Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

BUILDINGS, LAND AND PROCUREMENT PANEL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - POLICY AND RESOURCES

ITEM 8

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

REGENERATION OF OLDER URBAN AREAS INITIATIVE AND LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN - TRAFFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEME - RUMBRIDGE STREET, TOTTON - PHASE 2

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 2007

COMPLETION DATE:

JUNE 2007

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 (Phase 2 only)

830

830

Fees

4

4

Fees of £40,000 for this phase were included in the approval of phase 1 of this scheme dated 14 September 2004.

834

834

Less developers/

30

30

other contributions

804

804

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme - LTP

220

(b) Other: ROUA 2001/03

180

ROUA 2003/05

300

ROUA 2005/06

104

2.

From other resources

(a) New Forest District Council

30

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

834

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

3.5

0.004

Capital charges

33.0

0.029

TOTAL net expenditure

36.5

0.033

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

Rumbridge Street represents the original `high street' of Totton. The street retains a strong village character with a predominance of buildings of the late Victorian/Edwardian era. Due to neglect over a number of years and new development in other parts of Totton, it has taken on a rundown appearance and is suffering the effects of under-investment from both the public and private sectors.

The street provides important local shopping facilities for Old Totton and Eling, together with a range of specialist outlets serving the wider area around town. There is also a strong tradition of independent specialist traders operating from Rumbridge Street.

Like many urban areas, the street is dominated by traffic to the detriment of pedestrians and the local environment. The retail trade is also under threat from nearby out-of-town shopping and large-scale commercial development, like West Quay in Southampton.

This scheme provides an opportunity to further strengthen the position of vulnerable local landmarks and adds further value to the range of initiatives already undertaken in Rumbridge Street and surrounding areas, for instance street lighting aimed at improving the quality of the environment and regenerating Totton. It will also set a high standard for future development in this area including, subject to further investigations, a third phase of improvements in the High Street in accordance with the adopted long term plan for Totton town centre.

These initiatives are encompassed within the Urban Design Framework adopted by New Forest District Council as Supplementary Planning Guidance. This framework has identified the need to make major improvements in the town centre which will combat traffic congestion in the area, while at the same time improve the built environment which has been decaying in recent times. This will make the area a better place to live and work and ensure its economic vitality in years to come.

Following this phase it is proposed to investigate further possibilities for improvements in the town centre . Implementation will depend upon the technical progress that can be made, together with consultation and the availability of funding.

Targets and Outcomes

The principal objective of the scheme is to improve the appearance of this part of Old Totton, whilst still maintaining its character and charm, providing improved facilities for pedestrian and vehicular traffic wishing to gain access to the businesses and residential areas in this part of the old town.

The target for this scheme is to reduce the level of through traffic using Rumbridge Street and improve pedestrian flows. Pedestrian and vehicle counts have already been recorded to establish a base level. After-surveys will be conducted to determine whether pedestrian flows have improved and vehicle flows have decreased in speed and volume. Attitudinal qualitative surveys will also take place to access the views of users to record whether the improvements made have had a positive measurable impact. This process will involve an assessment using photographs taken before and after the scheme's completion.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

3.7

3.8

3.9

3.10

3.11

3.12

3.13

3.14

3.15

3.16

3.17

3.18

3.19

3.20

3.21

3.22

3.23

3.24

3.25

National/County Network and Policies

The proposed improvements in the Rumbridge Street area of the town centre meet the policy aims of the planning framework document adopted by the County and New Forest District Councils.

The scheme meets the objectives of the Local Transport Plan adopted by Hampshire County Council in 2001 and the former South West Hampshire Transport Strategy, now the Solent Transport Strategy, developed by the County and District Councils to identify transportation, safety, environmental and economic opportunities in the town.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

The complete scheme consists of traffic management measures along Rumbridge Street, High Street and the adjacent Winsor Road that will deter traffic that does not have a destination within this part of Old Totton and reduce the speed of traffic that continues to use in particular Rumbridge Street and the High Street. Footway improvements associated with these measures will also improve the accessibility to this area for pedestrians. The scheme is proposed to be undertaken in three phases.

Phase 1

Construction of Phase 1 of the scheme is complete with the exception of final landscape planting elements. The Project Appraisal for the street lighting element of Phase 1 at a cost of £65,000 was approved on 10 December 2002. A second Project Appraisal for the main hard works at a cost of £340,000 was approved on 14 September 2004. The remaining landscape planting work will take place in autumn 2006. Phase 1 included the following measures:

(i) the removal of the deceleration lane on the A35 Totton bypass, major works to the carriageway and remodelling of the Rumbridge Street junction to slow traffic that enters Rumbridge Street;

(ii) the closure of the adjacent lorry park and the area landscaped over, with the entrance to the public car park realigned;

(iii) surface treatment traffic calming has been laid at regular intervals along Rumbridge Street to encourage slower vehicle speeds; and

(iv) new street lighting of Rumbridge Street and Winsor Road.

The funding for Phase 1 was drawn from the Local Transport Plan and the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Initiative.

