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

Helen Merrills, ext 5204 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 at the attached appendix. The report also provides a progress update on schemes started in earlier programmes

1.2 The table below shows the county-wide improvement programmes for 2006/07 and, where applicable, to the Fareham area, the item numbers are given for reference.

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

Broom Way, Fareham - Cycleway - £424,000 EF

2.1 This scheme provides an off-road cycle route on the western side of Broom Way between Peel Common roundabout and the new Cherque Farm Development and has been substantially completed. The improvements include a new shared footpath and cycleway, new street lighting and equestrian facilities. In addition, the two cycle crossings at Peel Common roundabout have been upgraded to Toucan crossings to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrians. To improve traffic management at the approaches to the Peel Common roundabout revised lane markings and signing have also been implemented.

2.2 Landscaping work has been undertaken along the route and the hedge on the western side of Broom Way has been reinstated. On completion of minor works including fencing, it is proposed to undertake an official opening of the cycle route.

St Margaret's Lane - Traffic Management - £60,000 LTP

2.3 The scheme aims to improve pedestrian access to public transport and deter unnecessary traffic through form using St Margaret's Lane. A trial has been in place for a year and the traffic data collated from the monitoring has been analysed. Additional surveys were undertaken to monitor traffic through Titchfield Village, Bridge Street and Posbrook Lane to ensure there would be no adverse effect on traffic movement in Titchfield Village.

The proposals consist of:

(i) reducing entry to the A27 roundabout to one lane;

(ii) revising road marking layouts;

(iii) Narrowing of the junction with Common Lane to assist traffic management and to provide pedestrian links to enhance bus stops on Common Lane with the provision of a new Bus Shelter; and

(iv) Enhance traffic signing where appropriate.

2.4 A trial layout of the St Margaret's Lane approach to the A27 has been installed and traffic surveys have been undertaken to establish the effect on traffic movements in the area. Stakeholder consultations with local Members, Fareham Borough Council and Titchfield Village Trust are proposed to be undertaken in the Spring.

Fareham-Gosport Quality Bus Partnership - Bus Infrastructure Improvements - £145,000 LTP £50,000 EF

2.5 This scheme includes the provision of a Real-Time Passenger Information System (RTPI) along the main bus route between Fareham and Gosport. The provision of this proposal will improve the quality of up to date service information for passengers along the route. First Bus has been consulted and various bus stops along the route have been identified and prioritised for the provision of the RTPI display. The central RTPI system is in place and buses operating along the A32 corridor are fitted with Portsmouth City Council's automatic vehicle location technology.

2.6 Works to integrate Hampshire County Council and Portsmouth City Council's RTPI systems through the development of server to server links for the tracking of buses along the route are still ongoing. Subject to the successful integration of the two systems, up to 24 new style displays are now intended to be installed. These RTPI displays will be installed within 20 existing Adshel bus shelters and 4 new shelters along the route thus improving the coverage of information along the bus routes.

2.7 Procurement of the works to modify the existing bus shelters and install the new bus shelters is currently underway, as is the resolution of the server to server links to enable the operation of the RTPI displays. Subject to contractor availability work is expected to commence in March or April 2006.

3. Capital Schemes 2005/06

Westbury Road (Path), Fareham - £10,000 EF

3.1 The footpath and lighting improvement on Westbury Path was completed in December 2005. This is the first stage of the proposal to convert the existing footpath to a shared use cycle/pedestrian route linking Osborn Road and the town centre shops in West Street. The second stage of the proposals is to legitimise cycling on this footpath using the necessary statutory procedures under the Cycle Tracks Act 1984, which are being progressed and consultations are underway.

Park Lane, Fareham - Traffic Management - £45,000 LTP

3.2 This scheme provides traffic management and cycle improvements in Fareham as detailed below:

(i) provision of new kerbed island on Gordon Road at its junction with Park Lane;

(ii) provision of an on-carriageway passive route (cycle signs and on road cycle symbols only) from Miller Drive, via Park Lane, William Price Gardens to Harrison Road. The route includes provision of a kerbed build out on Harrison Road to enable the cyclists to join the carriageway and also to assist pedestrians crossing the road;

(iii) provision of an on-carriageway passive cycle route continuing along Harrison Road to Osborn Road;

(iv) provision of an on-road passive cycle route along Southampton Road to Wickham Road including a short section of off-road facility along Wickham Road, incorporating localised footway widening; and

(v) provision of areas of anti-skid surfacing on Park Lane at the junctions of Serpentine Road and Miller Drive, and at locations between North Hill and Serpentine Road. Further anti-skid surfacing is proposed at the bends on Serpentine Road including the junction of Serpentine Road and Mead Way.

3.3 A Traffic Regulation Order to change the length of the one-way system at the eastern end of Southampton Road from 45 metres to 5 metres is being progressed as no objections have been raised. Following Statutory Procedures the order is expected to come into force by 24 March 2006.

3.4 The works are substantially complete except minor snagging items, electrical connections and the anti-skid surfacing work for Park Lane and Serpentine Road which was postponed due to inclement weather during the work programme. Fareham Borough Council's Project Manager for this scheme reported the delay, and advises that the Contractor is expected to complete the work as soon as weather permits. The scheme is expected to be completed in March 2006.

