Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 5

PROJECT APPRAISAL

(Externally Funded)

PROJECT:

EASTLEIGH BUS QUALITY PARTNERSHIP (DERBY ROAD AND PASSFIELD AVENUE JUNCTION, EASTLEIGH) - PROPOSED MINI ROUNDABOUT

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

APRIL 2007

COMPLETION DATE:

MAY 2007

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

1.

Summary

1.1

This scheme will improve traffic flows at the junction, bus punctuality and access for pedestrians.

2.

Recommendation

That this Project Appraisal for the construction of a permanent mini-roundabout at the former priority controlled junction of Derby Road and Passfield Avenue, Eastleigh, to be externally funded at an estimated cost of £77,200, be approved.

3.

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

Introduction

Hampshire County Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Southampton City Council and the bus companies, Solent Blue Line and First Group, share the common objective of improving bus services in Eastleigh, which led to the formation of the Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership in 2001.

The Partnership identified a number of sites in the Eastleigh area where the existing road junction configuration was contributing to delays in bus service punctuality. This included the junction of Derby Road with Passfield Avenue, where delays of approximately two minutes were regularly experienced by buses.

The former junction was a priority controlled junction where traffic on Derby Road had to give way to traffic on Passfield Avenue. Traffic flows on Passfield Avenue are significant at approximately 16,000 vehicles on a normal working day (12 hours 0700-1900) which led to the formation of queues both on Derby Road, and on Passfield Avenue when a vehicle waited to turn right into Derby Road.

Based on traffic survey information, traffic modelling for a mini-roundabout identified the potential for significant queues to form on the Passfield Avenue approaches to the junction, at peak flow times. Given the objectives of the scheme and the risk of impeding traffic flows in this area of Eastleigh, a trial mini-roundabout layout was implemented and monitored, to determine the actual effects of the proposal.

The trial layout was implemented in September 2006 using temporary materials. The effects of its implementation have been positive in terms of improved junction control, accessibility, safety, bus journey times and improved compliance with the existing 30 miles per hour (mph) speed limit on Passfield Avenue. The predicted negative effects of the mini-roundabout, taking the form of substantial queues on Passfield Avenue, have not materialised. This is understood to be due to the way traffic arrives at the junction, particularly in the southbound direction on Passfield Avenue, where the majority of traffic arrives in `platoons', which reflects the way traffic is released by the traffic signals at the Leigh Road/Passfield Avenue junction, located some 800 metres to the north. This creates gaps in the traffic which enables any queues to disperse.

Given the positive effects of the trial mini-roundabout layout at the junction, this report seeks approval to make the layout permanent.

3.7

3.8

Details

The proposal aims to replace both the former priority controlled junction and the existing trial mini-roundabout layout with a mini-roundabout constructed of permanent materials, and includes:

(i) traffic deflection islands on each approach to the roundabout;

(ii) pedestrian crossing points near the roundabout;

(iii) local carriageway narrowing to improve traffic deflection and pedestrian crossing opportunities, and to formalise an existing on-street parking area;

(iv) improved street lighting at the junction; and

(v) revised road marking layouts.

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

3.9

3.10

3.11

3.12

3.13

Targets and Outcomes

The trial layout has achieved the aims of improving traffic flows at the junction, both in terms of vehicles joining Passfield Avenue from Derby Road and for traffic turning right into Derby Road from Passfield Avenue. The proposal has improved bus punctuality on bus service Bluestar 2, which serves the Southampton, Eastleigh and Fair Oak routes, with four buses an hour in each direction during the working week.

The former priority controlled junction had a history of personal injury accidents with four accidents being recorded in the three year period 1 September 2003 to 31 August 2006. Two were serious and two were slight, with four casualties resulting from the four accidents. Three of the accidents involved vulnerable road users, including two motor-cyclists and one cyclist, all being involved in collisions with cars. No personal injury accidents have been recorded at the junction in the four months since implementation of the trial mini-roundabout.

Whilst the latest three year accident history prior to implementation is an improvement on previous years, where up to seven personal injury accidents had been recorded in a similar time period, the number of personal injury accidents is expected to stay below former levels. It is difficult to be precise about casualty savings, however study work undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory (Report No. 281) indicates that at mini-roundabouts injury accident occurrence is typically 0.79 per year, or 2.4 in a three year period. The factors affecting accident frequency are diverse, however it is expected that accident frequency will be reduced by 40% over a three year period. This scheme will therefore contribute towards the County Council's casualty reduction targets of a 40% reduction compared to the 1998 baseline.

The presence of the trial mini-roundabout has improved speed management on Passfield Avenue, where there was formerly no requirement to give way to other traffic. The junction is located within an existing 30 mph speed limit, and traffic speed surveys taken prior to the implementation of the mini-roundabout indicated poor compliance with the speed limit, with 85%ile speeds recorded at 40 mph in each direction (mean speeds 34.5 mph), at a site located approximately 100 metres north of the junction. To the south of the junction 85%ile speeds were recorded at 35 mph in each direction (mean speeds 27 mph). The presence of the mini roundabout has had a positive effect on traffic speeds, with post scheme monitoring indicating reductions in 85%ile speeds to 35 mph and 31 mph respectively at the sites north and south of the mini roundabout.

The improvement of the junction has improved traffic flows at the junction and eased entry from Derby Road onto Passfield Avenue. Accordingly there is the potential for more traffic to be attracted to Derby Road from the surrounding residential areas and also from the town centre. This however is not apparent from a direct comparison of 12-hour turning counts (0700-1900 hours) undertaken before (May 2005) and after (January 2007) the implementation of the trial mini-roundabout, which indicated a background decrease in traffic flows on Passfield Avenue (8%) and Derby Road (4%). This may be attributable to a seasonal variation or other factors, but the after data does identify a change in the way the junction is used, with an increase in the number of vehicles turning right both from Derby Road into Passfield Avenue (17%) and from Passfield Avenue into Derby Road (4%). As a proportion of vehicles approaching these arms of the junction, the number of right turners from Derby Road has increased by 6%, and from Passfield Avenue by 4%. This change has helped to balance the demands on the junction and will have contributed towards the improved flows at the junction, including the dispersal of queues.

