Meeting documents
EEC/07/105/HQ
North Devon Highways and Traffic Orders Committee
27 March 2007
"Devon on the Move", Devon Local Transport Plan (DLTP)
Proposed Programme for 2007/2008
Report of the Area Engineer (North)
Please note that the following recommendations are subject to consideration and determination by the Committee before taking effect.
Recommendation: It is recommended that the Committee:
(a) notes the funding provisions which have been approved by Executive report EEC/07/39/HQ ("Devon on the Move" Devon Local Transport Plan - Proposed Programme for 2007/08), as described in sections 1 to 7 of this report; and
(b) approves the local allocations for the North Devon HATOC area, as listed in the table in section 8 of this report.
1. Summary
The financial year 2007/2008 is the second year of "Devon on the Move": the second, statutory Devon Local Transport Plan which covers the period 2006 2011.
Following the Government announcement of the local transport capital settlement for Devon on 18 December 2006, the Executive has approved programmes for highway and transport improvements for 2007/2008 (Report EEC/07/39/HQ). This approval includes funding of 505,000 from the Towns, Villages and Rural Communities Programme, to be distributed between Highways and Traffic Orders Committees excluding Exeter. This report sets out the approved programme for this Committee's areas of interest, and also seeks the Committee's approval of schemes to be delivered through the Towns, Villages and Rural Communities Programme including projects related to school travel plans; public transport facilities; and local access improvements.
2. Background
The Government supports "Capital" transport infrastructure needs following submission of a Local Transport Plan which sets out the transport strategies, plans and programmes. The level of funding received is partly dependent on quantifiable transport statistics and partly on the quality of the Plan. The final Devon Local Transport Plan 2006/2011 was submitted to Government in March 2006, and included a bid for capital expenditure for the five years between 2006/07 and 2010/11.
The local transport capital settlement for Devon for 2007/08 was announced by the Government in December 2006. The Department for Transport has given approval to DCC to spend 33,197 million on highway maintenance, bridge assessment/strengthening and integrated transport in 2007/08.
The table below sets out the Government's allocation for the year 2007/08 and indicative allocations for integrated transport capital spending for the remaining 3 years of the Devon Local Transport Plan 2006-2011.
Government's Allocations for the Devon Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 ( 000s)
|
| 06/07 Allocation 000's | 07/08 Allocation 000's | 08/09 Allocation 000's | 09/10 Allocation 000's | 10/11 Allocation 000's |
| Integrated Transport |
8,020 |
8,125 |
8,062 |
8,028 |
7,973 |
| Maintenance | 22,678 | 25,072 | 22,082* | 23,186* | 24,346* |
| TOTAL | 30,698 | 33,197 | 30,144* | 31,214* | 32,319* |
The asterisked * maintenance figures are planning guidelines and are likely to change as a result of the formulaic assessment of the maintenance block. The 2007/08 actual allocation for maintenance was a 19% increase on the planning guideline.
The County Council's Executive considered the allocation of the Government's local transport settlement for the DLTP in 2007/08 on 27 February 2007, (Report No. EEC/07/39/HQ).
The Executive resolved that:
(a) the "Devon on the Move" programme for 2007/08, as set out in the Appendices to this report is approved;
(b) 505,000 from the Towns, Villages and Rural Communities Programme be distributed between Highways and Traffic Orders Committees (excluding Exeter which has its sub-regional programme) to address local priorities for school travel plans, public transport facilities and local access improvements in accordance with the criteria detailed in section 5 of the Executive report.
(c) the Director of Environment, Economy and Culture be given delegated authority to vary the programmes as necessary, in line with Devon Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 objectives, in order to maximise delivery.
3. Progress with the Implementation of the Previous 5 Year Plan
The first Devon Local Transport Plan (DLTP), "Devon on the Move" had nine objectives:
- Integrated Transport.
- Safety.
- Accessibility.
- Economy.
- Environment.
- Health.
- Lifelong Learning.
- Social Inclusion.
- Tourism.
Between 2001 and 2006 220 million of investment was directed at improving local transport across the County. Some of the achievements included:
Implementation of 209 targeted road safety schemes complemented by road safety training and awareness which have helped reduce the number of killed or seriously injured casualties by 24% and the number of children killed or seriously injured by 71%.
Investment in public transport including improvements to waiting facilities and the roll out of low floor buses which has helped boost patronage to over 20 million passenger journeys per year.
Investment in cycling infrastructure which has seen cycling increase by 113%, not only for leisure but for commuter journeys too.
All nationally set targets have either been met or are 'on track' to be met as are 90% of local targets. Such achievements have resulted in Devon County Council being scored as 'Excellent' for local transport delivery in the past five years, being judged as Transport Local Authority of the Year and receiving Beacon Status for Road Safety.
4. Devon Local Transport Plan 2006-2011
Devon County Council's Local Transport Plan for 2006-2011 aims to meet the four national central shared priorities:
Tackling traffic congestion.
Delivering accessibility.
Making roads safer.
Improving air quality.
It also includes three local objectives which were identified as a result of consultation:
Improving recreation, leisure and tourism.
Promoting health and well-being.
