Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 9

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

A27 DELME ROUNDABOUT, FAREHAM - TOUCAN CROSSING

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

DECEMBER 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

MARCH 2007

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

1.

Scheme

1.1

1.2

1.3

Introduction

This crossing scheme will provide a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the busy A27 at the Delme Arms roundabout.

The numerical criteria PV² has been established to assess the need for a formal crossing, where P is the number of pedestrians per hour and V the number of vehicles per hour. It is County Council policy to introduce controlled crossings where the PV² result exceeds 1.0, where funding is available and a controlled crossing can be safely installed. Where the PV² is between 0.5 and 1.0 the County Council may in certain circumstances proceed with the installation of a controlled crossing.

The chosen location of the crossing is in this latter category as 356 pedestrians and 122 cyclists crossed at this location in a 12-hour period. The westbound on-slip road at the Delme Arms roundabout in Fareham, near the town centre, has a 12-hour traffic flow of 10,932 vehicles. The pedestrian/cycle route that crosses this slip road links Fareham town centre and the housing area to the east of the roundabout on the A27 towards Portchester and Cams Hill School. Between 3 pm and 4 pm when schoolchildren are returning home the numbers recorded were 972 vehicles and 105 pedestrians/cyclists.

1.4

1.5

Details

The scheme comprises a new pedestrian/cycle crossing (Toucan) on the westbound on-slip at the Delme Arms roundabout and will involve the narrowing of the carriageway to one lane at the new signalled crossing point. New pedestrian/cycle push buttons will also be added to the existing signal poles on the eastbound off slip. A yellow box marking will be placed at the entry to the Delme Arms roundabout for westbound vehicles approaching from the A27 Portchester direction. Additional signing and anti-skid surfacing will be placed on the approach to the crossing with tactile paving provided at the crossing points.

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

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.9

Targets and Outcomes

Where the PV² is between 0.5 and 1.0 the County Council may in certain circumstances proceed with the installation of a controlled crossing.

In this case the current value is 0.71 which is in the discretionary area for agreement but is being recommended as it is expected that pedestrian flows will increase when a crossing has been installed.

The Deputy Head Teacher has confirmed that although the roundabout was not mentioned in the Cams Hill School Travel Plan completed in 2005 it does have an adverse effect on the travel choices for pupils and whether they cycle/walk to school.

Pedestrian and cycle flows will be monitored following implementation of the scheme.

1.10

Standards

The scheme has been designed in accordance with highway standards and the County Council's standard details for highway construction.

1.11

1.12

1.13

1.14

1.15

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

Public support has been expressed for this scheme through a 4,000 signature petition following a serious accident involving a pedestrian at the location of the proposed crossing.

At a meeting, following the serious accident, the Deputy Head Teacher of Cams Hill School expressed his support for the narrowing of the carriageway and the installation of a signalled crossing.

There was concern from members of Fareham Borough Council that this scheme would cause additional congestion at this busy location. At peak times traffic can queue from the A27 Quay Street roundabout back along the A27 and down the slip road to the Delme Arms roundabout.

A 12-hour video survey was carried out in April 2006 at the location of the proposed crossing. Following an officer presentation of the video survey to Fareham Borough Council Members, which showed that the proposed crossing would not add significantly to the congestion in the area, they expressed support for the proposed scheme. The Borough Council's Executive Member for Planning and Transport, Councillor Swanbrow, has confirmed the Council's support for the scheme.

Formal 28 day notices were advertised on the site in September 2006 detailing the proposed crossing and no objections were received.

1.16

Policy Considerations

Improved facilities at the Delme Arms roundabout will enhance safety and security for pedestrians and cyclists wishing to access the town centre and Cams Hill School.

1.17

Environmental Impacts

Motorists waiting at the junction with their engines running affect air quality by increasing vehicle emissions, but any increase is likely to be small as the operation of the new pedestrian crossing has been designed to minimise additional delay. The proposal is considered to have negligible consequences for the environment as a whole but will improve the local environment for pedestrians and is likely to encourage walking, thus reducing the adverse impact of transport. The addition of signals, signing and lining may be considered to detract from the local visual environment. However the overall environmental impact of the scheme will be positive.

1.18

Land Requirement

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

1.19

1.20

Alternative Arrangements

To do nothing was considered and rejected as this would not improve the situations for cyclists and pedestrians.

To reduce the carriageway width without signals was considered but rejected as it would not prevent the type of accident that occurred recently.

1.21

Local Members' View

The local Members, Councillors Bryant, Ellis and Price, support the scheme.

1.22

1.23

Impact Assessments

Red, blister tactile paving and flush dropped kerbs will be provided at the new crossing to guide visually impaired pedestrians to the crossing points. An audible tone will operate with the green man to assist visually impaired pedestrians. Tactile cones will be located on the underside of the demand boxes which will rotate when the green man signal appears. These measures will be provided to advise pedestrians with a visual and hearing impairment of the operation of the crossing.

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

1.24

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

1.25

Sustainability

The proposal will improve the environment for walking and cycling with improved links to the town centre, Cams Hill School and the housing area to the east of the roundabout. Sustainable construction methods will be used for this scheme.

2.

Financial Arrangements

2.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

30.5

Developer Funding

100

Supervision

Project Works

69.5

Land

____

____

Total

100

Total

100

____

____

2.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

1.9

0.002

Capital Charge

10.0

0.008

____

____

Total Expenditure

11.9

0.010

____

____

2.3

2.4

2.5

Maintenance Implications

These will include the ongoing maintenance of the signal equipment associated with the controlled crossing, together with the anti-skid surfacing, white lining and signing. This will be taken into account at the setting of the annual base budget.

The traffic signals equipment is anticipated to operate satisfactorily for between 10 and 15 years. After this time it will need to be replaced. The anti-skid surfacing may need to be renewed at more regular intervals to ensure adequate performance.

If the maintenance costs of new ITS installations and equipment are not taken into account at the setting of the annual base budget and the budget does not match the rate of growth of equipment, then there will be an increasing pressure to reduce maintenance standards and on the ability to replace ageing and obsolescent equipment.

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

Scheme File

Pel 6149 Delme Arms Roundabout

Environment Department

ITS Group - Monument House