Contact: Jon Ryder, ext 5162 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides a progress update on transport schemes within the 2005/06 Capital Programme together with schemes for the 2006/07 Capital Programme that were approved by the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management on 18 January 2006. A summary of schemes is shown in the attached appendix.

1.2 The table below shows the county-wide improvement programmes for 2006/07 and, where applicable to the Eastleigh District area, the report items are given for reference.

	County-wide Allocation
County-wide programme 2006/07	£'000s LTP	£'000s EF	Report Item
Casualty Reduction Programme	2,500		9
Community Safety Initiative	60		12
Community Transport	300		7
Passenger Transport Information	180		7
Pedestrian Crossing Programme	200		12
Safer Routes to School Programme	1,000		10
Minor Schemes inc Traffic Management	600	100	6, 8

1.3 Schemes in the Capital Programme are financed from the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and/or external funding (EF) received from developers or other contributors.

2. Capital Schemes 2004/05

Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership - Leigh Road, Eastleigh - Selective Vehicle Detection - £70,0000 LTP

2.1 This is one of a number of schemes which make up the Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership - a partnership between the County Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Solent Blue Line and First - with the aim of improving services, roadside infrastructure and passenger facilities. The proposal aims to help improve journey times and punctuality for buses along the Leigh Road Corridor in Eastleigh. It is intended to introduce a Selective Vehicle Detection (SVD) system at the following existing traffic signal controlled junctions along Leigh Road:

(i) Romsey Road/Upper Market Street;

(ii) Romsey Road/Leigh Road;

(iii) Leigh Road/Passfield Avenue/Woodside Avenue;

(iv) Leigh Road/M3 Southbound Slip Road;

(v) Leigh Road/Travel Inn;

(vi) Leigh Road/Oakmount Road; and

(vii) Leigh Road/Bournemouth Road.

2.2 Traffic signals sensor equipment recognises the approaching bus and the signals respond, either by extending the green signal time for the approaching bus or, if the signal facing the bus is at red, by reducing the green time on the opposing approaches, thus enabling a green light for the bus to be quickly achieved.

2.3 A project appraisal for the scheme was approved by the former Executive Member for Environment on 11 January 2005, and work to implement the measures was expected to start in late March 2005. Works to implement the scheme commenced in February 2006 and will be fully operational during April 2006. The delayed start is due to developments with the SVD software, which is being modified to give speedier priority to approaching buses by enabling the signal controller to skip signal stages and give a green light to a waiting bus sooner. Most of the work involves signal equipment modifications; however some minor civil engineering work such as detector installation, cable ducting and draw pits is required, which is being undertaken in off-peak periods.

Maunsell Way, Hedge End, Traffic Calming - £350,000 EF

2.4 This scheme forms part of the Hedge End Area Transport Strategy. The measures aim to improve speed management on Maunsell Way and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists. The measures include traffic calming pinch-points, pedestrian refuges, new footways and cycle ways, and new mini-roundabouts at the junctions of Locke Road, Drummond Road and Stroudley Way.

2.5 Although works commenced at the beginning of the 2004 school summer holidays and were substantially completed in December 2004, the main contractor for the works went into administration, leaving some minor items of work outstanding. These include minor road markings, electrical connections for street furniture, cycle route signs and modifications to the pinch-point by Giles Close. This work has been procured through another contractor, who commenced the work in January 2006 and is expected to complete in early March 2006.

Eastleigh Controlled Parking Zones - £175,000 EF

2.6 This scheme relates to the provision of a controlled parking zone and a restricted parking zone in Eastleigh, using developer contributions from the Pirelli and Causton sites.

2.7 The scheme is being developed by officers at Eastleigh Borough Council and is detailed in the Traffic Management report elsewhere on the agenda.

3. Capital Schemes 2005/06

Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh Cycle Route - £250,000 EF

3.1 This scheme aims to provide an off-road cycle facility along Chestnut Avenue between the Tollgate Roundabout and Stoneham Lane, where it will ultimately connect with existing cycle facilities.

3.2 A detailed design of the cycleway proposals has been completed and provides a first stage of the scheme between Falkland Road and Nightingale Avenue. The scheme incorporates shared use cycle and pedestrian links from Falkland Road to the new Puffin crossing on Chestnut Avenue, together with further uncontrolled crossings on each of the remaining arms of the Tollgate roundabout. These connections aim to improve accessibility for cyclists towards the new business developments on the south side of Chestnut Avenue. It will also provide improved access to a proposed new youth facility being developed at the end of Stoneycroft Rise by Eastleigh Borough Council, which is planned to be built and operational during the summer 2006. The scheme includes the provision of two bus shelters at the existing bus stops located on the east side of the Tollgate roundabout. The route will be constructed on the north side of Chestnut Avenue from Tollgate roundabout to Nightingale Avenue as a two way off-road shared use facility, where it is proposed to cross and link into Nightingale Avenue.

