Archived decisions

Contact: Helen Ackerman, tel 01962 857806

email:[email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report provides a further update on the Environment Department capital programme position for 2007/08. Details are correct to the end of September. The following elements are covered:

(i) Waste Management Programme;

(ii) Environmental Improvement Programmes;

(iii) Structural Maintenance of Principal and Non-Principal Roads Programmes;

(iv) Bridge Strengthening and Maintenance Programme; and

(v) Local Transport Plan (LTP) Integrated Transport Programme (including developer funded projects).

1.2 The programme monitoring shows a generally satisfactory position for this stage in the year. Good progress has been made since the previous report on catching up with the delayed surface dressing programme following the wet weather over the summer but, conversely, delivery of the integrated transport programme is beginning to slow. A review of the programme is currently underway to determine the effect on, and affordability of, subsequent programme years.

1.3 The Environment capital programme includes many diverse projects that are designed to enhance safety or improve access to services. Many of these also aim to manage congestion and contribute to improved air quality, and all projects are designed to respect local distinctiveness while meeting the technical standards required. Decisions made in relation to the capital programme will therefore support the Council's priorities.

2. Recommendations

2.1 That the revised transport capital programme, as set out in Appendix 5 of this report, be approved.

2.2 That the rescheduling of schemes identified in section 7.2 of this report be approved.

3. Waste Management Programme 2007/08

3.1 Progress on the delivery and expenditure of the Waste Management Programme is slower than planned. The revised forecast, a reduction of £117,000, is £194,000. A summary overview of the programme and expenditure profile is attached as Appendix 1.

3.2 Fencing improvements at Bramshill and Somerley closed landfill sites that will enable essential grazing of existing and developing heathland have been delayed, in part, by the need to reschedule essential works that were also delayed by the poor summer weather. The works are now planned to start early in 2008/09. Redundant leachate wells at Bramshill and Somerley and decommissioning of gas wells at Casbrook were also delayed. This work will commence early summer 2008.

3.4 The Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) project in Andover is progressing well and remains on target to be operational by autumn 2008.

3.5 Other HWRC expansion and improvement assessments are underway at Casbrook, Marchwood, Aldershot, Hartley Wintney and Fair Oak. Speed of progress depends on a number of factors, the most significant being land acquisition.

4. Environmental Improvements Programme 2007/08

4.1 This programme comprises the Regeneration of Older Urban Areas initiative (ROUA), the Country Towns Initiative (CTI) and Hampshire Villages Initiative (HVI). The programme is progressing satisfactorily overall and within existing approvals. An overview of the programme is attached as Appendix 2.

4.2 The CTI programme has experienced some delays, the most significant being Titchfield Square which, pending completion of resurfacing elements, should be completed by March 2008.

4.3 The HVI programme is progressing very well. Most projects are either complete or underway, with the exception of Binsted which is now withdrawn following lengthy consultation with the Parish Council and St Mary Bourne which is on hold while further funding opportunities are explored.

5. Structural Maintenance of Principal and Non-Principal Roads Programme 2007/08

5.1 The capital budget for highway maintenance is £28.864 million.

LTP Allocation	£14.845m
Local Resources	£13.974m
LPSA Grant	£0.45m
	£28.864m

5.2 This programme funds structural maintenance on all of Hampshire's highway assets, including those on roads, pavements, bridges, drainage, safety fencing, etc. The programme is diverse and extensive, being delivered by the Area Teams mainly through the Term Maintenance Contract. The larger maintenance schemes (over £100,000) are listed in Appendix 3 for information.

5.3 Programme monitoring shows that delivery and expenditure is progressing well and is on target to achieve a full spend by March 2008. Below is an overview of the type, number and progress made to September this year.

Road Maintenance

5.4 Of the 130 resurfacing and reconstruction schemes, averaging £50,000 per scheme, 79 have been completed. The surface dressing programme was reduced by approximately 7% in order to accommodate increased costs associated with the bad weather. This reduced programme is now complete.

Footway Maintenance

5.5 Of the 130 footway resurfacing and reconstruction schemes, averaging £25,000 per scheme and repairing 21 kilometres (0.4% of the county's surfaced footways), 86 have been completed. The footway surface dressing programme, which is made up of over 200 sites, is 25% completed and is expected to be delivered in full by March 2008.

Drainage Schemes

5.6 Of the 35 drainage schemes in the programme, averaging £50,000 per scheme, eight have now been completed. The remaining programme is progressing to schedule.

Major Maintenance

5.7 The A3023 Hayling Island preliminary design, £50,000, is progressing to programme. The latest estimate for A327 Minley is now £1.35 million; an increase of £100,000. Work has commenced and is due to be completed in the autumn.

5.8 The A3 Major Capital Improvement Scheme, Section 4c is the last section of this project to commit to construction. A commitment to fund essential non bus priority maintenance elements has been made, up to a maximum of £350,000, from the capital maintenance budget. £100,000 has been reallocated from rescheduled schemes, such as Lyndhurst Gyratory which was reported in September, and a contingency of £250,000 has been set aside next year.

