Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: SOUTH HAMPSHIRE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ITEM 8

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

HORTON HEATH - SIGNALS PEDESTRIAN PHASE

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

MARCH 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

JUNE 2006

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2005/06

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2005

(at 2005

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

nil

nil

Construction

85.5

85.5

Fees

12.5

12.5

98.0

98.0

Less developers/

30.0

30.0

other contributions

68.0

68.0

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

68.0

(b) Other

68.0

2.

From other resources

(a) Commuted sum from developer contribution taken in respect of original traffic signal installation

30.0

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

98.0

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

3.3

0.003

Capital charges

11.0

0.009

TOTAL net expenditure

14.3

0.012

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

The junction is on the route to Wyvern College, Fair Oak Junior School and Fair Oak Infants School, all of which are on the same campus. Currently about 250 people (June 2003) cross at the junction during each of the school marshalling periods. The junction has been identified as a barrier for parents and children wishing to walk to the local schools. Requests for pedestrian facilities have been received from parents of schoolchildren and representatives of the schools themselves, and the provision of improved crossing facilities feature in the schools' travel plans.

2.2

Targets and Outcomes

Working with the local schools, Eastleigh Borough Council has identified a likely demand of 370 schoolchildren wishing to access the Wyvern complex, suggesting about 120 schoolchildren currently choose not to walk, possibly because crossing the road is difficult. The proposals may encourage these people to walk to school, supporting the County Council's Sustainable Development Strategy by helping to reduce the environmental impact of travel.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

The proposal is consistent with County Council policies.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

The crossing will operate in a new vehicle all-red stage that will stop traffic on all four approaches to the junction, allowing pedestrians to cross any of the roads. The duration of the green man period (the invitation to start to cross) will be set to allow a pedestrian to become established on the crossing. The actual time that traffic is stopped will then be determined by the continuing presence of pedestrians in the carriageway, with sensors detecting pedestrians walking across the road and extending the all-red period.

Two-way peak hour traffic flows on the B3354 Botley Road are approximately 1,100 vehicles, while the maximum traffic flow on the two side roads, Burnetts Lane and Knowle Lane, is approximately 185 vehicles. The operation of the crossing is predicted to increase the average queue length on the B3354 Botley Road from 35 vehicles to 110 in the morning, and 20 to 86 in the evening. To reduce the delay associated with this increased queue length, it is proposed to replace the existing traffic signal control system with MOVA (Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation), which has the potential to increase capacity by 15-20%. One effect of MOVA will be to extend the duration of the main road green period. This will reduce overall traffic delay, but will increase the time pedestrians must wait for an opportunity to cross.

Currently the cycle time is 96 seconds. This would increase to around 120 seconds with the addition of the pedestrian stage, but it is likely MOVA would operate at around 150 seconds during the peak periods. The extra delay would be most felt on the side roads, with the average queue increasing on Burnetts Lane from 15 vehicles to 37 in the morning and 4 to 8 in the evening, and on Knowle Lane increasing from 8 vehicles to 15 in the morning and 2 to 4 in the evening. There will be a larger queue on the main road at the start of the green period, but the longer green period would cater for this, reducing the additional delay.

The main road is a commuter link and any additional delay here will not significantly affect journey times between Botley and Eastleigh or Winchester. This is felt to be a reasonable balance between the competing road user needs at this busy junction, and is in line with the County Council's policies of providing appropriate facilities for pedestrians without penalising motorists in their legitimate use of the road .

A location plan is attached and a detailed drawing will be displayed at the meeting.

Environmental Impact

3.7

Motorists waiting at the junction with their engines running affect air quality by increasing vehicle emissions, but any increase is likely to be small as the operation of the new pedestrian crossing has been designed to minimise additional delay. The proposal is considered to have negligible consequences for the environment as a whole but will improve the local environment for pedestrians and is likely to encourage walking, reducing the adverse environmental impact of transport.

Land Requirements

3.8

No land acquisition required. All works to be confined within existing public highway limits.

Statutory Procedures

3.9

There are no statutory procedures affecting this proposal.

Public Consultation

3.10

3.11

An exhibition was held in Fair Oak Junior School on 25 January 2006. Letters were sent to parents with children at the three local schools (Wyvern College, Fair Oak Junior and Fair Oak Infants) inviting them to attend. Press notices were also sent out and an article was included in the Borough Newsletter. In addition, electronic consultation material was displayed on Hantsweb for an extended period before and after the exhibition.

A total of 288 people commented on the proposed new crossing facility, 277 in favour with one objection. The objector contended that the crossing was not needed rather than opposing any negative impact of the scheme.

Local Member's View

3.12

The local Member, Councillor Mrs Roling, supports the proposal.

Impact Assessments

3.13

3.14

Red, blister tactile paving and flush dropped kerbs will be provided at the new crossing to guide visually impaired pedestrians to the crossing points. An audible tone will operate with the green man to assist visually impaired pedestrians, and rotating tactile cones will be provided to advise pedestrians with a visual and hearing impairment of the operation of the crossing.

The provisions of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act have no impact on this proposal.

Maintenance Implications

3.15

3.16

The junction is an existing installation and will not add significantly to the maintenance liability. The provision of new pedestrian equipment may, however, increase the number of maintenance call-outs.

The traffic signals equipment is anticipated to operate satisfactorily for between 10 and 15 years; after this time it will need to be replaced. The antiskid surfacing may need to be renewed at more regular intervals to ensure adequate performance.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.17

The provisions of this Act have no impact on this proposal.

Sustainability

3.18

The scheme seeks to improve the environment for cycling and walking and contribute towards a reduction in the dependence on the use of the motor vehicle.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

4.2

To retain the existing junction. The operation of the existing traffic signals does provide limited opportunities to cross as right of way cycles between the different roads, but gives no positive indication that it is safe to do so. Consequently pedestrians are uncertain when to begin crossing. Pedestrians who delay crossing do not have time to reach the opposite footway before traffic is moving again, and feel insecure while in the carriageway.

To leave the junction as it is but to increase the time between one road losing right of way and another road gaining right of way. While this would provide a longer opportunity to cross, pedestrians would still have no indication that it would be safe to do so, and would be unlikely to perceive this as an improvement. In addition, the additional delay to traffic would occur every cycle regardless of the presence of pedestrians.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1.

Published works.

2.

Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE

LOCATION

SIG1332 - Botley Road/Knowle Lane/Burnetts Lane, Horton Heath

Environment Department

Monument House, Winchester