Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: NORTH HAMPSHIRE AND SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 3

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

HURSTBOURNE TARRANT CE PRIMARY SCHOOL - SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 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

95

95

Fees

25

25

120

120

Less developers/

other contributions

120

120

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

115

(b) Hampshire Village Initiatives

5

120

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

120

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

1.3

0.002

Capital charges

12.0

0.010

TOTAL net expenditure

13.3

0.012

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

The proposals are intended to make non-car journeys to school safer and easier for pupils of Hurstbourne Tarrant CE Primary School. The scheme addresses the concerns raised in the School Travel Plan (STP) which was received by the County Council School Travel Planning Team in March 2003. The overall objective is to encourage as many children as reasonably possible to be more active and independent by walking to school on a regular basis.

2.2

Hurstbourne Tarrant Primary School has 110 pupils aged between four and eleven. A large proportion of these children live within walking distance and would like to walk to school, however the `S' bend is perceived as a major hazard by many parents. Currently, out of 106 pupils surveyed, 38 walk and 62 are taken and picked up by car. Of this 62, only four pupils car share and none cycle.

2.3

There is currently no School Crossing Patrol site at Hurstbourne Tarrant. However the village is well served with footways and continuous links are available between where the majority of people live and the school.

Targets and Outcomes

2.4

2.5

The hands-up survey detailed above indicated that, if the appropriate infrastructure was in place, a further 24 pupils would prefer to walk to school and five pupils expressed a wish to cycle. Therefore this scheme will be a potential benefit to 67 pupils and their families as well as to the wider community.

This scheme also meets the expectations published in the recent Government Education White Paper `Higher Standards, Better Schools For All: More Choice for Parents And Pupils'. Local Authorities are encouraged to use innovative solutions which include the development of safe walking routes as part of their new duty to support choice, diversity and fair access.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

This scheme forms part of the developing County Council programme of Safer Routes to School infrastructure initiatives linked to STPs.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

The scheme comprises:

(i) providing improved signing and lining to enhance drivers' awareness in the vicinity of the `S' bend;

(ii) constructing a new section of footway along B3048 Church Street, plus footway widening. This will provide a continuous link from Church Street to the school and past the bus stop;

(iii) realigning the junction outside the public house to reduce the area currently given over to vehicles at the location. An added benefit of this is the larger area of public space it will create;

(iv) installing an informal crossing point on the A343;

(v) constructing a new section of footway on Upton Road; and

(vi) installing timber bollards at junctions to provide extra protection for pedestrians.

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

Environmental Impact

3.3

This scheme will contribute to a safer and improved environment for pedestrians and vulnerable road users, in particular schoolchildren. There will be some visual impact from the addition of limited areas of coloured carriageway surfacing, the provision of new warning signs and the associated construction of new footway. Construction materials have been carefully chosen so as to be as sympathetic as possible to the nature of this village without compromising on safety.

Land Requirements

3.4

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

Statutory Procedures

3.5

The Stage 2 Safety Audit has been undertaken by the County Council and all issues raised have been resolved.

Public Consultation

3.6

The school and Parish Council have been involved in the development of both the STP and subsequent scheme. All residents and frontagers have been consulted and are now keen to see the proposals implemented as soon as possible. In addition several public meetings with the Parish Council have taken place and these proposals have the full support of the Parish Council.

Local Member's View

3.7

The local Member, Councillor Hughes, supports the proposals.

Impact Assessments

3.8

3.9

This scheme will help pedestrian movements along Church Street and the A343, particularly people with disabilities and people with pushchairs, as it provides new and improved footway, dropped kerbs and tactile paving. The proposals also provide improved facilities for non-vehicle users in an area of need for vulnerable highway users, in particular schoolchildren.

The whole community will benefit from the addition of public space and new and improved footways which have been designed to enhance and complement the special nature of the village. For example, the public house is Grade II listed, and the footway outside is to be surfaced with conservation materials sympathetic to the building.

Maintenance Implications

3.10

There will be an addition to the maintenance costs following the implementation of this scheme, however the revenue implications will be taken into account when the annual base budget is set.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.11

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

Sustainability

3.12

This scheme will improve the environment for pedestrians and may help to reduce dependence on the motor car. In addition, solar-powered flashing amber lights will be used where possible.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

A basic scheme was considered without the use of sympathetic materials. However this was rejected on the basis of the scheme being unsympathetic in a heritage and conservation area. The additional cost of using more sympathetic materials is approximately £20,000 and covers the cost of natural stone setts and countryside kerbing.

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

Hurstbourne Tarrant Primary School Travel Plan

Environment Department

Transport Policy