he Regeneration and Design team is part of the council's
Neighbourhood Development Business Unit.
The team acts as agents for the Highway Authority (Hampshire County Council) for traffic management issues as well as providing a design and implementation service, which predominantly focuses on projects forming the Council's Capital Works Programme; however it also extends to outside bodies such as Hampshire County Council and Parish/Town Council's.
The work of the team falls into four distinct areas:
1. The design and implementation of engineering landscaping and
environmental renewal projetcs.
2. Traffic management functions
3. Land drainage functions
4. Project management of corporate regeneration initiatives
1. The Design and Implementation of Engineering and Landscaping Projects
Projects within this area of work tend to be of either a 'Highway improvements' or 'neighbourhood improvements' nature, for example:
- Footway improvements
- Cycleway provision
- Additional street lighting
- Subway improvements
- Car park improvements
- Environmental Renewal Schemes
- Regeneration projects
Typically, the value of projects undertaken ranges from zero to £150,000; and during any one year work approaching £1million is implemented by the team.
If you wish to view details of projects that are currently being undertaken along with those planned for the next six weeks, please visit the Roadworks in Basingstoke and Deane section of the Council's website:
Roadworks in Basingstoke and Deane
2. Traffic Management Functions
As agents to the Highway Authority (Hampshire County Council), the team, in conjunction with the Police investigates complaints received relating to traffic matters, such as:
- Traffic congestion
- Parking (on-street)
- Speeding vehicles
Officers are responsible for finding suitable solutions, which may include road signage, road markings, speed reducing measures, on-street parking controls (yellow lines) and lower speed limits.
The team also processes all applications for road closures and temporary traffic orders (such as a temporary reduction in speed limit) required to allow roadworks or events on the Highway to be undertaken.
In addition to investigating these issues, the Council also directly funds traffic management projects within the Borough and has adopted a new approach to improve the highway environment from the point of view of local communities. The adoption of a “Streets for people, Roads for cars” policy is intended to improve the quality of life of local people, by reducing traffic speeds and improving the safety of residential roads in both the urban and rural areas of the Borough.
For more information about the traffic management programme, please visit the Streets for People, Roads for Cars section of the Council's website:
Streets for People, Roads for Cars
3. Land Drainage Functions
Land Drainage deals with natural flows such as rivers, streams, ditches, and also includes watercourses that have been piped or culverted. Individual landowners are responsible for maintaining any land drainage that crosses their land and for accepting and dealing with the natural flows from any adjoining land.
Under the provisions of the Land Drainage Act 1991, the Borough Council has permissive powers to oversee ordinary watercourses. Ordinary watercourses covers ditches and streams. The Council can require landowners to clear ordinary watercourses that have become obstructed. The Environment Agency has similar permissive powers in respect of main rivers.
For advice or further information regarding ordinary watercourses please telephone 01256 845541 or email neighbourhood.dev@basingstoke.gov.uk
For advice or further information regarding main rivers please contact the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 or visit their web site at www.environment-agency.gov.uk
4. Project Management of Corporate Regeneration Initiatives
The team also plays a key role managing Corporate Regeneration Initiatives, which involves working closely with partners such as Hampshire County Council, Housing Associations, Housing Groups, Care Trusts, Hampshire Police and Parish/Town Councils.
The aim of such initiatives is to engage the community at an early stage and to work together in order to not only regenerate the built environment but to tackle other issues such as anti-social behaviour.
Aspects of such initiatives can include:
- Refurbishing or redeveloping the housing provision
- The upgrading or provision of community facilities such as village halls and play areas
Currently the team is managing one such project at Bishops Green. For more information about this and other current initiatives, please visit the Regeneration and Urban Design section of the Council's website:
Regeneration and Urban Design