Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER - ENVIRONMENT

ITEM 2

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

FOREST CENTRE INTEGRATION PROJECT, BORDON

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

JANUARY 2008

COMPLETION DATE:

APRIL 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 2007

(at 2007

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

458

458

Fees

106

106

564

564

Less developers/

other contributions

221

221

343

343

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Committees own resources

(a) Capital programme - Local Transport Plan

123

(b) Other: Country Towns Initiative

220

343

2.

From other resources

(a) SEEDA

180

(b) Whitehill Town Council

1

(c) East Hampshire District Council

40

TOTAL

564

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

3

0.003

Capital charges

44

0.033

TOTAL net expenditure

47

0.036

2.

SUMMARY

2.1

This scheme will improve the convenience and attractiveness of the Forest Centre by reducing the severance created by Pinehill Road and enhance the layout of the area by using quality materials within the built environment. The proposal aims to improve the integration between the Forest Shopping and Community Centres that are located on either side of Pinehill Road to maximise safety and security for the community and visitors. This section of Pinehill Road is to become `buses only' to provide a more pedestrian-friendly area.

3.

3.1

3.2

Recommendations

That the Project Appraisal to improve access and integration between the Forest Community Centre and the Forest Shopping Centre area, together with a bus-only Traffic Regulation Order in Pinehill Road, at an estimated cost of £564,000, be approved.

That an order be made under Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, the effect of which will be to prohibit all vehicles except buses, taxis and non-motorised pedal cycles from proceeding in Pinehill Road, Bordon between a point 166 metres east of its junction with Forest Road and a point 85 metres west of its junction with Apollo Drive/Birch Close, an approximate distance of 65 metres. The entrance to the Forest Park Shopping Centre car park will be relocated east of the above length of road.

4.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

4.1

4.2

4.3

The Whitehill and Bordon area has a population of around 15,000 and is the second largest town (after Alton) in East Hampshire. The Forest Centre with its shops and community hall is located either side of Pinehill Road, east of the High Street in Bordon and north of Conde Way. The Forest Centre Integration Project aims to improve the convenience and attractiveness of this important local centre.

The project has been promoted by the Whitehill Bordon Town Partnership as one of the priority actions within the Whitehill Bordon Town Action Plan. The Partnership, with the support of Hampshire County Council, East Hampshire District Council and Whitehill Town Council, local businesses and others, has secured funding to implement the first phase of this project. This includes grant-aid support from the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) through the South East Small Rural Towns Programme.

The proposal aims to improve the integration between the Forest Shopping and Community Centres that are located on either side of Pinehill Road to maximise the safety and security for the community. The emphasis is to enhance the quality of the urban landscape, improve pedestrian movement, provide facilities for cyclists and create a new space for community use to support local attractions and events.

4.4

4.5

Targets and Outcomes

The principal objective of the scheme is to improve the convenience and attractiveness of the Forest Centre by reducing the severance created by Pinehill Road and enhancing the layout of the area using quality materials within the built environment. It will assist the economic prosperity of the local shops and enhance the local sense of place.

The target to reduce the level of through traffic in Pinehill Road by creating a bus, taxi and cycle only traffic regulation order will create a more pedestrian-friendly and safer environment. The local commercial bus service (no. 18) runs twice hourly and connects alternately between Aldershot and Haslemere and Aldershot and Bordon (Hogmore Road) linking most of Bordon with the Forest Centre. Traffic counts have been recorded to establish base level data, after surveys will be conducted to check the number of vehicles using the car parks and not passing through the bus-only section. An after survey to assess local people's views will be taken to evaluate their satisfaction and support of the finished project.

5.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

5.1

5.2

The proposed improvements for the Forest Centre area meet with the policies of Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council. This is in support of the Whitehill and Bordon Town Partnership group document "Breakthrough" for the Town Action Plan (June 2005).

The scheme contributes to the following objectives of the Local Transport Plan, to:

(i) increase accessibility;

(ii) promote safety;

(iii) widen travel choice; and

(iv) support wider quality of life objectives.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

5.3

5.4

5.5

The design of the scheme complies with Department for Transport and Hampshire County Council's standards with the appropriate safety audits being met during the design process.

Traffic figures for Pinehill Road taken near the Community Centre in May 2006 for the 12-hour period 07:00 to 19:00 recorded eastbound vehicles at 972 with 340 not using the car park and westbound vehicles at 450 with 290 not using the car park. This shows that 52% (740) of vehicles are using Pinehill Road as a through route.

To make the section of Pinehill Road between the community centre and Somerfield car parks into a bus-only lane with a traffic regulation order (copy attached as Appendix 1) will reduce the severance between the shopping and community centres. This will open up the area for pedestrians to enjoy safer and more convenient access. As part of this work it is necessary to relocate the access of the Somerfield car park by some 25 metres towards the east to help create an open space for the community to enjoy. The topography of this open space enables a stepped recess to create a focal point for the Forest Centre and will be available for such events as market stalls, street theatre and charity meetings. The layout of the Somerfield car park will change with an improvement to the access at Heathcote Road and the car park spaces rearranged to discourage vehicles from using the car park as a regular through route. Whilst the number of spaces in the Somerfield car park is to reduce by eight there will be an increase of nine spaces in the Community Centre car park which provides an overall gain of one space. Disabled spaces will be provided in both car parks together with bicycle parking areas. A pedestrian walkway will be provided from the community area to the shopping centre and overall the area will benefit from improved seating, lighting and litter bins with additional native tree planting where possible.

