Archived decisions

Contact: Colin Taylor, tel 01730 266411 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report details the programmes for:

(i) Street Lighting;

(ii) Country Towns Initiative;

(iii) Bridgeworks;

(iv) Intelligent Transport Systems; and

(v) 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. There are no schemes proposed in Winchester for the 2006/07 programme.

Community Safety Initiative 2005/06

2.4 The programme for 2005/06 is as follows:

Elizabeth Close, Wickham - works completed 23 September 2005

School Road, Wickham - works completed 23 September 2005

Park Road, Denmead - works completed 28 October 2005

Nations Hill, Kings Worthy - works completed in December 2005

Fryers Close footpath, Kings Worthy - scheme withdrawn by Parish Council

St Georges Square, Bishops Waltham - scheme withdrawn by Parish Council.

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 Winchester area:

New Road, Colden Common (2 No.)

Grayshott Close/Chawton Close footpath, Harestock (2 No)

High Street, West Meon (2 No)

Garnier Park footpath, Wickham (1 No.)

Fareham Road (Manor Villas), Wickham (1 No.)

Wykeham Field footpath, Wickham (1 No.)

Hoads Hill, Wickham (1 No.)

Busket Lane, Winchester (2 No.)

Manningford Close/Worthy Road footpath, Winchester (1 No.)

St Cross Road/Kingsgate Road footpath, Winchester (2 No.)

Victoria Road, Winchester (3 No.).

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 it's 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 A report was considered by Cabinet on 23 January 2006 regarding the submission of an Expression of Interest to the 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 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 await an answer hopefully to move to the next stage in May/June 2006.

3. Country Towns Initiative (CTI)

Swanmore

3.1 The Swanmore scheme maintenance work was completed in January 2006. The main works associated with the CTI are due to start at the end of March or beginning of April if possible. There will be a need for bus route diversions and possibly a road closure. Further details will be issued when finalised.

4. Bridgeworks

4.1 Outlined below is the progress with the 2005/06 bridgeworks programme. Repair works were successfully completed on the following bridges:

Drove Lane Bridge, Alresford

Maddoxford Bridge, Boorley Green

Curdridge and Kitnocks Bridge, Curdridge

Bowlake No.1 Bridge, Stoke Common

Ludwells Bridge, Waltham Chase

Mayles Lane Culvert, Wickham.

Old Alresford Culvert, Alresford

4.2 This culvert carries the B3046, The Soke, over the River Alre at the north end of Alresford Pond. The existing steel deck has severe corrosion and the preliminary study suggested replacement with a precast concrete culvert. However, because of poor ground conditions and land issues, more economic solutions are being investigated. A further detailed inspection will be carried out with the water flow dammed off in February 2006. Further details will follow once this is completed.

Micheldever Station Railway Bridge, Micheldever

4.3 This bridge carries the C19, Andover Road, over the Southampton/ Waterloo railway line just south of Micheldever Station and had high priority for safety measures. A feasibility study was completed in 2005 and the chosen option was single lane traffic controlled by signals, to keep vehicles away from the bridge parapets and to reduce traffic speeds. The road was closed during the work, which was carried out between September and October 2005.

4.4 However, there is evidence of recent vehicle impact on the north parapet and further kerbing is being considered, particularly on the north-west corner, to prevent this damage. Further details of timing and traffic management will follow when they are finalised.

5. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)

5.1 The ITS Group of the Environment Department manages the feasibility, design, implementation, operation and maintenance of traffic control and traffic and travel information systems throughout Hampshire. Further responsibility now sits with the ITS group for the monitoring of, and improvement to, the operation of the highway network as result of the Traffic Management Act.

5.2 Progress on schemes in Winchester are reported in other papers presented to this meeting. The MIRACLES project has been extended to the end of April 2006. In the interests of providing all the data, a full end of project report will be submitted in the summer.

6. Development Related Works

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

External Funding

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

7. Impact Assessments

7.1 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.

772/CT

APPENDIX 2

COUNTY COUNCIL HELD DEVELOPER FUNDING

Current Programme

£

Total Held to fund the above Capital Programme Schemes............... 260,057

Possible Future Schemes

Note: (1) Joint funded with WCC who are contributing £100,000 towards cost of scheme.

Total funding allocated to future schemes above .............................. 537,301

Funding for Schemes to be Developed ............................................. 756,594

Total Held: ................... 1,553,952

No contributions received since last HTAP

Possible Future Funding

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