Highways Agency

• Introduction
• Route Functions and Objectives
• Route Problems and Issues
• Proposed Actions

Proposed Actions

The following summarised Actions are included in the Route Management Strategy:

• Capacity and Development Control Strategy
• Proposed improvements to the route and junctions following a detailed assessment of traffic conditions, junction operation and potential impacts of developments.
• Improvements to two-lane sections of route to solve maintenance problems.
• Improvements to junction layouts where close proximity to other junctions causes safety problems.
• Memorandum of Understanding between Lancashire County Council and Local Planning Authorities to assist co-operation on transport issues for planning applications.

(Photograph: High traffic volumes during peak periods causes congestion on the route)

(Photograph: Two-lane sections cause congestion and maintenance problems)

(Photograph: Careful consideration needs to be given to development close to motorway and trunk road junctions)

Safety

• Implement road safety improvements resulting from Accident Investigation and Prevention Reports.
• As part of renewal schemes, replace safety fencing that is not to current standards.
• Improve pedestrian safety.
• Improve lighting where required and assess lighting requirements on unlit sections.
• Improve provision of lay-bys and emergency telephones.
• Review location for handover of abnormal loads.
• Improve Police Observation Posts.
• Tackle problem of objects being thrown onto the carriageway.
• Study feasibility of closing gaps in central reserve.

(Photograph: Unlit section of route)

(Photograph: Lack of hard shoulder)

Environment

• Landscape Management Plan for M65 Junctions 10 to 14.
• Collect and assess air quality and noise data.
• Develop route specific Bio-diversity Action Plan.
• Develop strategy for surplus land.
• Review studies into wild animal casualties on route and recommend improvements

(Photograph: Landscape survey required)

(Photograph: Impact on residential areas)

Freight

• Analysis of conflict between freight and other users and identify solutions.

(Photograph: HGVs can cause congestion on two-lane sections)

Integrated Incident Response Plan

• Improvements to incident management.

Signing and Lining Strategy

• Improvements to signing of appropriate routes, locations and other transport modes.
• Improvements to visibility of minor road junctions.
• Improve signing and markings at A56/A682 Junction to reduce driver confusion.
• Study into installation of Variable Message Signing.

(Photograph: Misleading signs)

(Photograph: Obscured signs)

(Photograph: Layout of A56/A682 Junction is misleading)

Partnerships

• Build on partnerships between authorities with responsibility for the route and key stakeholders.

Maintenance Management Strategy

• Greater co-ordination between authorities responsible for the maintenance of the route.
• Integrated management of winter and infrastructure maintenance including signing, litter-picking, drainage and livestock fencing.

(Photograph: Routine maintenance)

Vulnerable Users

• Improve conditions for vulnerable users using or crossing the route.

(Photograph: Poor quality pedestrian facilities)

A6177 Grane Road

• Address signing issues at A6177 Grane Road Junctions and monitor issues on the road in partnership with Lancashire County Council.

(Photograph: A6177 Grane Road - Sharp bends)

(Photograph: A6177 Grane Road - speed restrictions)

7. Three-year and Ten-year Plans

The main output from this study is a programme for the implementation of the route actions contained within an Action Plan and a Management Plan. The Action Plan provides the short-term detailed programme for the first three years of the strategy. The Management Plan sets out the longer-term 10-year programme. The implementation of the strategy is dependant on the availability of funding during each year of the programme. The plans can be viewed within the Route Management Strategy Final Report (see below).

8. Route Management Strategy

The Route Management Strategy Final Report can be viewed via this link.

9. Your Comments

A leaflet has been produced for the publication of the RMS, which can be viewed via the following link: M65/A56/M66 Route Management Strategy Public Information, October 2003

If you wish to comment on the M66/A56/M65 Route Management Strategy, please contact us using the e-mail or postal addresses displayed on the contacts page.