Improving public space.
5. Programmes for Year 2007/08
The programme for 2007/08 comprises the following elements:
Highway Structural Maintenance and Bridge Assessment/Strengthening.
Casualty Reduction.
Sub-Regional/ Area Programme .
Towns, Villages and Rural Communities.
Sustainable Tourism, Recreation and Leisure.
Travel Awareness, Traveline, Commitments, Monitoring and Programme management.
The allocations for Devon are set out in the following table:
Devon Local Transport Plan Allocation 2007/08
| Programme/Scheme | Allocation ,000s |
| Highway Structural Maintenance and Bridge Assessment/ Strengthening Programme |
|
| Sub-total | 25,072 |
|
|
|
| Casualty Reduction and Route Management Programme |
|
| Sub-total | 535 |
|
|
|
| Regional/Area Programmes |
|
| Exeter Sub-Region | 3,200 |
| Plymouth Sub-Region (part in Devon) | 200 |
| Barnstaple and Bideford Area | 500 |
| Newton Abbot Area | 700 |
| Towns, Villages and Rural Communities | 875 |
| Sustainable Tourism, Recreation and Leisure | 650 |
| Sub-total | 6,125 |
|
|
|
| Travel Awareness, Traveline Commitments, Monitoring and Programme Management |
|
| Travel Awareness | 107 |
| Traveline South West | 95 |
| Commitments | 176 |
| Monitoring | 20 |
| Programme Management | 167 |
| Sub-total | 565 |
|
|
|
| Additional Funding (Public Transport) Programme Sub-total | 900 |
|
|
|
| Total | 33,197 |
6. The Overall Programme for the HATOC Area
The planned expenditure for the North Devon HATOC's area arising out of the above county-wide allocation totals 2,839,000. Details are set out in the table below.
North Devon HATOC Local Transport Plan Programme Elements 2007/08
| Programme/Scheme | Scheme details. | ,000s |
| Highway Structural Maintenance and Bridge Assessment/Strengthening Programme |
Programme likely to be of the order of: |
2,010 |
|
|
|
|
| Casualty Reduction and Route Management Programme |
|
|
| A361 Aller Cross South Molton | Enhanced surfacing | 20 |
| A361 Exeter Road Braunton | Pedestrian crossing facilities | 30 |
| A361 South lea services Bishops Nympton | improved signing and road markings | 25 |
| A39 Westleigh Junction | Junction improvement scheme. | 65* |
|
|
|
|
| *reserve scheme |
|
|
| Sub Total |
| 75 |
|
|
|
|
| Regional Programmes | Scheme Details |
|
| Barnstaple and Bideford Area |
|
|
| Barnstaple, Strand/ Square | Enhancement and traffic management scheme to lock in the benefits of the western bypass, improving walking ,cycling and public transport access in town centre | 290 |
| Pilton cycle route | Provide high quality walking and cycling link from Sticklepath to Pilton college via western bypass and also from Raleigh and Pilton areas to Pottington business park | 220 |
| Forward Design | Preparation of schemes for future years. | 50 |
| Commitments from 06/07 |
| 25 |
| Sub Total |
| 585* |
|
| Approved LTP allocation 500* |
|
| Towns, Villages and Rural Communities |
|
|
| Local Access Improvements | Missing footway links and other minor improvements at key locations. | 20 |
| School Travel Plans | Schemes resulting from approved plans. | 25 |
| Public Transport facilities | Shelters, Boarders, Information. (from Public Transport funding budget) | 44 |
| Forward design | Preparation of schemes for future years | 10 |
| Priority action area schemes | Ilfracombe | 5
|
| Ilfracombe traffic management | Congestion / parking management improvements Fore Street & Town Centre. Including Pay & Display Parking. | 40 |
| Ilfracombe signage strategy | Improved local direction signing in partnership with TRANSFORM | 20
|
| Sub Total |
| 164* |
|
| Approved LTP allocation 175* |
|
| Sustainable Recreation, Leisure and Tourism Programme |
|
|
| Lynton public realm improvements | Town Centre enhancements in partnership with the Town Council | 5 |
| North Devon HATOC area | TOTAL | 2,839 |
* Note: the allocations from the Barnstaple and Bideford Area Programme and the Towns, Villages and Rural Communities programme include an element of over programming to allow for slippage in the programme as well as forward design on schemes to be delivered in future years.
Executive have also approved budgets for Travel Awareness; Traveline; Wheels to Work; Shop Mobility; Ring and Ride; Speed Limit review; Safety Camera Partnership; Forward Design and Monitoring for specified programmes of work.
7. Explanation of Main Programme Objectives
The following section of this report describes the main programme elements of the new LTP as set out in the above table.
Highway Structural Maintenance and Bridge Assessment/Strengthening.
Schemes in this programme were set out in a separate report to Executive which provides more detail of the Countywide programme for Highway Structural Maintenance and Bridge Assessment and Strengthening (see EEC/07/40/HQ).
Schemes are prioritised in accordance with Devon's Roads Recovery Policy based on route importance and an assessment of defectiveness.
