Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: SOUTH HAMPSHIRE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ITEM 6

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

GOSPORT URBAN CENTRE IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

APRIL 2006

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

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2005

(at 2005

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

124

124

Fees

26

26

150

150

Less developers/

other contributions

150

150

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

100

(b) Safer Routes to School programme

50

150

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

150

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

0.5

0.001

Capital charges

15.0

0.012

TOTAL net expenditure

15.5

0.013

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

This scheme incorporates a number of measures which aim to improve local pedestrian and cycle facilities at five locations in the Gosport area. The proposals are consistent with the County Council's Local Transport Plan through the improvement of pedestrian and cycle facilities which will enhance and encourage these sustainable transport modes.

Gosport Borough Council investigated a number of proposals for pedestrian and cycle improvements in the area. Following evaluation and consultations with the Gosport Members of the former South East Hampshire Transportation Strategy Joint Members' Panel, 20 proposals were prioritised based on access to schools, safety and likely levels of use. The proposals were submitted to the Borough Council's Community and Environmental Board for approval in March 2004 and passed to Hampshire County Council for development and funding through the Capital Programme.

(a) Grange Lane footway improvements (east side) between Samson Close and Cornwell Close. This is a muddy track and is located on private land which is well worn by pedestrians walking over a grass area between the trees to access the local shops, school and residential areas. The new footpath will be constructed approximately 2 metres alongside to provide access for pedestrians including schoolchildren on this convenient route to the local shops, school and residential areas. The footway will provide a missing link on Grange Lane between Samson Close and Cornwall Close.

(b) Jellicoe Avenue proposed pedestrian refuge (south of junction with Western Way). This is a 9 metre wide road and is crossed by both adults and children. It is a main route to Bay House Secondary School and is seen as a highly desirable scheme in order to make this a safer route to school. A survey of the school's pupils identified difficulties crossing the road at this junction.

(c) B3333 Privett Road/Military Road/Gomer Lane roundabout, proposed enlarged traffic islands and pedestrian refuges. This is a completion of various footway/cycleway links which converge at this busy roundabout on a safer route to school. The scheme provides for the existing north-south cycle link to the school's off-site playing fields from Gomer Lane together with a better link to the Alder Lane cycleway from the south. The improvements will provide a shared footway and cycleway and formalise existing use of the footpath. The improved facilities will encourage staff and pupils of Bay House School to walk and cycle to school and assist in meeting the aims of their school travel plan. The improved facilities will assist all pedestrians crossing the road at this busy roundabout.

(d) B3333 Marine Parade East/Portsmouth Road proposed pedestrian refuge. This would provide the convenience and safety of access for pedestrians and cyclists to the existing cycle route in Portsmouth Road which links Lee-on-the Solent with Gosport and to the sea front and residential areas in the vicinity of the Elmore Car park. There are bus stops in the vicinity of Ryde Place and it is a route to Bay House School for a few cyclists. Pedestrians will feel safer as they will be able to cross this busy road in two halves. Other pedestrian refuges are already located along this route, their use does not compromise traffic movement. A pedestrian refuge at this location is not expected to cause any congestion.

(e) Browndown Road junction with Privett Road - Privett Road cycle route enhanced crossing facilities. To aid cyclists crossing this busy road and enhance safety along the existing cycle route it is intended to highlight the cycle crossing area to encourage low entry speed from Privett Road and to relocate the dropped kerbs. Additional road markings will also be required to assist with traffic management.

Targets and Outcomes

2.3

2.4

The proposals for these schemes aim to provide safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists, including schoolchildren, reduce the risk of accidents and improve facilities, including those for the more vulnerable.

The proposal will help Bay House School towards meeting its targets which have been identified in the school travel plan. These are to reduce the number of pupils travelling to school by car to 10% and to increase and encourage more use of sustainable modes of travel, such as walking and cycling. A recent survey by the school identified that people:

(i) walking to school had increased by 4% to 34% since July 2001;

(ii) cycling to school had decreased by 2% to 31%; and

(iii) using a car to travel to school had increased slightly by 1% from 21% to 22%.

