Contact: Colin Taylor, tel 01730 235818 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report details the programmes for:

(i) Street Lighting;

(ii) Country Towns Initiative;

(iii) Bridgeworks; and

(iv) Development Related Works.

2. Street Lighting

Maintenance Contract 2002/07

2.1 The maintenance contract continues to provide over 99% of all street lights on at any one time with performance levels remaining much the same since the change to `working days'. The maintenance contract was originally measured in calendar days and this has been changed to Monday to Friday, or `working days'. Satisfaction levels as regards the delivery of street lighting following a recent telephone survey suggest a varied response across the county. However, whilst there are specific instances of failure to repair within set timescales, the performance indicators within the contract are generally being met.

Extension of the Maintenance Contract

2.2 Discussions are currently in progress with the current Maintenance Contractor, Southern Electric Contracting, regarding the extension of the existing contract. Any possible extension will be dependent upon past performance and the contract continuing to give value for money.

Column Replacement Programme 2006/07

2.3 A programme estimated at £2.2 million is expected to commence in April 2006. Details of the final programme will be made available once all the necessary quotes have been received but the provisional programme is as follows:

Southwood Rise, Alton

Cherry Way, Alton

Portsmouth Road, Horndean

Portsmouth Road, Liphook

Rival Moor Road, Petersfield

Clare Gardens, Petersfield

Tilmore Gardens, Petersfield

Horseshoe Crescent, Whitehill.

Community Safety Initiative 2005/06

2.4 The programme for 2005/06 is as follows:

Forge Road, Kingsley - works completed 16 December 2005

Hogmoor Road, Whitehill - works completed 3 February 2006.

Community Safety Initiative 2006/07

2.5 A report will be considered by the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management on 21 March 2006. Bids have, so far, been received for the following sites in the East Hampshire area:

Wooteys Way School footpath, Alton

South Lane (Sword Close), Clanfield

Forest Road footpath, Whitehill

Forest Road, Whitehill

Firgrove Road, Whitehill

Liphook Road, Whitehill

Hogmoor Road, Whitehill

Energy

2.6 A new contract for the supply of energy has been awarded to E.ON UK (the owners of Powergen). The contract will supply 100% green energy for two years starting on 1 April 2006 and will be exempt from the Climate Change Levy. Street lighting energy costs have increased by £1 million county-wide. This was the cheapest option available and also allows the County Council to continue its strategic aim of promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

The Deadsure Computer System

2.7 The street lighting computer management system, Deadsure, designed to monitor the street lighting maintenance contract, became operational on 10 February 2005. The new system was required as the previous system, SLIMs, was mainframe-based and the mainframe was switched off at the end of March 2005. There are still a few problems to resolve as regards data and reports, but the inclusion of the street lighting GIS database and the expectation of the web browser and mobile field based operational returns make this an innovative system for the future.

Private Finance Initiative (PFI)

2.8 On 23 January 2006 the Cabinet approved a report regarding the submission of an Expression of Interest to the Department for Transport (DfT) in relation to a PFI for street lighting maintenance and Column Replacement. Work has progressed between officers and the Consultants, Price Waterhouse Cooper, investigating the viability of such a bid. Should such a bid be successful it is anticipated the new contract would commence in mid to late 2008.

2.9 With a larger than average ageing stock of street lighting columns the question of ability to fund the whole replacement in a reasonable period of time has become the main issue irrespective of the condition of the columns at present.

2.10 Government funding has not been forthcoming through the Local Transport Plan (LTP) nor is the County Council minded to provide the necessary funds through Prudential borrowing or increasing the revenue budget. The only option is, therefore, to make a bid for funding under the Government PFI funding regime.

2.11 The County Council has, therefore, submitted an expression of interest to the DfT and awaits an answer enabling a move to the next stage in May/June 2006.

3. Country Towns Initiative 2005/06

The Plestor, West Liss

3.1 The work is due to be handed over to the Area Office for design work in mid-February with an anticipated starting date on-site of end of March 2006. The scheme is likely to take about six to eight weeks to complete.

4. Bridgeworks

4.1 An update for individual bridges in the 2005/06 programme are given below for East Hampshire.

Liphook Station Footbridge, Liphook

4.2 This footbridge carries the east footpath of Midhurst Road over the railway line near Liphook Station. The decking of the bridge is deteriorating and it was planned to replace this in 2005. However this work has been deferred until spring 2006, due to availability of railway possessions. Further details of timing and traffic management, particularly for pedestrians, will follow when they are agreed with Network Rail.

Deadwater Bridge, Bordon

4.3 This bridge, near the schools, carries Mill Chase Road over the Deadwater stream in Bordon and is sub-standard for load carrying capacity. Replacement of the bridge deck is out to tender at present, with work planned for March to June 2006.

4.4 Mill Chase Road will be closed to vehicles over three tonnes throughout the works, but there will be single lane working controlled by temporary signals for cars. For some operations, such as surfacing, the road will be completely closed to all vehicles for short periods, though pedestrian access will be available, using a temporary footbridge.

4.5 Further details of traffic management will be publicised locally, once they are agreed with the successful contractor.

Aluminium Parapets Replacement Programme 2005/06

4.6 The replacement of the parapets on Coldrey Lodge Bridge on the A31 at the west end of Bentley Bypass was completed during 2005.

5. Development Related Works

5.1 Section 38 Development work currently being undertaken by Hampshire Highways within the East Hampshire area is detailed in Appendix 1.

6. External Funding

6.1 External funding and schemes relevant to that funding, and controlled by the County Council's Development Control section, are detailed in Appendix 2.

8. Impact Assessments

8.1 This report provides a position statement only, therefore an impact assessment in terms of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has not been undertaken.

Recommendation

That this report be noted.

768/CT

APPENDIX 2

COUNTY COUNCIL HELD DEVELOPER FUNDING

Current Programme

£

Total Held to fund the above Capital Programme Schemes .............................................. 83,360

Possible Future Schemes

Total funding allocated to future schemes above ........................................................................ 169,709

Funding for Schemes to be Developed ........................................................................... 498,406

Total Held: ..................... 751,475

Contributions Received since last HTAP and included in above (unallocated)

Possible Future Funding

Note: The above will only produce contributions IF the development proceeds.