Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 5

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

PULENS LANE TO TOR WAY, PETERSFIELD - CYCLES

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

MARCH 2007

COMPLETION DATE:

APRIL 2007

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

1.

Scheme

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

Introduction

Proposal 11 of the Petersfield Area Transportation Strategy (2000) and the East Hampshire District Council strategy document "A Cycle Plan for East Hampshire" (2005) identified improvements to existing cross-town cycle routes as being of particular importance in providing "better and safer links between residential and employment areas, schools, shopping and leisure facilities".

This scheme will form part of the cross-town Railway Station to Penns Place cycle route and will link directly with the cycle route from Tor Way to the town centre car park, which was constructed in 2004.

It is entirely funded by a developer contribution, which was taken for the express purpose of improving cycling facilities in Petersfield.

The scheme will provide safer routes away from main roads, improve accessibility for people reliant on non-motorised transport and increase choice for others by improving the quality of the route for cycling and walking.

The cycle scheme will allow off-road cycling in a safe environment, using mostly existing infrastructure. The off-road section of the proposed cycle track is already used by cyclists and hence a portion of this scheme is a formalisation of existing use patterns.

The route passes through a residential area and is close to Herne County Junior School and Churcher's College. The School Travel Plan for Herne Junior School (published March 2005) specifically identifies the crossing of Pulens Lane and travelling along Moggs Mead as prime issues relating to the safety of children travelling to the school. The proposed scheme will both complement the School Crossing Patrol facilities on Pulens Lane and allow cyclists and pedestrians to avoid travelling along Moggs Mead altogether.

Pulens Lane is a well used (an average of 6.5 vehicles per minute between 7 am and 7 pm) road on the outskirts of Petersfield town centre. It is used extensively to get around the centre in a north-south direction. The section of Pulens Lane included in the proposed cycle route is covered by a 30 miles per hour (mph) speed limit. Traffic surveys have shown the 85%ile speed to be 37.5 mph. The crossing of Pulens Lane at the end of Riverside Walk has been a local issue for several years. Works to formalise a school crossing patrol point at the end of Riverside Walk were completed during 2005, including anti-skid surfacing and `wig-wag' amber flashing lights.

Data taken for six months in 2006 from the permanent cycle counters that are part of the adjoining cycle route from Tor Way to the town centre car park showed an average bi-directional flow of 120 cycles per day. For the same period in 2005 the data recorded an average bi-directional flow of 94 cycles per day. This indicates an increase of 27%.

1.9

1.10

1.11

1.12

1.13

1.14

1.15

1.16

1.17

1.18

Details

The scheme is split into two sections: (i) along Riverside Walk and (ii) across and along Pulens Lane.

Section 1

This section comprises an off-road shared use unsegregated cycle track along a path known as Riverside Walk from the end of an existing developer built cycle route by Herne Road to Pulens Lane. Due to the proximity of the existing Riverside Walk route to an embankment, widening here is not possible except for very localised areas and hence the cycle path will be restricted to a 2 metre width. This restriction is mitigated to an acceptable degree by the low volume of existing foot traffic along the path. The cycle route will cross two residential area access roads (ie low speed/low flow) along this section. At each point, dropped kerbs and tactile paving is included. In response to the stage one safety audit, the second crossing point will include a barrier around which the cycle route is detoured. This is intended to prevent cyclists crossing at speed in front of oncoming traffic.

There are many footways linking into the Riverside Walk route and at each of these, appropriate signage and tactile paving will be installed to warn of the demarcation between footway and cycle route

At the points where the cycle track will be closest to the Tilmore Brook embankment, post and rail fencing will be installed as a safety feature.

Three existing lamp columns will need to be relocated and short lengths of privately own hedge trimmed (that is encroaching into the highway) to provide the required cycle path width.

At the Pulens Lane exit of the Riverside Walk, staggered barriers will be installed to force cyclists to dismount. To reduce opportunities to circumvent the staggered barriers, knee-railing will be installed on the approach which will `funnel' pedestrians and cyclists to the barriers.

Section 2

At the Pulens Lane crossing point, dropped kerbs with associated tactile paving will be installed on both sides of the road. A School Crossing Patrol (SCP) point was commissioned at the same crossing point during 2005 and this scheme will make use of the anti-skid surface, `wig-wag' lights and warning signage that was a part of the SCP works. On the

opposite side of Pulens Lane from the Riverside Walk exit, the footway will be widened by converting a portion of the existing grass verge.

