Archived decisions

Decision Maker:

Executive Member - Environment

Date of Decision:

20 January 2009

Decision Title:

Project Appraisal: A35 Colbury Pedestrian Crossing

Decision Reference:

493

Report From:

Director of Environment

Contact name:

Barry Armstrong

Tel:

023 8042 7600

Email:

[email protected]

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

PROJECT APPRAISAL

PROJECT:

A35 COLBURY PEDESTRIAN CROSSING

COMMENCEMENT DATE:

MARCH 2009

COMPLETION DATE:

MAY 2009

PLANNED YEAR OF START IN ACCORDANCE WITH CAPITAL PROGRAMME: 2008/09

1.

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

Current

Capital

Estimate

Programme

(at 2009

(at 2009

prices)

prices)

Capital Expenditure

£'000

£'000

Land to be purchased

Nil

Nil

Construction

246

246

Fees

54

54

300

300

Less developers/

other contributions

300

Financial provision for total scheme

Total Cost

1.

From Capital Programme

(a) Capital programme (as above)

300

(b) Other

300

2.

From other resources

(a)

(b)

(c)

TOTAL

300

Value of land for this project in HCC ownership £

Variations from capital programme

Revenue implications

£'000

% variation

to

budget

Net current expenditure

2.9

0.003

Capital charges

11.0

0.009

TOTAL net expenditure

13.9

0.012

2.

SUMMARY

2.1

2.2

The scheme will increase public safety and access for local residents living in the Colbury and Ashurst area by providing a controlled pedestrian crossing on the A35 at Colbury and associated cycle links to local schools.

The proposal will:

(i) provide a signalised controlled crossing that is safe and convenient;

(ii) meet the need of pedestrians, cyclists and people with mobility impairment;

(iii) reduce community severance between the areas north-west and south-east of the A35 at Colbury;

(iv) improve levels of public satisfaction with new and improved access;

(v) help build and strengthen the local community; and

(vi) form part of a well connected network.

3.

3.1

3.2

Recommendations

That the Project Appraisal for the construction of a Toucan pedestrian crossing and associated cycle links to the local Junior and Secondary Schools on the A35 at Colbury, Ashurst, at an estimated cost of £300,000, be approved.

That, under the powers contained in Sections 65 and 66 of the Highways Act 1980, the existing and proposed footways which comprise this scheme be formally converted to shared use for pedestrians and cyclists.

4.

STATEMENT OF NEED/JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT

(Client Department)

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.8

4.9

4.10

4.11

4.12

4.13

4.14

4.15

4.16

4.17

4.18

4.19

Ashurst and Colbury parish lies in the National Park area of the New Forest in Hampshire. The parish was once part of the Totton and Eling parish area until 1985 when it became effective in its own right.

The A35 is a primary route linking Southampton and Bournemouth and is a busy commuter route. The existing uncontrolled crossing point is sited on a busy dual carriageway section of the A35, some 20 metres west of the Colbury roundabout junction with the A326. The speed limit along this section of the A35 is 50 miles per hour (mph). Until recently the crossing of the dual carriageway was assisted by school crossing patrol staff. Due to safety concerns and increasing difficulty in staffing school patrols there is no assistance currently given to cyclists or pedestrians crossing at the A35 at this location.

Two schools exist in the vicinity - Foxhills Junior/Middle School and Hounsdown Secondary School. Foxhills Junior/Middle Schools are located on a single site in Foxhills Lane some 250 metres north-west of the A35. The school attracts a total of 570 pupils. The children attending these schools live in the Ashurst area, the new housing estates south of Ringwood Road, Eling, Hounsdown, Colbury and the cottages and farms south of Colbury. This is accessed by Knellers Lane which abuts the A35 some 50 metres west of the existing crossing point. The schools facilities are available from 7.45am-6pm to cater for various clubs and activities.

