Contact: Brian Millen, tel 01256 764444 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report covers a wide range of activities undertaken by specialist teams within the Environment Department and gives details on programmes for:

(i) Intelligent Transport Systems;

(ii) Regeneration of Older Urban Areas;

(iii) Street Lighting;

(iv) Development Related works; and

(v) Bridgeworks.

2. Intelligent Transport Systems Group (ITS)

2.1 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 a result of the Traffic Management Act.

Progress on Schemes during 2005/6 within Hart

2.2 As part of environmental improvements in Fleet town centre, the three existing pelican crossings are to be relocated and changed to puffins, with one additional puffin crossing to be located near Church Road. The detailed designs are ongoing and the scheme will be delivered in 2005/06.

2.3 New puffin crossing at Fleet Road, Hartley Wintney. This scheme, which had been delayed due to complications relating to Common Land issues, is now expected to be progressed during 2006/07.

2.4 New externally funded Toucan crossing at Dunleys Hill, North Warnborough. Detailed design is complete. The scheme is currently awaiting approval prior to installation work commencing on-site.

3. Regeneration of Older Urban Areas

3.1 Detailed proposals have now been prepared for a first phase of environmental improvements in Yateley, utilising funding from the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas programme, the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and other sources. The scheme is integral to the emerging Yateley Parish Plan and Village Design Framework.

3.2 The scheme for the Church End Green area of Yateley town centre was displayed at consultation events in May and June 2005. The proposals received a good level of support and a Traffic Regulation Order process has been initiated.

3.3 The anticipated start date for construction on the Church End Green scheme is July 2006.

4. Street Lighting

Maintenance Contract 2002/07

4.1 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.

4.2 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 dependant upon past performance and the contract continuing to give value for money.

Column Replacement Programme 2006/07

4.3 A county-wide programme estimated at £2.2 million is planned to commence in April, 2006. Details of the final programme will be made available once all the necessary quotes have been received but the provisional programme for Hart is as follows:

Connaught Road, Fleet

Burnside, Fleet

Avondale Road, Fleet

Pinewood Hill, Fleet

Chestnut Grove, Fleet

Brooklyn Gardens, Fleet

Elms Road, Fleet

Cypress Drive, Fleet

Queens Road, Fleet

Osborne Drive, Fleet

Magnolia Way, Fleet

Elizabeth Drive, Fleet

Branksomewood Road, Fleet.

Community Safety Initiative 2005/06

4.4 The programme for 2005/06 is as follows:

Potley Hill Phase 2, Yateley - scheme withdrawn by Town Council.

Community Safety Initiative 2006/07

4.5 A report to the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management is to be considered on 21 March 2006. Bids have, so far, been received for the following site in the Hart Area:

Stillwell Close, Yateley.

Energy

4.6 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 its strategic aim of promoting the use of renewable energy sources.

The Deadsure Computer System

4.7 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.

4.8 Other Schemes:

Cove Road, Fleet - works complete

Moulsham Lane, Yateley - works complete.

Private Finance Initiative (PFI)

4.9 A report was approved 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. Should such a bid be successful it is anticipated the new contract will commence in mid to late 2008.

4.10 With a greater than average ageing stock of street lighting columns the ability to fund their replacement in a reasonable period of time has become the main issue irrespective of the condition of the columns at present.

4.11 Government funding has not been sufficient 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.

5. Development Related Works

5.1 Development related works carried out within the Hart District Council area by Hampshire are set out in Appendix 1. Details of external funding and schemes relevant to that funding held by the County Council's Environment Department are detailed in Appendix 2.

6. Bridgeworks

6.1 This section summarises:

(i) schemes started in 2005/06, but carrying over in to 2006/07; and

(ii) schemes due to start in 2006/07.

6.2 The Bridges Section of the Environment Department is responsible for all existing county highway structures, together with new structures built as part of road works, housing and industrial schemes. This covers inspection, maintenance, replacement, load assessment and strengthening.

6.3 Raynesway Construction Southern (RCS) carry out most maintenance, through a term contract. Some specialist works, such as graffiti removal, and larger schemes, such as bridge replacements, are awarded by tender.

Funding

6.4 Most work on bridges is capital funded via the LTP, but inspections, routine maintenance and environmental maintenance of subways are revenue funded.

Load Assessment and Strengthening

6.5 This programme was brought about by EU legislation that allowed 40 tonne lorries on Hampshire roads from 1 January 1999. The original assessment programme is now complete, but re-assessments, as part of principal inspections, and strengthening are ongoing.

Road/Rail Interfaces

6.6 Following the Selby crash in February 2001, a review programme of parapets and safety fences at road/rail interfaces, most of which are bridges has been prioritised. A rolling programme for protective measures has started this will continue over several years, as funding is made available.

Aluminium Parapets

6.7 The Highways Agency identified that aluminium vehicle parapets made by BACO, installed before 1994, were not to current standards. Following prioritisation of all such parapets on county bridges the majority were replaced during 2004 and 2005. Two bridges, in Eastleigh and Rushmoor, were deferred to 2006/07 for operational reasons.

Elvetham Road, Fleet, Road/Rail Interface

6.8 Network Rail is being consulted about protective measures for the lengths of Elvetham Road, C401, that run close to the Southampton/Waterloo railway line, west of Fleet Station. It is planned to carry out the work after the Fleet Town Centre improvements are completed.

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.

807/BM

COUNTY COUNCIL HELD DEVELOPER FUNDING APPENDIX 2

Current Programme

£

Total Held to fund the above Capital Programme Schemes ...................... ......................... 1,611,792

Possible Future Schemes

Total funding allocated to future schemes above..................................... ........................ 1,306,257

Funding for Schemes to be Developed ............................................................... 519,704

All unallocated amounts currently under review by Transport Policy / Transport Implementation - aim to

develop suitable schemes. However many have specific spending criteria.

Total Held: .............. 3,437,753

Contributions Received since last HTAP and included in above tables*

Possible Future Funding

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