Archived decisions

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

1. Summary

1.1 This report summarises progress in the following areas:

(i) Intelligent Transport Systems;

(ii) Bridgeworks;

(iii) Street Lighting; and

(iv) Development related works.

2. Intelligent Transport Systems Group (ITS)

2.1 The ITS group 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 2005/06 Schemes

2.2 As part of the county-wide STOPWATCH Real Time Information (RTI) contract, the Basingstoke Stagecoach bus fleet has now been fitted with Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) equipment. Following the input of data from Traveline and the successful testing of the system during March 2006, electronic information signs will be deployed on routes 1 and 6. Information will also be disseminated through the internet and mobile telephone (SMS) facilities.

Bus Departure Information System

2.3 The installation of the final three post-mounted electronic display screens has been delayed until Stagecoach resolves issues regarding the lease of the bus station. Following building work, due to be complete by April 2006, two main summary display screens will also be installed at the North Hampshire Hospital.

2.4 The new toucan crossing at Worting Road near Gabriel Park, Basingstoke, forms part of a wider cycle route scheme and is reported in the Update on Schemes in the Capital Programme, elsewhere on the agenda.

New Signal Junction - Popley Way/Sherbourne Road, Basingstoke

2.5 Detailed design completed. Developer led scheme, with construction likely in summer/autumn 2006.

New Toucan Crossing - Hackwood Road Near Southern Road

2.6 Detailed design underway.

2.7 A feasibility study is underway examining the options for providing pedestrian crossing facilities at Fiveways, Old Basing. As part of this study, the A30 Huish Lane junction will be examined to identify the scope for and cost of a crossing across the A30.

2.8 A feasibility study will commence shortly into the scope for providing a pedestrian crossing on Worting Road, near the mini roundabout at Attwood Close

3. Bridge Works Programme 2006/07

3.1 This section summarises schemes started in 2005/06, but carrying over in to 2006/07 and schemes due to start in 2006/07.

3.2 The Bridges Section 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.

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

Funding

3.4 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.

Load Assessment and Strengthening

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

Road/Rail Interfaces

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

Aluminium Parapets

3.7 The Highways Agency identified that aluminium vehicle parapets made by BACO, installed before 1994, were not to current standards. All such parapets on county bridges were prioritised and 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.

Painting Contract, Basingstoke 2005/06 and 2006/07

3.8 Southern Coating Contractors were awarded the 2005/06 painting contract to paint the parapets on five subways in Popley Way and Worting Road bridge, over the A340, Ringway West. Painting started in August and was programmed to finish in November 2005. However, due to problems with the contractor, the work is behind schedule. Three of the subways still need their final top-coat, two need minor re-touching, and the Worting Road parapets are only approximately 50% complete.

3.9 It is intended to complete these outstanding works in April/May 2006, during more suitable weather. The work on Worting Road bridge will require some off-peak lane closures on Ringway West and the slip roads to Worting Road.

3.10 The 2006/07 painting contract is currently being prepared. It will include further subway parapets in Basingstoke. Further details will follow as they are finalised.

Ship Inn Footbridge, Ashford Hill

3.11 In November 2005, RCS installed a new footbridge just east of the road bridge, as part of a new footpath alongside the B3051, between the Post Office and Ashford Hill. The site is on the edge of a Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest and, at English Nature's request, approach boardwalks to the footbridge are being installed. It is hoped this work will be completed by the end of April 2006.

Green Way Footbridge, Basingstoke

3.12 This footbridge crosses the B3400, Churchill Way West, between the West Ham and Worting Road roundabouts. The footbridge is not to current standards, particularly for ease of access, and will need major repairs over the next few years. A Toucan crossing for pedestrians and cyclists is currently being installed across the B3400, adjacent to the footbridge, as part of the Gabriel Park/Leisure Centre cycle route.

3.13 The crossing, that will make the footbridge redundant, should be finished in March 2006. It is therefore proposed to demolish the footbridge and further details will follow, when consultations are complete.

