Contact: Geoff Topps, ext 7959 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the Executive Member for Policy and Resources approves the:

(a) Project Appraisal for Section 4 Waterlooville to Cowplain and Section 5 Cowplain to Horndean of the A3 Bus Priority Corridor, at an estimated cost of £11.936 million; and

(b) conversion of the footway on the western side of the A3 London/Portsmouth Road (between Durley Avenue, Cowplain and Catherington Lane, Horndean) to a footway/cycleway under Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980.

(ii) That a report be provided reviewing public consultation and feedback of results to the public with respect to major schemes, including monitoring of scheme objectives and targets to gauge how well these have been achieved.

1.2 The Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management recommends this proposal.

1.3 On 13 October 2005 the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel recommended the proposal with the addition of Recommendation (ii).

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aims 1, 2 and 4 (Maximising Life Opportunities, Stewardship of the Environment, and Building Strong and Safe Communities) of the Corporate Strategy by creating the standard and quality of public transport facilities and accessibility along this major transport corridor that will stimulate greater use and attract new users who would otherwise use their cars.

2.2 The Department for Transport has approved major scheme funding of up to £25.1 million for this project; its implementation must now be managed to complement the terms of the funding provision. Approval of the final Sections (4 and 5) and the Completion Strategy will allow the project to proceed and be delivered to the planned completion date at the end of 2007/08.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Alternative North-South route options were considered by the original South Hampshire Rapid Transit network studies, along with light rail and guided bus service options. But these were neither feasible nor cost-effective compared to on-road services along the already established A3 route.

3.2 In Section 4, Cowplain, a radical layout was considered to allow buses from either direction to stop on the west (shop) side of the road, but this proved unworkable. Local support favoured a conventional layout.

3.3 In Section 5 the Causeway roundabout junction was investigated to see if improvements could be incorporated for bus priority, pedestrian accessibility, cyclists, safety improvements, access to Hazleton Way and tidal peak hour traffic flows to and from the A3(M) interchange. It was not possible to find a free-flow roundabout junction solution that would provide as many benefits as a traffic signal junction.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ...................................

Councillor T K Thornber

482/GT Decn