BOROUGH OF POOLE

TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP – 12 APRIL 2007

REPORT OF ACTING HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ON

2007/ 08 CAPITAL PROGRAMME

  1. Purpose of the Report
  2. To seek approval for the Transportation Capital Programme for 2007/ 08.
  3. Policy Context
  4. The Capital Programme implements schemes which underpin the Council’s “Clean, Green and Safe” Priority, and delivers the targets set out in the Local Transport Plan and Best Value Performance Plan.
  5. Recommendations

It is recommended that the following be approved :

(i)New schemes for the 2007/ 08 Capital Programme, as detailed in Appendices A and B.

  1. 2007/ 08 Capital Programme
  2. The proposed schemes within the 2007/ 08 Transportation Capital Programme, together with estimated costs, are shown in Appendix A. Further detail is included at Appendix B.
  3. The 2006-2011 Local Transport Plan has been developed in terms of the four transport priority areas of Tackling Congestion, Delivering Accessibility, Safer Roads and Better Air Quality. The 2007/ 08 programme has therefore been shown in similar terms, but excluding Better Air Quality as that is not a current issue for Poole.
  4. The programme has been developed in accordance with the Council’s Transportation Strategy and is designed to achieve a balance of the associated aims and objectives. It is expected that assistance in delivering the programme will now be given by Mouchel Parkman, the Council’s partner consultant. Depending on progress, the programme may need to be modified during the year to reflect the ability to deliver the schemes contained within it. Experience has shown that modifications are often necessary as schemes are developed, as a consequence of issues raised during detailed design or following consultation.
  5. Following development of proposals for each scheme, further reports will be submitted to this Group.

  1. Funding for 2007/ 08 programme
  2. Most of the funding for the Transportation Services Capital Programme - £3,974,500 - comes from the Government through the Local Transport Plan (LTP), and indeed the programme itself has been developed to generally support the aims and objectives contained within the latest version of the LTP.
  3. The 2007/ 08 programme also includes a budget of £1,000,000 to deal with the design and commence work on Canford Bridge. The total cost of this scheme is £3,167,000 and is fully funded by Government.
  4. In addition to Government funding, the Borough of Poole provides a further £400,000 in the area of structural maintenance in order to achieve more work in this most important area.
  5. Developer Funded Schemes
  6. In addition to the Transportation Capital Programme there are a number of other highway improvements undertaken, using developer funding secured through Planning Agreements. The majority of these improvements are solely funded in this way, but opportunities for utilising developer funding to part fund LTP funded schemes is taken where possible.
  7. For 2007/ 08 it is proposed that a total of £551,500 of developer funding be allocated to boost the capital programme and details of where this has been allocated is shown at Appendix A.

STEVE TITE

Acting Head of Transportation Services

Appendix A- 2007/08 Capital Programme

Appendix B – Further detail on individual schemes in the programme

Name and Telephone Number of Officer Contact :

Graham Spicer (01202) 262072

TAG120407T3C

APPENDIX A

INTEGRATED TRANSPORT / 2007/ 08 CAPITAL PROGRAMME
TACKLING CONGESTION / LTP / BoP / Developer / Grant
PRIMARY TRANSPORT CORRIDORS
Ashley Road / £160,000
Ashley Road/ Alder Road / £87,000
Penn Hill Junction / £160,000
Commercial Rd/ Station Rd/ Ashley Cross / £200,000
Traffic model / £100,000
Civic Centre Bus Interchange / £73,000
Bournemouth Road/ Richmond Road / £100,000
Primary Transport Corridor feasibility studies / £40,000
IntelligentTransport studies / £30,000
Network and Asset Management / £50,000
Sub Totals for Tackling Congestion / £700,000 / £300,000
DELIVERING ACCESSIBILITY
SCHOOL SCHEMES / General : Courthills First / £15,000
St Josephs First / £15,000
Turlin Moor Combined / £15,000
Corfe Hills / £10,000
20mph Zones : Ad Astra First / £25,000
Lilliput First / £25,000
Bearwood First / £18,000
Improved Lighting of Pedestrian Routes / £10,000
Round Harbour Route / £10,000
BUSES / Bus Facilities : Shelters & Raised Kerbs / £90,000
(Feasibility) Broadstone Way lay-by / £5,000
(Feasibility) Winston Avenue bus link / £15,000
Accessibility Improvement / £148,000
SW Passenger Transport Information / £17,000
CYCLING / Cycling : Poole Road / £40,000 / £34,000
Penn Hill Avenue / £20,000 / £17,500
Sandbanks Rd to Panorama Rd / £40,000
Waterloo Rd and Darbys Corner / £200,000
Town Centre Study / £50,000
Rights of Way Improvement / £20,000
Sub Total for Delivering Accessibility / £588,000 / £251,500
SAFER ROADS
Commercial Rd/ Station Rd/ Ashley Cross / £90,000
Alderney/ Wallisdown Area feasibility / £5,000
Pottery Junction/ Poole Road feasibility / £5,000
Road Safety Grant (DSCP) / £85,000
Sub Total for Safer Roads / £100,000 / £85,000
TOTAL FOR INTEGRATED TRANSPORT / £1,388,000 / £551,500 / £85,000
MAINTENANCE
Highway Maintenance / £816,500 / £400,000
Bridge Maintenance (Sterte culverts) / £70,000
Street Lighting Replacement / £300,000
Oakdale Bridges waterproofing / £400,000
TOTAL FOR MAINTENANCE / £1,586,500 / £400,000
CANFORD BRIDGE / £1,000,000
TOTAL CAPITAL PROGRAMME / £3,974,500 / £400,000 / £551,500 / £85,000