Salterns Lane, Fareham - £37,000 EF

3.5 The Project Appraisal for the traffic calming scheme which included the reinstatement of speed cushions, provision of cycle lanes and enhanced signs and road markings at Salterns Lane, Fareham was approved by the Director of Environment on 5 August 2005. Work commenced in October 2005 and was substantially completed in December 2005.

Fareham Decriminalised Parking - £130,000

3.6 Following a report to the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management on 28 June 2005 approval was given to establish a Permitted Parking Area (PPA) and a Special Parking Area (SPA) in Fareham Borough, and that an Agency Agreement for decriminalised parking enforcement should be established with the County Council. Expenditure of £130,000 for set up costs was also approved.

3.7 The stages involve:

(i) processing the necessary Traffic Regulation Orders;

(ii) arranging a draft Agency Agreement; and

(iii) making an application to Central Government for approval of the PPA and SPA.

3.8 The development of the proposals is currently underway and the current position with the proposals is detailed in the Fareham Borough Council Traffic Management report of this agenda (item 8).

Fareham Western Distributor Road (Schooner Way-Warsash Road) - £1025,000, LTP £420,000 EF

3.9 This is the last section of the local distributor road to be constructed and will provide a link between the existing mini-roundabout on Warsash Road at its junction with Lockswood Road, and Dibles Road at its junction with Schooner Way, Warsash. Land negotiations have been completed and the required land for the link road has been purchased.

3.10 Earlier site investigation work identified the presence of Japanese Knotweed on the site, which has a three year eradication programme using herbicides. The programme of Knotweed eradication has commenced and the progress of this work will determine the actual start date for the roadworks.

3.11 Once the new link road is opened, it is proposed that Cutter Avenue will be closed to through traffic at its junction with Warsash Road, except to pedestrians and cyclists. This however is subject to public consultation and the satisfactory progression of the appropriate Traffic Regulation Orders.

3.12 Progression of the detailed design work for the link road scheme will continue in readiness for a commencement of the roadworks but for the time being the scheme has been deferred to the 2007/08 programme, although construction may not commence until August 2008.

4. Capital Schemes 2006/07

Titchfield High Street (Country Towns Initiative) - £50,000 LTP £30,000 EF

4.1 Highway and environmental improvements have been identified by Fareham Borough Council following publication of its Conservation Area Assessment for Titchfield Village Centre. In addition to the funding identified above, the Fareham Borough Council Executive has resolved to provide a contribution of £50,000 towards the scheme, subject to funding being made available from the County Council's Country Towns Initiative (CTI) budget for 2006/07.

4.2 The proposals include the reorganisation of on-street car parking, repaving and widening of narrow footways, kerbing, street lighting improvements and private boundary treatments in appropriate materials. The widening of narrow footway sections will allow improved access for pedestrians where encroachment occurs by vehicles. Feasibility work is planned to commence shortly to develop the proposals.

Whiteley Accessibility - £150,000 LTP £120,000 EF

4.3 This package of schemes aims to improve access in the Whiteley area for pedestrians and cyclists and encourage these sustainable transport modes particularly for short journeys. In conjunction with the Yew Tree Drive bus link scheme, the proposed measures will encourage greater use of public transport. Additional measures will deter the use of inappropriate routes by commuter traffic. All the measures will support local businesses travel plans and the aims of the Whiteley Area travel plan which is currently being developed in partnership between the Highway Agency's "Influence Travel Behaviour Team", Hampshire County Council and the Whiteley Business Forum. The proposed measures include:

(i) provision of pedestrian footway links and a Toucan crossing on Whiteley Way near the Marjoram Way roundabout, to improve pedestrian and cycle access between Whiteley employment areas and the Whiteley Village Shopping Centre;

(ii) provision of the Whiteley to Swanwick Station cycle route from Rookery Avenue to Duncan Road, in order to improve pedestrian and cycle links between Whiteley and the Park Gate and Segensworth areas;

(iii) provision of low cost measures to improve the interchange facilities at Swanwick Station such as improved bus information and additional cycle storage facilities; and

(iv) closure of Springles Lane to eliminate illegal through traffic movements in contravention of the existing traffic regulation order for the prohibition of driving along this narrow country lane.

4.4 Additional traffic management measures at the junction of Leafy Lane and Parkway may also be developed in conjunction with the Whiteley Business Forum to further discourage commuter use of Leafy Lane.

4.5 The proposals are currently at an early stage of development and are being progressed for delivery within the 2006/07 programme year.

Yew Tree Drive Bus Link, Whiteley - £250,000 LTP £250,000 EF

4.6 A Project Appraisal to enable the release of the County Council's contribution towards the cost of construction of the new roundabout on Botley Road and the bus only link to connect to Yew Tree Drive, Whiteley, was approved by the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management on 18 January 2006. The approval is subject to the developer entering into a combined Section 278/38 agreement for the works, which will be constructed by the developer.

4.7 The Fareham Borough Council's Planning and Development Control Committee granted planning permission for the proposal on 21 December 2005.

4.8 The scheme aims to provide a limited access link road, for buses, pedestrians and cyclists from the existing Yew Tree Drive within the Whiteley development area to the A3051 Botley Road near Park Gate, Fareham.

4.9 Progression of the bus link scheme is dependant on the developers programme since implementation is a condition upon occupation of the 51^st house at the nearby Dickens Drive development land. The design and construction of the proposal will however be progressed by the developer in accordance with its own programme.

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.

795/JR

APPENDIX

2005/06 CAPITAL PROGRAMME

2006/07 CAPITAL PROGRAMME