Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: NORTH HAMPSHIRE AND SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 2

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

GABRIEL PARK TO WEST HAM, BASINGSTOKE - TOUCAN CROSSING AND PHASE I CYCLE ROUTE

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 2006

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2005/06

7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

As part of the measures associated with the Sainsbury's development at Hatch Warren, Basingstoke, the cycle route was identified to cater for and encourage cycling in the corridor between Gabriel Park on the south-west of the town and the leisure centre at West Ham, west of the town centre. This route incorporates quiet streets in housing areas, routes through open spaces, access to and from schools and provides a signed, safer route for cyclists. In addition the route incorporates crossing points of busier roads for cyclists and pedestrians, making use of an existing pedestrian crossing over the A30 at Homestead Road and providing a new crossing over the B3400 Worting Road at Greenway. The cycle route will contribute to the development of the Basingstoke Cycle Network and enable future development of routes to the north of Worting Road. The proposed Gabriel Park to West Ham cycle route forms a key component of the Basingstoke Cycle Route Network, being one of two major links serving the entire western side of the town, and enable future development of routes to the north of the railway.

7.2

Details

The main component of phase I is a Toucan crossing over the busy B3400 Worting Road at the Greenway, which will enable cyclists to cross the road in safety and provide a key link in developing the Basingstoke Cycle Route Network. It will also provide a much needed alternative for less able pedestrians, especially from the nearby sheltered housing, Fiske Close, who have adopted the habit of crossing the road at ground level instead of negotiating the steep access ramps and steps on the approaches to a pedestrian footbridge at this location.

The crossing will enable the removal of the existing footbridge, which otherwise requires £25,000 of refurbishment to arrest deterioration, and to bring the bridge approaches to Disability Discrimination Act standards by constructing a series of zig-zag ramps. At present elderly pedestrians from nearby sheltered accommodation, Fiske Close, are unable to use the steps on the southern approach to the footbridge to access the nearby bus stops which they reach by crossing the road. Even this refurbishment, however, would not bring the bridge to a usable condition for cyclists due to its narrow width and the need for a costly approach ramp. An approach ramp suitable for cyclists would be environmentally unacceptable in close proximity to nearby housing due to the length and height required.

Phase I of the cycle route comprises:

(i) a signed cycle route between Pinkerton Road and the West Ham leisure centre, part on quiet residential roads and part off-road;

(ii) a Toucan crossing over the busy B3400 Worting Road; and

(iii) improved access footways between the Toucan crossing and closely associated east and west bound bus stops on Worting Road.

A location plan is attached and a detailed plan will be displayed at the meeting.

Initial design of the whole cycle route was undertaken by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council under the Agency Agreement. Subsequent detailed design has been undertaken by the County Council.

7.3

Targets and Outcomes

Completing phase I of the Gabriel Park to West Ham cycle route will provide a key component in the Basingstoke Cycle Route Network, enabling crossing of the busy Worting Road. This will provide a safer route away from the very busy local distributor roads of Kempshott Lane and Worting Road. Cyclists are not presently specifically catered for in western Basingstoke at present. Providing a safer alternative route across this side of town will provide a route for cyclists and help in reducing cyclist accidents in western Basingstoke.

Against the LTP target of a 40% reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured, and a 10% reduction in slight injuries by 2010 compared to the average 1994-98 level, this scheme will contribute to the reduction of cyclist accidents in western Basingstoke. Between May 2002 and November 2004, eight accidents involved cyclists in the area north-west of A30 Winchester Road and A340 Ringway West. The presence of the cycle route will emphasise the presence of cyclist facilities and encourage cyclists to use a signed route for longer distance journeys within Basingstoke, so contributing to reduced cyclist accidents.

A survey of pedestrian and cyclist crossing movements, both using the bridge and crossing the road at ground level, together with vehicle volumes on Worting Road has been undertaken on a weekday during September 2005. Some 18,000 vehicles per day use Worting Road and 450 pedestrians and cyclists cross, resulting in an average PV² value of 2.06 x 10⁸ during the four busiest hours of the day, which more than meets the normal numerical criteria.

7.4

Standards

The crossing design complies with Department for Transport and County Council Standards, and has been safety audited at the appropriate stages of the design process.

7.5

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

All necessary statutory procedures have been satisfied in the development of this proposal.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council supports the scheme. On behalf of the County Council the Borough Council undertook consultation with the Basingstoke Bicycle User Group (BBUG) in 2003, which supports the route as part of the overall Basingstoke Cycle Network. In 2004 the Borough Council also consulted with residents of the West Ham estate on the presence of the cycle route adjacent to local housing. Concerns raised by residents over the potential for motorcyclists using the Greenway have been addressed in the design of the scheme by locating suitable bollards on the Greenway.

