Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers
Opening ceremony
Opening Ceremony
Introduction
The £10.6m A6 Alvaston Bypass contributes to the Highways Agency&146;s aims of SafeRoads, Reliable Journeys, Informed Travellers. It completes the link between the A52 tothe north of Derby and the A50 Derby Southern Bypass. It will allow through traffic tobypass Derby, which will reduce congestion and improve safety in both Derby andAlvaston.
The work included:
Construction of a new dual carriageway approximately 1.5 miles (2.3 km) long to the eastof Alvaston between the existing Thulston Roundabout at the end of the A6 Spur and thenew Raynesway Park Roundabout at the junction with the A5111 Raynesway.
- The new footpath and cycle track network to the east of Alvaston.
- The 3.5m earthen mounds between Alvaston and the new road.
- The New Roundabout at Raynesway
- The distinctive cable-supported &145;Gateway to Derby&146; bridge at Green Lane
- The bridleway bridge at Elvaston Lane
- The oversized underpass for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians at the southern
- end near to Thulston Island
- New street lighting on short (10m) columns to minimise light pollution
The bypass is designed to remove through traffic from the existing A6 Shardlow Road,and will reduce traffic flows by up to 80 per cent. Around 20,000 vehicles per day willbypass the centre of Alvaston, significantly reducing local congestion and improvingsafety and air quality in the area.
Scheme History
The A6 Alvaston Bypass first entered the roads programme in 1971as contract C of the A564 Derby Southern Bypass. The first PublicConsultations were held in 1976 and the Preferred Route wasannounced in 1980. Following the consultations the scheme wassplit from the A564 Derby Southern Bypass to allow that scheme tofast track to completion.
Following a full review in 1997, the scheme was included on thegovernment&146;s Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI) listpublished in 1998. A Public Inquiry was held in June 2000 andstatutory Orders were published in September 2001.
Design and Build Contract
The contract was awarded to Jackson Civil Engineering Ltd on 3rdJuly 2002, and construction work commenced on 12th August 2002.The contractors have finished the scheme early, delivering the newroad before Christmas, as promised.
Route
Route map illustrating key improvements (80KB PDF)
Benefits
The A6 Alvaston Bypass will enhance road safety and provide reliable journey times by moving through traffic away fromthe centre of Alvaston. The overall economy of the area will benefit from improved transport links to Derby and the surroundingarea.
The new road will:
- Significantly enhance road safety by preventing approximately 430 roadaccidents over the next 30 years, saving 462 slight injuries, 79 seriousinjuries and potentially 6 fatalities.
- Reduce congestion in the Alvaston area by removing up to 80% of throughtraffic, up to 20,000 vehicles a day, from the existing single carriagewayroad through Alvaston.
- Improve journey time reliability between the A50, the A52 and Derby byallowing traffic to flow smoothly and overtake safely.
- Significantly reduce noise levels and Improve air quality for properties nearthe existing A6 Shardlow Road.
- Protect the environment by minimising the effects of light, noise and airpollution on the adjacent properties and providing new ecology habitats toallow the local fauna and flora to flourish.
- Encourage regeneration of the area by enhancing the road access to southDerby from the A50 and the A52.
Enhancing the Built Environment
The bypass alignment is close to 550 properties on the eastern side of Alvaston. Significant effort was dedicated to minimisingdisturbance to the nearby residents and to blending the new bypass into the local environment.
During construction Jackson Civil Engineering [JCE] employed a liaison officer and provided an information point giving anopportunity to locals to visit and discuss their concerns. JCE also built the earthen mound early in the contract period toprotect the local residents from the noise and disturbance of the construction works.
In addition noise insulation (secondary glazing) to offset the effects of construction was installed in 10 properties adjacentto the construction site.
The following features of the bypass design enhance the built environment and reduce the effects of the road on the localcommunity:
- The 3.5m high earthen mound
The earthen mound minimises the effects of air, noise and light pollution on nearby residents. Extensive planting onthe earthen mound will aid the security of the properties on the edge of Alvaston and also provide a visual barrierfrom the road. - The ecology area/tree avenues
The scheme design includes an ecology area, which will be used by the local schools as a teaching resource. Pupilswill "travel through time" with planting in this area designed to reflect that of past ages. An avenue of semi-maturetrees will also be planted to enhance the road as a Gateway to Derby and link with Elvaston Castle and grounds. - Additional cycle/pedestrian/equestrian routes
The design provides improved facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians with a footpath and cycleway alongits entire length and a bridleway between Elvaston lane and Thulston Roundabout. Two lightweight bridges havebeen built to allow access across the road, between Alvaston and Elvaston Country Park.- Green Lane bridge
Green Lane Bridge is a cable-supported footbridge, designed to allow pedestrian and cyclist access across the bypass at Green Lane. It is also designed as a &145;gateway&146; feature heralding the entrance into Derby.