Little London Footbridge

3.14 Following requests from the Parish Council, the installation of a new footbridge over Bow Brook is being investigated at the side of the road bridge on the C90, Silchester Road, next to the village hall. Consultations, particularly over land issues, are on-going and further details will follow once they are agreed.

Knights Little Bridge, Near Headley

3.15 This bridge carries the A339, which was de-trunked in April 2003, over the River Enborne near Headley on the Hampshire/Berkshire border. It was identified that the bridge was in poor condition and a successful bid for extra funding was made via the LTP.

3.16 Further investigation has shown that bridge replacement is the best solution, and this work will go out to tender shortly, with work on site programmed for April to October 2006.

3.17 It is planned to maintain two lanes of traffic during the works and this will involve the construction of a temporary bridge alongside the existing. Further details will follow as they are finalised with the successful contractor.

Overton (Scrubbs) Bridge, Near Micheldever

3.18 This bridge carries the C29, Overton Lane, over the Southampton- Waterloo railway line, north of Micheldever, and has high priority for safety measures. The installation of approach safety fences is being discussed with Network Rail and RCS, and it is hoped to carry out the work in March 2006. However, this work is now forming part of a tendered scheme, that will include the safety fence works at Elvetham Road, Fleet, and is now programmed for 2006/07. Further details will follow as they are finalised.

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 with 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 timescales, the performance indicators within the contract are generally being met.

Extension of the Maintenance Contract

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

Private Finance Initiative (PFI)

4.3 A report was approved by Cabinet on 23 January 2006 regarding the submission of an Expression of Interest to the Department for Transport (DfT) in relation to a PFI for street lighting maintenance and column replacement. Should such a bid be successful it is anticipated that the new contract would commence in mid to late 2008.

4.4 With a greater than average ageing stock of street lighting columns, the question of the County Council's ability to fund their replacement within a reasonable period has become the main issue, irrespective of the condition of the columns at present.

4.5 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 remaining option is, therefore, to make a bid for funding under the Government PFI funding regime.

4.6 The County Council has, therefore, submitted an expression of interest to the DfT and awaits an answer; hopefully to move to the next stage in May or June 2006.

Energy

4.7 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

4.8 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 regarding 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.

Column Replacement Programme 2005/06

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

Houndmills Road, Basingstoke - works completed 12 December 2005

Brunell Road, Basingstoke - works completed 12 December 2005

Joule Road, Basingstoke - works completed 12 December 2005

Column Replacement Programme 2006/07

4.10 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 for Basingstoke is as follows:

Railway Footpath

Kempshott Lane

Jasmine Road

Ringway West footpath

Community Safety Initiative 2005/06

4.11 The programme for 2005/06 is as follows:

Mount Pleasant Drive, Tadley - scheme withdrawn by Tadley Town Council

Milkingpen Lane, Old Basing - scheme withdrawn by Parish Council

Cuffelle Close/St Gabriels Lea footpath, Chineham - scheme withdrawn by Chineham Parish Council

Sorrells Close footpaths, Chineham & Basingstoke Councils - works complete.

Community Safety Initiative 2006/07

4.12 A report will be considered by the Executive Member for Environment: South Hampshire and Resource Management on 21 March 2006. So far the following bids have been accepted for the Basingstoke area:

Obee Gardens

Footpath to the rear of Winchester Close

Paddock/Paveral walk

Loveridge Close

Hinton Close

5. Development Related Works

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

External Funding

5.2 External funding and schemes relevant to that funding are detailed in Appendix 2.

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.

855/BGM

APPENDIX 1

Section 38 Agreements in the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane

COUNTY COUNCIL HELD DEVELOPER FUNDING APPENDIX 2

Current Programme

£

Total Held to fund the above Capital Programme Schemes ............................................. 3,332,820

Possible Future Schemes

Total funding allocated to future schemes above ....................................................................... 3,463,686

Funding for schemes still to be developed: ...................................................................... 448,176

Total Held: ................... 7,244,682

Contributions Received since last HTAP and included in one of the following tables above :

Current Programme, Possible Future Schemes or Schemes still to be developed.

Possible Future Funding

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