Contact: Barry Armstrong, ext 5175 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decisions are sought:

(i) That the Project Appraisal to construct an off-road shared cycle track/footway along the eastern side of the A337 Southampton Road and the western side of the B3054 Marsh Lane, from Ampress Park to the junction with Campion Way, and an off-road shared use cycle track/footway from the B3054 Marsh Lane junction with Southampton Road to the junction with Lower Buckland Road, Lymington, at an estimated cost of £120,000, be approved.

(ii) That, under the powers contained in Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980, the existing and proposed footways which comprise this scheme be formally converted to shared use for pedestrians and cyclists.

2. Reason

2.1 This scheme will provide an improved route for walking and cycling.

2.2 Hampshire County Council's second Local Transport Plan cycling target is to halt the decline in cycling by 2010 from the 2005/06 base.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 A supplementary inner route was considered which would also serve the local settlement area, however this would mean utilising the existing residential footpath between Marsh Lane and the railway line at Bank View and need the permission of Scottish and Southern Electricity to use the closed access running alongside the electricity sub-station. The owners were unable to grant access.

3.2 To do nothing would deprive the local community of a new facility providing safe access to employment and the hospital site.

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 M J Kendal

Executive Member for Environment

1008Decn/BA