6. Bridge Strengthening and Maintenance Programmes 2007/08

6.1 The budget for this programme forms part of the overall capital maintenance programme identified in 5.1 above and is funded from the LTP allocations. The 2007/08 budget for this programme is £3.745 million. A summary of the programme is attached as Appendix 4.

6.2 Monitoring indicates there is satisfactory progress towards delivery of the projects and investigations in the programme and a full spend is planned by March 2008.

7. Integrated Transport Programme 2007/08

7.1 The integrated transport programme forms part of the LTP programme, approved in September at £41.088 million. A revised programme, totalling £24.866 million for 2007/08, is set out in Appendix 5. The following table sets out the changes to the Integrated Transport Programme, including external funding, in context to the full LTP programme:

7.2 Delivery of the integrated transport programme has slowed over the summer; there are a further four schemes proposed to be rescheduled and the remaining programme is predominantly planned to start in the last quarter. Reduced funding levels next year mean that consideration to stopping any further LTP slipped scheme needs to be made in January to avoid the carry forward of expenditure. Although expenditure levels this year are similar to last year at £4.3 million LTP and £2.3 million from External Funding, the optimistic target for spending £10 million External Funding is unlikely to be reached by March 2008.

Rescheduling of Schemes in the 2007/08 Programme

7.3 Since reporting seven rescheduled schemes in September, there are a further four schemes, all externally funded, that are now not planned to start during 2007/08.

7.4 Southampton Airport Parkway Interchange and Cycle Access (A335 Wide Lane) £221,000 External Funding

This project has been in the programme since 2005/06 and is linked to the construction of a new footbridge being undertaken by South West Trains (SWT). The new covered footbridge complies with DDA requirements, including wheelchair accessible lifts and slotted cycle channel. This cycleway and complete package of works is jointly funded by the County Council, BAA, NR and SWT and has been delayed in the past because of franchise tendering at SWT. SWT has, unfortunately, missed its railway track possession planned for early 2008, and therefore the programme has to be slipped once again.

7.5 Flexford Road Cycle/Footbridge, Knightwood £1,000,000 External Funding

The Wildlife Trust (Flexford Nature Reserve) has objected to the encroachment of an embankment onto its land, and so the option for retaining walls is being investigated. Both the programme and the estimates will need to be revisited as a result, but it is proposed, at this time, to reschedule this scheme to 2008/09 with its current budget.

7.6 Viables Roundabout Subway £100,000 External Funding

Progress of this scheme has been affected by staff shortages in the North Transport Team. A feasibility study into proposed lighting improvements in the subway has been undertaken and the recommendations are being reviewed. It is not expected that this project will make a start during 2007/08, and is therefore proposed to be rescheduled to 2008/09.

7.7 Solartron Road/North Mead/West Mead, Farnborough £1,000,000 External Funding

This scheme is subject to complicated land negotiations with various parties, including Rushmoor Borough Council, which is also project managing this scheme. It was hoped that the Borough Council, being one of the landowners, would have a greater impact on negotiations if it was managing the project, but unfortunately this has not been the case. The Borough Council has not been able to gain the required outcome which would enable this project to proceed during 2007, although negotiations are continuing. It is proposed that this scheme be withdrawn from the programme and entered onto the reserve list until such time as the land issues can be resolved. A number of reserve schemes are now in development to use the time limited developer funding that would otherwise have expired. Any remaining contributions will continue to be allocated to Solartron Road though future funding cannot be guaranteed if the land negotiations remain unresolved. The alternative proposals will be subject to the Executive Member for Environment's approval before a firm commitment to the programme is made.

New Schemes Entering the Programme

7.8 Hedge End Transport Improvements £850,000 Growth Point Funding 2007/08

The Hedge End Transportation Package is being funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government through its New Growth Point (NGP) budget. This scheme is a replacement for the Botley Road Bus Link which had been developed as a bid for 2007/08 NGP funding but which is currently deferred while bus operator issues are resolved.

7.9 The proposed package is a set of complementary bus and passenger facility improvements that will increase the overall attractiveness of bus travel, both around Hedge End and to the major retail and recreational destination of Southampton city centre. The main features are integration with the real-time information system operating in Southampton, associated bus tracking equipment, 24 new or upgraded bus shelters with real-time information screens, 20 bus stops flags with real-time information, two public information kiosks, automated bus passenger monitoring and intelligent bus priority built into existing signal controlled junctions.

7.10 Because of the constraints on availability of the NGP funding, this project will be completed by March 2008.

8. Impact Assessments

8.1 The proposals in this report are derived from the departmental service plans and LTP objectives, and are in accordance with the budget strategy and the County Council's financial management policy. The proposals are not considered to be discriminatory.

9. Conclusion

9.1 This report proposes that a number of amendments to the 2007/08 programme be approved.

483Rpt/HA

APPENDIX 1

WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

APPENDIX 2

Environmental Improvements Programme Overview

*on hold pending additional funding identification

APPENDIX 3

List of the Larger Capital Maintenance Schemes over £100,000

APPENDIX 4

APPENDIX 5

Integrated Transport Capital Programme for 2007/08