Latest on Transport matters

My inbox goes through phases regarding Public Transport issues in Whichurch, for which I wear the Town Council's hat. It is often good to take a deep breath, take stock and write down all that has been going on.
It certainly helps me to refocus on what are the real priorities.
 
I was asked to provide a 'Transport Report' to the last meeting of the full Whitchurch Town Council, and it became one of those very useful exercises. I reproduce it below.
However, I had to start with:
 

"Please excuse the length but a lot has been happening."

Here it is:

 _____________________________________________________________________

To: Whitchurch Town Council, 2nd November 2015

REPORT ON TRANSPORT MATTERS

1. SERVICE CUTS TO 86

The cuts to the 86 are very concerning with no buses from south of the town now serving the railway station. This will encourage more driving and increase pressure on our roads. With much housing planned for the south, this link will become much more important. I have mentioned this informally to Stagecoach and they suggested "perhaps a use of 106 funding might be appropriate?".

2. SERVICE CHANGES TO 76 / 86

Much time has been taken up in dealing with correspondence mainly from the WASPs group (Whitchurch Against Stagecoach's Proposals) over the bus changes.

Overall opinion I have received is mixed. While WASPS are opposed to the changes, other residents have welcomed them.

Meeting with Stagecoach and officers

A meeting was attended with HCC, BDBC officers, Stagecoach, and two local resident representatives to improve dialogue.

Stagecoach say that bus patronage has increased by 6% since the changes and that reliability has improved.

I presented the results of the last Town Council Meeting, plus a series of photographs taken in both the Town Centre and Lynch Hill Park. I have been told (by WASPS) they are "misleading". Copies available (just ask me).

Meanwhile:

The WASPs stated on 18th September that they were collating photographic evidence relating to: 

"near accidents, traffic congestion at junctions and multi Highway Code transgressions. The number of occurrences of the above events is very frightening and causing great alarm" and that they would "compile a brief summary to pass to Stagecoach, HCC, BDBC and Whitchurch TC" 
and "
We will be discussing events with the Police imminently and asking them to make their recommendations with a view to further action."

I have suggested they provide this summary if they believe there has been an imbalance. 

That is awaited.

Safety Assessment and costs

Following concerns of of a local [LHP] resident HCC carried out a 'Safety Assessment' on LHP at a cost of £500–£600. It does not show up any major problems [in my opinion]. It has been requested that further work is needed as it was claimed it did not address the concerns adequately, especially at the junctions.

[ I personally do not agree any further public money should be spent].

Consultation Event

Stagecoach are holding a consultation event in the Town Hall on 2^nd December.

Consistency with Planning decisions

I have been asked by a [LHP] resident to point out that the Town Council needs to be consistent in decisions to maintain its credibility.

The recent St Cross planning application was opposed citing the exit of HGV vehicles onto Evingar Road – due to the road situation and "risk to life to motorists and pedestrians alike". 

He has asked me to "identify to the Town Council that these conditions could apply to Dance lane [sic],  Lynch Hill Park  The Town Square, Belle Street [sic] and Basingstoke Road with the new Stagecoach bus route".

Through this report I am now passing that observation on.

3. BUS STOP NAMES

There has been discussion with HCC over bus stop naming. I have forwarded suggestions as several were confusing.

For example the stop in Lower Evingar Road is named Bell Street, and they now call the stop by the Fire Station, Clacys – but Bell Street isn't in Evingar Road and Clacys hasn’t been in Church Street for years – and is now in London Street. 

The Prince Regent stop on London Road is called Lynch Hill Park, while one in Lynch Hill Park is London Road.

This shows just how important it is for HCC to improve consulting with local people. Cllr Keith Watts is making similar comments. 

I am told by HCC there is no money in the current for any bus stop re-naming. An idea that perhaps a third-party could be found to provide the service of providing bus stop flags has been made.

4. NEW TICKETS

There is a new bus ticket promotion - £2 for unlimited travel after 7.00pm within Hampshire – excellent for a trip into Basingstoke.
 

5. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT

The Borough's Local Infrastructure Fund Transport Project is progressing. I have attended all 4 meetings to date as the Town Council Representative and assisted with the brief and tender for the first assessment stage. This has been given to Odyssey Markides who have commenced their work.

This will include looking at a wide range of issues, from congestion to parking in the town with an aim of providing some suggested improvements.

6. TRAVEL PLANS

I have been in liaison with the Hampshire Travel Plan team who wish to develop more walking, cycling and 'Park and Stride' activities, related to mitigating the planned growth in pupil numbers at the Primary School

An exciting development is that a local parent is wishing to instigate Whitchurch being a pilot for a 'cycling crocodile', in conjunction with an innovative transport/travel organisation based in Bristol. This is ongoing. 

7. BOROUGH CYCLING STRATEGY

The draft Basingstoke Cycling Strategy appeared last Thursday.

Despite it being a Borough Strategy there is little outside the town of Basingstoke with only fleeting references to links with surrounding areas.

After this had been pointed out a revised version was issued on Friday. This been amended slightly to refer briefly to Whitchurch with an addition that Neighbourhood Plans could be used outside of Basingstoke. That seems to conflict with the original Borough-wide approach.

I propose that Whitchurch Town Council make a detailed response – the deadline is 11th December.

To this end I propose a single working meeting, a call in for public comment and a report to full Council for approval in early December. [NB: this proposal this was approved]

8. SPEEDWATCH

A report on a meeting I attended (Basingstoke District Association of Parish and Town Councils) was given to last week’s Development Committee.

There is a resident who wishes to see Speedwatch progress and has said he wishes to address the Town Council. I have suggested he contact the Clerk to arrange this.

9. TRAINS

Trains – no news, although it is noted that sometimes trains miss out Whitchurch if running late. This does not go down well with commuters who are left on the platform and see their train whoosh past.

____________________________

And thus ended my report.
It can be interesting being on the Council.

And since I wrote the above my inbox is has started to fill again.