Highways Agency
Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers
Introduction
Introduction
Proposals for a scheme to improve safety and reduce accidents at the A45 LondonRoad/A445 Leamington Road junction were shown at a Public Exhibition at RytonVillage Hall on 23/24 November 2001. Two variations of a roundabout proposal(Options 1 & 2) were exhibited. Option one showed a roundabout with a segregatedleft turning lane for westbound entry into the A445 Leamington Road from the A45London Road and extensive realignment at Wolston Lane. Option 2 was the sameroundabout design, but did not include the segregated left turn lane from the A45westbound to the A445 and had less extensive realignment of Wolston Lane.
In addition to the roundabout proposal, two possible schemes for improving safetyat the nearby A45/High Street/Church Road junction within the village of Ryton-on-Dunsmorewere also shown (Options 3 & 4). Option 3 proposed preventing the exitfrom High Street onto the A45 westbound together with a number of other safetymeasures including extending the A45 westbound right-turn lane. Option 4 wassimilar but also proposed closure of the A45 central reservation gap.
As well as the exhibition, a consultation leaflet was widely distributed to localpeople, local businesses and various public bodies. The consultation period ranfrom 19 November 2001 to 21 January 2002.
Response to the consultation
Response To The Consultation
A total of 121 members of the public were recorded as attending the exhibition. Inaddition, members of the County, District and Parish Councils attended as didrepresentatives of Warwickshire Police and Andy King MP. The Highways Agencyreceived 52 written responses commenting on the proposals.
The majority of people accepted the need for a roundabout at the A45/A445junction, with a slight preference for Option 2 (the shorter length realignment forWolston Lane). However, many expressed reservations regarding the proposals forthe A45/High Street/Church Road junction, with the proposal to close the centralreserve gap in particular (Option 4) receiving most objections, mainly due toemergency vehicle access, community severance and lengthy detours.
Preferred junction layout
Preferred Junction Layout
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Preferred roundabout layout
Preferred Roundabout Layout
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The new proposal
The New Proposal
As a result of comments received, the proposed roundabout is substantially thesame as Option 2 but including the segregated left turning lane.In the light of the concerns raised on some aspects of the proposals for the A45/High Street/Church road junction, the scheme has been modified to accommodatethe wishes of the local community.
The most debated feature of the proposals, toclose the central reservation gap and prevent exit from High Street onto the A45,has been withdrawn. However, this part of the overall scheme retains the followingimportant safety measures;
- Realignment of the A45 central reservation gap to discourage U turns through the gap from Church Road.
- A new traffic island at Church Road to prevent traffic exiting Church Road and turning right onto the eastbound carriageway of the A45.
- Extension of the A45 westbound right turn lane for Church Road to provide a longer deceleration length and more waiting space.
- A Traffic Order to prohibit U-turns through the central reservation gap.
What happens next?
What Happens Next?
The Highways Agency will proceed with detailed design and then publish the draftOrders required to implement the scheme. These Orders seek the powers necessaryto construct the scheme and acquire land. Depending on the nature of anyobjections to the draft Orders, a Public Inquiry may be held before an independentInspector.
If a Public Inquiry is required any decision to go ahead with the scheme would betaken only after the Secretary of State for Transport has considered the Inspector'sreport.
Construction of the scheme would also depend on the availability of financial resources.