(a) Grange Lane - the new footway improvements will provide a safer and convenient route for pedestrians, the mobility impaired and other vulnerable user groups. This is also a route to Grange Lane Primary School, the local shops and residential areas. The improved facilities will help to encourage walking. Three additional street lights will enhance the safety of users and should deter vandalism particularly at night.

(b) Jellicoe Avenue proposed refuge - a recent survey of Bay House School pupils identified difficulties crossing the road at this junction. 85%ile traffic speeds were recorded at 35 miles per hour (mph) at this location during the afternoon peak period between 3 pm and 4 pm, during which time 193 vehicles travelled this residential road. One slight injury accident had been recorded at the junction. A refuge and parking restrictions at this wide junction will formalise a crossing point and make it safer for all users, including children and those residents who need to access the local Alverstoke village shops. The refuge will further help to reduce the likelihood of accidents at this wide junction. Approximately 20% of potential walking journeys to and from the school are likely to pass this refuge. It is estimated that this improved facility would encourage pupils to continue to walk to school and could attract extra walking trips, equivalent to 5% of progress towards the reduce car use target (ie 11 out of 200).

(c) B3333 Privett Road/Military Road/Gomer Lane roundabout - improved cycleway and pedestrian links. This route is a safer route to school and is well used by the pupils of Bay House School which has over 2,000 pupils. Cyclists are currently using the footpaths to cycle on and conflict with pedestrians. This scheme provides for the existing north-south cycle link to the Alder Lane cycleway and links into the existing cycle network to Gosport town centre and will formalise the route. Four accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists have been recorded at this location. Of these one pedestrian was seriously injured, one was slightly injured and three cyclists were slightly injured, two were child cyclists. The improvements will provide a safer route for cyclists and pedestrians and reduce the risk of accidents.

(d) B3333 Marine Parade East/Portsmouth Road - the proposed pedestrian refuge will provide a safer crossing facility at this location for pedestrians and cyclists crossing this busy road. The 85%ile speeds recorded at this location were in excess of 37 mph in a 30 mph speed limit and over 15,000 vehicles were recorded using this route during a 12-hour period. There has been one serious pedestrian casualty at this location. The scheme will help the less mobile and vulnerable groups to cross the road and improve access and safety for everyone to the sea front, residential areas and to the local bus stops in the vicinity of Elmore Park. The improvements aim to encourage people to walk more often and reduce the risk of accidents.

(e) Browndown Road junction with Privett Road - it is intended to highlight the cycle crossing area to encourage low speed entry from Privett Road and move the dropped crossing points. The aim is to aid cycle movement across Browndown Road. This will encourage cyclists to continue using the existing cycle facilities and to continue their journey by joining the ongoing cycle route.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

The schemes are consistent with the aims and objectives of the Hampshire County Council Local Transport Plan and supports Corporate Strategy Aims 2 and 4 by providing improved cycling facilities to encourage alternative modes of transport and an off-road cycle improvement and pedestrian refuges which will provide the public with a safer environment and contribute towards Casualty Reduction Targets.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

3.3

3.4

The proposals include:

(a) Grange Lane footway improvement - 75 metres long x 2 metres wide footway constructed on land between the edge of carriageway and trees on private land between Samson Close and Grange Lane which will link into the existing footpath on Grange Lane. Provision of three additional street lights and associated cabling.

(b) Jellicoe Avenue proposed pedestrian refuge on the south side of the junction with Western Way - standard refuge 6.5 metres long x 2 metres wide with associated dropped kerbs and tactile paving. A Traffic Regulation Order for prohibition of waiting is to be implemented to provide visibility for pedestrians using the crossing facility.

(c) Privett Road/Military Road/Gomer Lane roundabout - enlarging of two existing traffic islands, conversion of the existing footways to shared cycleways, localised widening to accommodate these with red cycleway surfacing on a high demand route and crossing points.

(d) B3333 Marine Parade East/opposite South Place pedestrian refuge -1.5 metres wide with associated dropped kerbs and tactile paving at crossing points. Widening of existing carriageway on southern side to give a total traffic lane of 3.1 metres from kerb to island. Diversion of BT apparatus associated with widening at this point.

