Notes from Highways meeting 6th February 2012

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Parent Category: Parish Council

Category: Parish Council Minutes

Last Updated on Saturday, 20 April 2013 13:49

Published on Tuesday, 28 February 2012 16:13

Notes from the Special Public Meeting to discuss Highways proposals

6^th February 2012, 7.30pm in the Village Hall

Present: Parish Councillors Richard Wood, John Ferguson, Dalton Hopkins, Phil McCorry, Claire Penfold, Chris Holland, Alan Douglas, Janice Spalding (left early for another meeting), the Clerk and 17 members of the public.

Cllr. Ferguson introduced Simon Found and Tom Robison from Hampshire County Council (Highways). He explained that the Parish Council had been working with Hampshire County Council for a few years to assess the infrastructure issues within the Parish.

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Simon Found explained that the development of land within the parish in recent years had enabled a Section 106 pot of funds to become available. He explained that there had been substantial consultation within the village about improvement schemes, starting in March 2010 with the public meeting held in the village hall. He explained that they had listened to the Parish Council’s view as to what the problems were and instigated a feasibility study, which had now been completed. There were a number of schemes and options available. The current S106 funding would enable around £1m of improvements to be carried out over the next two years, starting in March 2012. The ‘shopping list’ which had evolved from the consultations and studies would come to a total of £1.84m so there would be an element of prioritising.

It was noted that the most expensive option was the footbridge over the level crossing, at an estimated cost of £850,000. It was explained that there were many issues besides the funding which would make this project difficult, including land and timing issues. Network Rail are not currently in support of the scheme and would not assist with funding as their criteria for this type of project is not currently met. The only option available given the lack of available land at the location would be a bridge with steps up, and back down from the bridge. This would mean that buggies, scooters, wheelchair users etc would not be provided with a solution. It was discussed that a crossing would most likely serve foot traffic in the area, but that the users would be limited by the available design. If a ramp were to be considered, it would be considerably more costly, and would impact greatly on the properties nearby and may even involve the demolition of nearby properties, so this is not currently considered a viable option.

There is also the question of a time limit on the availability S106 funds as the developer has the ability to request a refund on unused reserves in this pot. As this project would have a long lead-time both in terms of design work required and the ‘track time’ permission from Network Rail, it was most likely that these funds would no longer be available if they were set aside for this project. It was suggested that perhaps the other schemes on the shopping list be given priority as they could be completed within a reasonable schedule and within the limits of the funding pot. The issue of the footbridge could remain on the list for the future as there is the potential that further funds would be available at a later date, either from future development or if the ‘grading’ system used by Network Rail means that the station at Bramley would later meet the criteria for their funding schemes. It was noted that the current proposal would not meet the needs of enough of the residents to justify the expense and the impact on the local area, but that it would be given further consideration in the future.

One of the schemes discussed was a measure to solve the issues of parking by the school and around Moat Close and the aim is to complete as much of this work as possible through the summer holidays in 2012, with an outline timeframe of July-September. It was noted that HCC had contacted every home in the area and there had been a very good response to the door to door letter drop. It was explained that 82% of the residents supported the proposals to improve the movement of traffic in this area, which include a lay-by so that cars can pull up and drop their children off safely.

After much discussion the plans for all of the proposals were laid out for inspection and further explanation. The schedule and expected costs for each of the schemes was discussed. It was noted that the schemes had been planned-in over a suitable timeline, in conjunction with other projects and schemes in the locality including the Culvert Scheme in Bramley Road, and the ongoing work of the County-wide Operation Resilience, and would consider any diversions required so that traffic within the village would not be disrupted more than necessary. Projects requiring greater lead time because they involved other services (gas/water etc may need to be re-routed), land issues, or more detailed design works would be completed towards the end of the overall works schedule.

There was much concern among the public that the parking issues were not being addressed. There are currently no schemes available to deal with this problem. PCSO Geoff Furmor-Dunman explained the problems faced by police in dealing with this matter, and explained that double yellow lines are very difficult to enforce. The Parish Council would continue to assess any options which may become available, and would consider this when creating the neighbourhood development plan in response to the LDF.

All of the proposals except the footbridge (see attached appendix) were considered to best answer the traffic issues within the village, and can be met from the available S106 pot. It was noted that the costs associated with these projects were currently offering good value, as the financial climate means that companies tendering for such projects are bidding low in order to win contracts. Cllrs commented that it would be good to know that within the next two years, the majority of the traffic and infrastructure issues within the village would have been resolved.

The Clerk would ask for copies of the plans to share with the wider public.