Thursday, 13 June 2013

Consultation on proposals to improve the western access to Gosport, including initial high level ideas for a potential Stubbington Bypass, has been given the green light by Hampshire County Council and will start in July.

Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, Cllr Seán Woodward has approved a consultation that will:

Present detailed plans for the proposed improvements to the northern section of Newgate Lane between Palmerston Drive and Tanners Lane for comment

Ask for views on interim measures to improve the Peel Common roundabout junction

Seek early views on three possible routes for the Stubbington bypass and related improvements.

The proposals aim to provide improved access to the Solent Enterprise Zone, and to help address existing traffic problems on the Gosport peninsula including the Stubbington area.

Cllr Woodward said: "Although there has been long standing local interest in a potential Stubbington Bypass we are looking at this as part of a wider set of highway works to improve access to Fareham and Gosport on the western side in order to support the local economy and improve the quality of life for those living and working in the area."

Now is the perfect time to be taking these proposals forward with the Government creating a more favourable climate for investment in major highway infrastructure in order support economic growth. We have already secured a funding package for the Newgate Lane north scheme and for the Peel Common roundabout improvements, but is important to ensure that we will be in a good position to bid for funding to improve the access to Gosport from the west as soon as an opportunity becomes available.

• Newgate Lane Fareham, Major Improvement Scheme and Gosport Western Access

Thursday, 13 June 2013

In response to concerns from local residents, Hampshire County Council has given the go ahead for a pavement along Pilcot Road, and to promote a reduction in the speed limit to 30 mph along the route.

The new footpath will link into the existing footway on Knights Close in Crookham Village and extend westwards to the entrance of Dogmersfield Village. By providing a footpath and reducing the speed limit, pedestrians, drivers and cyclists can all benefit from a safer environment.

Pilcot Road has no pavement and is a rural road with a 40mph speed limit. During a 12-hour period in July 2010, a traffic survey found that over 3,000 vehicles used the road and traffic volumes are set to increase with future housing developments in the area. Pedestrians walking along Pilcot Road to reach local facilities, including the local schools, have reported motorists passing by too closely and, in the absence of a designated path, some pedestrians are choosing to walk along the steeply sloping grass verge which is a cause for concern in wet weather, particularly for parents with young children or those pushing prams.

Taking the location of utilities, trees and open ditches into consideration, it has been recommended that the footpath will be 1.2 metres in width and 425 metres in length, with a 0.5 metre safety verge created where the new footway will be running alongside existing open ditches. As part of the scheme, highway drainage will be improved or constructed where none exists currently.

Councillor Seán Woodward, Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at Hampshire County Council, commented:

"I am pleased to be able to respond to local concerns and pressure for a new footway to be provided on Pilcot Road. This is a busy rural road, and the planned reduction in the speed limit together with the provision of a new footway will significantly improve things for all road users. There is a sound business case for this scheme and in agreeing the investment and it is my view that this work should be carried out at the earliest opportunity."

The County Council is investing £315,000 of developer contributions to fund the scheme and work is estimated to start in the autumn. Some minor advanced works may be required prior to the main construction. A road closure will be necessary so that work can be carried out safely and traffic will be diverted while the road is closed. More information about the diversion will be made available when the arrangements have been finalised.

• Roadworks and road maintenance

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

From 4 June residents and visitors in North Hampshire and West Surrey are to be asked for their help in generating up-to-date, accurate information about their travel movements.

Hampshire County Council is collecting this information in order to map current travel patterns for the area, gauge traffic volumes and to develop a clear picture of future transport needs, which in turn will help support bids for funding for transport improvements.

During June, July and September the County Council will be undertaking traffic counts across the area. In June and July the County Council will be surveying users of bus and rail services at stations and busy bus stops about their journeys.

Also during June, July and September, interview surveys, taking no more than two minutes each, will take place at around 40 road side sites in the Basingstoke and Blackwater Valley areas, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Motorists will be asked to give on-the-spot information about the journey they are making at that time, for example, are they travelling to work, where and where from?

At busy sites however, to help keep traffic flowing and keep delays to an absolute minimum, pre-paid postcards will be handed out for people to fill in and return by post.

Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, Councillor Seán Woodward said: "Accurate information is vital as we continue to develop our travel and transport plans for the north of the county and neighbouring areas. It is an important element of the evidence that we need to provide in any bid to secure funding from the Government for future transport capacity improvements. I hope people will understand the importance of these surveys, and where they are given a postcard, take just a few minutes to fill it in and put it in the post. We will be grateful for their co-operation to this end and would like to apologise, in advance, for any inconvenience caused by this vital work.

