Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT: NORTH HAMPSHIRE AND SPATIAL STRATEGY

ITEM 2

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

HACKWOOD ROAD, BASINGSTOKE - TOUCAN CROSSING

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

OCTOBER 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

DECEMBER 2006

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

1.

Scheme

Introduction

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

Hackwood Road provides a local link between Basingstoke town centre and the A30, Ringway South. It also serves the residential community off Cliddesden Road and the more established business/retail outlets within the older part of the town centre (`Top of Town'). At its top end Hackwood Road provides a local feeder route into the one-way system of New Road/New Street which borders the pedestrian area of the town centre, including Festival Place and `Top of Town'.

The proposed Toucan crossing site is located immediately adjacent to the main entrance to the War Memorial Park. This location provides a focus for crossing movements to the Park, Civic Offices, local schools and Queen Mary's Sixth Form College. It is also used by local residents as a convenient place to cross to the business and retail outlets.

The 12 hour traffic flow (7 am-7 pm) of over 9,000 vehicles at the proposed crossing site poses a problem for the 650 pedestrians and additional cyclists who require to cross the road in the vicinity each day. The survey undertaken provides a PV² value of 0.62 x 10⁸ which justifies the provision of a formal crossing. There is a high demand for pedestrian crossing movements throughout the day with peak periods between 8-9 am and 2.45-3.45 pm associated with schoolchildren going to/from local schools in the area. There is also significant cycle use on the route (257 cycles daily during the summer - July 2005) which has added to the total demand to cross the road at this location.

In more recent times, the location has become an important crossing point for cyclists following the signed National Cycle Network Route 23 (NCNR 23), which directs cycles on a shared unsegregated 3 metre route through the War Memorial Park before exiting the main gate to cross Hackwood Road where it enters Cliddesden Road, passing Queen Mary's Sixth Form College and onto Harrow Way. The Toucan crossing and footway/cycle track will extend the shared route and provide a facility largely segregated from vehicular traffic. A further extension of the shared unsegregated facility will also provide a local link into the traffic calmed Southern Road.

The concerns of local ward members resulted in the initial investigations for the crossing by Borough Council officers. Development of the cycle route with the Borough in conjunction with Sustrans established the route of NCNR 23 through the War Memorial Park and further highlighted the need for a safe crossing at the Hackwood Road junction to assist with cycle activity. Close cooperation with Borough officers has resulted in the detailed proposal for the Toucan crossing, the route of NCNR 23 and the required conversion of the footway through the Park to provide a shared use cycle track.

In the three year period 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005 one personal injury accident was recorded on Hackwood Road within 200 metres of the proposed Toucan crossing site. This involved a pedestrian who stepped into the road and was struck by a passing motorist. Overall the scheme will help to maintain a safe and convenient facility for both pedestrians and cyclists.

Details

1.7

1.8

The project comprises:

(i) installing a Toucan crossing in Hackwood Road to the south of Southern Road opposite the War Memorial Park;

(ii) providing a shared footway/cycle track between Southern Road and Cliddesden Road; and

(iii) undertaking minor modifications to an existing brick planting area to accommodate the Toucan crossing.

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

Standards

1.9

The crossing and footway design complies with Department for Transport and County Council standards and has been safety audited at the appropriate stages in the design process.

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

1.10

1.11

1.12

All necessary statutory procedures have been satisfied in the development of this Toucan crossing.

Public notices were posted on-site on 2 May 2006 for 28 days providing details of the proposals. Additionally, a letter was sent to all householders and businesses within the immediate locality. No comments have been received.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough ward members support the scheme.

Policy Considerations

1.13

The proposal is consistent with County Council policies.

Environmental Impacts

1.14

The provision of a crossing is likely to increase short-term congestion as vehicles will be required to stop and wait whilst the crossing is in operation. Using modelling results from the traffic and pedestrian flows recorded in the survey, the average queue at the start of the green signal will be three vehicles for both the morning and afternoon pedestrian peak periods (ie 8-9 am and 2.45-3.45 pm). The average additional journey time for vehicles travelling on this route, based on peak period counts, will be six seconds in the morning and seven seconds in the afternoon. The maximum time a vehicle would be delayed is about 16 seconds. This instance would occur when a vehicle is forced to stop just as the lights are changing to the pedestrian/cycle phase. All these results are based on the assumption that pedestrians arrive at an average uniform rate, with equal levels of traffic on each approach.

Land Requirement

1.15

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

Alternative Arrangements

1.16

Alternative types of crossing are not appropriate in this case. The crossing needs to accommodate various pedestrian users and cyclists and to control traffic flows to enable them to cross in safety.

Local Members' View

1.17

The local Member, Councillor Jo Kelly, and the adjacent Members, Councillors Gurden and Heath, support the proposals.

Impact Assessments

1.18

The proposed crossing incorporates tactile paving and audible warning signals beneficial for all user groups, in particular the mobility impaired (young and old), people with pushchairs and children, and schoolchildren. Assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in the development of the scheme which is not expected to compromise equalities in terms of race, creed or gender, but to further improve access for all.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

1.19

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

Sustainability

1.20

The scheme will aid pedestrian/cycle movement within the local community providing a safe crossing to link residential areas with nearby schools, shops and businesses. It will help to encourage walking and cycling as travel modes both locally and on the wider National Cycle Network.

2.

Financial Arrangements

2.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

29

Developer Funding

85

Supervision

Project Works

56

Land

nil

____

____

Total

85

Total

85

____

____

2.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

2.1

0.002

Capital Charge

9.0

0.007

____

____

Total Expenditure

11.1

0.009

____

____

Maintenance Implications

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

The revenue implication of this proposal will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

The installation of traffic signals at this location will result in additional revenue expenditure, both in respect of maintenance works and its operation. Maintenance works include repairing equipment, responding to reported faults, carrying out a biannual lamp change and undertaking an annual electrical inspection. Operating costs are incurred in respect of electrical power and telecommunications.

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 anti-skid surfacing may need to be renewed at more regular intervals to ensure adequate performance.

If the maintenance costs of new Intelligent Transport Systems installations and equipment are not taken into account at the setting of the annual base budget, and the budget does not match the rate of growth for equipment, then there will be increasing pressure to reduce maintenance standards and on the ability to replace ageing and obsolete equipment.

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

Project File

Environment Department

Traffic Management Group

Sheridan House, Jewry Street

Winchester