Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: SOUTH HAMPSHIRE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ITEM 5

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

CHILBOLTON AVENUE, WINCHESTER - PUFFIN CROSSING

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 2006

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

7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

Linden Homes are presently developing land (8-22 Chilbolton Avenue, Winchester) at the Romsey Road end of Chilbolton Avenue, adjacent to Sarum Road. A Section 278 Agreement for off-site improvements includes three new traffic islands, two of which would be built as pedestrian refuges, but constructing them is not straightforward. Chilbolton Avenue is a protected high and wide load route, and constructing islands would reduce the available width, which could potentially impede the transport of these loads.

The initial study into providing improved pedestrian crossings considered installing pedestrian refuges, but the need to protect the route for the transport of high and wide loads reduces the scope to provide them. New regulations governing the transport of abnormal loads reduce the scope for manoeuvring around obstacles, while measures to reduce the impact on abnormal loads of an island in the carriageway could affect its suitability as a pedestrian refuge.

County Council guidance on providing controlled crossings, as opposed to other non-controlled facilities, such as refuges, uses the PV² assessment criteria, which measures the degree of difficulty experienced by pedestrians as a function of their number compared with the volume of traffic. Where pedestrians cross along a length of road, as they do on Chilbolton Avenue, then meeting the minimum PV² standard of 0.5 is difficult.

While a pedestrian count indicates that the current pedestrian demand would not meet the PV² standard, it is possible to assess the additional demand likely to be generated by the development in the immediate vicinity of the junction, and add this to the surveyed figures. This has been done and the predicted PV² is 0.55. There is considerable local demand for a crossing facility here, where children cross to reach Western and St Peter's Primary Schools, and also Westgate and Kings Secondary Schools. The PV² figure may underestimate the use of a Puffin crossing here as local people have identified crossing Chilbolton Avenue as discouraging walking to these local schools. A trial may proceed using temporary mono-blocks to establish whether islands can be installed elsewhere on Chilbolton Avenue. However, the anticipated numbers of pedestrians crossing at this particular point on Chilbolton Avenue is expected to exceed the minimum PV² value at which a Puffin crossing would be more appropriate.

7.2

Details

The project comprises:

(i) providing a Puffin crossing on Chilbolton Avenue, to the south of the junction with Sarum Road;

(ii) removing one tree on the western side of Chilbolton Avenue; and

(iii) relocating one advance direction sign and street lighting. column.

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

Funding for these works is available from developer contributions negotiated in relation to the residential development on Chilbolton Avenue.

7.3

Targets and Outcomes

Chilbolton Avenue is a busy road, with a two-way flow of 1,310 and 1,306 vehicles respectively during the morning and evening peak hours. This volume of traffic is a major barrier to pedestrians, particularly parents walking children to the four local schools, and is made more difficult by the 10 metre width of the carriageway and the prevailing 40 miles per hour (mph) speed limit.

The location of the proposed Puffin crossing is one of the locations identified by residents as desirable for a crossing, and provides a pedestrian route to Western and St Peter's Primary Schools, and also Westgate and Kings Secondary Schools.

7.4

Standards

The crossing design complies with the Department for Transport and Hampshire County Council standards, and has been safety audited at the appropriate stages in the design process.

7.5

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

The design and permitted operation of the traffic signals is prescribed in the Traffic Sign Regulations and General Directions. No additional statutory procedures are required.

The County Council was asked to investigate how crossing Chilbolton Avenue could be improved at the public consultation held for the traffic signals proposed for the junction of Chilbolton Avenue with Romsey Road.

Public notices have been posted on site for 28 days providing details of the proposal. No objections were received.

7.6

Policy Considerations

The proposal is consistent with County Council policies.

7.7

Environmental Impacts

Motorists waiting at the Puffin crossing with their engines running affect air quality by increasing vehicle emissions, but any increase is likely to be small as the operation of the new Puffin crossing has been designed to minimise additional delay. The proposal is considered to have negligible consequences for the environment as a whole but will improve the local environment for pedestrians and is likely to encourage walking, reducing the adverse environmental impact of transport.

The provision of a crossing is likely to increase short-term congestion as vehicles will be required to stop and wait whilst the crossing is in operation. Using modelling results of the traffic and pedestrian flows recorded in a survey, the average queue at the start of the green signal will be three vehicles for both the morning and evening peak period (ie 8-9 am and 3-4 pm). The average additional journey time for vehicles travelling this route, based on peak period counts, will be four seconds for both the morning and evening peak period. The maximum time a vehicle would be delayed is about 16 seconds. This instance would occur when a vehicle is forced to stop just as the lights are changing to the pedestrian phase. All these results are based on the assumption that pedestrians arrive at an average uniform rate, with equal levels of traffic on each approach. It must also be appreciated that a Puffin crossing provides a variable stop period that allows for the time pedestrians take in crossing from one footway to the other.

Removing the tree, which is required to provide adequate forward visibility to the traffic signals, will detract from the visual appearance of Chilbolton Avenue, but at this particular location, other mature trees immediately behind this tree will reduce the impact. The new traffic signal equipment will also have a visual impact.

7.8

Land Requirement

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

7.9

Alternative Arrangements

Alternative types of crossing are not appropriate in this case. The crossing needs to accommodate various pedestrian users from the locality, and to control traffic flows to enable them to cross in safety.

To not provide a crossing facility. This is not recommended as increasing numbers of pedestrians are expected to cross here due to new development in the area. Chilbolton Avenue is perceived as dangerous to cross due to its width, and the volume and speed of vehicles, which in combination reduce the opportunities to cross.

7.10

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Mrs Dickens, supports the proposal.

7.11

Impact Assessments

Red, blister tactile paving and flush drop kerbs will be provided at the new Puffin crossing to guide visually impaired pedestrians to the crossing points. An audible bleeper will operate with the green man signal, and rotating tactile cones will be provided to advise visually and hearing impaired pedestrians of the operation of the Puffin crossing.

7.12

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no implications for this proposal.

7.13

Sustainability

The proposals support Hampshire County Council's Sustainable Development Strategy by helping to reduce the environmental impact of travel.

8.

Financial Arrangements

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

14.75

Developer Funding

56

Supervision

Project Works

41.25

Land

____

____

Total

56.00

Total

56

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

2.1

0.002

Capital Charge

6.0

0.005

____

____

Total Expenditure

8.1

0.007

____

____

8.3

Maintenance Implications

The revenue implications of this proposal will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

The installation of a Puffin crossing at this location will result in additional revenue expenditure, both in respect of maintenance works and its operation. Maintenance works include repairing equipment reported faults, carrying out a biannual lamp change and undertaking an annual electrical inspection. Operating costs are incurred in respect of electrical power and telecommunications.

The traffic signals equipment is anticipated to operate satisfactorily for between 10 and 15 years. After this time it will need to be replaced. The antiskid surfacing may need to be renewed at more regular intervals to ensure adequate performance.

If the maintenance costs of new ITS installations and equipment are not taken into account at the setting of the annual base budget and the budget does not match the rate of growth of equipment, then there will be an increasing pressure to reduce maintenance standards and on the ability to replace ageing and obsolescent equipment.

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

Intelligent Transport Systems

Monument House