AT A MEETING of the BASINGSTOKE AND DEANE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL held on Wednesday 9 November 2005 at the offices of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

PRESENT:

Hampshire County Council

Chairman:

p Councillor P.A. Heath (Chairman)

Councillors:

p K.G. Chapman B.T. Gurden

p Jo Kelly p J. Maxwell

p Mrs A.M. McNair Scott a S.H. Reid

Mrs E.F. Still p Mrs M. Tucker

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Councillors:

Mrs S.M. Allen p M. Biermann

p Mrs W.A. Court p G.C. Hood

p A.D. McCormick p S. Parker

p D. Putty p Mrs S.B. Rowland

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, normally at the time of debate declare their interest, and having regards 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.

2. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 6 April 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the following amendments:

a) That reference to the A33 Ringway Roundabout at Popley Way in Minute 69 be amended to read `the A33 Reading Road Roundabout and Popley Way junction.

b) That the final line of Minute 69 be amended to read `...the personal injury accidents near the Winchester Road Roundabout.'

Arising thereon:

Traffic Management Programmes (Minute 72)

It was noted that a speed limit review for sections of the B3400 had been earmarked for the 2006/07 Traffic Management Programme. In addition it was confirmed that where possible traffic calming measures were designed to be in keeping with their surroundings and were often designed in partnership with the local Parish Council.

Chineham Railway Station (Minute 77)

Officers gave a brief update regarding the project to open a new railway station on the Basingstoke-Reading line at Chineham. A briefing note would be circulated to Members on the latest position and a full presentation on the project would be made to the next meeting of the Panel, if not sooner.

3. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

There were no Chairman's Communications.

4. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

5. PROGRESS UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME

Members considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 6 in the Minutes Book) providing a progress update on transport schemes within the 2005/06 Capital Programmes.

It was anticipated that the A33 Reading Road Roundabout and Popley Way Improvement scheme would be implemented in the spring of 2006, however this was to some extent subject to the tendering process. With increased development in the Popley area both the need for the scheme and the disruption that its introduction was likely to cause was growing, and it was therefore hoped that it could be implemented as soon as possible. A number of other complementary measures were suggested, including a scheme for the Crockford Lane Roundabout and a pedestrian bridge for the A33. These and other suggestions would be investigated as part of a holistic approach to the area once the current scheme had had a chance to establish itself.

Officers gave a full description of the Brighton Hill Roundabout improvement scheme. While the physical structure of the roundabout would remain unaltered the layout was being changed in order to improve safety. The majority of the scheme was expected to be completed before Christmas. Several alternative proposals were noted, including the introduction of traffic signals (which, it was noted, had previously been rejected as an unviable option) Members agreed to discuss the details of these with officers outside of the meeting.

Further discussion was had on the Gabriel Park Leisure Centre Cycle Route and the safety implications of the Toucan Crossing on Worting Road. Particular attention was paid to the need for a pedestrian barrier at the junction with Mercer Road, issues such as this would be picked up as part of the schemes safety audit.

Members requested that an additional scheme for the junction of the A340 and Priestly Road be investigated. A scheme for this junction was being considered by the County Council's Development Control Department. It was suggested that a meeting be set up involving both officers and local Members of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and of the County Council to discuss a way forward for improveing the junction.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted

6. UPDATE ON HIGHWAY AND MINOR WORKS PROGRAMME 2005/06

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 7 in the Minute Book) outlining progress on the 2005/06 Highway Maintenance and Minor Capital Works Programmes and providing an update on the 2005/06 Highway Maintenance Budget. Programmes for 2006/07 would be agreed later in the year once funding had been allocated. Members highlighted a number of minor errors in appendix two to the report

Concerns were expressed over the general condition of footways within the District. It was agreed that significant levels of investment were needed both in repairing existing pavements, some of which had not been maintained since they had first been laid, and in providing new paths. In addition there were a number of off street paths which were still classified as `rural' but which now needed to be upgraded in line with their urban location. Officers confirmed that strategic improvements to footways was an integral part of the second local transport plan and that Community Street Audits were being piloted by the County Council.

Further discussion was had regarding weed control and the maintenance and cleaning of gullies, Members were requested to report individual instances where there were problems so that the relevant actions could be taken.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

7. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 8 in the Minute Book) providing a progress update in the main programmes of traffic management work in the Basingstoke and Deane area for 2005/06. In addition to the programme reported in the appendix a speed limit review between A30 Water End and Hook had also been included in the current programme.

In the course of the ensuing discussion the following salient points arose:

a) Officers were requested to take the necessary measurements at Bramley Lane, Bramley in order that progress could be made in implementing a speed limit.

b) Confirmation was received that the success of the Highwood Ridge, Basingstoke traffic regulation order would be monitored and the necessary follow up actions taken.

c) It was acknowledged that while in some cases traffic signs could be made clearer, their design was strictly governed by Government guidance notes.

d) In response to a query concerning the Safer Lanes initiative it was reported that the County Council had been monitoring the success of such schemes across the country and so far feedback had generally not been very positive. A number of pilot community `speedwatch' programmes were however being considered in Hampshire for 2006 and areas of best practice arising from those pilots would be rolled out across the County.

e) The costs and benefits of Home Zones were commented upon. Such schemes were most effective where they had been designed as part of a new development; signed speed limits alone for low speed zones often tended to be ineffective. It was noted that the Government was currently evaluating the results of a large number of national pilot Home Zone schemes, one of which had been in Fareham, and would be reporting on best practise in due course. Officers would circulate a briefing note on this matter in due course and a full report would be provided to the next meeting if further Government guidance was forthcoming

f) Following considerable consultation concerning the New Street contra flow bus lane further investigations were being undertaken, particularly with regard to the schemes impact on the wider area, including Winton Square.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

8. CASUALTY REDUCATION PROGRAMME

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 9 in the Minute Book) outlining the progress of the Hampshire County Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safety Camera Partnership casualty reduction programmes for 2005/06, together with road casualty reduction progress in Hampshire against the Government's targets. A copy of the Safety Camera Partnership's `Reducing Road Casualties' leaflet (item 9x in the minute book) was circulated. Councillor McCormick declared an interest in this item as a member of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Advanced Drivers Association.