APPENDIX B

2007/ 08 CAPITAL PROGRAMME - SCHEMES PROPOSED

B1 / TACKLING CONGESTION
As identified within the Local Transport Plan, the current priority for improvements across the conurbation will be the main Primary Transport Corridor Poole to Bournemouth route.
The main points of congestion along this route have been identified and feasibility studies will be carried out to identify measures to address these issues.
Traffic movements along this E-W corridor are not just confined to the main A35 but also to the alternative routes of Ashley Road and Station Road/ Penn Hill/ Leicester Road/ Lindsay Road. The programme has been developed taking account of the main points of congestion but also recognising that early delivery will be more achievable in some areas rather than others. Improvement of the Lindsay Road/ Leicester Road junction was undertaken in 2006/ 07 and early indications are that it is a successful scheme.
While the main emphasis of the design in this category will be congestion, improvements will also be sought in the other priority areas of Accessibility and Safer Roads. The measures for Ashley Road are a particular example of this, with congestion also contributing towards potential air quality problems.
B1.1 / Ashley Road (£160,000)
A study of Ashley Road was undertaken by our partnering consultant, Mouchel Parkman, in 2006/ 07. Problems identified include congestion at the several signalised junctions, parking issues and road safety problems. A number of possible areas for improvement were identified. These will now be developed in more detail and a further report submitted to TAG for consideration.
B1.2 / Ashley Road/ Alder Road (£87,000)
Mouchel Parkman are currently considering how best to deal with the congestion problems at the two roundabouts comprising this junction (Pottery Junction).
B1.3 / Ashley Cross Area (£90,000)
This is linked to scheme at B3.1 but covers the congestion issues. Feasibility studies for this area, which includes the Commercial Road/ Station Road junction, were commenced in 2006/ 07. Associated with these studies it is also proposed that road safety problems be considered, for implementation in 2007/ 08.
B1.4 / Penn Hill Junction (£160,000)
Following development of preliminary suggestions for improvement at this junction a consultation was undertaken with local residents and other stakeholders at the end of last year. The majority of respondents agreed that improvement was necessary and a report was subsequently submitted to TAG on 18 January. Members then approved a recommendation to undertake a detailed design, which is now underway.
B1.5 / Traffic Model (£100,000)
£100,000 has been allocated in the Capital programme, together with £100,000 in the Revenue budget from a Growth Points Bid award, to go towards the first stages of development of a new South East Dorset Traffic Model. Other contributers to this model are expected to be Bournemouth Borough Council, Dorset County Council, the Highways Agency, South West Regional Development Agency and Bournemouth (Manchester) Airport. A further £200,000 will be required in 2008/ 09.
B1.6 / Civic Centre Bus Interchange (£73,000) + (See B2.15)
To create a new two way link by the Clock Tower for buses to travel between North Road and Fernside Road, thereby avoiding travelling around the Civic Centre gyratory. The link would also involve remodelling of the bus stop area between the Civic Centre and the College. Traffic lights would be linked with the existing Real Time Information equipment on the buses to enable them to bypass the gyratory system completely. This will significantly reduce Bournemouth - Poole bus journey times by approximately 4 minutes and therefore increase the attractiveness of public transport. In addition it will reduce the volume of conflicting movements on the gyratory itself, in particular the current right hand turns of buses leaving the existing Poole Park stop crossing lanes to access Fernside Road. The study will also investigate the possibility of emergency vehicles using the direct access to bypass the gyratory which would of considerable benefit. Finally, the remodelling of the area will permit the replacement (for use elsewhere) of the current unattractive mix of bus stops and shelters in the area. New glazed structures would be provided to benefit both visitors/staff to the College and Civic Centre. A total of £221,000 has been allocated to this scheme.
B1.7 /

