Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 7

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

HYTHE TOWN CENTRE - ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2007

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 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

100

100

Fees

25

25

125

125

Less developers/

45

45

other contributions

80

80

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme (as above)

80

(b) Other

80

2.

From other resources

(a) Developer Contribution

45

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

125

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

Budget

Net current expenditure

1.1

0.001

Capital charges

10.5

0.008

TOTAL net expenditure

11.6

0.009

2.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

The scheme aims to improve the safety of pedestrians accessing the town centre and the quality of the environment in this area of Hythe.

St John's Street, in the vicinity of the existing St John's Street car park, The Grove (Parish Council Offices) and The Promenade form an area of high pedestrian activity given their proximity to the pedestrianised High Street, local food store (Waitrose) and waterside.

The existing pedestrian facilities are inadequate with sections of discontinuous footway and no dropped kerb crossing points, with the result that pedestrians walk on the existing verge in The Promenade and sections of the carriageway in St John's Street.

New Forest District Council proposes to upgrade the existing temporary car park in St John's Street, to form a permanent car park with improved access and facilities. It is intended that the works to St John's Street, The Grove and The Promenade will follow on from the proposed car park works, to improve the pedestrian facilities between the new car park and the town centre.

The provision of new and improved footways from the car park towards the High Street is expected to improve conditions for pedestrians and accordingly meets the aspirations of the County Council's Local Transport Plan through improved accessibility. The scheme will also accommodate new pedestrian movements from the Shore Road and South Street areas, where there has been recent residential development.

Targets and Outcomes

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

The principal objective of the scheme is to improve access to the town centre, making the route pedestrian friendly with improved facilities for the mobility impaired and people with prams and buggies. Access will be improved by providing specific sections of footway widening, incorporating crossing points at carriageway level which will promote increased awareness for both pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

Pedestrian and vehicle counts have been undertaken to establish a base level of activity. Survey data identified 917 pedestrian movements along St John's Street in a 12-hour period. Whilst the capacity of the existing car park is not being increased it is expected that the new facilities, which include an increased capacity for disabled spaces, will increase usage levels and therefore have an effect on pedestrian activity in St John's Street.

`After' surveys will take place to ascertain whether pedestrian flows have increased, especially within the boundary of the newly defined wider footway. Attitudinal qualitative `after' surveys will take place to assess the views of users to record whether the improvements have had a positive measurable impact. This process will involve an assessment based on using photographs taken before and after the scheme's completion.

The scheme will also contribute to a Local Transport Plan target of improved footway condition, as the new and existing footways within the scheme will be resurfaced.

3.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

3.1

The scheme supports the County Council's Local Transport Plan by improving accessibility through improved pedestrian provision. The scheme will also contribute to the County Council's road safety and casualty reduction policies.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

3.2

3.3

3.4

The proposal includes:

(i) constructing a raised carriageway speed table between The Grove and St John's Street car park to correspond more closely with the footway levels, with the carriageway delineated with bollards;

(ii) reducing the carriageway width to 5.5 metres outside The Grove to encourage vehicles to proceed with caution in this pedestrian environment;

(iii) replacing the existing tarmac surface with a coloured resin bound surface to highlight pedestrian areas;

(iv) installing new sections of footway at various locations, incorporating dropped kerb pedestrian crossing facilities, tactile paving and timber bollards;

(v) installing a new footway on the existing verge along the north side of The Promenade next to the Waitrose food store, incorporating dropped kerb pedestrian crossing facilities; and

(vi) constructing a raised carriageway speed table at the junction of The Promenade and St John's Street.

The proposals have been designed in accordance with current National and County standards for highway improvement schemes, and conform to the recommendations of the safety audit.

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

Environmental Impact

3.5

An environmental impact study has not been undertaken as the works are confined to the existing highway. The scheme will reinforce the role of the town centre and improve it as a safe and attractive environment.

Land Requirements

3.6

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

Statutory Procedures

3.7

Traffic Regulation Orders to support the proposed speed tables in St Johns Street are being processed by New Forest District Council.

Public Consultation

3.8

3.9

A public consultation event was held in May 2006 at the Hythe and Dibden Parish Council Offices, located at The Grove, St Johns Street. The event was well attended by local residents and the press. The local Member also attended.

Although attendance at the event was good, only 25 responses to the consultation were received. Of these only three people opposed the scheme; the remainder indicated support, with suggested amendments. Where appropriate, suggestions have been incorporated into the scheme.

Local Member's View

3.10

The local Member, Councillor Dash, supports this proposal.

Impact Assessments

3.11

3.12

The scheme will provide improved facilities for pedestrians and other vulnerable users and make a contribution to improved driver awareness of pedestrian activity.

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.

Maintenance Implications

3.13

Most of the work proposed in this scheme involves adjustment to existing highway features, however the revenue implications of the new footways and raised areas of carriageway will be taken into account in the setting of this base budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

3.14

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

Sustainability

3.15

The scheme seeks to improve the environment and street scene for pedestrians and contribute to road safety by creating a greater driver and pedestrian awareness. Where possible the materials used in the construction will contain recycled materials.

4.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

4.1

An alternative option considered in the development of this scheme was the provision of a traffic signal controlled crossing facility on St John's Street in the vicinity of the car park and The Grove. This was rejected given the close proximity of the junction/accesses and the resultant need to locate any such crossing feature away from the pedestrian crossing desire line.

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

Hythe Town Centre Accessibility Improvements

Environment Department

Room 415