- Elvaston Lane bridge
Elvaston Lane Bridge is a truss girder bridge that gives pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians access between Alvaston and Elvaston Country Park.
- Thulston underpass
Thulston underpass is an oversized underpass, to increase the safety of its users and allow equestrians to remain on horseback.
- Green Lane bridge
- Lighting/road surfacing
The lighting and road surfacing have been designed to enhance the safety of the road, whilst minimising thedisruption to the surrounding area. The short (10m) high columns and full cut-off lanterns minimise light spillageoutside the confines of the carriageway. The road surfacing uses the latest technology to minimise noise.
Respecting the Natural Environment
The bypass does not follow the line of any existing road, but passes through asection of ancient woodland and open heath land adjacent to the River Derwent. Tominimise the disturbance to the landscape every aspect of the scheme has beendesigned to reduce its impact on the local environment and wildlife.
Extensive Ecological Surveys were carried out in the year before works commenced.The surveys indicated that the route was home to colonies of GreatCrested Newts, as well as bats and birds. To mitigate against the loss of this habitatthe Highways Agency carried out advance work to relocate the habitats. This workranged from placing bat and bird boxes in Elvaston Castle&146;s grounds, to building anew pond for the Great Crested Newts a safe distance from the new road.
Further advance works successfully relocated more than 300 Great Crested Newtsto the purpose built pond next to the bypass, and established a thriving new colonyin ponds near to the A50. Approximately 1000 other amphibians of various specieswere also rescued and moved to new homes before the works commenced.
During construction Jackson Civil Engineering were very careful to minimise theeffect on the environment. They employed an ecologist to supervise the worksaffecting the natural environment. The Great Crested Newts and other amphibiansliving next to the scheme were protected throughout the building process by theprovision of a temporary amphibian fence preventing them from entering the site.
Other environmental mitigation measures, which have been provided duringconstruction include:
- The construction of a further 2 ponds to improvethe environment for the Great Crested Newts,amphibians and other wildlife in the area.
- The construction of 1.5km of badger and rabbitproof fencing to prevent animals getting onto thenew road.
- The provision of a number of scrapes and boggymarshareas to encourage the growth of thenative plant species.
- Planting of 2km of species-rich hedge along theeastern side of the bypass, to encourage nestingbirds.
- The planting of over 40,000 plants and trees tohelp blend the road into the natural and builtenvironment.
Archaeology
The bypass was built on a green field site with potential for undisturbed archaeology to be discovered. To capture as muchinformation as possible the Highways Agency sponsored advanced archaeology investigations prior to the construction ofthe road, to determine the level of potential for archaeology.
During the construction Jackson Civil Engineering employed archaeologists to monitor any possible discoveries duringexcavations on site. These works showed that there was a only a minimal presence in the flood plain, with the only notablefind being the remains of a medieval fish trap.
Facts and figures
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Cost | £10.6m |
| Scheme Length | 1.5 miles (2.3 Km) |
| Standard | 2 lane dual carriageway with 1m hard strips |
| Start on Site | August 2002 |
| Type of Contract | HA Design and Build |
| Highways Agency | |
| Divisonal Director | Peter Wallwork |
| Team Leader | Tom Barry |
| Project Sponsor | Jonathan Pizzey |
| Scott Wilson (Employers Representative) | |
| Employers Agent | William Kemp |
| Employers Site Rep | Idris Lewis |
| Jackson Civil Engineering (Main Contractor) | |
| Regional Manager | Alan Rogers |
| Project Manager(s) | Colin Himpett/ Ian Butler |
| Site Liaison Officer | Eamon Bowe |
| URS (Contractors Designer) | |
| Project Director | Steve Ashton |
| Project Manager | Phil Wayles |
| Site Representative | Paul Kendal |
| Structures | Green Lane - Cable stayed - pedestrian and cyclist over-bridge Elvaston Lane - Warren Truss - equestrian, pedestrian, cyclist underpass Thulston Underpass - equestrian, pedestrian, cyclist underpass. |
| Land-take | 261,069 square metres |
| Earthworks | The use of recycled products - such as PFA (pulverised fuel ash supplied by the local power station) for the road embankments; foundry sand (recycled from its use in blast furnaces) for the structural embankments; and road plannings (material removed from the old Raynesway carriageway) for the construction of the footways and equestiran routes. |
| Fencing | Tanalised post and four rail including badger and rabbit netting along the whole scheme. Acoustic fence in sensitive areas to protect from road noise. |
| Landscaping | 48,000 trees and shrubs. Landscape Ecology Area for the local scholls St John Fisher Primary School and Alvaston Primary School. 102 mature trees forming avenues on approach to the scheme. 2km of species rich hedgerow |
| New Road Surface | Fully flexible construction - thin wearing course system (Masterpave) and high modulus base and binder courses. |
| Lighting | Use of shorter 10m lamp columns with curved glass lanterns to reduce light seepage to nearby homes. |
| Junctions | New Raynesway Park Roundabout with the A5111 Raynesway Minor junction with Elvaston Lane |
| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
| No. of people inducted | 954 |
| Total Man Hours Worked | 144,000 (for years up to end of July 2003) |
| No. of reportable accidents | 2 |
Partnering Statement
Led by the Highways Agency the partners in this project, Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick,Jackson Civil Engineering and URS have worked closely together to complete the bypassahead of schedule, and as promised, in time for Christmas.