The secondary school is Hounsdown School which is sited 500 metres south-east of the A35 and is reached via Jacobs Gutter Lane to the south. This school has a Science College status and pupils number over 1,200. The school attracts pupils from the area south of the A337 Ringwood Road including Brokenford, Rushington, Houndsown and Marchwood and from the area south-west of the A326 Totton western by-pass including Lyndhurst, Minstead, Ashurst Bridge and Colbury, Cadnam and Netley Marsh. Facilities at the school are open from 7.45am-10pm to accommodate adult health activities and sports clubs.

Each of these schools have reached stage 3 with their respective school travel plans and actively encourage walking and cycling.

The existing crossing at Colbury is currently lightly used during most of the day but there are noticeable peaks of pedestrian and cyclist traffic across the A35 coinciding with the start and end of the school day.

Time Pedestrians Cyclists

07.00-10.00 34 68

10.00-15.00 6 14

15.00-19.00 29 72

Subway crossings at Cocklydown Lane (under the A326) and at Spicers Way (under the A35 at Spicers Hill) assist the movements of pedestrians and cyclists around the Hounsdown area, however parents do not think this is a helpful route to the schools.

On 19 February 2008 parents addressed the New Forest Hampshire Action Team (HAT) requesting a controlled crossing for the A35. The issue of cyclists passing parked vehicles (and oncoming traffic) in the vicinity of the schools was raised. County Council and New Forest District Council officers accepted these concerns. The 2008/09 programme considered by the New Forest HAT includes the following:

Ashurst, Foxhills - Waiting/loading restrictions to control school parking (concerns raised at HAT meeting 19 February 2008).

Subject to prioritisation by the HAT in March 2009 this will be progressed as part of the traffic management programme for 2009/10 to complement the proposed crossing scheme.

The A35 westbound coming from Southampton passes through Totton and Hounsdown before running through the New Forest National Park towards Lyndhurst. The urban dual carriageway continues west from Rushington roundabout in Hounsdown up Spicers Hill to the junction with the A326 Totton Western Bypass.

There is a traffic signal controlled junction with the A326 southbound off-slip traffic, followed 150 metres west by the Hunters Hill roundabout at Colbury. Traffic approaching this roundabout westbound are in three lanes from the signalised junction, with the outside lane marked for traffic using the roundabout to access the northbound A326 only. The two remaining lanes are marked as straight ahead continuing through the roundabout on the A35 westbound up Hunters Hill and into the New Forest. This is the last dual carriageway section of the A35 westbound and consequently vehicles overtake slow moving traffic along this 400 metres long section.

The numerical criteria PV² has been established to assess the need for a formal crossing, where P is the number of pedestrians per hour and V the number of vehicles per hour.

It is County Council policy to introduce crossings where the PV² result exceeds 1.0, where funding is available and a crossing can safely be installed. Where the PV² is between 0.5 and 1.0 the County Council may, in certain circumstances, proceed with the installation of a crossing.

Dual carriageway sites should be considered as two independent one-way streets, with pedestrian and vehicle flows on only one carriageway at a time being considered. If a crossing is provided across either carriageway, then one will be provided across each carriageway.

In this case the PV² values of the crossing point are 0.55 eastbound and 0.30 westbound which is in the discretionary area for agreement, but is being recommended as the A35 at this location is dual carriageway and difficult to cross.

At present pedestrian and cycle traffic cross the dual carriageway at the existing crossing point and this scheme proposes replacing this facility with a signal controlled crossing close to the same location. This follows the observed pedestrian and cycle flows across the A35 at this vicinity.

A traffic speed survey carried out on the approaches to the existing crossing points recorded 12-hour 85 percentile speeds of 40.2 miles per hour (mph) westbound and 35.4 mph eastbound. The proposed position of the new controlled crossing will be a further 40 metres west and therefore speeds reaching the new controlled crossing are expected to slightly increase as traffic accelerates away from the roundabout on this last uphill dual carriageway section. The A35 at this location is subject to a 50 mph speed limit.

