Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: NORTH HAMPSHIRE AND SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 2

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

NEW STREET, LYMINGTON - TOWN CENTRE ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

SEPTEMBER 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

DECEMBER 2006

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2006/07

1.

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

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2006

(at 2006

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

140

140

Fees

23

23

163

163

Less developers/

63

63

other contributions

100

100

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

100

(b) Other

100

2.

From other resources

(a) NFDC

63

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

163

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £nil

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

1

0.001

Capital charges

15

0.012

TOTAL net expenditure

16

0.013

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

New Street is an important link between Lymington town centre car parks and the High Street. Currently there are limited facilities for pedestrians and the mobility impaired due to the narrow footway and high kerbs on both sides of the street. Pedestrian flows are high, and they are often forced to use the carriageway as passage because of the limited footway widths.

There is a high level of conflict between pedestrians and vehicles in New Street and the main car park in Emsworth Road. Although Emsworth Road car park can also be accessed from the north, the route from the High Street is the main entrance. The section of New Street and Emsworth Road from the High Street is one-way and all vehicles leave the car park to the north. Larger vehicles gain access to the rear of shops and businesses via New Street.

Lymington town's St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery are located in New Street en route to the car park from the High Street. Currently, the surrounding street scene and access provision does not help to promote the use of these facilities.

New Forest District Council is using Arts Council funds to establish an area of wall art at the northern end of the street to extend the work of the Art Gallery to the local community and visitors to the area.

Targets and Outcomes

2.5

2.6

2.7

The principal objective of the scheme is to improve accessibility to the town centre, making it pedestrian-friendly with improved facilities for the mobility impaired and people with prams and buggies. Access to the town centre will be improved by providing specific sections of footway widening, incorporating crossing points at the same level which will promote increased awareness for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

Pedestrian and vehicle counts have already been recorded to establish a base level. After surveys will take place to ascertain whether pedestrian flows have increased, especially within the boundary of the newly defined wider footway. Attitudinal qualitative after surveys will take place to assess the views of users to record whether the improvements have had a positive measurable impact. This process will involve an assessment based on using photographs taken before and after the scheme's completion.

Comparable schemes elsewhere in the county have been well received and have provided much improved safety for pedestrians, whilst still allowing access to traffic. The Hundred in Romsey is an example of improved pedestrian facilities in an old market town, whilst still providing access to motor vehicles and enhancing the street scene.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

The scheme supports the County Council's road safety and casualty reduction policies and improves pedestrian facilities.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

3.3

The proposal includes raising the level of the carriageway to correspond more closely with the footway levels and replace the scarred tarmac surface with traditional Tegula and Ogden blocks laid in a herringbone design. Tactile crossings with timber bollards, new wider footways and low kerbs will improve the street scene. Crossing points will be located at the kerbed build-outs where the carriageway will be narrowed. The carriageway width between the build-outs will be set at 3.1 metres.

The proposals will provide improved visibility for pedestrians at the crossing points, help to reduce vehicle speeds and increase driver awareness. Works on this scheme are expected to take 8-10 weeks and will follow on from the planned drainage scheme in New Street which is scheduled to commence on 22 May 2006 and run for 6-8 weeks.

Environmental Impact

3.4

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

Land Requirements

3.5

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

Statutory Procedures

3.6

No Statutory Procedures are required.

Public Consultation

3.7

A public consultation event was carried out in June 2005 and Lymington Town Council's Town Clerk, Mr Ray Jones, attended the afternoon session along with other local business representatives.

Local Member's View

3.8

The local Member, Councillor Adrian Evans, supports the scheme.

Impact Assessments

3.9

This scheme will provide improved facilities for pedestrians and other vulnerable users and make a contribution to improve driver awareness.

Maintenance Implications

3.10

The new paved surface and bollards will mean some financial maintenance implications which will be taken into account when setting the annual budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.11

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

Sustainability

3.12

The scheme seeks to improve the environment and street scene for pedestrians and contribute to road safety by creating a greater driver and pedestrian awareness.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

An alternative approach included the road closure of the New Street entrance from the High Street, however this option was rejected as service vehicles need to gain access. Other options incorporating speed humps were considered but options for a raised carriageway surface with wider footway build-outs at crossing points were selected, which focus on achieving the Corporate Strategy objectives and respond to the aspirations of the local community.

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

None.