Barnstaple and Bideford Area Programme
The 2007/08 Barnstaple and Bideford Area Programme is closely linked to the completion of the Barnstaple Western Bypass in the spring of this year. The first phase of the Square improvement scheme will be completed at the same time with further phases of the Square and the Strand to follow. This financial year will also see major improvements to walking and cycling links to Pilton College and Pottington Business Park with the provision of a new link between Braunton Road and Abbey Road connecting with the cycle route towards Roundswell via the Downstream Bridge. This will compliment the completion of improved crossings and junction arrangements in the Pilton Bridge and Pilton Park area. This programme is significantly enhanced by additional sources of funding including other LTP programmes, North Devon District Council and developers.
Towns, Villages and Rural Communities
This programme provides for LTP schemes outside the conurbations covered by the Sub Regional and Area Programmes. Countywide it comprises a small package of schemes to improve road safety, air quality, and the quality of public spaces and/or tackle congestion.
Small budgets are available to each HATOC to determine the priority for;
Local Access Improvements to assist the needs of disabled or at locations where access to transport provision is poor.
School Travel Plans the key area for safety improvements to reduce child casualties.
Public Transport Facilities the key locations for provision of shelters or boarders or improved information.
These schemes have an important part to play in promoting healthy travel by changing attitudes to travel in favour of sustainable modes and in tackling local congestion.
Sustainable Tourism, Recreation and Leisure
This programme aims to support the role that recreation, leisure and tourism play in the economy of the county and in enhancing the quality of life for visitors and residents.
Travel Awareness, Traveline, Commitments and Programme Management
Travel awareness campaigns and initiatives will be promoted across the County, focusing mainly on the urban areas. Traveline South West is the public transport information service to which each authority contributes.
8. Detailed Programmes for School Travel Plans; Public Transport Facilities; and
Local Access Improvements.
As explained in the introduction to this report, the Highways and Traffic Orders Committees are being asked to allocate funding for projects to be determined locally and funded from the Towns, Villages and Rural Communities Programme. Each HATOC has been allocated funding to be spent on works related to the implementation of School Travel Plans; Public Transport facilities; and local access improvements.
The following table sets out a proposed programme for these elements of the LTP to be delivered locally in within the North Devon HATOC's area in 2007/08.
Towns, Villages and Rural Communities Programme: Proposed Allocations for 2007/08
| Programme | Scheme Details | Cost ( ,000s) |
| School Travel Plans |
|
|
| Instow primary | Traffic Regulation Order to introduce speed restrictions | 2 |
| Braunton | New zebra crossing ,A361 Chaloners Road | 20
|
| General | Miscellaneous minor works | 3 |
|
|
|
|
| Sub Total |
| 25* |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| Public Transport Facilities |
|
|
| Braunton | West Meadow Saunton Park new shelter | 3.5
|
| Ilfracombe | Widen footpath and upgrade shelter | 6
|
| Croyde | Village centre. New shelter | 5.5 |
| West Down | Dean Cross New shelter contribution | 3 |
| Fremington | Village centre. replacement shelter | 3.5 |
| Fremington | Allenstyle. New shelter | 3 |
| Various | Replacement posts and flags or boarders or shelter | 19.5
|
| Sub Total |
| 44* |
|
|
|
|
| Local Access Improvements |
|
|
| Fremington | Tews Lane cycle link (land purchase) | 15
|
| Disabled access improvements | Programme to deliver dropped crossing ramps and other improvements | 5 |
| Sub Total |
| 20* |
|
|
|
|
* Note: these allocations include over programming to allow for slippage in the programme, any overspend will need to be budgeted against following year's local allocation.
9. Sustainability Considerations
The objectives and strategies of the Devon Local Transport Plan aim to improve travel choices reduce unnecessary use of the private car, as a contribution to improving Devon's environmental, social and economic well being.
10. Equality Considerations
An Equality Impact and Needs Assessment (EINA) was undertaken for the Local Transport Plan 2006-2011, which included the 2007/08 programmes as described in this report. No negative impacts were identified.
11. Reasons for Reaching the Recommendation
The recommendations promoted in this report have followed the principles and objectives set out in "Devon on the Move". The programme proposed in this report continues the implementation of the agreed objectives throughout the North Devon area as part of the Devon Local Transport Plan 2006-2011.
12. Alternative Options Considered
The programmes set out in this report have been developed to maximise the efficiency of transport across all modes, whilst following the principles of the strategies set out in the Plan. The programmes are under continuous review to reflect transport need and changing circumstances.
Joe Deasy
County Electoral Divisions: All in North Devon Area
District Council Wards: All in North Devon Area
Local Government Act 1972
List of Background Papers
Contact for enquiries: Joe Deasy
Room: Barnstaple Local Service Group
Tel. No: (01271) 388727
| Background Paper | Date | File Ref. | |
|
|
|
| |
| 1. | Letter from GOSW to Chief Executive | 18 December 2006 | MB |
| 2. | Devon Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 | March 2006 |
|
| 3. | Devon Local Transport Plan 2001-2006 Delivery Report 2006 | July 2006 |
|
| 4. | EINA | 18 July 2005 | - |
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