Targets and Outcomes

The principal objectives of this scheme are to promote increased walking and cycling levels, improved safety and security for pedestrians/cyclists and to reduce traffic congestion on local roads at school times. There is strong public demand for this crossing with demonstrations held by local residents attracting publicity. Parents are not confident in encouraging their children to walk or cycle due to the absence of a safe crossing facility, and the majority currently drive their children to and from school. The number of pedestrians and cyclists crossing the A35 is expected to increase significantly following the introduction of the proposed Toucan crossing.

Traffic counts for a typical weekday traffic flow were 17,497 vehicles with noticeable tidal peaks between 7 and 10 am and 3 and 7 pm. There is also a noticeable rise in traffic between 12 noon and 1 pm.

5.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROPOSAL (Client Department)

National/County Network and Policies

5.1

5.2

The proposed signalised crossing will contribute to the following objectives of the Local Transport Plan:

(i) increase accessibility;

(ii) promote safety;

(iii) reduce the effect and impact of traffic congestion;

(iv) smarter choices and travel planning; and

(v) support the wider quality of life objectives.

Increase pedestrian accessibility in Ashurst and Colbury area by

improving the safety of those crossing the A35 and helping to reduce congestion and parking in Jacobs Gutter Lane. Encourage the parents and children attending schools to walk and cycle, offer alternatives to the use of motor vehicular transport, increase air quality and improve the quality of life for all local residents.

Details of Scheme and Design Standards

5.3

5.4

5.5

The scheme will consist of new two new cycle routes linking Foxhills School and Hounsdown School via a new Toucan controlled crossing at the A35 at Colbury.

A location plan is attached and a detailed drawing will be displayed at the meeting. In view of the location and measured approach speeds, speed discrimination will be incorporated in the signal detection system as an additional safety feature.

The crossing site forms part of the planned cycle strategy between Ashurst and Hounsdown. This route also provides the Safer Routes to School link to Hounsdown Comprehensive School. The crossing site also features in the recreational cycling strategy between Knellers Lane and Deerleap Lane providing access to the New Forest.

Environmental Impact

5.6

The combined effect of these works will greatly improve the accessibility and safety for pedestrians and cyclists in the Ashurst and Colbury area. No landscaping works are required to construct the signalised crossing. However, the proposed alteration to the entrance to the access to the Colbury Memorial Hall will affect the trees between the existing entrance and No. 133, some 25 metres to the west. Arboriculture teams have confirmed that at least one of these trees is in poor condition and consider its loss not to be an issue when set against the re-planting of semi mature replacement trees proposed as part of this works programme.

Land Requirements

5.7

No land acquisition is required, however the scheme relies on the repositioning of the existing entrance to the Colbury Memorial Hall which borders the southern highway boundary. This land was bequeathed by the Barker Mills estate for the community and is run by a Board of Trustees which supports the proposals. Hampshire County Council has acted as agents on behalf of the trustees in obtaining planning permission from The National Park Authority.

Statutory Procedures

5.8

Planning permission was required for the repositioning of the entrance to Colbury Memorial Hall. The planning application was approved by the New Forest National Park Authority on 16 December 2008.

Public Consultation

5.9

Letters to local residents and schools have been distributed to inform interested parties of the scheme proposal which were displayed at Colbury Memorial Hall from 28 November- 16 December 2008. Details of the scheme have also been posted on the County Council web pages.

Local Member's View

5.10

The local Member, Councillor Kendal, supports this scheme. It is also supported by the New Forest Hampshire Action Team.

Impact Assessments

5.11

The scheme is intended to provide a safe controlled crossing on the A35 at Colbury and improve accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists and those with mobility impairments. 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 or gender.

Maintenance Implications

5.12

5.13

5.14

The installation of the proposed Toucan crossing will require new ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) equipment, new road marking and high friction surfaces. It therefore follows that additional revenue expenditure in respect of maintenance and operational costs will need to be reported. Maintenance work will include reported equipment faults, carrying out biannual lamp changes and undertaking an annual electrical inspection. Operating costs are incurred in respect of electrical power and telecommunications.

