Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: SOUTH HAMPSHIRE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ITEM 6

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

FOUR MARKS CE PRIMARY SCHOOL - SAFER ROUTES TO SCHOOL

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 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

120

120

Fees

20

20

140

140

Less developers/

other contributions

140

140

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

140

(b) Other

140

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

140

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

0.7

0.001

Capital charges

14.0

0.011

TOTAL net expenditure

14.7

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 Four Marks CE Primary School. The scheme addresses 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

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

Four Marks CE Primary School has 261 pupils aged between four and eleven, plus a pre-school group for 40 children. Four Marks has around 1,300 dwellings, with approximately one-third of these on the northern side of the busy A31. An estimated 14% of children come from outside of the catchment area.

Because the school is located away from the main built-up area of the village, for many people there appears to be no alternative to the car. Out of 261 pupils surveyed, 41 walk, 4 cycle and 216 come by car (with 41 of these car- sharing). However, half of the car users (a further 108 pupils) said they would be more inclined to walk if the route was safer, or if a walking bus was in place. These measures will complement the School Crossing Patrol currently operating on Hawthorn Road. There is also a footpath from the built-up area all the way along Lymington Bottom Road. Therefore these proposals will provide a continuous link from where the majority of people are coming from to the school (via the crossing patrol).

Flooding currently takes place at the crossing points and remedying this was a high priority in the STP. The flooding leaves mud on the road and footways, makes crossing at the safe crossing points impossible and causes pedestrians to be splashed by passing vehicles. Monies are currently being sought from the County Maintenance budget to contribute towards this aspect of the scheme. However, without the flooding being alleviated there would be little merit in building the other elements of the scheme.

Current poor parking practices mean that existing verge markers are constantly being dislodged and needing replacement. This scheme proposes to replace these verge markers with bollards in order to encourage good parking practice and provide a more robust system of verge edging.

Taking into account the recommended actions outlined in the STP, proposals have been developed in consultation with the school (senior teaching staff and governing bodies), local residents and the Parish Council to encourage fewer parents to take their children to school by car.

2.7

2.8

2.9

Targets and Outcomes

Taking into account the pupils surveyed, this scheme could potentially be of direct benefit to 153 pupils and their families, as well as providing a benefit to the wider community.

These proposals are in an area used by over 95% of those that currently, and may in the future, walk to school. They will encourage new pupils to walk and also enable those that currently walk to continue to do so.

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) installing a new section of footway on Gradwell Lane and widening footways on Alton Lane and Kitwood Road;

(ii) creating a proposed crossing point on Kitwood Road;

(iii) reorganising the junction of Gradwell Lane/Lymington Bottom so that pedestrians do not have to cross between parked vehicles;

(iv) replacing verge markers with bollards; and

(v) installing drainage improvements, including soakaways at the junction of Alton Lane/Lymington Bottom and Hawthorn Road.

Environmental Impact

3.3

3.4

3.5

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, flashing amber lights and the associated construction of a new footway length and crossing point. Some vegetation removal will be necessary in order to improve pedestrian passage along existing and proposed footways.

The junction modification at Gradwell Lane/Lymington Bottom will provide an additional area of vegetation which is at present tarmac.

These roads are all local routes and traffic using them will be warned that they are approaching an area where schoolchildren may be present. These roads are not used as a through route for traffic making longer journeys.

Land Requirements

3.6

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

Statutory Procedures

3.7

The Stage 2 Safety Audit has been undertaken by the County Council; this raised no issues.

Public Consultation

3.8

The school and Parish Council have been involved in the development of both the STP and the subsequent scheme. Frontagers have also been informed and no objections have been received.

Local Member's View

3.9

The local Member, Councillor Kemp-Gee, supports the proposals.

Impact Assessments

3.10

This scheme will ease the crossing of the five lanes' junction for people with disabilities and people with pushchairs as it provides dropped kerbs and tactile paving. The proposals also provide improved facilities for non-vehicle users in an area of need for vulnerable highway users and in particular schoolchildren.

Maintenance Implications

3.11

Delivery of this scheme will remove the need to undertake the flood alleviation scheme within the maintenance budget. It will also remove the need for the constant repair and replacement of verge markers. The revenue implications of the remaining works will be taken into account when the annual base budget is set.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.12

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

Sustainability

3.13

This scheme will improve the environment for pedestrians and may help to reduce dependence on the motor car. It is envisaged that there will be a 5% increase in numbers of children walking to school. In addition, solar-powered flashing amber lights will be used where possible.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

Just delivering the SRTS elements of the scheme was considered. However these would make no impact if the ponding/flooding problems were not rectified first.

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

Four Marks Primary School Travel Plan

Environment Department

Transport Policy