Highways Agency

• Introduction
• Multi-Modal and other Strategic Studies
• Route Functions and Performance
• Review

Introduction

The M3 Motorway forms the radial route from south-west London to Southampton on the south coast. It covers approximately 93.5 km (59 miles), starting from Junction 1 at Sunbury and finishing at the Chilworth Roundabout (A33) just north of Southampton. At the Junction 14 interchange, the M3 links with the M27 south coast motorway towards Bournemouth and Portsmouth. This RMS also includes the first 500m of the A316(T) to the east of Junction 1 of the M3.

Within this document, the carriageways will be taken as running westbound and eastbound, not withstanding that some of the sections run more north/south.

The route predominantly passes through areas of Special Landscape with varying environmental classifications. The route passes through or near to many urban areas as well as bypassing major towns in north Surrey and north east, central and south Hampshire.

Policy Objectives

In the initial phase Mott MacDonald was asked to approach key stakeholders identified by the Highways Agency. The key stakeholders identified were the Government Office for the South East, the various Multi-Modal Studies and the Highways Agency's Managing Agents for the M3. In later stages of the RMS a wider audience was invited to comment on the future strategy for the M3. The initial consultation was to ensure that there was consistency of approach with regard to the Multi-Modal Studies, and also to avoid consultation overload with various organisations.

Policy Areas

The following Policy Areas impact upon and are impacted by the route of the M3:

Supranational and National

• Regional: Greater London Authority Region, South East England Region, Surrey County, Hampshire County, Southampton City and the London Borough of Hounslow
• Local: Spelthorne Borough, Surrey Heath Borough, Runnymede Borough, Rushmoor Borough, Hart District, Basingstoke and Deane Borough, Winchester City, Eastleigh Borough and Test Valley Borough

Policy Objectives

The Policy Documents have been reviewed, and policy objectives have been abstracted from them. The findings from the national, regional and local policies have been collated to establish common Policy Objectives under each of the five key strategic objectives. These have been selected to set the framework for the management of the M3 Motorway.

Targets for the strategic and local transport authorities have been aligned to the respective policy statements they influence. All targets were set by the DETR in the publication "Transport 2010: The Ten Year Plan", unless otherwise stated in the tables. The tables can be found in Volume 2 of the draft RMS document.

The Policy Objectives established for the M3 Motorway are listed below.

Safety

Government Objective:

To improve safety for all travellers

Route Policy Objectives:

• S1 - Improving the safety of motorised users
• S2 - Improving the safety of non-motorised users
• S3 - Reducing the severity and occurrence of road accidents (Killed or Seriously Injured - KSI)
• S4 - Improved M3 road user safety through design or alteration.
• S5 - Using enforcement and education to maintain road user safety

Environment

Government Objective:

To protect and enhance the built and natural environment

Route Objectives:

• En1 - Reducing noise pollution and helping to maintain Air Quality Management Areas in south west London, Surrey and Hampshire
• En2 - Supporting the protection and enhancement of the Hampshire Downs, the London Metropolitan Green Belt and other environmentally designated sites
• En3 - Supporting the protection of other landscapes and townscapes, including heritage parks and structures
• En4 - Protect and enhance species and habitat interests

Economy

Government Objective:

To contribute to an efficient economy, and to support sustainable economic growth in appropriate locations

Route Objectives:

• Ec1 - Reducing congestion and improving journey time reliability between London and South Hampshire
• Ec2 - Supporting sustainable economic regeneration in the Blackwater Valley and in the south Hampshire towns
• Ec3 - Encouraging sustainable employment development, especially in urban centres
• Ec4 - Encouraging sustainable mixed-use and other development
• Ec5 - Achieving Best Value in construction and maintenance of M3 improvement schemes

Accessibility

Government Objective:

To promote accessibility to everyday facilities for all, especially those without a car

Route Objectives:

• A1 - Reducing community severance caused by the M3
• A2 - Supporting the provision of and greater choice of public transport between communities along the M3
• A3 - Promoting facilities and access for non-vehicle users (Pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists and mobility impaired)

Integration

Government Objective:

To promote the integration of all forms of transport and land use planning, leading to a better, more efficient transport system.

Route Objectives:

• In1 - Encouraging sustainable transport alternatives on the M3 for people (Modal Shift)
• In2 - Encouraging sustainable transport alternatives for goods and freight (Modal Shift)
• In3 - Encouraging sustainable transport interchanges
• In4 - Integrating the future role of the M3 with the land use and development control of South West London, Surrey and Hampshire