months (rather than 12 months as stated). It was also noted that the Hythe Ferry Car Park clock scheme operated separately to the rest of the New Forest.

Concerns were raised regarding the effect that the amended scheme would have on part time workers, especially those who worked in charity shops. Two potential alternatives were available to such people, either they could buy a short stay parking clock for £8 plus an additional parking ticket (i.e. a three hour clock with a 50 pence parking ticket thus allowing 4 hours parking), or the employer could buy a long stay clock which could be used by whichever employee was working that day.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and that the Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy be advised of the views of the Panel.