"The data collected as part of this programme will be used to help inform decisions about which large transport improvements in the north Hampshire area are taken forward to bid for a share of funding from Government. Such bids for funding for large transport schemes require up to date survey information to be provided if they are to stand a reasonable chance of being funded."

• More information about traffic and travel surveys

Friday, 24 May 2013

Work on a £360,000 road improvement scheme for London Road in Basingstoke will start at the end of May. The improvements are aimed at helping to make the road crossing safer and encouraging traffic to travel at lower traffic speeds.

Costello Technology College, local residents and the local members have been consulted on the design of the scheme by Hampshire County Council. It includes building three new pedestrian crossing points with refuge islands along London Road, with another to replace the existing priority build-out at the eastern end of the road near the junction with the Ringway. This will mean there will be four in total on London Road.

At the junction with Eastrop Lane, the existing section of road that was previously made narrower will be reconstructed to its original width with an additional pedestrian refuge island to assist crossing. Changes will also be made to the junction with Crossborough Hill to make it easier for the traffic affected by the new pedestrian refuge on London Road to turn out of the junction and help to improve safety for pedestrians.

The scheme, which is expected to take around 12 weeks to complete, is funded largely by developer contributions with the balance paid for with a grant from Government. Before it starts, some utility services will need to be diverted (gas, electric and mains water). Although the Council will attempt to keep disruption to a minimum while these utilities are being diverted and during construction, temporary traffic lights will be in use to assure safety for drivers, pedestrians and workmen. The public is asked to be patient at these times as there will be a noticeable improvement afterwards.

• Roadworks and road maintenance

Wednesday, 15 May 2013

In a move designed to encourage more people to use alternative ways of travel instead of their cars, four specially-trained travel planning advisors will be calling on residents in the Harestock, Teg Down and Weeke areas of Winchester until the end of August.

Aiming to offer travel information and advice to up to 3,200 households, the team of personal travel advisors will be asking people to consider their daily travel options for journeys and to try taking the bus, train, walking, cycling or car sharing instead of driving.

Research has shown that Hampshire residents are keen car users - above the national average. But with the rising cost of fuel and high volumes of traffic, many people are beginning to realise the savings and benefits to their health by taking the bus or cycling.

My Journey aims to make it easier for people to work out whether their local journey in the car can be made just as conveniently by bus, bike or by car-sharing instead. Following the success of the initiative in Basingstoke - where over a third of participating residents actively made a change to their travel routines - personalised travel advice is being offered directly to residents in the Harestock, Teg Down and Weeke areas of Winchester.

The travel planning advisors will provide tailored practical help and support to individual households, including offering incentives to tempt people out of their cars. Project partner Stagecoach South, for instance, is supplying one week bus passes for people who have not tried using public transport in the Winchester area, so they can test the benefits of using local bus services for themselves.

A new Winchester cycle map has been produced and the travel planning advisors will have copies available to give to those keen to try cycling. The travel planners will also have up to date bus and train timetables and information about car- sharing to leave with householders.

For more details about the Personal Travel Planning work being delivered in Winchester visit 'My Journey' Hampshire. The website also offers a one-stop shop for advice about the different options for travelling in Hampshire. Details of local events such as leisure cycle rides together with special offers and competitions can also be found on the web pages.

The 'My Journey' campaign is funded by the Department for Transport's Local Sustainable Transport Fund. The objectives of the Government's fund are to reduce congestion at peak times, and to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. These objectives will be met at a local level, through 'My Journey' initiatives to encourage less use of the private car and a more active lifestyle by encouraging walking, cycling, use of public transport or car sharing to travel around, particularly for local journeys.

• 'My Journey' Hampshire

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

In a move designed to encourage more people to make use of alternative travel choices, six specially-trained travel planning advisors will be calling on residents in the Brighton Hill and Hatch Warren areas of Basingstoke until the end of August.

Aiming to offer travel information and advice to up to 5,300 households, the team of personal travel advisors will be asking people to consider their daily travel options for journeys and to try taking the bus, train, walking, cycling or car sharing instead of driving.

Research has shown that Hampshire residents are keen car users - above the national average. But with the rising cost of fuel and high volumes of traffic, many people are beginning to realise the savings and benefits to their health by taking the bus or cycling.

My Journey aims to make it easier for people to work out whether their local journey in the car can be made just as conveniently by bus, bike or by car -sharing instead. Following the success of the initiative in Chineham and Popley - where over a third of participating residents actively made a change to their travel routines - personalised travel advice is being offered directly to residents in the Brighton Hill and Hatch Warren areas of Basingstoke.