Following normal County Council procedures the proposal to construct the Toucan crossing was advertised for 28 days. Two telephone enquiries were received but these have not resulted in written comments or objections.

Cycling is permitted on the Greenway and on the footways on the north side of Worting Road, all of which have highway rights across them. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has agreed to dedicate the land required across the southern verge of Worting Road (presently public open space) as cycleway to be maintained at public expense.

On behalf of the County Council the Borough Council reduced the speed limit from 50 miles per hour (mph) to 40 mph in March 2005 in keeping with requirements for the installation of a signalised crossing.

7.6

Policy Considerations

The proposal is consistent with County Council policies to reduce accident potential, improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and provide safer routes to school.

7.7

Environmental Impacts

Removing the unsightly 1960s footbridge deck, guard railing and supporting legs in the following financial year (to be funded separately) will improve the visual environment. This is welcomed by local residents and the Borough Council. The earth mounds at either end of the existing bridge will remain but landscaping will improve their appearance.

Operation of the new Toucan crossing is likely to incur a short increase in journey times along the B3400 Worting Road as vehicles will be required to stop whilst the crossing is in operation. However, the currently slow moving eastbound queue on Worting Road already delays the peak period traffic towards the existing leisure centre/fire station Pelican crossing and the West Ham gyratory.

In reality, vehicles in the moving queue in peak hours, which are delayed by the new crossing will catch up with the remainder of the queue once released, hence nullifying additional delays during this time. In the off peak period, it is estimated that the average delay to vehicles would be approximately six seconds each time the crossing is used

7.8

Land Requirement

No additional land required. All works to be confined within existing public highways limits.

7.9

Alternative Arrangements

The proposed alignment of the cycle route results from an elimination of a range of alternative routes in the corridor from Gabriel Park to West Ham, as confirmed by a consultants report. The alternatives included making use of an advisory cycle route on Kempshott Lane, and the use of a variety of combinations of quieter roads and off-road paths through the housing areas in the corridor. These were less desirable than the proposal.

Several alternatives were considered for crossing Worting Road, including use of the fire station Pelican crossing some 400 metres east of Greenway, and use of a new crossing midway between the fire station crossing and Greenway, together with modifications to the existing bridge. These alternatives require duplicating existing footways or construction of an environmentally intrusive ramp to the bridge.

7.10

Local Members' View

The local Members, Councillors Kelly and Reid, support the proposal.

7.11

Impact Assessments

The proposed crossing incorporates tactile paving and audible warnings beneficial for all user groups, in particular the mobility impaired (young people, those with wheelchairs and elderly residents from the nearby sheltered accommodation). Assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in the development of the scheme and it is not expected to compromise equalities in terms of race, creed or gender but to further improve access for all.

7.12

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

7.13

Sustainability

The scheme will aid pedestrian and cyclist movement within north-west Basingstoke, providing a safe road crossing to link residential areas with leisure facilities and enable future extension of the wider Cycle Route Network. It will help to encourage cycling as a travel mode. Additionally the scheme resolves a long standing difficulty faced by elderly and mobility impaired pedestrians who at present cross the road through traffic, being unable to mount the steps of the existing footbridge.

8.

Financial Arrangements

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

( 68

(

Developer Funding

160

Supervision

Project Works

92

Land

____

____

Total

160

Total

160

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

4.3

0.005

Capital Charge

11.5

0.009

____

____

Total Expenditure

15.8

0.014

____

____

8.3

Maintenance Implications

The revenue implication of this proposal will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

The installation of traffic signals at this location will result in additional revenue expenditure, both in respect of maintenance works and their operation. Maintenance works include repairing equipment related faults, carrying out a biannual lamp change and undertaking an annual electrical inspection. Operating costs are incurred in respect of electrical power and telecommunications.

The traffic signal equipment is anticipated to operate satisfactorily for between 10 and 15 years. After this time it will need to be replaced. The anti-skid surfacing may need to be renewed at more regular intervals to ensure adequate performance.

If the maintenance costs of new ITS installation and equipment are not taken into account at the setting of the annual base budget, and the budget does not match the rate of growth of equipment, then there will be an increasing pressure to reduce maintenance standards and on the ability to replace ageing and obsolescent equipment.

A saving of £25,000 in bridge refurbishment and works, together with saved ongoing maintenance works will be incurred by constructing the crossing.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

Basingstoke: Worting Road B3400 Toucan

Basingstoke Cycle Network

Environment Department

Sheridan House

Sheridan House