Hampshire rapid-transit system closer

13 August 2008

The shortlisting of one £20M section of a bus rapid-transit system for south Hampshire is seen as a welcome ‘first step’ to building the complete £175M system.

The rapid-transit system, proposed following the Government’s refusal to provide £253M for a tram scheme three years ago because of cost increases, is Hampshire County Council’s ‘highest transport priority’.

The scheme is designed to tackle serious existing congestion and enable housing development on the south Hampshire peninsulas, according to the county council. The Department for Communities and Local Government will only release the £20M under the community infrastructure fund if it is satisfied with the business case for the first section of the scheme, using an old railway line linking Gosport and Fareham.

The department also requires schemes to be necessary for unlocking land for housing development, and deliverable by the end of 2010/11. Alison Quant, Hampshire’s director of environment, said the criteria were ‘challenging,’ but she was confident ‘a robust case can be made’.

A bid for £72M for further sections would be sought from the regional transport allocations for 2016-2018. Delivery agency Transport for South Hampshire considers that ‘this complex pattern of funding assembly… is not, perhaps the most efficient way of delivering a major scheme’. But it was necessary ‘if this ambitious scheme is to be started with a reasonable expectation of completion before the bulk of the new housing is occupied in 2026’.

South Hampshire has been earmarked for 80,000 new homes, and regional planners want this growth to be sustainable. Quant stressed: ‘There’s only one road into the Gosport peninsula, and a population of around 70,000 around the old railway line, a population density which justifies a railway service.’ Ministers want the full business cases for shortlisted community infrastructure fund schemes by the end of October, and have promised a decision on bids by next March (Surveyor, 31 July 2008).

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login

Sign In

Hampshire rapid-transit system closer

buying biaxin

Register now for full access

Login