Contact: Mike Gannon, ext 6346 email:[email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That approval be given to the attached Project Appraisal, at an estimated cost of £250,000 including some developer funding, comprising:

(a) cycling and pedestrian improvements as part of the environmental enhancement scheme between the High Street and the junction of Leigh Road and Romsey Road, Eastleigh (£150,000); and

(b) addition of a pedestrian phase to signals at the junction of Leigh Road and Romsey Road, Eastleigh (£100,000).

(ii) That under Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980 approval be given to facilitate shared use of the footway by pedestrians and cyclists between the High Street and junction of Leigh Road and Romsey Road, Eastleigh.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aims 2 and 4 (Stewardship of the Environment and Building Strong and Safe Communities) of the Corporate Strategy by improving the environment of the Leigh Road corridor in Eastleigh for pedestrians and cyclists by reducing vehicle speeds, increasing accessibility to the town centre and other amenities, and by providing improved pedestrian and cycling facilities.

2.2 The proposal enables the County Council to complement an environmental improvement scheme being carried out by Eastleigh Borough Council with a contribution of £250,000 to a total scheme value of £617,000. The overall scheme is part of a strategy of environmental improvement works on main access routes into Eastleigh town centre. The project objectives are to:

(i) encourage appropriate building redevelopment and refurbishment to attract more people and activity to the town centre and enhance its vibrancy and identity;

(ii) enhance the public environment for all users, but particularly for pedestrians and cyclists;

(iii) optimise the potential retail catchment area; and

(iv) promote design of an appropriate scale and form which makes a positive contribution to the public realm.

2.3 Hampshire County Council's contribution is focused on improvements to encourage pedestrian and cycling accessibility. It was initially intended to undertake the scheme under the agency agreement with Eastleigh Borough Council. This has been changed to a direct grant to Eastleigh Borough Council of £150,000 for the highway element of the environmental enhancement, which will be carried out under a Section 278 (of the Highways Act 1980) Agreement. The remaining £100,000 is the estimated value of the traffic signal works, which will be undertaken directly by the County Council. The reason for the change is that the scheme is predominantly an environmental improvement promoted by Eastleigh Borough Council and it was considered prudent that the liability of the County Council should be limited to the extent of its contribution.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 In the original design the frontages along Leigh Road were to have been surfaced and car parking prohibited. However, due to future plans for the development of these specific locations, this has been omitted as an unnecessary expense.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor T G Knight

515Decn