3.3 A project appraisal is being submitted to the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resources Management on 28 February 2006. A commencement of work is planned for May 2006 with completion expected in August 2006. As a result of a review of scheme costs the capital programme is to be revised, in March 2006, to reflect the increase in costs to £301,000, and the revised start date.

Factory Road Traffic Management, Eastleigh - £375,000 LTP, £200,000 EF

3.4 This scheme aims to provide an environmental improvement to Factory Road to improve the attractiveness of the route for pedestrians and cyclists between the developments at the former Pirelli site and the town centre. The scheme includes the provision of traffic calming in the form of speed tables, footway widening and formalised parking bays.

3.5 The detailed design of the scheme has been completed, including amended traffic regulation orders to accommodate the revised parking layouts. A project appraisal for the scheme was approved by the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management in May 2005. The works started on-site early in November 2005 and completion is expected by mid-May 2006.

Falkland Road (Chestnut Avenue Cycles) Puffin Crossing £75,000 EF

3.6 This proposal provided a signal controlled pedestrian crossing on Chestnut Avenue, to the north-west of the Falkland Road/Tollgate roundabout. The scheme improves conditions for pedestrians accessing the developments on the south side of Chestnut Avenue and was completed in July 2005.

Hamble Bus Route 16 - Capital Grant - £100,000 EF

3.7 This was a grant towards the enhancement of bus services and accessibility standards through the provision of new dedicated low-floor buses and drivers, and re-branding of the route. The scheme originates from the Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership and includes a grant of £50,000 towards the proposal from Eastleigh Borough Council. The new services commenced on 30 September 2005.

Hamble Lane/Ensign Way Pedestrian Refuges - £25,000 EF

3.8 This scheme provided two new pedestrian refuges on Hamble Lane, one on each side of the Ensign Way junction, together with modifications to the existing refuge in Ensign Way. Works commenced at the end of August and were completed in September 2005.

Hound Road Cycleway, Eastleigh - £125,000 EF

3.9 The Hound Road cycleway is identified in the Hamble School Travel Plan and the Hamble Area Transport Strategy. A total of £125,000 has been allocated (£15,000 developer contribution and £110,000 from Eastleigh Borough Council) for implementation of the scheme. Eastleigh Borough Council has been undertaking the detailed design of this scheme, which aims to provide an off-road route from the junction of Hound Road with Hamble Lane to Woolston Road. The route also links into old Hound Road. Originally it was intended to take the route onto the railway bridge on St Mary's Road, but due to budget constraints this is now not possible.

3.10 Detailed design is complete and a contract for the works has been let to Graham Moyce contractors. It is expected that work will start in March 2006 and that it will take ten weeks to complete.

Leigh Road Corridor, Eastleigh - £200,000 LTP, £428,000 EF

3.11 This proposal aims to improve conditions for pedestrians and enhance the street environment on the section of Leigh Road between Cranbury Road and High Street in Eastleigh for the benefit of users and residents.

3.12 The scheme includes widened footways, raised carriageway levels, resurfacing with enhanced materials, linking the church area to the park, revised parking and delivery arrangements for local shops and The Point, and the provision of new street furniture and landscape planting. This element of the scheme is valued at £528,000. It has been developed by Eastleigh Borough Council and will be funded using developer contributions and a contribution of £150,000 from the County Council.

3.13 The scheme also includes a proposal to add a pedestrian phase to the existing traffic signals at the Romsey Road/Leigh Road junction to improve pedestrian access between Leigh Road and the town centre. The work, valued at £100,000, is being developed and funded separately by the County Council.

3.14 The scheme has been developed to the detailed design stage and a project appraisal for both the contribution and the improvements to the traffic signals received approval from the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management in December 2005. Work on the traffic signals commenced on 30 January and is expected to take eight weeks. The environmental enhancement works are expected to start in March 2006 and to take six months to complete.

Southampton to Winchester Quality Bus Partnership - £350,000 LTP

3.15 This proposal provides roadside bus infrastructure improvements at bus stops on the Bluestar 1 route, which operates between Southampton and Winchester, via Chandlers Ford.

3.16 The proposals include the provision of new bus stop infrastructure at various stops along the whole route, including raised kerbs to assist boarding, bus shelters where appropriate, bus stop flag signs and new information displays. Where the locations are suitable information displays will be solar powered. A project appraisal was approved by the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management in July 2005, and work commenced late in January 2006. Completion is expected in June 2006.

