Contact: Chris Lait, tel 01329 824485 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report details the programmes for:

(i) Street Lighting

(ii) Bridgeworks

(iii) Intelligent Transport Systems

(iv) 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 reasonable time scales, the performance indicators within the contract are generally being met.

Extension of the Maintenance Contract

2.2 Talks 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.

Private Finance Initiative (PFI)

2.3 A report was approved by Cabinet on 23 January 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.

2.4 With a greater 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.

2.5 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.

2.6 The County Council have, therefore, submitted an expression of interest to the DfT and await an answer hopefully to move to the next stage in May/June 2006.

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.

Energy

2.8 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 2 years starting on 1st April 2006 and will be exempt from the Climate Change Levy. 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.

Column Replacement Programme 2005/06

2.9 The £1.8 million programme of work for 2005/06 commenced in late March 2005. The programme for the Gosport area is as follows:

Beryton Road, Gosport - works completed 09/11/05

Norman Road, Gosport - works completed 09/11/05

Leesland Road, Gosport - works completed 09/11/05

St Andrews Road, Gosport - works completed 02/11/05

Kings Road, Gosport - works completed 02/11/05

Grove Avenue, Gosport - works completed 02/11/05

Elmhurst Road, Gosport - works completed 02/11/05

Avenue Road, Gosport - works completed 02/11/05

Carlton Road, Gosport - works completed 02/11/05

Sydney Road, Gosport - works completed 02/11/05

Queens Road, Gosport - works completed 02/11/05

The Avenue, Gosport - works completed 27/09/05

Carnarvon Road, Gosport - works completed 27/09/05

Tintern Road, Gosport - works completed 27/09/05

Richmond Road, Gosport - works completed 27/09/05

Walton Close, Gosport - works completed 27/09/05

Ferrol Road, Gosport - works completed 27/09/05

Nottingham Place, Lee-on-the-Solent - works completed 27/05/05

Victoria Square, Lee-on- the-Solent - works completed 27/05/05

Britten Road, Lee-on-the-Solent - works completed 27/05/05

High Street, Lee-on-the-Solent - works completed 27/05/05

Studland Road, Lee-on-the-Solent - works completed 27/05/05

Manor Way, Lee-on-the-Solent - works completed 27/05/05

Olave Close, Lee-on-the-Solent - works completed 27/05/05

Newton Place, Lee-on-the-Solent - works completed 27/05/05

Column Replacement Programme 2006/07

2.10 A programme estimated at £2.2m 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 is as follows:

Wards

Eastbourne Avenue Elson

Jellicoe Avenue Alverstoke

St Mary's Avenue Anglesey

Gordon Road Leesland

Parham Road Christchurch

Grove Road Hardway/Forton

Willmott Lane Privett/Brockhurst

Anglesea Road Lee West

Station Road Brockhurst

Hill Park Road Brockhurst

Albemarle Avenue Hardway

Prideaux-Brune Avenue Bridgemary North

Montgomery Road Bridgemary South

Frater Lane Elson

Nesbitt Close Bridgemary North

The Parkway Peel Common

Wycott Road Bridgemary North

Community Safety Initiative 2005/06

2.11 The programme for 2005/06 is as follows:

Brewers Lane footpath - works completed 04/01/06

Community Safety Initiative 2006/07

2.12 The Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management will consider a report on 21 March 2006. Bids have, so far, been received for the following sites in the Gosport area:

Carlyle Road cycletrack footpath

Anns Hill and Rowner Road Underpasses

Carlyle Road/Toronto Place footpath

Toronto Place/Kings Road footpath

3. Bridge Works Programme 2006/07

3.1 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. 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.

3.2 Most work on bridges is capital funded via the Local Transport Plan (LTP), but inspections, routine maintenance and environmental maintenance of subways are revenue funded.

Ann's Hill Bridge

3.3 This bridge carries Ann's Hill Road over the disused railway line and had severe deterioration of the concrete fence panels. These were replaced in two phases, the west side in 2004 by Mackleys, the east side between August and December 2005, by Osbornes. There was also a problem with vandalism of the copings on the pilasters to the fence panels. As a trial, Osbornes replaced some of the copings with stronger, high-adhesive mortar. This seems to have been successful and the remaining copings will be re-fixed during March 2006. There will be minor traffic management on Ann's Hill Road, narrow lanes and footpaths, but the work is not expected to cause disruption to vehicles or pedestrians.

Alver Bridge

3.4 This bridge, which carries the C411, Alver Road over Alver Lake, is not to current standards and has extensive deterioration of the concrete. One solution is concrete repairs and a weight limit and further consultation will be carried out, including more surveys on usage, to decide if this the most appropriate option.

4. Intelligent Transport Systems Group (ITS)

4.1 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.

4.2 Progress on schemes 2005/06 within Gosport is as follows:

(i) new signals for A32 Weevil Lane, Gosport are complete;

(ii) new traffic signals at the junction of Portsmouth Road and Privett Road with the new link road (Cherque Farm southern junction). This scheme is presently on hold due to land ownership problems and no progress is being made on completing the installation. Two new toucan crossings proposed on the link road and on Privett Road are included in this scheme and are also not progressing;

(iii) a Bus Departure Information System has now been installed at Gosport Bus Station and is fully commissioned; and

(iv) work to provide real time passenger information systems at bus stops within Gosport is ongoing.

5. Development Related Works

5.1 Section 38 Development work currently being undertaken by Hampshire Highways in the Gosport area is detailed in Appendix 1.

External Funding

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

Quay Street Roundabout

5.3 Congestion is one of the 4 key shared priorities in the LTP. Addressing traffic congestion on the Fareham and Gosport peninsula's two key strategic road access routes is consequently being given a high priority. The sum of £4 million has been allocated in the five-year LTP capital programme. Particular congestion points have been identified. The options for localised junction improvements are currently under investigation, including a junction improvement scheme to replace the existing Quay Street roundabout.

5.4 It is envisaged that the scheme, which is being developed in conjunction with developers, will form part of the proposed Tesco development on the old foundry site. Traffic Impact Assessments as well as the Environmental Impact Assessment are awaited before any further progress can be made.

5.5 The proposals aim to improve traffic flows through the junction, accommodate traffic from the Tesco development and improve poor air quality on the Gosport Road since an Air Quality Management Area is shortly to be declared along the A32 approaches to Quay Street.

5.6 The junction improvements are considered to be an essential prerequisite for development of the old foundry site. Consequently if the Tesco store is granted planning permission it will be necessary for the developer to implement the improvements to the Quay Street roundabout before opening the store.

6. Impact Assessments

6.1 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.

778/CL

APPENDIX 2

COUNTY COUNCIL HELD DEVELOPER FUNDING

Current Programme

£

Total Held to fund the above Capital Programme Schemes ............................................. 43,800

Possible Future Schemes

Total funding allocated to future schemes above ....................................................................... 786,096

Unallocated ............................................................................................................ 213,682

Total Held: ................... 1,043,578

Contributions Received since last HTAP - and included in above table.

Possible Future Funding -

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