The travel planning advisors will provide tailored practical help and support to individual households, including offering incentives to tempt people to try alternative ways of making local journeys. Project partner Stagecoach South, for instance, is supplying one week bus passes for people who have not tried using public transport in the Basingstoke area, so they can test the benefits of using the Jazz 1, Jazz 7 and Jazz 8 services for themselves.

Travel planning advisors will have copies of the Basingstoke Cycle Map available to give to those keen to try cycling. The travel planners will also have up to date bus and train timetables and information about car- sharing to leave with householders.

For more details about the Personal Travel Planning work being delivered in Basingstoke visit 'My Journey Hampshire'. The website also offers a one-stop shop for advice about the different options for travelling in Hampshire. Details of local events such as leisure cycle rides together with special offers and competitions can also be found on the web pages.

The 'My Journey' campaign is funded by the Department for Transport's Local Sustainable Transport Fund. The objectives of the Government's fund are to reduce congestion at peak times, and to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. These objectives will be met at a local level, through 'My Journey' initiatives to encourage less use of the private car and a more active lifestyle by encouraging walking, cycling, use of public transport or car sharing to travel around, particularly for local journeys.

• Workplace Travel Planning

Friday, 10 May 2013

Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council are pleased to confirm that contractors are to start work on Andover Bus Station from next week (beginning 13 May 2013).

Also, during that week, two unused bus shelters in Andover will be relocated to provide temporary bus stops in West Street. A new shelter has been ordered, to be installed between the three temporary stops on Western Avenue in June.

Transport capital funding of £2.9 million is being invested to extend and refurbish the bus station. The finance will come from contributions from developers responsible for major commercial and housing construction schemes in the area, as part of their planning agreements to improve facilities for bus passengers. This is in addition to the junction and highway improvements being carried out to support these developments.

Redevelopment of the bus station is an integral part of the Andover Town Access Plan. In developing the Plan, it was recognised that the bus station's capacity would need to be expanded to cope with the anticipated increase in the number of passengers and buses from the major development areas of East Anton, Picket Twenty and Andover Airfield.

The new facilities will provide the following benefits:

• additional space for buses and coaches;
• an enclosed waiting and internal seating area;
• a café;
• a Shopmobility facility to enable people with restricted mobility to hire mobility scooters or wheelchairs;
• office accommodation for the bus operator including an enquiries desk;
• office accommodation for Test Valley Community Services;
• and electronic passenger information systems.

Work will take approximately 12 months to complete and although the bus station will be closed during this time, the pedestrian walkway into the Chantry Centre will be maintained while work is underway.

Test Valley Borough Council and Friends Life plc will retain ownership of the bus station and Stagecoach will be the principal bus provider operating out of the bus station.

• Public, Community and School Transport

Wednesday, 08 May 2013

Businesses across south Hampshire are being invited to compete in the 'My Journey' Commuter Challenge by completing their daily commute using alternative ways to travel other than the private car.

The challenge is part of Hampshire County and Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils' 'My Journey' campaign and is being organised by Sustrans, a leading national charity which encourages and enables sustainable travel for residents in the UK.

Participants will be encouraged to try cycling, walking, using public transport or car-sharing to get to and from their place of work, in a bid to reduce congestion in Hampshire and encourage a more active lifestyle. Businesses and their employees will be invited to compete in group and personal challenges throughout May.

By recording online how they travelled to work, those who take part in the challenge have the opportunity to win one of a number of weekly awards such as passes for free bus, rail, hover and ferry travel, theatre tickets, and entry to a wide range of Hampshire attractions.

Eligible journeys for the Commuter Challenge start at one mile in length, the equivalent of just 20 minutes walking or 10 minutes by bicycle.

The 'My Journey' campaign has been developed by Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council and Portsmouth City Council and is funded by a successful bid to the Department for Transport for Local Sustainable Transport Fund monies. The objectives of the Government's fund are to reduce congestion at peak times, and to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. These objectives will be met at a local level, through 'My Journey' initiatives to encourage less use of the private car and a more active lifestyle by encouraging walking, cycling, use of public transport or car sharing to travel around, particularly for local journeys.

• Businesses, groups or individuals can sign up to take part in the Commuter Challenge

Tuesday, 07 May 2013

In a move designed to encourage more people to make use of alternative travel choices, eight specially-trained travel planning advisors will be calling on residents in the Bridgemary, Brockhurst, Camdentown and Ann's Hill areas of Gosport until the end of August.

Aiming to offer travel information and advice to up to 7,800 households, the team of personal travel advisors will be asking people to consider their daily travel options for journeys and to try taking the bus, train, walking, cycling or car sharing instead of driving.

Research has shown that Hampshire residents are keen car users - above the national average. But with the rising cost of fuel and high volumes of traffic, many people are beginning to realise the savings and benefits to their health by taking the bus or cycling.

