Highways Agency

• 1. Introduction
• 2. The A5/A483 Route Management Strategy
• 3. Route Outcomes
• 4. Developing a Route Management Plan for the A5
• 5. Programme of Schemes on the A5
• 6. The Way Forward

4. Developing a Route Management Plan for the A5

Guidance on the development of RMSs and RMPs was first issued in January 2002, with significant revisions made in March 2003 and November 2003. A principle change was the addition of a Land Use Development Control Statement. In the original guidance it was envisaged that the development of the strategy and an action plan would be in one report. Later guidance has split this process, with the strategy and the plan being produced separately. It is now normal practice for the plan to be developed by the Managing Agents, in this case AmeyMouchel.

The main concern in developing the Plan is to ensure that the volume of work programmed is balanced against the likely budget and resources available. In general the additional study work identified is programmed to be undertaken within a three year action plan horizon, with the design and implementation following on through. Some ongoing work such as the habitat support for wildlife on the route has been programmed biannually. This is to emphasise that these need to be regularly revisited. The order and period of revisiting can be refined in subsequent reviews of Plans and Programmes.

For the purposes of developing a RMP for the A5, attention will need to be given to the following:

• The Highways Agency's Value Management process
• The Route Outcomes from the RMS, shown in Appendix B
• The results of the A5 study programmes, as listed in Appendix C
• Sites with serious collision records as shown in the annual Area 9 collision cluster site survey. Cluster sites on the A5 are shown in Appendix D and reviewed annually.
• The schemes carried out on the A5 in recent years, funded by the Highways Agency, and schemes already programmed for the future, as shown in Appendix E.
• Awareness of developments, which could be paid for by secured developer contributions under Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980. Developer funded schemes since July 2002 are shown in Appendix F.

These are described more completely in the following paragraphs:

The Highways Agency's Value Management Process

Before any scheme on a trunk road moves on from a concept design to a detailed design, it is subject to scrutiny in Value Management Workshops. During this process each scheme is scored for its effectiveness, strategic importance and cost/benefit balance. The score for each scheme is a determining factor of Best Value when forward programmes of work are being devised under the HA Business Plan categories:- Safety, Economy, Accessibility, Integration and Environment.

Route Outcomes from the RMS

The rolling programme of studies on the A5 will reflect the priorities in the RMS Route Outcomes included in Appendix B and summarised in Table 2 of this document.

Results of A5 Route Studies

Appendix C shows the current programme of studies on the A5/A483. The results of these studies and the priorities identified will influence the choice of schemes put forward for further consideration. The study programme will be reviewed regularly and delivery of the Route Outcomes monitored.

Collision Cluster Sites

Although safety issues are not the only priority, they were the major issue identified during public consultation for the RMS. The list of collision cluster sites on the A5, as shown in Appendix D, will be used to direct studies to enhance safety on the A5. A report including a listing of the most serious collision cluster sites in Area 9 is published every year. It includes data on personal injury collisions within a 70 metre radius over a five year period up to, and including, the December of each year to identify sites where clusters of collisions have occurred historically. Because of the time needed to collect and collate information from the various police forces, the report is usually published during the second half of the following year.

The collision cluster sites on the A5, shown in Appendix D are ranked according to their inclusion in the list of 212 cluster sites throughout Area 9, in the 2005 cluster site report. The listing also includes a severity ratio for all the sites. This is calculated by dividing the number of serious and fatal collisions by the total number of all injury collisions at each site. Finally, the listing also includes a "Secondary Ranking" which gives a higher priority to sites which have a growing collision trend than those which have a decreasing trend. This is achieved by giving a higher ranking to recently occurring injury collisions than to collisions which took place in previous years.

Works currently programmed for the A5

Any programme of works on the A5 will need to take into account schemes already identified. This will include major maintenance schemes where the carriageway requires attention. It will be important to maximise opportunities for providing facilities such as laybys, improvements for non-car users, signing improvements etc wherever possible as part of those Major maintenance Schemes. Appendix E shows recent schemes carried out on the A458, and proposals programmed for implementation.

Agreements for Private Sector Funding under s278 of the Highways Act 1980

Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980 is the mechanism through which the Highways Agency secures funding for improvements to mitigate the impact of traffic movements on the trunk road as a result of development. Schemes carried out under Section 278 are shown in Appendix F.