This widened footway will continue up to and then beyond the bridge over Tilmore Brook (see below) until reaching the junction of Pulens Lane/Barnfield Road. The bell-mouth of the junction will be narrowed as part of the cycle route scheme to encourage the lower vehicle turning speeds required to support a safe cycle crossing of the bell-mouth. Anti-skid surfacing will be laid at all arms of the junction. Dropped kerbs and associated tactile paving will be installed to facilitate easier cyclist and pedestrian crossing of Barnfield Road near the junction mouth. At this point the cycle route will join Heathfield Road to continue with the existing on road/off road cycle route to the Taro Leisure Centre.

To widen the footway at the Pulens Lane road bridge over Tilmore Brook would require a corner portion of land from the adjacent property. The owners of this property have indicated that they are not interested in dedicating their land. Therefore the short section of footway on the bridge will remain unaltered. Signs for cyclists to give priority to pedestrians will be placed at the bridge to ensure that pedestrians are not disadvantaged.

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

1.19

Targets and Outcomes

The principal desired outcome for the scheme is the provision of a safe cycling facility for all types of user, which links directly with existing facilities and thus contributes to a complete east-west cycle route across Petersfield. It is considered that the completion of the cross town route will contribute to the currently growing levels of cycle use (27% increase in 2006 compared to 2005) that are being measured along the Tor Way to town centre car park route which directly adjoins this scheme.

1.20

Standards

The design conforms to current National and County Council standards, and the proposals have been subjected to a detailed design stage safety audit. A pre-opening stage safety audit will also be undertaken upon completion of the works.

1.21

1.22

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

The schemes requires the conversion of a footway to shared use by cyclists and pedestrians under Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980.

District Council ward Members and officers, Town Councillors and the East Hampshire Cycling Forum were consulted at the end of the feasibility design stage and during the detailed design stage. Where appropriate, changes were made to the design as a result of these consultations. The nature of the scheme did not warrant any public consultation.

1.23

1.24

Policy Considerations

The scheme will promote non-motorised routes to school, shops and other local amenities as well as offering non-main road routes which will contribute to national and local accident reduction initiatives.

The scheme will contribute towards the objectives of the Local Transport Plan, to:

(i) increase accessibility by providing a dedicated route for cyclists and in particular for nearby schools - Churcher's College and Herne County Junior School;

(ii) widen travel choice by providing a sustainable alternative to motorised travel; and

(iii) promote safety by routeing vulnerable users away from possible vehicle conflict.

1.25

Environmental Impacts

This scheme will have no adverse effect on the environment.

1.26

Land Requirements

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

1.27

1.28

Alternative Arrangements

Several alternative route options were considered during the feasibility stage. One of the options considered was to use Moggs Mead for the cycle route between Tor Way and Pulens Lane. This was dismissed principally due to the safety implications of having parked cars along the majority of the length of the road and it seeing reasonably high volumes of traffic (over 1,700 vehicles in a 24-hour period).

The other options were all similar to the option being recommended for implementation, but used differing routes through the residential area that lies on each side of Tilmore Brook (which runs parallel to Moggs Mead between Tor Way and Pulens Lane). These were considered due to the width restrictions of the Riverside Walk option (the recommended option). They were eventually dismissed as it was considered that, as there is already a developer built cycle route part way along the length of Riverside Walk (and hence a desire line), as well as evidence of cycle use along the remaining length of Riverside Walk, it was sensible to continue to use the developer built cycle route rather than expect people to deviate away from the desire line.

1.29

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Sam Payne, supports the scheme.

1.30

Impact Assessments

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 accessibility for all.

1.31

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

1.32

Sustainability

There is no direct environmental impact from this proposal as it is constructed within existing highway limits. The provision of the proposals will help to promote sustainable travel modes, such as walking and cycling.

2.

Financial Arrangements

2.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

60

Developer Funding

140

Supervision

10

Project Works

70

Land

0

____

____

Total

140

Total

140

____

____

2.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

2.5

0.003

Capital Charge

14.0

0.011

____

____

Total Expenditure

16.5

0.014

____

____

2.3

Maintenance Implications

The maintenance implications are limited as the scheme comprises minor modifications to the existing highway infrastructure. A detailed assessment has been undertaken and the minor maintenance implications will be taken into account when setting the annual base budget for maintenance.

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

Pulens Lane to Tor Way Cycles, Petersfield

Environment Department

Room 415