Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: NORTH HAMPSHIRE AND SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 3

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

A33 SHERFIELD PARK TO SHERFIELD COURT, SHERFIELD-ON-LODDON - NEW FOOTWAY

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 2006

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

7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

Access to Community Facilities

The new development of 800 homes at Sherfield Park will contain a number of community facilities, including a community hall and shops, which will become key local destinations. The provision of this footway link will provide a safe and direct route for the residents of Sherfield-on-Loddon to access these without reliance on private vehicular transport.

Linking Existing Footways

Whilst there is some footway adjacent to the A33, the section that this scheme proposes to implement will complete the link between the two settlements of Sherfield-on-Loddon and Sherfield Park. It is important to note that without the completion of this missing link the value of the existing footway is negligible and pedestrian travel is discouraged. Both existing and new residents of the locality will benefit from this proposal. Residents of Chineham Housing Development will also have potential access via links into Sherfield Park from Fennell Close, Belvedere Park and Cufaude Lane when the planning process has progressed further.

Access to Parish Church

It is not currently possible for pedestrians to access safely the local Parish Church or the nearby village of Sherfield-on-Loddon when travelling from the newly constructed development of Sherfield Park (approximately 800 homes) due to the absence of a footway. The only current option would be to walk along the existing grassed verge adjacent to the A33 which is uneven and unacceptable on road safety grounds.

The current situation presents a distinct severance issue for any resident of the new development wishing access to the local Parish Church (St Leonard's) without some form of private vehicular transport being available. The present congregation is typically 50-60 for Sunday service with the population of Sherfield-on-Loddon being 1,600. It is anticipated the new development, which is within the parish, will cause this number to rise. The inclusion of this missing footway link will allow the residents of the new development to undertake this journey on foot. The church is located only 600 metres north of this development, and as such pedestrian trips would be actively encouraged without increasing the local parking burden.

7.2

Details

The footway will be 1.5 metres wide and 400 metres long. It will present a kerbed face to the edge of the A33 and be surfaced with bitumen macadam.

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

7.3

Standards

The footway will be designed to current Standards and Hampshire County Council standard details.

7.4

Targets and Outcomes

The scheme outcomes support the following second Local Transport Plan objectives:

(i) to increase accessibility to services;

(ii) to widen travel choice; and

(iii) to support wider quality of life objectives.

7.5

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

The scheme is supported by Sherfield-on-Loddon Parish Council and local ward members of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

7.6

Policy Considerations

This proposal is consistent with aims and objectives of both the Local Transport Plan and the North East Transport Strategy. This facility will be of great benefit to vulnerable road users, eg pedestrians, those with mobility impairment and the elderly.

7.7

Environmental Impact

There is no significant environmental impact from this proposal.

7.8

Land Requirement

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

7.9

Alternative Arrangements

This footway link follows the direct line between the new development at Sherfield Park with the Parish Church. Siting the footway on the opposite side of the A33 where the verge is wider would involve two crossings of this busy A Road.

7.10

Local Members' View

The local Member, Councillor Chapman, and the adjacent Member, Councillor Still, both support the proposal.

7.11

Impact Assessments

The proposed footway will present a smooth surface which will be beneficial for those who are mobility impaired, it will also help children, the elderly and those with pushchairs.

7.12

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

7.13

Sustainability

The measures proposed support the County Council's policies to encourage walking as an alternative to the use of powered transport. In this location the route would become a realistic option for pedestrians to use rather than the discouragement that exists at present.

8.

Financial Arrangements

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

4

Developer Funding

53

Supervision

Project Works

49

Land

____

____

Total

53

Total

53

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

0.4

.001

Capital Charge

5.3

.004

____

____

Total Expenditure

5.7

.005

____

____

8.3

Maintenance Implications

Maintenance of this footway will be in line with other footways on the public highway and will consist of periodic surface dressing and vegetation clearance.

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

Scheme File

Environment Department

Hampshire Highways, Basingstoke