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) Street Lighting;

(iii) Regeneration of Older Urban Areas;

(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 2005/06 within Rushmoor

2.2 As part of the county-wide STOPWATCH Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) system, all of the 84 Stagecoach buses in Aldershot have been equipped with automatic vehicle location technology. Testing of the system is planned for March 2006 but this is subject to resolving issues regarding the sourcing of data files from Traveline to populate the RTPI system. Once the system has been fully tested, up to 28 signs will be installed at bus stops along routes 1 and 6. Further work will be undertaken to develop web based and mobile phone dissemination facilities. Discussions are taking place on integrating information between the Hampshire and Surrey RTPI systems.

2.3 New, externally-funded Puffin crossing at Minley Road, Cove is complete.

2.4 New, externally-funded Toucan crossing at Summit Avenue, Farnborough is complete.

Aldershot Selective Vehicle Detection (SVD)

2.5 Work is progressing to provide bus priority at four junctions in Aldershot, using equipment compatible with the Hampshire and Surrey RTPI systems.

2.6 Possible new `Wig Wag' signals at Rushmoor Fire Station (Lynchford Road, Farnborough). Design complete. Progress subject to funding (Fire Service) and installation could be 2006/07.

3. Street Lighting

Maintenance Contract 2002/07

3.1 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

3.2 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 2005/06

3.3 The £1.8 million county-wide programme of work for 2005/06 commenced in late March 2005. The programme for the Rushmoor area is as follows:

Eastern Road, Aldershot - works completed 8 June 2005

Farm Road, Aldershot - works completed 8 June 2005

Hanover Gardens, Farnborough - works completed 10 May 2005

Brookhouse Road footpath, Farnborough - works completed 10 May 2005

Hornbeam Close, Farnborough - works completed 10 May 2005

Holmbrook Gardens, Farnborough - works completed 10 May 2005

Cromwell Way, Farnborough - works completed 12 May 2005

Fairfax Road footpath, Farnborough - works completed 12 May 2005

Brookwood Road, Farnborough - works completed 12 May 2005

Fernhill Lane, Farnborough - works completed 14 December 2005

Randell Close, Farnborough - works completed 14 December 2005

Pennine Way, Farnborough - works completed 29 May 2005

Pentland Place, Farnborough - works completed 29 May 2005

Mendip Road, Farnborough - works completed 29 May 2005

Snowdon Road, Farnborough - works completed 29 May 2005

The Findings, Farnborough - works completed 29 May 2005

Pennine Way footpath, Farnborough - works completed 29 May 2005.

Column Replacement Programme 2006/07

3.4 A county-wide programme estimated at £2.2 million is expected 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 Rushmoor is as follows:

Woburn Avenue, Farnborough

Ashdown Avenue, Farnborough

Sandy Lane, Farnborough.

Community Safety Initiative 2005/06

3.5 No bids were received for this year from the Rushmoor area.

Community Safety Initiative 2006/07

3.6 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 Rushmoor Area:

The Warren/Municipal Garden footpaths;

Manor Walk; and

Guildford Road.

Energy

3.7 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

3.8 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)

3.9 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 would commence in mid to late 2008.

3.10 With a greater than average ageing stock of street lighting columns the question of 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.

3.11 Government funding has not been forthcoming through the Local Transport Plan (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.

3.12 The County Council has therefore submitted an expression of interest to the DfT and awaits an answer enabling a move to the next stage in May/June 2006.

4. Regeneration of Older Urban Areas

North Camp, Farnborough

4.1 The Regeneration of Older Urban Areas (ROUA) programme is working closely with Rushmoor Borough Council in developing proposals for North Camp that accord with the Local Transport Plan objectives.

4.2 Detailed plans are now being finalised for the southern end of Camp Road and the well used route across the adjacent public open space. The plans will take account of the emerging infrastructure requirements of the Aldershot Urban Extension and it is hoped that implementation of the improvements will take place in spring/summer 2006.

4.3 The proposals were exhibited to the public in February 2006.

5. Development Related Works

5.1 Development related works carried out within the Rushmoor Borough Council area by Hampshire Highways 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) carries 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 British roads from 1 January 1999. The original assessment programme is now complete, but re-assessments, as part of principal inspections, and strengthenings 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 that 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 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. Details for these two bridges are given in their respective areas.

Norris (Old) Bridge, Pyestock

6.8 The replacement of the aluminium parapets on Norris (Old) bridge, over the Basingstoke Canal at the Ively Road/Fleet Road roundabout, was postponed from 2005 to avoid the major improvements in Fleet town centre.

6.9 As an interim measure, temporary concrete barriers were installed adjacent to the existing parapets, in October 2005. The replacement of the parapets, and associated edge strengthening, will start on site after Fleet town centre improvements are completed. The contract will also include replacement of the worn out bridge bearings.

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.

808/BM

APPENDIX 2

COUNTY COUNCIL HELD DEVELOPER FUNDING

Current Programme

£

Total Held to fund the above Capital Programme Schemes ............................................. 344,583

Possible Future Schemes

.

Total funding allocated to future schemes above ....................................................................... 629,728

Funding for Schemes to be Developed ........................................................................... 993,037

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

develop suitable schemes. However many have specific spending criteria.

Total Held: ................... 1,967,348

Contributions Received since last HTAP and included in above unallocated table

Possible Future Funding

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