Bournemouth Road/ Richmond Road (£100,000)

To study the feasibility of improvements to the junction creating ‘ walk with traffic ‘ facility to reduce traffic delays.
B1.8 / PTC Feasibility (£40,000)
To look at other Primary Transport Corridor improvements.
B1.9 / Intelligent Transport Systems Study (£30,000)
Continuing the study of new technology for management of traffic within the conurbation, over the longer term.
B2 / DELIVERING ACCESSIBILITY
B2.1 / School Schemes (£55,000)
Continuation of programme of improvements outside schools, particularly where part of School Travel Plan. A 5 year prioritised implementation plan was presented to TAG in April 2004. For 2007/ 08 we will be looking at improvements for Court Hills First, St Josephs First, Turlin Moor First and Corfe Hills School.
B2.2 / School 20mph Zones (£68,000)
Implementation of 20mph zones outside of schools based on priority list approved at the 14 April 2005 TAG. Schools being considered are ad Astra First, Lilliput First and Bearwood First.
B2.3 / Improved Lighting of Pedestrian and Cycle Routes (£10,000)
This budget has been used to enable the lighting of paths where either no lighting exists or the current provision is inadequate. Primarily based on requests, public safety issues of incidents.
B2.4 / Round Harbour Route (£10,000)
The concept of a complete round harbour route, or Poole Harbour Trail, has been a long standing aspiration in the area. The route, would follow the shoreline as close as possible around Poole, Holes Bay, Ham Common, Lytchett Bay, Holton Heath, Wareham, the Purbecks and Studland before returning to Poole via the chain ferry. The proposed circuit of the harbour would be approximately 63Km or 40 miles. There is broad agreement at officer level from Poole, Dorset and Purbeck that the Trail project is worthwhile and should be supported. External consultants would need to be employed to undertake Scoping, Feasibility and Environmental Assessments In this respect, it is proposed that providing the appropriate necessary approvals can be gained from Dorset and Purbeck then equal contributions of £10,000 (already approved by TAG) be made to fund a maximum £30,000 Consultant study.
B2.5 / Bus Facilities – Shelters and Raised Kerbs (£90,000)
To continue with the programme of raising kerbs at bus stops, to assist the disabled, and the provision of more bus shelters.
B2.6 / Bus Facilities – Broadstone Way Bus Lay-bys (£5,000)
The Wimborne Flyer Service 3 has been well received by passengers and Wilts & Dorset have made significant investment in 5 new air conditioned fully accessible buses for the route. Requests have been received by passengers for bus stops outside the Wessex Gate Retail Park on Broadstone Way. This area is not served by other public transport routes whilst the Flyer is unable to stop at present as Broadstone Way is a 50 mph road. Lay-bys would potentially be required in both directions and this scheme will investigate the feasibility of this. Funding streams from retailers to potentially assist in delivering the scheme will also be investigated.
B2.7 / Bus Facilities – Winston Avenue Bus Link (£15,000)
The large residential area of Talbot View was particularly affected by bus service changes in June of last year. Merrow Avenue and Winston Avenue were to lose their bus service altogether and had previously enjoyed two direct services each hour to both Poole and Bournemouth. The bus company stated that the services were withdrawn due to the detour needed around the estate. This is time consuming and makes the service unattractive to other through passengers. This Council recognised that the withdrawal of all buses would cause considerable hardship, particularly in view of the hilly nature of the walk to the nearest other bus stops in Guest Avenue. In order to ensure that residents still have access to a bus, the Council has contracted a minimum service (Route 7) running five times a day in the off peak. This allows residents to access local shops/ amenities and other bus services on the Ashley Road.
It is accepted that the current level of bus service provision is less than ideal.
In order to improve and sustain bus services in this area the provision of a through route from Winston Avenue to Alder Road has been identified as a long term solution. W&D have said they would divert their Service 16 through the estate if this was available to provide direct links to both Poole and Bournemouth again. In addition, the Council supported Service 7 would be rerouted to serve both Talbot View and Bloxworth Estates each hour, providing a far better service to Upper Parkstone. Access to the nearby Sainsbury’s will also be much improved which is a long standing request. The proposed route between Winston Avenue and Alder Road is currently a footpath and cycleway and this facility will be retained. The new link will be for buses only and the feasibility study will determine the preferred method of enforcing this. There is potential to allow use by emergency vehicles which would also be of great benefit.
B2.8 / SW Passenger Transport Information Travel Line (£17,000)
Ongoing funding towards regional “Traveline” public transport information system.
B2.9 / Cycling Improvements – Poole Road (£74,000)
