Hampshire County Council

Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel

20 March 2007

Executive Member - Policy and Resources

5 April 2007

Project Appraisal: B3058 Station Road South and Mallard Court, New Milton

Report of the Director of Environment

Item 6

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

BUILDINGS, LAND AND PROCUREMENT PANEL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - POLICY AND RESOURCES

ITEM 6

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

B3058 STATION ROAD SOUTH AND MALLARD COURT, NEW MILTON

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

SEPTEMBER 2007

COMPLETION DATE:

Substantially complete NOVEMBER 2007

Tree planting and street furniture - SPRING 2008

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2007/08

1.

FINANCE (Client Department, Director of Property, Business and Regulatory Services [Estates Practice] and County Treasurer)

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2006

(at 2006

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

669

669

Fees

60

60

729

729

Less developers/

Other contributions

729

729

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme - LTP 2006/7

50

(b) Special Maintenance Budget 2006/7 and 2007/8

400

(c) Country Towns Initiative

208

658

2.

From other resources

(a) SEEDA

60

(b)

(c) External funding

11

TOTAL

729

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £Nil

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to Committee's

budget

Net current expenditure

1.3

0.001

Capital charges

45.0

0.034

TOTAL net expenditure

46.3

0.035

2.

SUMMARY

2.1

This scheme will improve accessibility making it pedestrian-friendly with improved facilities for the mobility impaired and families with prams and buggies.

3.

Recommendation

That the Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources to approve the Project Appraisal to implement the B3058 Station Road South and Mallard Court, New Milton, at an estimated cost of £729,000.

4.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

Station Road, New Milton runs through the centre of the town and represents the `high street' of New Milton, with busy shops and businesses. Visually, the paved footways of Station Road south show a generally tired looking and uneven surface, with serviceability hazards, loose slabs, and tree root upheaval. In places roof water drainage from adjacent buildings discharges directly onto the footway. The local highways office continues to receive large numbers of reports of tripping and falling on these footways. It is estimated that between £15,000 and £20,000 is spent per annum on reactive repairs and an increasing number of third party claims for compensation for injury accidents have been submitted over the last few years.

The street provides important local shopping facilities for New Milton residents, together with a wide range of specialist outlets serving the wider area of the town. There is a weekly market and a strong tradition of independent specialist traders operating from Station Road, alongside some of the major retailers.

This scheme provides an opportunity to visually enhance the street scene whilst making it a safer place to be, and improve the footways to provide a level surface which will be of particular benefit to the older members of the community, the visually impaired and those with walking difficulties who use frames and buggies. High quality natural paving is proposed as the main material that will give a long life to the footway area and improve the street scene.

Following independent arboriculture surveys, certain trees in the Mallard Court area need to be removed and replaced with new trees of an appropriate species and size in suitable tree pits. Other opportunities for planting will also be explored where appropriate.

4.5

4.6

Targets and Outcomes

The principal objective of the scheme is to improve accessibility, making it pedestrian-friendly with improved facilities for the mobility impaired and families with prams and buggies.

Attitudinal qualitative surveys will take place to obtain the views of users to record whether the improvements made have had a positive measurable impact. This process will involve an assessment using photographs taken before and after the scheme's completion.

5.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

5.1

The proposed improvements to the southern section of Station Road support the County Council's road safety and casualty reduction policies and improve pedestrian facilities.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

5.2

5.3

5.4

The scheme consists of the complete replacement of the paved footways and existing kerb lines on either side of the southern section of Station Road (subject to agreements with business premises with private frontages) and some improvements in Mallard Court which may include improved lighting and the removal of the existing trees and planters in this area.

New street furniture and repainted lamp columns are to be provided to complement earlier works to the northern section of Station Road and may include power supply points for the market and Christmas tree lighting.

At the junction with Spencer Road and Station Road it is proposed to include a realignment of the kerbs to provide a focal/arrival point at the southern end.

Environmental Impact

5.5

5.6

5.7

The effects of these works at the southern end of Station Road and the use of environmentally-sensitive materials will greatly improve the general environment and street scene in this part of New Milton. All construction materials will be selected for their quality and long-life, providing better value for money for long-term maintenance costs.

Local people are particularly supportive of re-paving works that will match the northern end of Station Road, as there is concern regarding uneven surfaces and accidents from trips and falls.

The decision to use granite material in Station Road north was taken against the background of its robustness, durability and long life, availability and price. In view of the fact that much of the southern part of the street is used for a weekly market, the use of granite is thought particularly helpful as it is less liable to staining and is therefore more robust than most other alternatives, including concrete. It also corresponds with policies for the use of natural materials and has long term potential for reuse/recycle should the area need remodelling in future years.

Land Requirements

5.8

No land acquisition is required. However, agreement with adjacent land owners will be sought to carry out the new surface finishes from kerb to building line across private forecourts and frontages. Private land in the Mallard Court area has been agreed in principle and New Milton Town Council has given its approval. The boundary of the highway and private forecourts will be delineated in an appropriate material. Failure of any landowner to give permission for improvement work to be carried out on their land would not be considered prejudicial to the overall success of the scheme with all the main elements still able to be delivered.

Statutory Procedures

5.9

Planning permission is not required for elements of the work on private forecourts and frontages.

Public Consultation

5.10

5.11

Consultation with New Milton Town Council, New Forest District Council, the New Milton Town Partnership, affected shops and businesses and the wider community has taken place throughout the design process. Further consultation will continue throughout the construction programme. The proposals have been discussed with Councillor Beck of New Milton Town Council and the majority view is in favour of the proposals, with the exception of Councillor Rice, who disagrees with the removal of the mature trees in Mallard Court.

Details of the scheme will be available at New Milton Town Council offices.

Local Member's View

5.12

The local Member, Councillor Mrs Banks, has been consulted on the proposals for the southern section of Station Road.

Impact Assessments

5.13

This scheme will provide improved access and facilities for pedestrians and other vulnerable users and complement the local shops and businesses.

Maintenance Implications

5.14

The new paved surfaces will have some financial maintenance implications which will be taken into account when setting the annual budget. New Forest District Council and New Milton Town Council are working closely with the County Council on this matter.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

5.15

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

Sustainability

5.16

The scheme seeks to improve the environment, street scene and accessibility facilities for pedestrians and other vulnerable users.

6.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

6.1

Following the previous works carried out in the northern section of Station Road, this proposal for the southern section of Station Road is designed to match that of the previous design laying pattern. To do nothing or to put in place a standard paved or bituminous surface to these areas would be unacceptable and detract from the objective of providing an enhanced and safer street scene environment for all and creating a sense of place.

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

Station Road South Working file

Environment Department

Room 415