Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 10

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

AMPRESS-LYMINGTON TOWN CENTRE - CYCLETRACK/FOOTWAY

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

DECEMBER 2006

COMPLETION DATE:

FEBRUARY 2007

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

1.

Scheme

1.1

1.2

A new hospital is currently under construction at Ampress Park (the former Wellworthy Engineering Works site), approximately one mile from Lymington town centre. The new hospital building is due to open on 1 January 2007 and is a re-location of the existing hospital facilities currently located on Southampton Road. The Primary Care Trust (PCT), entered into a Section 106 Planning Agreement with New Forest District Council which secured £200,000 for "improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities to the site". Additional funding has been secured for improvements towards public transport improvements (bus services and investigation into a possible rail halt).

The Workplace Travel Plan carried out by the PCT suggests that the relocation of the hospital to the new site increases the number of employees that live within reasonable walking/cycling distance (up to four miles) from 38% to 42% of the total number of 216 respondents to the PCT questionnaire. The new industrial business units on the site also create a demand which increases the user-base of employees situated within a comfortable distance for walking and cycling.

Introduction

1.3

There is currently no signed/easily identifiable cycle and pedestrian route between the new hospital location and Lymington town centre. Poor surfacing and inconsistent dropped crossings make many routes unattractive. There are also few safe opportunities to cross the B3054 Marsh Lane at its junction with the A337 due to the current narrow traffic island.

Details

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

1.9

The proposals aim to promote pedestrian and cycling accessibility between Ampress Park (an industrial employment site which also contains a new hospital) and Lymington town centre.

Ampress Park comprises industrial business units and a new hospital complex and has been designed with an internal network of cycle routes which do not currently extend out of the site. This scheme will link the internal site cycle routes with the highway network.

The proposed scheme will access Ampress Park via an existing underpass of the railway line. This adjoins directly with the A337 Southampton Road via a small section of Oak Road and the railway underpass.

The proposed cycle/pedestrian route will then proceed off-road towards the B3054 Marsh Lane, where the central splitter island at the junction with the A337 will be improved to accommodate cycles. The route will then split in two directions:

(i) on the southern side of Marsh Lane towards the riverside/ station/lower High Street along Marsh Lane; and

(ii) to the upper High Street along the eastern side of Southampton Road and then on-road along Lower Buckland Road to its junction with Avenue Road.

On Marsh Lane a small section of additional footway will be added on the northern side which will extend from Harvester Way. A dropped crossing will be installed, together with reflective bollards, to highlight crossing movements towards the entrance of the field path on the opposite side of Marsh Lane, and a new splitter island, to assist with the crossing of Marsh Lane in a north to south direction.

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

Standards

1.10

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

Targets and Outcomes

1.11

1.12

The principal objective of this proposal is to improve accessibility between the town centre and the hospital and the employment area in Ampress Park for local residents, and improve the crossing facilities on Marsh Lane.

Pedestrian and cycle flows to the Ampress site are low due to the poor access routes. A mid-week survey carried out in June 2006 showed that, on the proposed Southampton Road and Marsh Lane link, 89 pedestrians and 115 cyclists were recorded between 0700 and 1900 hours, and on Lower Buckland Road 14 pedestrians and 49 cyclists. The targets for this scheme are to increase pedestrian and cycle flows in addition to the targets included within the hospital travel plan. A cycle counter will be installed on completion of the scheme.

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

1.13

1.14

The existing and proposed footways of this scheme will be formally converted to shared use for pedestrians and cyclists under Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980. A Permissive Rights licence has been granted by Network Rail at Ampress Bridge No. 7 and by Western Challenge Housing Association for legal access over land in its ownership.

Consultation with Lymington Town Council, New Forest District Council and residents with property on Southampton Road have taken place and no objections have been received.

Policy Considerations

1.15

The scheme supports the County Council's road safety and casualty reduction policies and improves accessibility.

Environmental Impacts

1.16

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

Land Requirement

1.17

No land acquisition required. A Permissive Rights licence has been granted by Network Rail at Ampress Bridge No. 7 and by Western Challenge Housing Association for legal access over land in their ownership.

Alternative Arrangements

1.18

1.19

A supplementary inner route was considered which would also serve a fairly large 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 energy company was unable to grant access.

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

Local Member's View

1.20

The local Member, Councillor Evans, supports the scheme.

Impact Assessments

1.21

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

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

1.22

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

Sustainability

1.23

The scheme seeks to improve the accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists and other vulnerable users and make a contribution to road safety.

2.

Financial Arrangements

2.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

35

Developer Funding

120

Supervision

15

Project Works

70

Land

nil

____

____

Total

120

Total

120

____

____

2.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

1.1

0.001

Capital Charge

10.5

0.008

____

____

Total Expenditure

11.6

0.009

____

____

2.3

Maintenance Implications

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

Ampress-Lymington Town Centre Cycle track/footway

Environment Department

Room 415