Contact: Paul Turner, ext 6978 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides a progress update on transport schemes within the 2005/06 Capital Programme together with schemes for the 2006/07 Capital Programme that were approved by the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management on 18 January and 21 March 2006. A summary of schemes is shown on the attached appendix.

1.2 The table below shows the county-wide improvement programmes for 2006/07 and, where applicable to the Basingstoke and Deane area, the item number is given for reference.

1.3 Schemes in the Capital Programme are financed from the Local Transport Plan (LTP) and/or external funding (EF) received from developers or other contributors.

2. Capital Schemes 2005/06

Basingstoke Quality Bus Partnership - Route 3 Popley to South Ham £200,000 LTP

2.1 The bus route improvements are reported elsewhere on the agenda as part of the Passenger Transport report.

Victory Roundabout Subway Improvements Phase II £45,000 EF

2.2 This work which involved new hand rails, surfacing and art work murals is substantially complete with the anti slip surfacing to follow in the fair weather.

A33 Reading Road Roundabout and Popley Way Junction Improvements £2,733,000 LTP £967,000 EF

2.3 The A33 Reading Road/Ringway roundabout has the second highest number of accidents for any junction in Hampshire. In common with other roundabouts on the A33, traffic approach speeds are high producing turning movement conflicts and rear end shunts. The proposed traffic signals for all arms of the Ringway interchange will allow safe and managed vehicular access to reduce these types of accidents.

2.4 The conversion of the A33/Popley Way junction to an all-moves signal controlled junction will remove `U' turns from both the A33 Reading Road/Ringway roundabout and the Crockford Lane Roundabout which will improve the operation and management of these two junctions and also reduce safety conflicts.

2.5 In addition to the junction improvements, cycle and pedestrian crossing facilities are to be accommodated with links to a segregated cycle route alongside the A33 towards Chineham. A project appraisal for this scheme was approved by the Executive Member for Policy and Resources on 4 November 2005. The advance service diversion works are to start in April with the main works to follow in the summer taking about one year to complete.

Brighton Hill Roundabout Improvements £1,000,000 EF

2.6 The roundabout works are substantially complete. This includes the carriageway reconstruction, repositioning of entry islands, traffic lane alignment safety improvements and new lighting, together with the new pedestrian island at the Harrow Way. The anti-skid surface on each approach is to be laid in the fair weather.

Gabriel Park Leisure Centre Cycle Route £220,000 EF

2.7 The work to provide a Toucan signal crossing with associated cycle paths at the B3400 Worting Road started in January and is expected to be completed by the end of March. The new crossing will help pedestrians and cyclists to access the Leisure Centre and assist the residents from the nearby elderly persons home. Consideration is being given to the removal of the redundant footbridge.

A33 Footway Link Sherfield-on-Loddon £53,000 EF

2.8 The new development of 800 homes at Sherfield Park will contain a number of community facilities, including a community hall and shops, which will become key local destinations. The provision of a new footway link will provide a safe and direct route for the residents of Sherfield-on-Loddon to access these without reliance on private vehicular transport. The footway works are expected to be complete by the end of April.

3. Capital Schemes 2006/07

AlenconLink Bus Interchange Improvements £350,000 EF

3.1 This scheme is to change the bus station layout to enable all required buses to be routed through the bus station. The existing bus bays will be lengthened and the bus gate arrangements will have new equipment to help with enforcement. The programme is for the works to start later this year following close consultation with both district and county Members. The scheme will improve the bus reliability and punctuality for the rail station and the shopping centre.

Brighton Hill Pedestrian Access Improvements £300,000 EF

3.2 This scheme is to provide new, and improve existing, footways in the residential areas of Brighton Hill. Discussions have taken place with officers from the district council to prioritise which footways need to be upgraded and where new ones are needed to improve pedestrian accessibility in this part of the town. The design is currently in progress for the works to start later this summer following consultation.

Chapel Hill Roundabout Pedestrian Improvements £350,000 EF

3.3 This scheme will provide a controlled pedestrian crossing facility on Chapel Hill, south of the existing railway bridge. The design of the scheme is underway for work to start this summer following consultation.

ITS - Basingstoke and Countywide £100,000 LTP £50,000 EF

3.4 Proposals for improvements and additions to CCTV and variable message sign systems in Basingstoke District are being developed together with a programme for implementation during 2006/2007. Poles for cameras to be installed shortly have been erected at both Winchester Road roundabout and the Thorneycroft roundabout.

Timberlake Road Subway Improvements £200,000 EF

3.5 A feasibility study to investigate improvements to pedestrian accessibility in this part of Basingstoke has been completed. The study has identified different options to improve the pedestrian subway access to the shopping centre. Further design work is being undertaken to determine which option should be progressed to give maximum benefits and value for money. A programme is currently being prepared for possible work to start this year.

North Popley to Town Centre Access Improvements - £25,000 LTP £160,000 EF.

3.6 These improvements will utilise both on-road and off-road facilities to connect into the existing cycle routes at Maple Crescent and Kingsclere Road. The area to be serviced will include Merton County Junior School from Popley Way, Oakridge County Infant School along Sherbourne Road and Basingstoke Railway Station along Vyne Road. The off-road sections will be signed and lined accordingly. The work is due to start in April.

North East Hampshire Transportation Strategy Village Initiatives - Kingsclere £60,000 LTP.

3.7 The plans to slow vehicle speeds and assist pedestrians for traffic calming at a number of locations in Kingsclere have been shown to the Parish Council with a view towards trialling a scheme shortly.

Glebe Gardens, Environmental Improvements ROUA £65,000 EF

3.8 The environmental improvements for Glebe Gardens continues as a ROUA (Regeneration of Older Urban Areas) partnership scheme with the Borough Council. This work is due to start in April and consists of surfacing improvements to the pedestrian and cycle routes linking with the town centre. Also included are new trees and planting areas with new seating and lighting. The surface paving and new path through the Church Cottage car park is to follow in the summer subject to planning permission.

4. Impact Assessments

4.1 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 Members note the progress with the schemes in the Transport Capital Programme and support those approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for 2006/07.

851/PST

APPENDIX

2005/06 CAPITAL PROGRAMME

2006/07 CAPITAL PROGRAMME