Archived decisions

Contact: Martin Wiltshire, tel 01962 857816

email: [email protected]

Contact: David Wilson, tel 01264 36702

email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report covers the main programmes of traffic management work in the Test Valley area in 2005/06 and 2006/07. These are the capital funded Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), signing and lining schemes and also the rural traffic calming schemes promoted in partnership with Parish Councils.

2. Background

2.1 Under the revised agency agreements for traffic management, Test Valley Borough Council has taken direct responsibility for certain traffic management functions throughout the Borough area on behalf of the County Council. These arrangements have been in operation since 5 July 2004 and are now well-established.

2.2 As part of the agency arrangements, regular liaison meetings take place between officers of the County and Borough Councils, which are also attended by the Police, to discuss proposed schemes and develop positive partnership arrangements.

2.3 Traffic management issues are raised in a number of ways, usually by Parish Councils, local Borough or County Members or the public. Typically, issues raised relate to the speed and volume of traffic, congestion, parking problems or potential safety hazards.

3. Progress

3.1 Schemes that have been progressed as part of the 2005/06 programme in the Test Valley area are shown in Appendix 1. Schemes included in the list are, at this stage of the year, either operational or expected to be completed by the end of the financial year.

3.2 Proposed schemes for the 2006/07 programme in the Test Valley area are listed in Appendix 2. The programme is provisional at this stage, with scope to include additional schemes that may arise as a high priority. The Traffic Management programme constantly evolves during the year, with new schemes that may arise as a high priority being added to the list as appropriate. However, this can have the effect of delaying the implementation of some programmed schemes that have a lesser justification.

3.3 Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) has been introduced successfully in 8 out of 11 districts in the county so far, with a further one proposed in 2006. In these districts, both the District and County Councils are members of the National Parking Adjudication Service (NPAS) Joint Committee. This is the national body, based in Manchester, established under the relevant legislation to provide an independent adjudication service for drivers or vehicle owners wishing to appeal against a penalty charge notice. The County representative, Councillor Phrynette Dickens, is the Assistant Chairman of the NPAS Joint Committee.

3.4 Regulations have recently been made which will enable authorities already operating DPE to introduce camera enforcement of bus lanes under the Transport Act 2000. These will be superseded in due course by regulations under the Traffic Management Act when the provisions for civil enforcement outside London come into effect, although this is not expected until at least 2007. They will include not only parking and bus lane enforcement, but also some moving traffic offences such as banned turns, no entry and yellow box markings. These changes will be kept under review and consideration will be given to the need to take up further powers at the appropriate time as felt necessary.

4. Impact Assessments

4.1 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.

835/MW