Highways Agency

IMPROVEMENT

CARRYING OUT THE GOVERNMENT'S TARGETED PROGRAMME OF INVESTMENT IN MOTORWAY AND TRUNK ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.

The new A12 Hackney to M11 Link Road provides an important link between east London and the M11, helping regeneration of the Docklands.

THIS PROGRAMME OF NEW CONSTRUCTION AND UPGRADING OF EXISTING ROADS IS AIMED AT ADDRESSING SOME OF THE MOST PRESSING INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS,TO PROVIDE SAFER AND HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES, REGENERATION AND INTEGRATION, AND IN SUPPORT OF JOBS AND PROSPERITY. IT ALSO INCLUDES AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEME TO REMOVE TRAFFIC NOISE AND POLLUTION AWAY FROM STONEHENGE.

The 1999/2000 budget, covering the preparation and delivery of the major improvement schemes in the Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements totalled £454 million, including £194 million for schemes delivered through public-private partnerships (PPP).

The Agency achieved the 1999/2000 key targets in this area by slightly exceeding the target of meeting 85% of the specified scheme milestones, and by reducing its portfolio of residential properties and the proportion of properties left vacant. The percentage of vacant residential properties in the Lands portfolio was 17.0% (against a target of 18%) and the percentage of habitable properties vacant for more than 6 months was 2.6% against a target of 3%.There is a conflict between meeting the vacancy targets, which require us to keep properties tenanted, and meeting the requirement to sell surplus properties as soon as possible, which normally require us to obtain vacant possession. For this reason we have devised new Business Plan targets (in addition to DETR / Ministerial targets) which will consider the property portfolio at 1 April 2000.

During the year, six new road improvements opened bringing economic and environmental benefits to local people. As part of improving the A13 to become a high quality strategic link between East London and the M25 motorway, a seven-mile length of new dual three-lane road was completed. The new road, together with the remainder of the improvements along the route to be delivered under an innovative new form of Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) private finance contract, will improve journey time reliability for road users and local businesses, supporting regeneration in the Thames Gateway and ensuring a safer and quieter environment for local people. The completion of the final section of the A12 Hackney to M11 Link Road also provided an important link between Docklands and the M11.

The construction phase of another of the Agency's DBFO contracts was completed ahead of schedule with the opening of a new dual carriageway link between A30 Honiton and Exeter. Also opening ahead of schedule was Junction 24A on the M1, linking the motorway to the A50 Stoke-Derby Link Road. The scheme has delivered significant improvements in journey times and reliability for east/west traffic, and reduced congestion. But, while the scheme is vitally important for strategic traffic, the needs of other users were taken fully into account and a separate bridge provided for horse riders, cyclists, pedestrians and farm traffic.

As with other Agency programmes, providing the best solutions to transport needs requires working in partnership with others; local authorities, other transport providers and operators, and the private sector. One example is the £124 million widening of the M2 motorway in Kent which will reduce congestion and improve road safety along a key strategic route to the Channel ports and boost the economy in areas that have traditionally suffered from high levels of unemployment. It is also the largest and most complicated contract in the current construction programme. Much of the route runs parallel to the Channel Tunnel Rail Link and in two places the schemes overlap. Their programmes are being co-ordinated to minimise disruption in the areas through which they pass and to ensure they are completed in the same time period.

Another partnership, between the Highways Agency and the BAA plc, involves joint funding of new slip roads from the M11 motorway in Essex into Stansted Airport to help the flow of traffic going to and from this growing airport. Although the full programme of work will not be completed until 2003, road users are already benefiting from the provision of more traffic lanes at Junction 8, a new link across the junction for traffic accessing the southbound M11, and additional traffic signals. 

The Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements includes a scheme to remove traffic congestion, noise and pollution at Stonehenge. The scheme involves placing a section of the A303 in a dual carriageway cut-and-cover tunnel.

Widening of the A2/M2 between London and the Kent coast will reduce congestion and aid economic regeneration.

Case Study

The Highways Agency views partnering as a key element in developing successful integrated transport projects. This commitment was demonstrated with the signing of a unique partnering agreement between the Agency and Stoke-on- Trent City Council to deliver junction improvements on the A500 in the city.

The partnership is designed to ensure that work to improve the trunk road coincides with Stoke City Council's own transport plans of delivering more efficient bus services and safer movements for cyclists. These integrated improvements are expected to help lead the regeneration of derelict sites along the A500.

Additionally, for the first time we will appoint a contractor before the design of the junction improvements is finalised to enable them to use their specialist skills to introduce better value engineering solutions. The involvement of the contractor earlier in the process will also enable work to start sooner.