Item 3b

AT A MEETING of the RUSHMOOR HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION PANEL held in the Members Room, Civic Offices, Farnborough Road, Farnborough on 28 October 2005.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Councillors:

p R.J. Baulk (Chairman)

p Mrs. P.M. Devereux

R.J. Kimber

p Mrs. C.A. Leversha

Rushmoor Borough Council

Councillors:

p D. Clifford

p R.G.L. Dibbs

p J.P. Matthews

p M. Roberts

a J.J. Walls

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 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. Any declaration to be made at the time of the debate. There were no declarations of interest.

2 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman announced that the report containing items raised by District Council Members had been moved up the agenda to item 5.

3 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

4 PASSENGER TRANSPORT REPORT

The Panel further considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) and Blackwater Valley Bus Route 1 Corridor Improvements - Safety Audit Reports.

Members were concerned at the reduction in bus subsidies and services in north east Hampshire. Councillor Roberts requested a definitive report setting out the outcomes and effects of reductions outside the Quality Bus routes; with more detail on services to be cut.

The Director of Environment explained that subsidies had not been reduced, but that companies had increased tender prices and sought to minimise losses on routes which were not viable. The success of services was attributed to reliability and fare prices.

Discussion ensued around the following inter alia:

· Likely outturn or effects on the commercial bus network in changing levels of subsidies


· Travel to Work Plans


· Identification in detail of pressures that cause bus costs to rise


· Losses on rural services


· Use of bus lanes and their use by taxis and motorcycles


· Frequency and reliability as a determining factor for bus use


Members requested that reports be presented to the Spring 2006 meeting of the Panel as set out in the resolutions below; and that also every endeavour be made to reach a decision on (ii) by the end of 2005.

RESOLVED:


(a) That a safety audit be undertaken into the use of bus lanes by motorcycles on all sections except Prospect Avenue and Bradfords roundabout northbound where there is a bus lane;


(b) That the section of bus lane between the Toucan Crossing south of the Bradford roundabout and Ship Lane be removed, and that a decision be requested before the end of 2005, and, if applicable, setting out time-scales for their removal;


(c) That traffic flows and traffic merging problems between Farnborough Gate and Bradford roundabout be investigated;


(d) That, an appraisal be carried out of traffic conditions between Kingsmead and Victoria Road, which should be considered in the light of development proposals in the area;


(e) That, left turning traffic from Sycamore Road to the A325 be examined,


(f) That progress reports be presented on each of the above items be presented to the Spring 2006 meeting.

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