Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 8

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

KIPLING ROAD, EASTLEIGH - TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

FEBRUARY 2007

COMPLETION DATE:

APRIL 2007

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

1.

Scheme

1.1

1.2

Introduction

The proposed scheme will reinforce the existing Traffic Regulation Orders that limit Kipling Road to `access only' and help to reduce the number of vehicles using the road as well as traffic speeds.

Kipling Road is a residential street in Eastleigh that runs parallel to and north of Leigh Road, which is one of the main arterial routes leading between Chandlers Ford, the M3 motorway and the town centre of Eastleigh. Kipling Road forms a link between Woodside Avenue and Brookwood Avenue, and provides a short-cut between Woodside Avenue and Leigh Road, enabling drivers to avoid traffic queues that form at the existing traffic signals located at the junction of Leigh Road, Woodside Avenue and Passfield Avenue.

1.3

1.4

1.5

Details

The scheme includes the provision of two speed tables and seven pairs of speed cushions. The speed tables are located near each end of Kipling Road, with the speed cushions spaced as evenly as possible in between to encourage consistently low vehicle speeds. The proposal includes the upgrading of the existing street lighting on Kipling Road to current standards. Minor maintenance repairs and reshaping of the carriageway will also be undertaken in the vicinity of the vertical features to ensure the correct profile is achieved.

As Kipling Road is included in Eastleigh Borough Council's cycle strategy, as a link between Woodside Avenue and Leigh Road, it is proposed to include small signs to indicate that the road forms part of a recommended route for on-road cycling.

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

1.6

1.7

1.8

Targets and Outcomes

The scheme aims to help address the use of Kipling Road by extraneous through traffic. A survey of vehicle registration numbers was undertaken on 24 May 2005 to identify the numbers of drivers who are not residents and ignore the current `access only' order. The survey was undertaken in the morning and evening peak flow times (0730-0930 and 1600-1800 hours) and identified 305 non-resident vehicle movements out of a total of 467 vehicle movements (65%). Whilst not all of these drivers will be deterred by the traffic management features, it is expected that the numbers mis-using the route will fall. The surveys will be repeated after implementation of the scheme to assess its impact on vehicle movements.

An assessment of traffic speeds at three locations on Kipling Road was also undertaken in May 2005. In general terms there is good compliance with the existing 30 miles per hour (mph) speed limit, with 85%ile speeds recorded at 29 mph and mean speeds at 23 mph. The numbers of drivers exceeding the speed limit was found to be about 7.5%. The scheme is expected to reduce traffic speeds to about 20 mph and eliminate excessive speeds. Further monitoring will be undertaken after implementation to measure the impact on traffic speeds.

The accident record for Kipling Road has identified that no recorded personal injury accidents have occurred in the last three years to the end of June 2006. It is expected that implementation of this scheme will help maintain this record.

1.9

Standards

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

1.10

1.11

1.12

1.13

1.14

1.15

1.16

1.17

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

Many of the residents have requested a solution to the problem of extraneous traffic for many years. A preliminary consultation of residents' opinion was undertaken in 2002 by consultants working on behalf of Eastleigh Borough Council. A total of 168 questionnaires were distributed in Kipling Road and the five Closes access off it (Meynell Close, Browning Close, Bridges Close, Masefield Close and Drinkwater Close). Of these, 115 questionnaires were returned, providing a return rate of 68.5%. The results of the questionnaire showed that a traffic calming solution was preferred by 46% of the respondents, followed by 24% who preferred a road closure. The option of `do nothing' was preferred by 13% of the respondents.

The results of this consultation were reported to the Eastleigh Local Area Committee of Eastleigh Borough Council in July 2002, where it was resolved that the installation of traffic calming measures be progressed in mitigation for the effects of traffic generated by the redevelopment of the former Causton's site. This site is located in Brookwood Avenue and redevelopment has been completed.

Following the development of a preliminary design solution, a further scheme-specific consultation, by letter drop to local residents, was initiated by the County Council in October 2005. The response rate for Kipling Road was 66%, with 98% of respondents supporting the idea of trying to reduce rat-running traffic, and 73% supporting the preliminary design proposal that is the subject of this report.

Following the positive results of this consultation exercise, and in accordance with the Highways (Road Hump) Regulations 1999, public notices identifying the intention to install traffic calming measures were placed in the local press and on-site at Kipling Road. Three objections were received to the proposal, two of which focused on concerns about the effects of the scheme:

(i) availability of on-street parking;

(ii) future widening of existing vehicular accesses;

(iii) new street lighting;

(iv) condition of preformed speed cushions at other locations; and

(v) the effects of speed humps on vehicle suspension.

As a result of a site meeting with these two householders, the points raised have been answered and they have withdrawn their objections.

The remaining objection is quoted as follows:

"I wish it to be noted my wife and myself strongly object to traffic calming humps in Kipling Road. On roads where they already exist I notice even at 15 mph they cause great stress to my car suspension".

This matter has been answered through written correspondence, stating that the ramp gradients and heights have been eased over time to minimise stresses to vehicles, and provided drivers traverse the features at appropriate speeds, stress on vehicle suspension should be minimal. The objection remains, however.

The emergency services have been consulted and have raised no objection to the proposal.

The Eastleigh Local Area Committee of Eastleigh Borough Council has been consulted again following the development of the scheme and is supportive of the current proposal.

1.18

Policy Considerations

The proposal is consistent with the objectives of the County Council's Local Transport Plan of reducing the negative effect of congestion in the local area by discouraging the inappropriate use of this residential street.

1.19

Environmental Impacts

The scheme is to be constructed on the existing public highway and no negative environmental impacts are expected.

1.20

Land Requirement

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

1.21

Alternative Arrangements

The option of a road closure was considered as this is the most reliable method of removing extraneous traffic. The need to provide suitable turning areas on either side of any closure would limit its potential, with the best location being between the junctions of Brookwood Avenue and Drinkwater Close. This option would create a long cul-de-sac in Kipling Road and mean that all residents could only achieve vehicle access from Woodside Avenue. In the light of public opinion this option was not progressed.

1.22

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Broadhurst, supports the proposal.

1.23

Impact Assessments

Assessment of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act have been considered in the development of this proposal which is not expected to compromise equalities in terms of race and gender, but improve accessibility for all.

1.24

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

1.25

Sustainability

The scale of the scheme precludes the significant use of recycled materials, however these will be incorporated into the scheme where practical.

2.

Financial Arrangements

2.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

26

Developer Funding

89

Supervision

3

Project Works

60

Land

Nil

____

____

Total

89

Total

89

____

____

2.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

1.0

0.001

Capital Charge

8.0

0.007

____

____

Total Expenditure

9.0

0.008

____

____

2.3

Maintenance Implications

The scheme incorporates new street lighting and the provision of traffic calming features in the carriageway. The revenue implications of this proposal will be taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

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

Scheme File

Environment Department

Room 415

Engineering Services Unit

Eastleigh Borough Council

Leigh Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9YN