4. Capital Schemes 2006/07

A27 Botley Road Hedge End - Bus Access - £315,000 LTP, £60,000 EF

4.1 As part of the Solent Transport Partnership agreement signed in March 2003, the County Council, Eastleigh Borough Council and Southampton City Council agreed to develop proposals for a bus-only connection that will provide a more direct link for bus routes between Hedge End and the city of Southampton.

4.2 The proposal is to allow buses to travel the whole length of Botley Road between the A3024 and the A27, thereby avoiding Windhover roundabout. It is proposed that cyclists and pedestrians will also be able to use this link. Measures have been investigated to ensure safe and efficient operation of the restricted access for these transport modes. Currently about one third has been converted to a cycleway with verges, and the third nearest the A27 is a single track road leading to a travellers' site. A significant length of the road lies within Southampton.

4.3 Detailed design for both the link road and the proposed traffic signal controlled junction on the A27 has been completed. To ensure the route is only used by buses, traffic regulation orders have been progressed by Southampton City Council to achieve restricted access for buses only. The orders have been advertised and no objections received. Parking for the travellers' site also needs to be provided to keep the route clear of parked vehicles. Planning permission has been granted by Southampton City Council for a parking area immediately adjacent to the traveller's site.

4.4 Work is currently being undertaken to reassess the benefits of the bus link and to ensure that it provides value for money in a deregulated bus market over the longer term. It is expected that the outcome of this work will not be available until April 2006. Subject to the positive conclusion of these matters, a project appraisal for the scheme will be submitted to the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management.

Southampton Airport (Parkway) Station Accessibility Scheme - £193,000 EF

4.5 The scheme includes accessibility measures in the vicinity of Southampton Airport (Parkway) Station and Southampton International Airport, including: real time information (RTI); public transport infrastructure; a cycleway; a contribution towards a new DDA compliant railway bridge; and cycle parking facilities; all to tie-in with South West Trains' new bridge proposals.

4.6 The proposed cycleway commences at Spitfire roundabout just north of the Wide Lane/M27 underpass, linking in with the existing cycle route which runs from this point southwards to the northern areas of Southampton. From Spitfire roundabout the proposed scheme runs northwards along Mitchell Way and crosses through Southampton Airport (Parkway) Station to the rear of the southbound platform, crossing the railway via the proposed new footbridge to link with the existing cycle route on the A335 Wide Lane. The scheme will also provide new and improvements to the existing bus shelters with real time information displays on both Mitchell Way and the A335, and improved information signs.

4.7 Feasibility and detailed design work have been completed for the scheme. Negotiations are currently underway with South West Trains, BAA and Network Rail to agree scheme delivery timeframes and how best to manage construction on third party land. It is currently anticipated that works will tie-in with a railway possession order for October 2006 which is necessary for the bridge works. A Project Appraisal will be completed in spring 2006.

Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership - Derby Road/Passfield Avenue - £70,000 EF

4.8 This scheme was identified through the Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership as requiring improvement to maintain bus punctuality on service Bluestar 2. The scheme aims to convert the existing priority controlled junction to a mini-roundabout.

4.9 A preliminary design had been progressed which identified safety issues concerning the maintenance of a safe and satisfactory access to properties adjacent to the existing junction. A modified design has now resolved this issue and removed the need for extensive accommodation works at the private properties. The residents affected by the proposals have been consulted and have raised no objections.

4.10 The design has been progressed further, however, concerns have been raised about the potential for considerable queue formation at the proposed mini-roundabout. This would not enable the scheme objectives to be achieved and accordingly officers are currently reviewing this proposal.

Kipling Road Traffic Management, Eastleigh - £45,000 EF

4.11 This scheme aims to discourage unnecessary through traffic from using Kipling Road between Woodside Avenue and Leigh Road. Following earlier consultation work undertaken by Eastleigh Borough Council, a scheme is being developed to introduce traffic calming measures on the road, which consist of a combination of speed tables and speed cushions. The proposal includes similar measures in Brookwood Avenue, between Kipling Road and Leigh Road.

4.12 A preliminary design for speed cushions has been prepared, and a stakeholder residents' consultation was completed in November 2005. The consultation response was predominantly in favour of the proposal and the scheme will now proceed to the detailed design stage (taking comments received into account). Implementation is planned for later in 2006.

5. Impact Assessments

5.1 This report provides a position statement only on the progress of schemes in the Capital Programme, therefore an impact assessment in terms of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has not been undertaken. Such assessments are carried out for each scheme to ensure the County Council's policies on equalities are not compromised.

Recommendation

That Members note the progress with the schemes in the Transport Capital Programme and support those approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for 2006/07.

794/JR

APPENDIX

2005/06 CAPITAL PROGRAMME

(as approved 18 January 2006)

2006/07 CAPITAL PROGRAMME

(as approved 18 January 2006)