A request has been received from CLAG for cycle lanes in Poole Road in order to provide a cycle corridor between Bournemouth and Poole. Following the death of a foreign student Bournemouth were looking into removing the parking and providing a cycle lane on their section of Poole Road. There are already cycle lanes on Bournemouth Road in Poole. Seaward employees also requested cycle lanes on Poole Road as a result of them having to produce a Work Place Travel Plan and having more staff cycling to work. It is proposed to look at the possibility of providing cycle lanes on both sides of Poole Road between St Aldhelms Road and Pottery Junction, although this will need to take into account other studies designed to improve traffic flows too.
B2.10 / Cycling Improvements – Penn Hill Avenue (£37,500)
Advisory lanes already exist on Lindsay Road and it would be good to link up to these and extend the lanes along Penn Hill Avenue and down to Ashley Cross.
B2.11 / Cycling Improvements – Sandbanks Road to Panorama Road (£40,000)
This is an extension of the lanes we have just completed. The section between Panorama Road and Shore Road would form part of the Sustrans National Cycleway Network Route 2. Sustrans have also requested that we look at an alternative route to the Prom for the periods when cycling is not permitted. Purbeck are intending to sign their section of Route 2 this summer and Bournemouth have already signed Route 2 along the Prom.
B2.12 / Cycling Improvements – Waterloo Road/ Darbys Corner (£200,000)
To implement a cycle route in both directions along Waterloo Road and to then improve facilities at Darbys Corner roundabout. This could then link to the existing route in Gravel Hill.
B2.13 / Town Centre Study (£50,000)
As part of the 2006/07 Capital Programme a computerised model was created by WSP Consultants. The model is designed to enable the effects on the highway network of various town centre planning developments to be assessed visually. This budget has been allocated to continue the study of town centre infrastructure requirements for the next twenty years.
B2.14 / Rights of Way Improvement (£20,000)
Detailed programme to be developed based on Rights of Way Improvement Plan, formulated as part of Local Transport Plan
B2.15 / Bus Improvements – Civic Centre Interchange (£148,000) + (See B1.6)
To create a Westbound link for buses to travel between North Road and Fernside Road, thereby avoiding travelling around the Civic Centre gyratory. The link would also incorporate a stop. Improved journey times would result. A total of £221,000 has been allocated to this scheme.
B3 / SAFER ROADS
Continuing a programme of engineering measures aimed at casualty reduction. Schemes are prioritised based on injury accidents over 3 year period either at specific locations, corridor, or area based.
B3.1 / Ashley Cross Area (£90,000)
This is linked to scheme at B1.3 but covers the road safety element of it. Feasibility studies for this area, which includes the Commercial Road/ Station Road junction, were commenced in 2006/ 07. Associated with these studies it is also proposed that road safety problems be considered, for implementation in 2007/ 08.
B4 / MAINTENANCE
B4.1 / Highway Maintenance (£816,500 LTP + £400,000 BoP)
Ongoing programme of major reconstruction and resurfacing schemes, surveyed and prioritised in accordance with nationally developed techniques to maintain highway assets in most cost effective way.
It may be appropriate that an element of this budget be considered as part of a cross cutting approach to address community safety issues through Local Area Agreements (LAA).
B4.2 / Bridge Maintenance – Sterte culverts (£70,000)
These three culverts, each 130m long, have recently been surveyed and it has been found that they suffer from extensive silting. It is proposed that de-silting be carried out and measures put in place to reduce the occurrence of silting in the future.
B4.3 / Street Lighting Replacement (£300,000)
Ongoing programme of replacement of structurally defective columns, prioritised on basis of risk assessment. In recognition of the poor state of many of the columns in the Borough this programme has been increased from £100,000 to £300,000. Replacement costs approximately £1,000 per column.
B4.4 / Oakdale Bridges Waterproofing (£400,000)
A Report about this scheme is included elsewhere on this Agenda.
B4.5 / CANFORD BRIDGE (£1,000,000)
The entire budget for this scheme is £3,167,000, which includes a contribution from Dorset County Council. Following completion of preliminary work by Atkins, Dorset Engineering Consultancy (DEC) were appointed to develop design options for the footbridge and to carry out investigatory works on the main bridge. As a result of the work by DEC, an outline design solution was prepared by Buro Happold Engineers for the new footbridge structure. Dorset Ecological Consultancy have carried out a wildlife habitats survey. ASI Heritage Consultants have produced a Conservation Management Plan. Soil Mechanics Limited have undertaken a ground investigation. An in-house team have also completed an underwater survey of the bridge structure. Consultants now need to be appointed to undertake the detailed design of the structures. In this respect, tender documents were recently sent to 6 No. Consultants for return by the end of March.

1