AT A MEETING of the WINCHESTER HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORT ADVISORY PANEL held on Wednesday 15 March 2006 at The Guildhall, Winchester.

Hampshire County Council

p Councillor T. G. Knight (Chairman)

p Councillor F.G. Allgood p Councillor P.K. Mason

Councillor Mrs C.B. Bailey p Councillor Mrs P.G. Peskett

p Councillor Mrs P. Dickens p Councillor Mrs J.A. Porter

p Councillor Felicity Hindson

Winchester City Council

p Councillor Mrs G. Busher p Councillor E. Jeffs

p Councillor P. Clohosey p Councillor R. Knasel

p Councillor P. Davies p Councillor B. Lipscomb

Also present: Councillor J. Higgins, Winchester City Council.

15. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

No apologies for absence were received.

16. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believe they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.

17. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 25 October 2005, were confirmed as a correct record, subject to minor typographical amendments, and were signed by the Chairman.

18. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported that Hampshire County Council had been reviewing its democratic structures and processes with a view to improving the way it engaged with local communities and in terms of value for money. The proposals were outlined for a more informal and flexible format for maintaining relations between Hampshire County Council and District Councils through Hampshire Action Teams. These would meet to discuss local concerns regarding a range of issues including highways and transport. It was anticipated that this format would make savings in terms of officer time whilst enabling more direct contact between Councillors and Officers. District Members raised concerns about the loss of formal membership of a Panel.

19. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

20. THE POSSIBILITY OF TRANSFERRING HIGHWAY WEED-KILLING

TO THE DISTRICT COUNCIL AGENTS

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 13 in the Minute Book) which informed Members of the views of district officers in relation to operating an agency service for weed-killing and to ask Members to consider performance standards. This could provide the opportunity to make efficiency savings in service delivery by combining it with the contract for grass cutting on verges. Current levels of services of two treatments per year would be funded by the County Council, and District Councils would be able to fund more treatments if they wished, as with the grass cutting service.

The Director of Environment confirmed that this report primarily concerned verges, channels, gutters, gullies and footways in urban areas, and not in rural areas. Some District Members expressed concerns about the prospect of agreeing to provide this service on behalf of the County Council and about the potential costs to Winchester City Council. It was confirmed that this was a flexible proposal and that, as such, it was not necessary for all Districts to adopt the same approach. Members agreed to consider the proposals and to discuss it further with County and City Council Officers.

RESOLVED:

That Members discuss the desired standard of service and performance should the service be transferred with County and City Council Officers.

21. UPDATE ON SCHEMES IN THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME

Councillor Hindson declared a personal interest in by virtue of being a governor of University Winchester.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 6 in the Minute Book) providing an update on transport schemes within the 2005/06 Capital Programme, including those schemes carried over from the 2004/05 Programme, and with details of schemes for the 2006/07 Capital Programme.

The Panel was updated on the latest developments with each scheme and noted that the Denmead Traffic Management project had not yet been completed as stated in the report, but would be finished in the near future.

The gas main works in the centre of Winchester were affecting the timetable of several schemes in the area. It was noted that, under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, all companies requiring road closures to carry out works had to apply to the relevant Highways Authority.

It was confirmed by the Director of Environment that part of the function of `Kissing Gates' was to prevent the access of bicycles onto footpaths. Cyclists were not permitted on footpaths, but were allowed on bridleways and byways. `Kissing Gates' had been installed in several locations due to the unsuitability of styles for some disabled users. These gates were used as a compromise between the need to make footpaths accessible for those with medium mobility and the need to prevent bicycles using footpaths.

Detailed questions about particular schemes were answered and officers undertook to provide further information to individual Members as appropriate.

RESOLVED:

That the schemes approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for 2006/07 be supported.

22. HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE AND MINOR CAPITAL WORKS

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest by virtue of being Chairman of the Board of Winchester Housing Group.

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 7 in the Minute Book) outlining progress on the 2005/06 highway maintenance programme; details of the 2006/07 highway maintenance budget; details of the 2006/07 highway maintenance programme; progress on the 2005/06 minor capital works programme; and proposals for the 2006/07 minor capital works programme. The Director of Environment outlined the latest developments with each scheme in the programme. Members were invited to comment on the 2006/07 capital minor works programme.