The tragic news of a fatality at the junction of A340 Aldermaston Road and Bramley Road was reported to the Panel. The local Councillor circulated an email, received from Pamber Parish Council, outlining their safety concerns for the junction. Officers informed the meeting that the County Council would be undertaking a full investigation into the incident in close consultation with Hampshire Constabulary. It was suggested by Members that there were often accidents on this stretch of road, many of which went unreported. Following a full debate of the issue there was a general consensus that, at the conclusion of the police's enquiry, suitable safety measures should be considered by the County Council for installation at the junction.

The benefits of a proactive approach towards road safety measures were highlighted. However it was noted that casualty reduction funding, which had been doubled in recent years, was focused on those areas with a proven accident history. Those locations within the Basingstoke and Deane area with the highest accident rates were therefore prioritised in casualty reduction programmes and recorded in the appendices to the report.

Further discussion was had on the promotion of driver training, the use of police laybys on the A340 for camera enforcement and the need to ensure that accident data was shared amongst all the relevant bodies (i.e. the County Council, and the Police Fire and Ambulance Services).

RESOLVED:

a) That the report be noted

b) That the Executive Member for Environment: North and Spatial Strategy be advised to consider as a matter of urgency the implementation of appropriate safety measures at the Aldermaston Road/Bramley Road junction, following the conclusion of Hampshire Constabulary's investigations into the recent fatality.

9. TRAVEL PLAN PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 10 in the Minute Book) providing a progress update on workplace and school travel planning programmes for the Basingstoke and Deane area, together with information on a recently completed county-wide personalised travel planning project. It was requested that for future meetings the appendix to the report, where appropriate, contain information as to why Safer Routes to School schemes had been deferred.

Members recognised the pressures that schools were under and the difficulties that they faced in completing travel plans. In light of this it was felt to be of particular importance that the Government funding of the School Travel Plan team had been extended and that schools would continue to receive officer assistance. However resources were limited and officers were unable to support every school as much as they would like, Members were therefore requested to encourage schools in their divisions to actively engage in the process. It was noted that while a Travel Plan could lead to engineering works these were not always the answer to a schools problems and the programme also included `softer' educational measures.

Members highlighted a number of specific schemes, including the need for footpath and road crossing improvements at Great Binfields school and several schemes for schools in Popley which, it was suggested, were being deferred until works on Popley Way had been completed.

RESOLVED:

That the progress made with the delivery of the workplace and School Travel Plans and Safer Routes to School programmes in the Basingstoke and Deane area, together with the outcomes of the recent InfoMotion personalised travel planning project be noted.

10. PASSENGER TRANSPORT

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 11 in the Minute Book) detailing the position on local bus service support in the current financial year, and describing the evolving Passenger Transport Strategy for the future. Officers informed Members of those bus services from which subsidies had been withdrawn, some of which would continue to receive assistance from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

There was a general consensus that the new style of bus shelter should continue to be supported, however concerns were raised over the ease of which they were vandalised. It was reported that following the vandalising of a shelter, Adshel were responsible for replacing the smashed glass, at no financial cost to the County Council. The pane would be replaced several times before it was considered necessary to install plastic rather than glass

panes. The shortfall of shelters on certain routes was noted.

Members called for an inquiry to be undertaken into the use of £620,000 of developer contributions on bus services in Beggarwood. This money had been used to support evening and weekend bus services in the area, however it was alleged that the funds had run out and that therefore Stagecoach would be cutting the services. The Panel expressed concern regarding the value for money that this represented. It was therefore agreed that the County Council's Environment Policy Review Committee together with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Environment Overview Committee should be requested to investigate exactly how the money had been spent and whether this represented the best use of the resources.

Further issues raised were the need for a bus service for Binfields, the introduction of a Quality Bus Partnership for Route 2 in 2006/07 and problems with ITS systems in Basingstoke Bus Station.

RESOLVED:

a) That the report be noted.

b) That the Chairmen of the County Council's Environment Policy Review Committee together with the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council's Environment Overview Committee be requested to investigate how developer contributions had been spent and whether this represented the value for money.

11. OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (item 13 in the Minute Book) detailing the programmes for Intelligent Transport Systems, Bridgeworks, Development Related Works and Street Lighting. It was noted that the Cuffelle Close Community Safety initiative was still considered necessary by the Parish Council but was less of a priority than other schemes which they had put forward.

Members went on to highlight the importance of the positioning of the Chineham cycle counter, the need for vehicles to be prevented from regularly leaving Chineham Business Park via the emergency exit and the problem of street lights remaining on during the day. It was also requested that Pack Lane, Kempshott be considered for a street lighting scheme.

Members thanked officers for their hard work and responses to questions and queries that had been raised throughout the year.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.