Traffic signal equipment is anticipated to function satisfactorily for between 10-15 years; after this time it may need to be replaced. Any anti-skid, high friction material may need to be renewed at more regular intervals to ensure adequate performance.

The revenue implications of this proposal have been taken into account in the setting of the annual base budget.

Crime and Disorder Act 1998

5.15

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

Sustainability

5.16

The scheme seeks to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists and the mobility impaired.

6.

ROAD IMPROVEMENT - ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

(Client Department)

6.1

Option 1:

The option to do nothing has been rejected as this would deter parents and children from walking and cycling to the local primary and secondary schools and would create community severance between the areas to the north-west and south-east of A35 at Colbury.

6.2

7

7.1

7.2

7.3

a) Risk Assessment:

The do nothing option would not address the concerns of local residents.

Option 2:

The proposal to construct a subway crossing would cost in the region of £750,000.

a) Risk Assessment:

Rejected due to high cost.

Option 3:

The proposal to construct a pedestrian footbridge at the same location would be of a similar cost to Option 2 based on 2005 prices. These costs will now have considerably increased and are thought to be in the region of £1.2 million.

a) Risk Assessment:

Rejected due to the high cost

Option 4:

The option to utilise the existing pedestrian links and undertake minor upgrades to signing, etc and make it more attractive to pedestrian use; also to upgrade the pedestrian crossing island at the top of Hunters Hill close to Whartons Lane.

a) Risk Assessment:

This option was not favoured because of the increased journey time and distance it was felt it would not attract sufficient migration of pedestrians.

The option selected will promote community confidence to walk and cycle, provide a safe crossing point and help to discourage the need to drive children to and from local schools. The impact on traffic queue lengths at the proposed new crossing site would have a minimal impact.

Climate Change

New, low power signal equipment will be used for this scheme. This equipment, which comprises an extra low voltage signal controller and LED signal aspects, has only recently become commercially available and reduces energy consumption. Using LED signals also increases the mean time between signal aspect failures, reducing the transport costs associated with replacing traditional lamps. This equipment is more expensive than equivalent, traditional signal equipment, but may recoup the initial additional cost over its expected life, through energy savings and an anticipated reduced failure rate. Other benefits include reduced carbon emissions through manufacturing and improved safety (using extra low voltage removes the risk of electrocution) and may outweigh any marginal additional costs.

The new installation is intended to provide a safe road crossing, encouraging walking as a more sustainable transport mode, reducing in turn the carbon emissions of alternative modes, principally travel by car. The installation will use the latest technology to ensure its efficient operation, extending the vehicle green period to the permitted maximum as necessary and only extending the crossing time when needed by slower moving pedestrians, to make sure that motorists are not unnecessarily delayed. Reducing stops and delay in this way reduces pollution, while still providing a safe and effective facility for pedestrians.

Through its asset management and procurement strategy, the ITS Group is investigating ways of extending the operational life of equipment to reduce the proportion of its whole-of-life carbon footprint attributable to manufacturing. Ways are also being investigated to maximise the reuse and recycling of recovered materials to reduce waste through replacement. These measures form part of the sustainability action plan for ITS equipment currently being developed.

LINKS TO THE CORPORATE STRATEGY

Yes

No

Hampshire safer and more secure for all

Corporate Business plan link no (if appropriate)

Maximising well-being

Corporate Business plan link no (if appropriate)

Enhancing our quality of place

Corporate Business plan link no (if appropriate)

OTHER SIGNIFICANT LINKS:

Links to Previous member decisions:

None

Ref

Date

Direct Links to Specific Legislation or Government Directives

None

Date

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report. (NB: the list excludes published works and any documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.)

Document

Location

A35 Colbury Pedestrian Crossing Project File. Results of public consultation

Environment Department

Area West Totton