Archived decisions

Contact: Peter Murnaghan, ext 6920 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions were made:

(i) That the promoters of the South Hampshire Rapid Transit formally abandon the scheme following the Secretary of State's decision not to provide funding.

(ii) That the former railway alignment and connecting route between Fareham and Gosport be safeguarded for use as a transport corridor.

(iii) That the proposed bus and rail interchange at Fareham Station continues to be safeguarded.

(iv) That the County Council completes the purchase by agreement of the former railway line between Fareham and Holbrook to protect it for its future use as a public transport link, and that the detailed terms and conditions for its purchase be settled by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates).

(v) That work proceeds on developing options for an affordable transit system for South East Hampshire, including Fareham, Gosport and Portsmouth.

(vi) That a detailed review of all land held by the County Council for the South Hampshire Rapid Transit scheme is conducted, and that such properties as will not be required for any successor scheme or other County Council operational purposes are declared surplus, and brought forward for disposal on detailed terms and conditions to be settled by the Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services (Head of Estates).


(vii) That the current difficulties for the people of Gosport be recognised as a priority for short term action to deal with the capacity problems on the A32.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision addresses the need to develop and promote mass transit access for Gosport and Fareham in the context of the lack of Government funding for South Hampshire Rapid Transit.

2.2 The decision will help improve our quality of place by initiating plans for an alternative mass transit scheme that will provide relief to users of the congested A32 and connect proposed development areas to existing urban areas in South Hampshire.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 To maintain the scheme as a `live' proposal would be inappropriate in view of the expiry of the planning and compulsory purchase powers and the lack of any alternative source of funding.

3.2 Not to progress an alternative, more affordable transit system to link Fareham and Gosport with Portsmouth.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - None.

Approved by: ..................................... Date: ...................................

Councillor T K Thornber CBE - Chairman

1065Decn/PM