3.14

3.15

Standards

The scheme has been designed using National and County Council design standards, and incorporates design guidance for mini roundabouts.

A detailed design stage safety audit has been carried out and has not raised any particular safety issues. A further safety audit will be undertaken upon completion of the works.

3.16

3.17

3.18

3.19

Statutory Procedures and Consultation

All works are contained within the public highway and accordingly no planning permission is required to undertake this scheme.

Consultations have been undertaken during the design of this scheme with The Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind, Hampshire Cycling (Cycle Touring Club), Eastleigh Access Group, Eastleigh Borough Council, Hampshire Police, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, and no concerns or objections have been raised.

Members and officers of Eastleigh Borough Council welcome the improvement achieved by the temporary mini-roundabout, and support the proposal to make it permanent. The Police also support the scheme. Some local residents and users of the junction have also contacted officers to support the scheme.

Consultation has also been undertaken with the owner of no. 177 Passfield Avenue whose existing vehicular access is affected by the proposal. The access emerges directly onto the junction on the Passfield Avenue side of the existing give-way line of Derby Road and, under earlier versions of the design, the access would have led to a driver reversing directly onto the circulating carriageway of the mini- roundabout. Prior to the trial layout, the scheme has been redesigned to eliminate the need for this practice, by enabling a vehicle to reverse onto an area of hardened verge adjacent to the carriageway. This has also been trialled as part of the scheme and follow-up discussions with the owner confirm an improvement over the former situation.

3.20

3.21

Policy Considerations

The aims of the Eastleigh Quality Bus Partnership are consistent with the aims and objectives of the current Local Transport Plan - to improve the provision of high quality reliable and accessible bus services in the Eastleigh area, and thus increase bus patronage. This scheme has been developed following identification of the junction by the bus companies within the Partnership as a factor in poor punctuality.

The proposal aims to improve the punctuality of bus services and thus improve the attractiveness of public transport provision in the Eastleigh area. Feedback from the bus operator following the implementation of the trial mini-roundabout is positive.

3.22

Environmental Impacts

The proposal has no identified negative environmental consequences given that it is built on the existing highway. Positive environmental consequences may be achieved through the increased attractiveness of public transport and the increased accessibility to local recreational and health facilities which are located in Fleming Park on the western side of Passfield Avenue.

3.23

Land Requirement

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

3.24

3.25

Alternative Arrangements

An alternative form of junction control using traffic signals and selective vehicle detection control was considered in the design process, but rejected given a number of identified problems, including the potential for increased traffic delays, the additional cost of traffic signals initially estimated at £175,000+, the presence of existing vehicular accesses being within the junction area, the impact of a traffic signal scheme on available on-street parking and the potential requirement for third party land.

The position of the access to no. 177 Passfield Avenue is located close to the existing give-way line at the junction. Early safety audit concerns had identified the need to move the access away from the junction, however this was found to require extensive accommodation works within the property which were prohibitively expensive and gave limited benefits to the scheme. Redesign of the scheme retains the access in its existing position but provides an off-carriageway turning area to enable the vehicles reversing from the property to turn prior to joining the carriageway.

3.26

Local Member's View

The local Member, Councillor Broadhurst, supports the proposal.

3.27

Impact Assessments

This scheme is intended to improve traffic flows, bus punctuality, and accessibility for pedestrians. An 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 improve accessibility for all.

3.28

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

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

3.29

3.30

Sustainability

The scheme aims to contribute towards sustainable transport modes such as walking and public transport use. This is achieved through improved pedestrian access from the residential area of Derby Road to the existing facilities on Passfield Avenue, and recreational and sports facilities beyond in Fleming Park. Access is improved through the provision of a pedestrian refuge to the south of the proposed mini-roundabout, and improvement of the existing pedestrian refuge located on Derby Road. Provision of the roundabout will also improve traffic flows and improve bus punctuality, which should improve the attractiveness of services and thus patronage.

The small scale of the scheme precludes significant material recycling, however the proposal includes an area of resurfacing which will necessitate removal of the existing road surface. The arisings will be stockpiled for reuse in future surfacing contracts. The materials utilised in the construction of the trial will be reused in the permanent works where possible.

4.

Financial Arrangements

The funding for the scheme is sourced from transportation contributions provided by the developers of the nearby Pirelli site in Eastleigh.

4.1

Expenditure

£'000

Funds Available

£'000

Design Fee

25.6

Developer Funding

77.2

Supervision

4.0

Project Works

47.6

Land

0

____

____

Total

77.2

Total

77.2

____

____

4.2

Revenue Implications

£'000

% Variation to Committee's budget

Net increase in

current expenditure

1.0

0.001

Capital Charge

6.5

0.005

____

____

Total Expenditure

7.5

0.006

____

____

4.3

Maintenance Implications

The scheme has a minimal effect on maintenance given that it is constructed on areas of existing carriageway, footway and verge. A detailed assessment has been undertaken and the minor maintenance implications will be taken into account when setting the annual base budget.

5.

5.1

Conclusion

Approval of this project appraisal report will enable the existing trial mini-roundabout which has been constructed using temporary materials to be made permanent. The benefits achieved by the trial scheme, including improved bus punctuality, junction control, accessibility, safety, and improved speed management, will also become permanent.

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

Project Files

Environment Department