(e) Browndown Road junction with Privett Road - Privett Road cycle route enhanced crossing facilities Use of red surfacing on carriageway to highlight the cycle crossing area and improved road markings in vicinity of Privett Road.

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

The schemes have been designed using County Council design standards. A safety audit for the detailed proposal is currently being undertaken and a further safety audit will be undertaken on completion of the works. The schemes are not expected to cause any adverse impact on traffic in the area.

Environmental Impact

3.5

An environmental impact assessment has not been undertaken as the scheme only includes minor modifications to the existing highway. There are no known issues in respect of any of the proposals. The new footway proposed on Grange Lane will enhance the area.

Land Requirements

3.6

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

Statutory Procedures

3.7

3.8

3.9

Approval of the project appraisal will permit the conversion of a length of existing footway to shared use for pedestrians and cyclists under Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980.

To ensure safety and visibility at the junction of Jellicoe Avenue and Western Way a Traffic Regulation Order to implement prohibition of waiting on Jellicoe Avenue south of Western Way is required. Gosport Borough Council is carrying out the statutory procedures and will be consulting with local residents. During informal consultations one local resident, whose property is very close to the junction with Jellicoe Avenue, is concerned about the loss of parking outside the property. There is sufficient on-street parking and most of the neighbouring properties have sufficient private parking available for use. Formal Notices of Proposal are expected to be advertised in November 2005.

All other necessary statutory procedures have been satisfied in the development of the scheme.

Public Consultation

3.10

3.11

No formal public consultations carried out. However, stakeholder consultations have been undertaken with Gosport Borough Councillors, local residents, adjoining land owners, the Emergency Services, Hampshire Association Care for the Blind and the Cyclists Touring Club.

Borough Members, Councillors Clinton, Carter and Taylor, the local residents, Bay House School and the Cyclists Touring Club support the proposals.

Local Members' View

3.12

The local Members, Councillors Edgar, Gill and Mrs Snaith, support the proposals.

Impact Assessments

3.13

This scheme is intended to provide pedestrian and cycle facilities and access improvements. An assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in the development of this scheme; it will not compromise equalities in terms of race and gender but will improve accessibility for all.

Maintenance Implications

3.14

The scheme includes increased areas of paved surfacing, additional street lighting and coloured surfacing. The revenue implications of these items have been considered and will be taken into account in the setting of the annual budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.15

Grange Lane footway - the additional proposed street lighting will deter vandalism and enhance the safety of all users at night and reduce the fear of crime.

Sustainability

3.16

The proposals aim to encourage walking and cycling. The improved facilities will enhance safety and promote greener travel modes.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

Grange Lane footway - an alternative route crossed private land between Samson Close and Cornwell Close, but it has not been possible to secure agreement with the many freeholders.

4.2

Jellicoe Avenue pedestrian refuge - installing a pedestrian refuge on the northern side of the junction was considered but rejected. A bus stop located nearby and lack of visibility would compromise safety. A Zebra or signal controlled crossing could not be justified in terms of numbers of vehicles and pedestrians.

4.3

B3333 Privett Road/Military Road/Gomer Lane - improved cycleway and footway links. There are limited alternative options which secure a safe link from Gomer Lane to Military Road. Provision of an off-road section was considered but following consultations rejected due to safety implications.

4.4

B3333 Marine Parade East/South Place - options considered were provision of a Puffin crossing and locating the refuge further west. Both were rejected. The results of a pedestrian survey gave a PV² average value of 0.429 during peak periods. With the exception of one hour, the counts were lower during the rest of the day. If the refuge was located further west it would not be used.

4.5

Browndown Road junction with Privett Road - the existing refuge on Browndown Road is relatively close to the junction with Privett Road and is on a safer route to school. Cyclists travelling along Privett Road do not use it, preferring the direct route which links into the existing cycle and road network on Privett Road. Relocating the existing refuge nearer to the junction was considered and rejected as it already provides a safe crossing point for pedestrians and schoolchildren.

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

Gosport Urban Centres

Gosport Urban Centres C.J003840

Hampshire Highways, Gosport

Environment Department