Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: SOUTH HAMPSHIRE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ITEM 4

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

TUKES AVENUE, GOSPORT - HIGHWAY SAFETY SCHEME

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

MARCH 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

MAY 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

Construction

62

62

Fees

18

18

80

80

Less developers/

other contributions

80

80

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

80

(b) Other

80

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

80

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

0.001

Capital charges

7

0.006

TOTAL net expenditure

8

0.007

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

Tukes Avenue is a major residential distributor road within Bridgemary in north Gosport. The road carries in excess of 2,000 vehicles per day. It is also a major bus route, with at least eight services travelling this route in each direction per hour.

The route has been identified as having a particular problem with Personal Injury Accidents (PIAs) involving vulnerable road users (pedestrians, pedal cyclists and motor cyclists). During the period between 1 August 2001 and 31 July 2004 there were 15 PIAs recorded on Tukes Avenue (two serious and 13 slight). Of these, 14 involved vulnerable road users, three of which were pedestrians of school age. The accidents have been recorded at various locations along the route with particular clusters noted in the vicinity of Woodcot School, The Parade and the junction with Brookers Lane.

For this reason a scheme is proposed that will reduce vehicle speeds and provide safer crossing points with greatly improved visibility.

Part of the work is due to take place during the school Easter holiday to minimise disruption.

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

Targets and Outcomes

The principal objective of the scheme is to reduce the number of vulnerable road user casualties in Tukes Avenue, in line with the Government's casualty reduction targets, in particular a reduction in child casualties. A 30% reduction in PIAs over the three year period post implementation would be expected.

Comparable similar schemes elsewhere in the county have achieved significant accident reductions. For example, at Forest Road in Bordon, where similar build-outs were introduced as part of a safety engineering scheme in October 2002, there were five slight and one serious PIAs in the three years prior to implementation and no recorded PIAs in the two years post scheme implementation.

Secondary targets are to achieve a measurable speed reduction through the use of local road narrowing and to improve access to bus services. Current 85%ile speeds are between 31 and 32 miles per hour (mph) on Tukes Avenue. Making a comparison to the scheme at Forest Road, Bordon, a 17% reduction in 85%ile speeds has been noted at this location (32 mph recorded prior to the scheme and 27 mph after) and it is fully expected that a five mph reduction in speeds can also be achieved on Tukes Avenue by the use of similar measures.

Consultations have been undertaken on the effects of the scheme design on passenger transport. Significant improvements are expected by the use of on-road facilities and this will in turn lead to the provision of additional parking for residents.

The effectiveness of the scheme will be measured through monitoring accident statistics and follow-up speed checks.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

The scheme supports the County Council's road safety and casualty reduction policies and improves pedestrian facilities.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

3.3

3.4

The proposal is to provide six pedestrian crossing points along Tukes Avenue. The crossing points will be located at kerbed build-outs where the carriageway will be narrowed. The carriageway width between build-outs will be set at 4.8 metres. This is considered to offer the best option for this location, taking into account the high frequency of bus movements on the route and experience gained from schemes at Forest Road, Bordon and Stoney Lane, Winchester where similar widths have been used.

The proposals will provide greater visibility for pedestrians at the crossing points and help reduce vehicle speeds. High friction surfacing will be provided on the approaches to each crossing point to enhance safety. Other work involved will comprise:

(i) minor alterations to some existing junctions to enable improvements to pedestrian crossing facilities at these points;

(ii) an upgrade of school crossing patrol signing to improve driver awareness; and

(iii) minor alteration of three bus stops by providing bus access kerbing. A bus service improvement scheme was undertaken in the Bridgemary Estate in 2004 and these proposed works will extend that scheme to encompass the whole area.

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

Environmental Impact

3.5

No detrimental impact is expected; vehicle speeds are expected to reduce through the use of the build-outs.

Land Requirements

3.6

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

Statutory Procedures

3.7

A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is required to control parking on the approach to one build-out outside Woodcot School. This is necessary for safety reasons and will follow the normal TRO procedures.

Public Consultation

3.8

3.9

3.10

A public consultation has been carried out in the Tukes Avenue area. A letter drop including a questionnaire was undertaken during week commencing 23 January 2006. Two open afternoon/evening exhibitions were held on 1 and 2 February 2006 at Woodcot School which were attended by some 60 visitors. Officers were in attendance to answer any questions and full scheme proposals were displayed. This scheme was also the subject of one of the County Council's first e-consultations with details of the scheme including plans being available on the web-site.

In all, 14 written responses were received, including six from the e-consultation. There were no objections to the overall scheme, which was well received by visitors to the exhibitions. Some detailed points were made on parking and bus stop locations which will be taken into account in the detailed design of the scheme.

A specific consultation has been carried out with the bus operator, First Hampshire and Dorset, and no objection was raised to the proposals.

Local Member's View

3.11

The local Member, Councillor Wright, supports the scheme.

Impact Assessments

3.12

Assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in the development of this scheme. No adverse impact has been identified in terms of race, creed or gender.

Maintenance Implications

3.13

High friction surfacing will be required at the crossing points. This will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.14

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

Sustainability

3.15

Any surplus material arising from construction work will be taken to store for re-use within Hampshire.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

Various options have been considered to try to reduce the number of injury accidents occurring on Tukes Avenue. In September 2002 a trial was introduced to install ripple print pads; initially the scheme produced a small reduction in accidents but this improvement has not been maintained. The trial is still in place but will be modified as part of the proposed scheme. Traffic calming options, eg speed tables, were also considered but were not accepted by Gosport Members. It was felt that a scheme to achieve a reduction in vehicle speeds together with the provision of safer crossing points for pedestrians would offer the best solution to reduce the number of vulnerable road user casualties.

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

Room 307