My Journey aims to make it easier for people to work out whether their local journey in the car can be made just as conveniently by bus, bike or by car -sharing instead. Following the success of the initiative in Basingstoke - where over a third of participating residents actively made a change to their travel routines - personalised travel advice is being offered directly to residents in the Bridgemary, Brockhurst, Camdentown and Ann's Hill areas of Gosport.

The travel planning advisors will provide tailored practical help and support to individual households, including offering incentives to tempt people to try alternative ways of making local journeys. Project partners First Group and Gosport Ferry, for instance, are supplying one day and one week bus and ferry passes for people in the Gosport area who have not tried using public transport, so they can test the benefits of using the E1 and E2 Eclipse Bus Rapid Transit services and the ferry link to Portsmouth for themselves.

A new Gosport cycle map has been produced and the travel planning advisors will have copies available to give to those keen to try cycling. The travel planners will also have up to date bus and ferry timetables and information about car- sharing to leave with householders.

For more details about the Personal Travel Planning work being delivered in Gosport visit myjourneyhampshire.com The website also offers a one-stop shop for advice about the different options for travelling in Hampshire. Details of local events such as leisure cycle rides together with special offers and competitions can also be found on the web pages.

The 'My Journey' campaign is funded by the Department for Transport's Local Sustainable Transport Fund. The objectives of the Government's fund are to reduce congestion at peak times, and to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. These objectives will be met at a local level, through 'My Journey' initiatives to encourage less use of the private car and a more active lifestyle by encouraging walking, cycling, use of public transport or car sharing to travel around, particularly for local journeys.

• My Journey Hampshire

Tuesday, 07 May 2013

In the past two months, Havant's community bus service - Call & Go - has attracted 165 new regular passengers but its operators, Community First HEH, say there is still room for more.

Havant Call and Go (formerly Havant Dial a Ride) is a flexible bus service which can pick people up from their home address and take them wherever they need to go within the service area. Operating across the borough of Havant, as well as Horndean, Clanfield and Rowlands Castle, the service operates on five days of the week - Monday, Tuesday Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Additionally, the Call & Go service includes a journey to and from Commercial Road in Portsmouth on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

For many passengers the service is a lifeline to get out and about and is used by them to get to the shops, health centres, to visit friends and relatives or to go to leisure centres. The vehicles used have low-adapted floors so they are ideal for use by passengers who use wheelchairs.

Mrs Sue Tucker is a regular user of the service and like so many other passengers, relies on the Havant Call and Go to get her to the shops and to visit her family. She said: "It's become part of my life." Mrs Yvonne Hogarth, who has been using the service since it began, really values the independence and social aspect that the service offers her, commenting "You meet up with different people and have a chat. It just lifts you mentally. Just to get out, that in itself, means so much". She was also full of praise for the drivers who, she said "are always so helpful".

Passengers do need to register for the service but there is no charge to do so. Fares range from £1.65 to £4.70.Those who have a concessionary fare bus pass are eligible to use the service at half price. For more information about the service and to request an application form to join the scheme, please contact Hampshire County Council on 0845 602 4135.

The service is jointly funded by Hampshire County Council, Havant Borough Council and East Hampshire District Council.

• Call & Go service

Tuesday, 07 May 2013

School children are being invited to nominate their 'diamond' lollipop person as Hampshire's School Crossing Patrol of the Year 2013.

In nominating who they think should win, children are being asked to get creative by sending in a poem, drawing or a story illustrating why their school crossing patrol is a real diamond.

Hampshire County Council has 262 school crossing patrols who help children cross roads every morning and afternoon during term time. This year marks 60 years of the school crossing patrol service nationally, making 2013 its Diamond Anniversay.

From all the nominations received, one finalist will be chosen from each of the 11 boroughs and districts across Hampshire. The finalists will be invited to a special awards ceremony on 10 July, to be held in Winchester, where the overall winner will be announced and presented with their award.

The winner will also be presented with £500 worth of IKEA vouchers donated by the Southampton store. Each of the 11 finalists will be presented with bespoke fleeces and the children who submit the winning entry for each finalist will receive a road safety goody bag.

The school whose lollipop person is crowned School Crossing Patrol of the Year 2013 will win a Street Feet kit courtesy of Fox Oilskins. The kit is designed to help children practice crossing the road safely while being in a safe environment. The school will also win an environmental tour of IKEA for the class of the pupil's winning nomination.

All those who nominate a school crossing person will be presented with a fluorescent zipper courtesy of Heart FM.

The closing date for entries is Friday 24 May

• Vote for Hampshire's top school crossing patrol