Phase 2

Phase 2 will extend the Phase 1 works to the full extent of Rumbridge Street and Winsor Road, including the following measures:

(i) implementation of one-way, in the eastbound direction, on Winsor Road between Rumbridge Street and Eling Lane;

(ii) implementation of one-way to general traffic, westbound, on Rumbridge Street between Batts Corner and Winsor Road junctions. The equivalent eastbound section on Rumbridge Street will be restricted, through a Traffic Regulation Order, to allow buses, taxis and bicycles;

(iii) resurfacing of footways to improve access to and the appearance of the main commercial and retail area in `Old Totton';

(iv) resurfacing of private forecourts subject to agreement with landowners and planning permission requirements; and

(v) refurbishment of Winsor Road car park, entrances and frontage.

Details of the second phase will include:

(i) re-kerbing with high quality stone kerbs and channels;

(ii) resurfacing of roads, forecourts and pavements using high quality stone paving in the main shopping area; and

(iii) street tree planting and new street furniture.

The design of this scheme adheres to Hampshire County Council's standards and national guidance.

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

Phase 3

It is proposed to further extend the benefits of the improvements in Rumbridge Street into the adjacent High Street as set out in the adopted framework for the `Old Totton' area. Further investigations are required to establish the feasibility of various options in light of the continued use of the High Street by heavy vehicles accessing Eling Wharf.

Land Requirements

No land acquisition required. Agreement with adjacent landowners will be sought to carry the new surfacing finishes from kerb to building line across private forecourts and frontages. The boundary of the highway and private forecourts will be delineated in an appropriate material. Failure of any landowner to give permission for improvement work to be carried out on their land would not be considered to be prejudicial to the overall success of the scheme, with all the main elements still able to be delivered.

Environmental Impact

The combined effects of these works, together with the proposed changes to traffic movements in the Rumbridge Street area of Totton and the use of environmentally-sensitive materials, will greatly improve the general environment of this part of Totton. All construction materials will be selected for their quality and long-life, providing better value for money for long-term maintenance costs.

Statutory Procedures

Traffic Regulation Orders to support the one-way traffic flows and limited access for buses, taxis and cyclists were advertised for the scheme and two objections were received:

(i). concern over traffic delays/congestion; and

(ii) concern that through traffic would be unable to overtake traffic queuing in Winsor Road.

These were considered by the Executive Member for Environment and the Traffic Regulation Orders approved on the basis that the proposed scheme will reduce the impact of traffic on Rumbridge Street and improve the general environment in this part of Totton. Planning permission is required for some elements of the work on private forecourts and frontages. Pre-application discussions have indicated that the proposals are looked on favourably and it is anticipated that there will be no objections to the granting of permission.

Public Consultation

Public consultation on a broad range of improvements for Totton town centre, including Rumbridge Street, was undertaken in September 2002.

The exhibition was viewed by approximately 1,500 people. The results of the exercise indicated a high level of support for the overall initiative, particularly for the Old Totton area.

A separate public exhibition displaying the detailed proposals for Rumbridge Street only was undertaken on 24 June 2004. The plans were subsequently displayed at the Totton and Eling Town Council offices from 28 June to 15 July 2004.

Members of New Forest District Council and the Town Council support the proposals for improvements to Rumbridge Street and `Old Totton', as outlined in the Totton Town Centre plan adopted by the District Council's Cabinet on 2 April 2003 and in a report to the South West Hampshire Transportation Panel meeting of 4 March 2003.

There were 161 visitors recorded at the exhibition but it is thought that a number of people did not register their name in the attendance book and the therefore the number of visitors was estimated to be nearer 200.

There were 43 questionnaires returned with comments on the scheme, of which 28 (65%) supported the proposals.

Local Members' Views

The proposals for Rumbridge Street have been discussed with the local Members, Councillors Weeks and Harrison, who have indicated their support.

Impact Assessments

The widened pavements, together with dropped kerbs and tactile paving, will give improved access to this area of Totton, and to local facilities, for disabled people.

Maintenance Implications

The proposed improvements will result in a small increase in maintenance costs. These costs will be taken into account when setting the annual base budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

Enhanced street lighting, together with improvements to the surrounding environment, including the public car park, and an increase in economic activity in the area, is likely to deter anti-social behaviour.

Sustainability

This scheme will improve facilities for pedestrians and therefore encourage local people to walk. Access to, and the appearance of, local facilities will be enhanced, supporting viability and reducing the need to travel elsewhere for services. Air quality should also improve as a result of the scheme being implemented.

The design and specification of the project demonstrates the advantages of investment in the principles of appropriateness, high quality and long life, and supports the County Council's corporate Urban Living Strategy.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

Alternative design options have been considered, including traffic signals at the Batts Corner and Rumbridge Street, but this was found to be impractical due to the close proximity of the level crossing. The current scheme is consistent with the adopted urban design framework and transport strategy for the area. The alternative options were considered not to meet the scheme objectives or the principles of the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas Initiative.

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

Rumbridge Street Working File

Environment Department

Room 112