Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: SOUTH HAMPSHIRE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ITEM 2

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

CHESTNUT AVENUE, EASTLEIGH - CYCLES

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

MAY 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

AUGUST 2006

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2006/07

7.

Scheme

7.1

Introduction

The proposal aims to create a new off-road shared use cycleway along Chestnut Avenue from the Falkland Road roundabout to the junction of Nightingale Avenue. It will eventually form part of the strategic east-west link from Southampton Parkway Rail Station to Falkland Road, and improve access to Eastleigh town centre for pedestrians and cyclists. The existing north-south routes connect into Parkway Station via Stoneham Lane and Doncaster Drove.

Nightingale Avenue provides a low speed and low flow environment suitable for on-road cycling, and provides a connection to the existing routes to Fleming Park. The scheme will provide improved access for cyclists and pedestrians from the business and residential areas to existing cycle infrastructure, leading to the recreational and amenity areas of Fleming Park and Eastleigh town centre. Additionally, Eastleigh Borough Council is planning to have a new youth facility situated at the end of Stoneycroft Rise built and operational by summer 2006. The facility will be aimed at 12-18 years olds. It will include a BMX park, skateboard park and an all-weather games area that will be lit.

7.2

Details

There is currently insufficient funding to complete the total route along Chestnut Avenue. Instead, negotiations are under way with developers of local development sites in the vicinity of Chestnut Avenue, which is expected to deliver the further sections leading to the completion of the route. Developer contributions from the Stoneycroft Rise development have already been collected and therefore this part of the route is being implemented first. A Puffin crossing, ready for upgrade to a Toucan and incorporation into this scheme, has recently been implemented immediately west of the Falkland Road roundabout. Contributions are specific to the provision of a new cycleway in Chestnut Avenue within the vicinity of the site, the improvement of pedestrian links to Eastleigh town centre, and the supply and erection of two new bus shelters on Chestnut Avenue. Funding from this development is not available for any other measures, apart from traffic calming on Falkland Road that has been completed. The late addition of works at the Falkland Road roundabout to improve connectivity to Falkland Road, and additional improvements to the street lighting have been included in the scheme. This, together with a review of the scheme estimate, has resulted in the cost estimate of £250,000 being revised to £301,000. It is proposed that, subject to the approval of this Project Appraisal, the Capital Programme is revised at the March decision day, to reflect the increased project costs and the revised start within the 2006/07 financial year.

Traffic surveys undertaken adjacent to Chestnut Rise in September 2004 (12-hour period) show 7,952 vehicles travelling east to west and 7,786 travelling west to east. Travelling east to west this represents on average a vehicle every six seconds, rising to one every 3½ seconds in the morning peak. There are no accidents reported on this section of Chestnut Avenue.

Contributions have been directed towards this project because the scheme forms part of the east-west Eastleigh Cycle Route Network. It links the new business estates in the vicinity of the Falkland Road roundabout with the residential Avery Estate, and it provides access from the cycle network to the proposed new youth facility at Stoneycroft Rise. The Section 106 developer agreement is very specific about where and on what the funding can be spent. This scheme forms the balance of works under the agreement, with traffic calming on Falkland Road and pedestrian crossing on Chestnut Avenue having already been completed.

The proposal includes:

(i) widening the existing footway on the north-east side of Chestnut Avenue to 3 metres to accommodate the shared use with cyclists;

(ii) upgrading the existing Puffin crossing on Chestnut Avenue west of the Falkland Road roundabout;

(iii) providing a pedestrian and cycle phase at the existing traffic signal controlled junction at Nightingale Avenue;

(iv) providing additional uncontrolled crossing points along the route;

(v) installing two new bus shelters to the existing bus stops east of the Falkland Road roundabout;

(vi) improving street lighting, which will not affect any future street lighting Private Finance Initiative; and

(vii) installing associated cycle route signage and street furniture.

