Archived decisions

Decision Maker:

Executive Member - Policy and Resources

Date of Decision:

9 December 2008

Decision Title:

Project Appraisal - Valley Park to Hiltingbury Cycles - Baddesley Bridge

Decision Reference:

224

Report From:

Director of Environment

Contact name:

Jonathan Ryder

Tel:

01329 824691

Email:

[email protected]

1) Summary

The following decisions were made:

1.1. That, subject to the satisfactory completion of land arrangements, and subject to formal approval of the revised Integrated Transport Capital Programme, the Project Appraisal to provide a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the railway at Baddesley Road, near Chandlers Ford, together with associated pedestrian and cycle infrastructure, at an estimated cost of £1,138,000, be approved.

1.2. That the Acting Director of Property Business and Regulatory Services (Interim Head of Estates) be authorised to agree suitable terms and conditions for the acquisition or dedication of any land and/or easement required for the scheme.

1.3. That the new cycle routes be incorporated into the public highway under S.65 of the Highways Act 1980.

2) Reasons for the decision

2.1. The proposal aims to improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists at the existing road bridge over the railway on Baddesley Road near Chandlers Ford. The scheme will link to the existing pedestrian and cycle routes within the Knightwood and Valley Park areas and improve accessibility for these user groups to local amenities, including schools and public transport.

2.2. The scheme improves accessibility thereby contributing towards making Hampshire safer and more secure for all.

2.3. The Executive Member for Environment supports this proposal.

3) Other options considered and rejected:

3.1. Alternative options to the construction of a bridge have been investigated and involve the introduction of traffic signals on the existing road bridge. Three options were considered using traffic signals:

(i) shuttle-working (where each flow of traffic takes it in turn to cross the bridge) with no specific controlled cycle/pedestrian provision;

(ii) shuttle-working with integrated cycle/pedestrian facility (long wait and walk); and

(iii) shuttle-working plus a toucan crossing adjacent to the cycle route.

3.2. All of the alternative options would involve a delay to motorists, potentially throughout the day regardless of the presence of a cyclist or pedestrian. This delay has been estimated to be up to one minute, with queues forming of up to 15 vehicles at peak times. It is considered that this delay would lead to driver frustration and is out of proportion to the benefit for cyclists.

3.3. There are also safety concerns with the shuttle-working signal arrangement, given the potential for driver frustration and the sub-standard forward visibility due to the hump of the bridge. The severity of an accident could be increased given the head-on nature of an impact and the potential for high speeds, particularly during off peak times.

4) Conflicts of Interest:

4.1. Conflicts of interest declared by the decision-maker:

None

4.2. Conflicts of interest declared by other Executive Members consulted:

None

5) Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee:

None

6) Any reasons for the matter being dealt with if urgent :

None

7) Statement from the Decision Maker:

Approved by:

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Date:

9 December 2008

Executive Member for Policy and Resources

Councillor T K Thornber, CBE