Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 8

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

ST MARGARET'S LANE, TITCHFIELD - TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

NOVEMBER 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

JANUARY 2007

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2004/05

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

42

42

Fees

33

33

75

75

Less developers/

other contributions

75

75

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme 2004/05 (and amended in September 2006).

75

(b) Other

Total

75

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

75

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

0.5

0.001

Capital charges

7.0

0.006

TOTAL net expenditure

7.5

0.007

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

2.10

The scheme will improve the environment for road users and make it a safer area for pedestrians.

St Margaret's Lane, Titchfield is a narrow lane bounded on both sides. There is no footway along most of the route and the lane is unsuitable for high volumes of traffic. It extends north from Coach Hill/Common Lane junction to the A27 St Margaret's Lane Roundabout. At the southern end the lane forms a `T' junction at the bend of Coach Hill and Common Lane.

One of the main routes used to access the A27 through Titchfield is via Coach Hill and Common Lane. High volumes of commuter traffic travel through Coach Hill and Common Lane to access the A27. A 12-hour traffic count identified over 6,000 vehicles travelling through Coach Hill and Common Lane.

To bypass queues at peak times on the Warsash Road approach to the A27 St Margaret's Lane Roundabout, traffic diverts along Coach Hill and Common Lane and into St Margaret's Lane. Traffic turning right into the lane at this wide junction can also cause congestion along Coach Hill and often can be seen turning in front of oncoming traffic in a dangerous manner. There has been one serious accident near this bend and also a vehicle has lost control, causing damage to property.

A 12-hour two-way traffic count averaged over five working days identified 3,331 vehicles travelling through St Margaret's Lane and of these 1,650 were during the peak periods per day.

On the northern side of Common Lane a bus stop is located, where pedestrians and schoolchildren wait for the local bus and school bus. There is minimal hardstanding at the bus stop and no footpath leading to it. Pedestrians have to cross the busy junction area and are standing on this busy road waiting for the bus.

To improve road conditions in St Margaret's Lane and on the A27 St Margaret's Lane Roundabout, and to encourage traffic to use the Warsash Road approach, temporary traffic management measures have been introduced at the northern end of St Margaret's Lane on the approach to the roundabout. These were installed in December 2004 as a trial using temporary materials to reduce the two traffic lanes at the entry to the roundabout to one, as a means of deterring extraneous traffic from St Margaret's Lane. This improves visibility for drivers entering onto the roundabout by reducing vehicle masking. It also simplifies traffic movements onto the roundabout. It is proposed to make this permanent as part of the scheme.

Targets and Outcomes

The scheme aims to support the Local Transport Plan objectives by improving safety and accessibility.

The objectives are to provide a safer environment for pedestrians and other road users, and to improve access for pedestrians, including the more vulnerable. The provision of traffic management measures aims to reduce the amount of extraneous traffic diverting through St Margaret's Lane. The trial has indicated a 15% reduction in traffic flows.

The targets are:

(i) A gradual increase in shorter journey times is expected as traffic in peak hours continues to grow where there is capacity. The reduction in car traffic as a result of the increasing journey times can be expected to be modest.

(ii) Provision of traffic management measures and reducing the level of traffic diverting through St Margaret's Lane will contribute towards safety in St Margaret's Lane itself, at the approaches to the roundabout, and also at the bend of Coach Hill and Common Lane. The scheme will contribute towards an overall improved accident record on St Margaret's Lane Roundabout.

(iii) To improve conditions for pedestrians. Following completion of the scheme monitoring will be undertaken. Traffic counts and a public satisfaction survey will be carried out to determine the success of the scheme.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

The proposals are consistent with the County Council's Local Transport Plan, its Corporate Strategy and Fareham Borough Council's Corporate Objectives. Provision of these measures aims to improve conditions for all road users, increase accessibility and improve footway condition. The scheme will also improve access to public transport and enhance this area of Titchfield.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

3.3

3.4

The scheme involves the following;

(i) making the existing temporary traffic management measures permanent at the northern end of St Margaret's Lane at its junction with St Margaret's Lane Roundabout, reducing the two lane exit onto the roundabout to one lane. The measures will consist of widening the existing traffic island, realigning the kerb lines, and providing dropped kerbs with associated tactile paving and appropriate road markings;

(ii) renewing the edge of carriageway markings along St Margaret's Lane and installing pedestrian warning signs;

(iii) reducing the width of St Margaret's Lane at its junction with Coach Hill and Common Lane to 6.5 metres at the pedestrian crossing point. Localised drainage work will be included and a new gully installed;

(iv) installing a new pedestrian dropped kerb crossing with associated tactile paving on St Margaret's Lane, near its junction with Coach Hill and Common Lane, together with new 1.8 metre wide footways to link to the bus stop on Common Lane. Overhanging vegetation will be cut back to improve visibility;

(v) providing one bus shelter at the existing bus stop on the northern side of Common Lane, with associated works;

(vi) providing two new bus stop marking bays on the north and south side of Common Lane; and

(vii) installing four new chevron signs with yellow backing boards on the bend of Coach Hill and Common Lane, as well as new central hatched markings infilled with red surfacing.

The proposals have been designed to meet the current national and county standards for highway improvement schemes, and conform to the recommendations of the safety audit.

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

Environmental Impact

3.5

The scheme will contribute to a safer and improved environment for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users and there are no adverse environmental impacts expected.

Land Requirements

3.6

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

Statutory Procedures

3.7

To ensure safety a temporary traffic diversion will be in operation during part of the construction period.

Public Consultation

3.8

3.9

3.10

3.11

Titchfield Village Trust has been consulted and supports the proposals.

The Borough ward Member, Councillor Mrs Hockley, supports the proposals. Fareham Borough Council officers support the proposals.

Prior to the trial being undertaken at the northern end of St Margaret's Lane the public and ward Members were initially concerned that traffic may divert through Titchfield Village. As part of the trial traffic monitoring was undertaken which confirmed there was no adverse traffic impact in Titchfield Village.

The Police have been consulted and attended the site. The scheme is supported and the proposals reducing the lanes on the approach to the roundabout are welcomed.

Local Member's View

3.12

The local Member, Councillor Hockley, supports the scheme.

Impact Assessments

3.13

3.14

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. No adverse impact has been identified in terms of race, creed or colour.

Maintenance Implications

3.15

The bus shelter is to Fareham Borough Council's specifications and standards and will be maintained by the Borough Council. Where possible the construction materials used will contain recycled constituents.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.16

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

Sustainability

3.17

The measures will improve the local area and improve access for the local community. Improving accessibility will encourage walking and the use of public transport.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

4.2

To provide a footpath along St Margaret's Lane was considered but rejected as there is insufficient road width or land available, and progression of this option was beyond the scope of the allocated budget and programme.

To do nothing would neither address the traffic management issues in this area nor the existing inadequate pedestrian provision.

LINK(S) TO CORPORATE STRATEGY

Yes

No

Hampshire safer and more secure for all

√

Maximising well-being

Enhancing our quality of place

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

St Margaret's Lane, Traffic Management Scheme

Hampshire Highways - Gosport