Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 10

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

BRIGHTON HILL, BASINGSTOKE - PEDESTRIAN ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

NOVEMBER 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

FEBRUARY 2007

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

1.

Scheme

1.1

1.2

Introduction

The proposal is for new and improved footways in the Brighton Hill residential area of Basingstoke. This will complete the missing links and upgrade the existing footways to assist pedestrians and the mobility impaired to access the local shopping area, workplace and health centre. The following local schools will also benefit from these improvements:

(i) Brighton Hill Community College;

(ii) Manor Field County Junior School;

(iii) Beech Down Primary School;

(iv) Hatch Warren Infant School;

(v) Hawthorns School; and

(vi) Chalkridge Junior School.

Raised kerbs and footways will also be implemented at several bus stop locations to aid the mobility impaired who wish to use public transport. The proposal will provide safe and continuous footways for residents from the large residential development at Brighton Hill.

1.3

1.4

1.5

Details

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and County Council officers have identified locations within Brighton Hill where footway improvements are required. Some of the local key distributor roads suffer from a distinct lack of footway provision and bus stops are not served with adequate footways. The choice for suitable walkways to access shops and facilities is limited. There are areas that have tracks showing where pedestrians walk without a hard surface to walk on. These established desire lines will be made up to ensure more people use the footways in a safe and comfortable way.

Following initial comments by the local Member (Councillor Gurden) additional lengths of footway have been incorporated into the scheme.

A location plan is attached and the footway improvements (drawing 17/UCW/7/004) will be displayed at the meeting.

1.6

Standards

The scheme has been designed to current highway design standards. A safety audit is being undertaken and any issues will be addressed.

1.7

1.8

Targets and Outcomes

The relevant Local Transport Plan (LTP) targets are:

(i) LTP1 - Accessibility (public satisfaction);

(ii) LTP1 - Accessibility (severance); and

(iii) BV187 - Condition of the footway surface.

Implementation of the scheme is aimed at achieving the following outcomes, which are consistent with the LTP objectives:

(i) widen travel choice;

(ii) improve access to key local destinations for pedestrians, including the mobility impaired by providing a coherent footway network;

(iii) reduce pedestrian severance;

(iv) encourage walking for local trips;

(v) enhance pedestrian access to local bus stops; and

(vi) enhance facilities for mobility impaired at bus stops.

1.9

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

The Borough Council has been consulted and supports this proposal. A scheme plan has been on display at the Borough Council offices and at the Gillies Health Centre at Brighton Hill. The outcome of the consultation will be reported orally at the meeting.

1.10

Policy Considerations

This proposal is consistent with the County Council's policies of providing a safe environment for all who use the highway and of promoting sustainable and inclusive access from residential areas to work, shopping and other local community facilities.

1.11

Environmental Impacts

This scheme has no adverse environmental impact as it is located on existing highway land.

1.12

Land Requirement

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

1.13

Alternative Arrangements

The option to do nothing would not address the needs of the local community. The scale of the works proposed will allow the effects of this form of investment to be assessed before decisions are taken on further use of external funding in the area.

1.14

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Gurden, supports this proposal. Adjacent local Members, Councillors Heath and Jo Kelly, also support the scheme.

1.15

1.16

Impact Assessments

The new footways will have tactile surfacing installed at the crossing points to assist people with visual impairment.

Assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act has been considered in the development of this scheme which is not expected to compromise equalities in terms of race and gender, but to improve access for all.

1.17

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

1.18

Sustainability

The scheme will improve access for pedestrians and may contribute to a reduction in the dependence on the motor car.

2.

Financial Arrangements

2.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

70

Developer Funding

400

Supervision

Project Works

330

Land

nil

____

____

Total

400

Total

400

____

____

2.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

5.1

0.005

Capital Charge

38.0

0.029

____

____

Total Expenditure

43.1

0.034

____

____

2.3

Maintenance Implications

The increase in footway surface area has been taken into account with the future maintenance work.

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 and drawings

Scheme working file

Environment Department

Rooms 323 and 415