The partnering agreement that was adopted draws on the individual strengths of eachorganisation to work effectively and efficiently to achieve our mutual goals.
The Police have been actively involved in designing the Traffic Management, and inoverseeing the site security. The Environment Agency, Derby City Council, DerbyshireCounty Council and other organisations have all actively participated in consultations.
The Highways Agency thanks all its partners for contributing to this successful venture,including Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick, Jackson Civil Engineering and URS, and for openingthe bypass ahead of schedule in time for Christmas 2003.
1. need for the bypass
1. Need For The Bypass
The line of the bypass has been known and safeguarded since the 1960s. Properties built or purchased since then have been occupied in the knowledge that the bypass was likely to be built in the future.
The bypass will:
- Remove up to 20,000 vehicles a day (including 1,600 HGVs) from the existing single carriageway A6 Shardlow Road
- Prevent some 550 road casualties over the next 30 years
- Improve air quality for properties near the existing A6 Shardlow Road
- Reduce traffic noise for some 550 properties near A6 Shardlow Road
- Allow access to a regeneration area leading to the creation of new jobs
- Complete the core trunk road network in Derby
A contract to design and build the bypass will be awarded in Summer 2002, with construction activities likely to start shortly afterwards. There will be a local exhibition held before work starts - this will show the bypass plans in more detail and give further information aboutaspects such as environmental and archaeological work, landscaping and the construction process.
2. Public Inquiry Process
The public inquiry for A6 Alvaston bypass was held locally in June 2000. This included an exhibition showing the proposals, and it was during this time that objections (including issues from Friends of the Earth) were presented to the Inspector, who duly reported to the Secretary of State for Transport. A decision to proceed with the bypass was made by the Secretary of State in March 2001.
Therefore, we are now unable to consider further or repeated objections, or further debate the need for the bypass.
3. Protestors
A small number of protesters are currently on land adjacent to the route of the bypass.They are occupying land illegally and attempting to avoid the democratic process.
The protesters are quoting s.6 of the 1977 Criminal Law Act as giving them a right tooccupy someone else's land and deny entry to the owner. They are mistaken - s.6 refersonly to the use of unreasonable force for securing entry onto premises - it does notprevent the owner going onto his land.
The protesters will not delay the programme for the bypass. We will take legal action toremove them if necessary.
4. Environmental Mitigation Works
An ecological assessment of the route of the bypass was undertaken before the publicinquiry. Some wildlife and possible archaeological remains were identified.
We have recently felled approximately 200 trees at Coronation Plantation. This work wasnecessary at this time to avoid the bird nesting and bat roosting seasons.
We have also identified Great Crested Newts (a protected species) on part of the route ofthe bypass, although not in Coronation Plantation. We will start works to provide newpond habitats for these newts within the next few weeks, and at a later stage relocate thenewts to these new ponds.
We will carry out further archaeological surveys in Spring 2002. Currently we haveidentified some cropmarks, some palaeoenvironmental deposits, and some medievalpottery scatter. We will record any significant archaeological remains likely to be affected,and keep a watching brief during the construction works for any other finds.
Measures to reduce the effect of the bypass locally include an 4 metre high earth bundadjacent to properties, low noise surfacing, extensive landscaping planting (including over2,000 small trees), and new paths and bridges across the bypass to ensure continuedaccess to Elvaston Castle.
5. Further Information
If you require any further information please contact the Highways Agency A6 AlvastonBypass team at:
Highways Agency
Broadway
Broad Street
Birmingham
B15 1BL
or telephone 08459 556575