The matter of informing local residents and Councillors about temporary road closures was discussed. Members requested more information about road closures in their areas, and up to date information giving the details of their wards' boundaries. The Director of Environment assured Members that efforts were made to keep people informed about road closures and works, but it was acknowledged that it was not always possible to satisfy all in relation to temporary road closures.

Members were advised that it was a legal requirement to display at sites of road works contact details for the relevant organisation. As a result, Hampshire County Council produced signs which were erected on a temporary basis and were recycled at different locations.

Detailed questions about specific projects were answered. Members had no objections to proposals for the 2006/07 Capital Minor Works Programme.

23. PASSENGER TRANSPORT

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 8 in the Minute Book) which provided details of the latest position on concessionary fares, bus services, Quality Bus Partnerships, Community Transport and rail issues.

The new scheme for concessionary fares was considered and it was noted that, although Winchester City Council had ceased the alternative token scheme, more investment was being made in Community Transport Schemes. It was hoped that this would not lead to a decrease in the access to cheaper public transport for those living in rural areas. Some Members felt that this would end any abuse of the tokens system which may have taken place. It was suggested by Members that an information sheet had been put together by officers which gave clear explanations of the scheme for each area and that these should be circulated to members of the public and placed on Hantsweb.

Members discussed the level of accuracy of figures analysing the numbers of passenger on bus routes in the light of the fact that these numbers did not include those using bus services for free. Members were also concerned at threats to the level of train services in rural areas in the County. The Director of Environment noted Members concerns for further action as appropriate.

24. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest by virtue of being a governor of Lantern Children's Centre, Bereweeke Road.

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 9 in the Minute Book) which updated Members on the main programme of traffic management work in the Winchester area in 2005/06 and 2006/07. The latest developments on schemes and on Decriminalised Parking Enforcement were outlined for the panel. In response to a Member's question it was explained that it would not be possible to place time limits on disabled parking bays. Detailed questions about particular schemes were answered and officers undertook to provide further information to individual Members as appropriate.

25. CASUALTY REDUCTION PROGRAMME

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 10 in the Minute Book) which provided progress on the Hampshire County Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Safety Camera Partnership casualty reduction programmes for 2005/06 and the proposed shape of the Second Local Transport Plan (LTP) supported programmes commencing in 2006/07.

The target for reductions in the number of killed or seriously injured casualties for the second round of the Hampshire Local Public Service Agreement with Government was explained to the panel. This was to broadly stabilise numbers of killed and serious injury casualties at the same level as achieved in 2004 until 2008. If this target was achieved then additional reward grants would be received by the partners.

Copies of the Safety Camera Partnership - Annual Review 2004/05 (Item 10x) were circulated for information. The positive impacts of the initiative were highlighted and the Director of Environment outlined the changes to funding arrangements for safety cameras announced by Government to take effect from April 2007. It was noted that fresh partnership arrangements for the Hampshire Constabulary force area would need to be negotiated later in 2006 when the spring 2006 local government elections had been completed.

It was acknowledged that the significant reduction in the number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents was attributable to a combination of factors. These included improved safety in vehicles, the education of drivers, engineering safety measures and emergency services' response mechanisms to serious crashes. Anti-skid measures were discussed and the Director of Environment confirmed that longer lasting and more environmentally friendly materials and techniques were constantly being developed by manufacturers.

26. TRAVEL PLAN PROGRAMMES

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest by virtue of being a governor of Stanmore School.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Environment (Item 11 in the

Minute Book) which provided a progress update on the workplace and school

travel planning programmes and Safer Routes to Schools Programmes in the

Winchester area. The various incentives for schools to develop their travel plans were outlined. As resources were limited it was felt best, for the time being, to direct efforts at those schools which expressed an interest in developing its travel plan, rather than at chasing those schools which had not done so. However, Members were asked to encourage their local schools to participate. It was felt that this initiative was consistent with efforts to improve the health of young people.

RESOLVED:

That the progress with the delivery of the workplace and School Travel Plans and Safer Routes to School programmes in the Winchester area be noted.

27. OTHER HIGHWAY RELATED PROGRAMMES

The Panel received and noted the report of the Director of Environment (Item 12 in the Minute Book) which detailed programmes for Street Lighting, Country Towns Initiative, Bridgeworks, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and Development Related Works for the Winchester area. The Director of Environment outlined the report and updated Members on specific schemes.