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

7.3

Targets and Outcomes

Implementation of the scheme is aimed at achieving the following outcomes, which are consistent with the Local Transport Plan objectives.

(i) Workplace travel plans and improving workplace access using sustainable modes

It is a requirement of the planning conditions between the developer and Eastleigh Borough Council that on occupation the owners will require the tenant to formulate and implement a Green Travel Plan prepared with the object of reducing the use of private cars and encouraging the use of alternative forms of transport to and from the property by members of staff.

The two improved bus stops will assist with the aim of encouraging access by public transport. The cycleway will link in with the strategic cycle network for the area and it has a direct link into the nearby Avery Estate.

(ii) Cycling Trips

The scheme will assist the target of halting the decline of cycling trips by focusing resources on measures that encourage utility cycling, such as journeys to work. Traffic surveys undertaken immediately west of the Falkland roundabout in January 2003 (10-hour period) and adjacent to Chestnut Rise in September 2004 (12-hour period) show respectively a total of 66 and 90 cyclists using the carriageway. In addition to utility cycling trips it is likely that the proposed youth facility, planned to be operational by summer 2006, will generate a considerable number of recreational cycle trips. The facility has been designed as the primary BMX and skateboard facility in the area for 12-18 year olds. Only a small car park has been incorporated for one-off events, and it is expected that the majority of users will reach the facility either on bike or foot. It has been designed for upwards of 70 users, with funding secured from developer contributions.

(iii) Promote safety by providing an off-road shared use cycleway.

(iv) Improve footway condition by upgrading approximately 1 kilometre of footway.

7.4

Standards

The scheme has been designed to current highway design standards including lighting levels. A safety audit is being undertaken and any issues will be addressed in the design.

7.5

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

All works are contained on the highway and accordingly no planning permission is required to undertake this scheme. In order to convert the lengths of footway to shared use with cyclists, permission is required under Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980.

On 1 November 2005 consultation was undertaken with local stakeholders, including Hampshire Police, Hampshire Fire and Rescue, Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Hampshire Cycling (Cycle Touring Club), Eastleigh Borough Council, Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind and the County Council's Passenger Transport Group. No objections were raised.

7.6

Policy Considerations

The proposals are consistent with the County Council's policies of providing a safe environment for all road users and of promoting sustainable and inclusive access from residential areas to places of work. They are also consistent with the strategic cycling plan of Eastleigh Borough Council and with the Green Travel Plan, which is a planning condition for the developer of the Link 414 site at Stoneycroft Rise.

7.7

Environmental Impacts

This scheme has no foreseeable negative environmental impacts due to its location on existing highway land.

7.8

Land Requirement

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

7.9

Alternative Arrangements

The scheme forms part of the east-west Eastleigh Cycle Route Network along Chestnut Avenue. Both sides of Chestnut Avenue have been considered for siting the cycleway. The north-east side was chosen because there is sufficient land available and it provides a direct link into the residential Avery Estate via Nightingale Avenue.

7.10

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Broadhurst, supports the proposal.

7.11

Impact Assessments

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.

7.12

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal. Improved lighting has a positive effect on reducing the fear of crime in the area.

7.13

Sustainability

The scheme will improve the environment for pedestrians and cyclists and may contribute to a reduction in the dependence on the motor car.

The design minimises the amount of excavation of the existing footway construction and the resultant disposal of surplus material to landfill.

8.

Financial Arrangements

8.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

81

Developer Funding

301

Supervision

14

Project Works

206

Land

____

____

Total

301

Total

301

____

____

8.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

2

0.002

Capital Charge

28

0.023

____

____

Total Expenditure

30

0.025

____

____

8.3

Maintenance Implications

The cycleway is to be constructed on existing highway land but there will be an overall increase in the amount of pavement. This and the ongoing cost of maintaining the Toucan crossing and the bus shelters have been taken into account in the future maintenance implications of the scheme.

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

Project File

Environment Department

Room 415

Engineering Consultancy

Room 323