5.6

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

Environmental Impact

5.7

The combined effect of these works together with the bus-only section and the use of environmentally sensitive materials will greatly improve this area of the Forest Centre to enhance the quality of place for the local people and visitors alike.

Land Requirements

5.8

No land acquisition required. Agreement, in principle, subject to detail with the local landowners and leaseholders has been obtained for works to be carried out on land that is outside of the highway.

Statutory Procedures

5.9

5.10

A temporary road closure order will be required to ensure operational safety during the highway works.

A traffic regulation order for the prohibition of driving (buses, taxis and cycles only) section in Pinehill Road has been advertised during March 2007 and three objections have been received. A summary of the objections is attached as Appendix 2.

Public Consultation

5.11

5.12

5.13

5.14

A public exhibition was held at the Forest Community Centre on 24 and 25 November 2006, the information boards were then left on display at the County Library until 11 December. The exhibition information was also put on `The Local Channel' web site with links from the District and County Council web sites.

Questionnaire responses were received from 90 residents with an overall response of 90% in support of improving the Forest Centre area and only 5% against. Where possible the comments received have been reflected in the final design.

Whitehill Town Council and East Hampshire District Council support this scheme. The respective Council project approval dates were 8 and 16 January 2007.

The landowners, Anglo Lothian, East Hampshire District Council and St Marks Church, are in support subject to detail arrangements. The licences with the landowners for the County Council to enter their respective areas to undertake the works are being prepared.

Local Member's View

5.15

The local Member, Councillor Carew, has been involved with the development of this scheme and is supportive. He has requested that the traffic regulation order has a safety review after 6 and 12 months.

Impact Assessments

5.16

5.17

The pedestrian area improvements, together with dropped kerbs and tactile paving, will give improved access for the disabled and mobility impaired.

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.

Maintenance Implications

5.18

The proposed highway improvements will result in a small increase in maintenance costs. These costs will be taken into account when setting the annual base budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

5.19

Enhanced street lighting, together with improvements to the surrounding environment, including the public car parks with an increase in economic activity in the area, is likely to deter anti-social behaviour. The provisions of the Act have no impact on these proposals.

Sustainability

5.20

5.21

This scheme will improve facilities for pedestrians and therefore encourage people to walk. Access to and from the Forest Centre area will be enhanced, supporting viability and reducing the need to travel elsewhere for services. Air quality should also improve with the reduction in through traffic on Pinehill Road.

The design and specification of the project demonstrates the advantages of investment in the principles of appropriateness, high quality and long life, and supports the County Council's corporate Urban Living Strategy.

6.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

6.1

To do nothing would be a lost opportunity as the South East England Development Agency funding contribution would no longer be available. The chosen design is the most appropriate and acceptable way to improve the Forest Centre area.

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

Forest Centre Integration Project file.

Forest Centre Integration Project Plan.

Results of Public Consultation.

Traffic Regulation Order details

TRO Objections and Comments

Environment Department

Objection/Date Received

Officer Comments

Objection 1 - 13 March 2007

Cannot see benefit of closure. More time, distance and petrol driving daily journey to work/shops. Scheme is waste of money.

Additional driving is one mile around closure for those 60 or so residents who are immediately adjacent. The closure will provide a pedestrian friendly area for the greater community to enjoy. The results of the public exhibition held in November 2006 showed 68% (60) in favour of pedestrian priority in Pinehill Road.

Objection 2 - 23 March 2007

Closure will force traffic to use Apollo Drive to access homes and isolate this area from the town. More cars may park in Apollo Drive meaning less space for residents. Scheme is waste of money.

Additional driving is one mile around closures for those 60 or so residents who are immediately adjacent. The closure will provide a pedestrian friendly area for the greater community to enjoy. The results of the public exhibition held in November 2006 showed 68% (60) in favour of pedestrian priority in Pinehill Road. Apollo Drive can continue to be used to access the Somerford car park. No reason for cars to park in Apollo Drive in preference to car park.

Objection/Date Received

Officer Comments

Objection 3 - 30 March 2007

Closure means hundreds of unnecessary miles per year. Alternative route of Apollo Drive is narrow, bendy and laden with parked cars - unsuitable as main access to estate. Lip service to feasibility report recommendation. The traffic free area will have buses, taxis and bicycles which remain a hazard. Events square needs temporary road closure which defeats object of TRO, no reason to deny residents access when not being used for events. In favour of improving Forest Centre surroundings. Add closable gates at either end of events area with traffic restrictions/temporary closure for events.

Additional driving is one mile around the closure for those 60 or so residents who are immediately adjacent. The closure will provide a pedestrian friendly area for the greater community to enjoy. The results of the public exhibition held in November 2006 showed 68% (60) in favour of pedestrian priority in Pinehill Road. Apollo Drive is considered suitable to access the estate area and also the Somerfield car park. The main benefit identified in the feasibility report was to create a pedestrian friendly area between the Community and Shopping Centres to "create a more tangible and safe link". This theme is generally supported by the Forest Centre Integration group which is represented by the County Council, East Hampshire District Council, Whitehill Town Council, landowners, leaseholders and local businesses. The closure with `buses, taxis and cycles only' will reduce the hazard from all traffic. The events area will be able to operate with the limited amount of buses, taxis and cycles which are almost non-existent on Sundays. Gated entry arrangements to close off the public highway are not generally considered acceptable. Temporary road closures are used in some towns to facilitate small events but do not provide the continued benefit for pedestrians that is sought for the Forest Centre.