Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers
Introduction
Introduction
The A1 Peterborough to Blyth Grade Separated Junction Scheme was added to the Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements in March 2001.
The scheme will replace the six roundabouts on the length of A1 between Peterborough and Blyth with new grade separated junctions (GSJ). A GSJ is a junction in which the main road is carried either over, or under, the junction with slip roads connecting the main road to the junction (similar to most junctions on motorways). The existing six roundabouts are:
- A1/A614 Blyth
- A1/A57 Apleyhead
- A1/A57 Markham Moor
- A1/B1174 Gonerby Moor
- A1/A151/B676 Colsterworth
- A1/B1081 Carpenters Lodge
Public consultations on plans for the three northern roundabouts are being held separately. This brochure sets out the proposals for replacing the roundabouts at Gonerby Moor, Colsterworth and Carpenters Lodge.
This brochure outlines the proposals for the long-term improvement of these junctions together with a summary table of the likely effects of the scheme. The Highways Agency will hold Public Exhibitions at a venue close to each of the junctions. These exhibitions are to inform the public and local business interests and to provide the opportunity for you to express an opinion on the proposals.
The Need for the Scheme
The A1 between the Carpenters Lodge and Gonerby Moor roundabouts carries approximately 43,000 vehicles per day. The roundabouts cannot cope with this volume of traffic resulting in congestion and delays on the approaches to the roundabouts at peak hours. The proposals presented allow for junctions that will operate safely and without serious congestion well into the future.
Proposals
Careful consideration of environmental impact, traffic flows and construction costs has resulted in the proposals detailed in this brochure. The primary objective for each junction improvement is to manage traffic safely at these locations to minimise congestion. Plans showing the proposals for each of the three junctions are shown in this brochure.
Area map with work areas circled
Area Map with Work areas Circled
Proposal for carpenters lodge
Proposal for Carpenters Lodge
This proposal involves the construction of a new link road over the A1 and includes new slip roads leaving and entering the A1.
The section of the A1 from south of Racecourse Road to George Farm Underpass will be altered to provide a continuous dual carriageway through the existing roundabout, whichwould be removed.
The B1081 to Stamford would be realigned, rising on embankment to connect into the new elevated junction. Racecourse Road would be closed at its junction with the A1. It is estimated that the works will cost about £4.2m.
Benefits
This proposal would provide the following benefits:
- Reduce congestion
- Improve safety
- A safe route across the A1 for pedstrians, cycists and equestrians
Other Proposals Considered
Other proposals were considered but rejected due to a combination of reasons. Two alternative schemes, which would have maintained access from Racecourse Road to the A1, were rejected due to their impact on the environment, increased land required and increased construction costs.
Summary of Scheme Impacts
| CRITERIA | SUB-CRITERIA | IMPACT OF PROPOSAL | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environent | Noise | Scheme will have negligible impact. | New sections of road will use low noise surfacing. |
| Air quality | Negligible impact on existing air quality. | The new junction will reduce pollution from traffic congestion. | |
| Landscape | Localised impact on edge of Burghley Park. | Can be mitigated by extensive tree planting scheme. | |
| Archaeological heritage | Very few relics in the area. None affected. | The need for further surveys will be considered. | |
| Nature Conservation | Very little impact from the site. | Hedges lost will be replaced by new planting. The opportunity to create new roadside habitates will be taken. | |
| Water Environment | No detrimental effect on the water environment. | Pollution traps will be placed in the highway drainage system where needed. | |
| Safety | Accidents | Improved traffic safety. Reduction in driver stress. | Crossing the A1 on foot/cycle will be safer and easier. |
| Economy | Transport economics | Reduced journey times and journey costs. | Signigicantly reduced economic cost of delays and accidents. |
| Journey times | Journey times can be predicted more accurately. | Travellers much less likely to encounter unexpected delays and accidents. | |
| Accessibility | Access to the transport system | No change in access for people using transport services. | - |
| Severance | Pedestrian, cyclists and vehicular movement across the junction will be much improved. | Improvement in pedestrian route should have minimal impact on journey distance and provide segregation from A1 traffic. | |
| Integration | Land use policy | Local land use policies recognise the importance of the A1 route and proposals to improve its safety and efficiency are endorsed. | - |
| Works | Disruption during construction | Some short-term lane restrictions would be required during the construction of the tie-ins on the A1 and the Stamford Road. | Temporary speed limit will be in force during and construction. |
Map
Proposal for gonerby moor
Proposal for Gonerby Moor
At Gonerby Moor the A1 would be realigned from the existing bridge over the railway line to 1300 metres south of Gonerby Moor roundabout. The old southbound carriageway south of Gonerby Moor would be retained to maintain access to services, to severed fields and to provide access to A1 southbound.
A new bridge would carry a diverted section of Gonerby Lane over the A1 terminating at the existing roundabout. Northbound entry and exit slip roads would also be provided terminating at a new roundabout with Gonerby Lane.
The existing junction on the A1 with Tollbar Road will be removed. A local link road will be provided between Tollbar Road and the existing roundabout at Gonerby Moor. As well as providing local access, this road will allow A1 southbound traffic, using a new sliproad constructed just north of Tollbar Road, to access the services and industrial estate at Gonerby Moor.
It is estimated that the works will cost about £10m
Benefits
This proposal would provide the following benefits:
- Reduce congestion
- Improve safety
- A safe route across the A1 for pedstrians, cycists and equestrians
Other Proposals Considered
A proposal to raise the A1 on an embankment over the existing Gonerby Lane was rejected due to increased construction costs and the environmental impact.
Summary of Scheme Impacts
| CRITERIA | SUB-CRITERIA | IMPACT OF PROPOSAL | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environent | Noise | Scheme will have negligible impact on properties. | New sections of road will use low noise surfacing. than the existing road. |
| Air quality | Negligible impact on air quality. | The new junction will reduce pollution from traffic congestion. | |
| Landscape | Slight additional visual impact from bridge, embankments and lighting. | New tree and shrub planting on the junction embankment will in time provide screening to adjoining properties and will reduce the visual impact of lighting. | |
| Archaeological heritage | The few areas with remains recorded in this area should not be affected. | Further surveys will be carried out. | |
| Nature Conservation | Minor impact though loss of hedge and effects on ditches. | Hedges lost will be replace by new planting. Ditches with wildlife interest will be protected. The opportunity to create new roadside habitates will be taken. | |
| Water Environment | No detrimental effect on the water environment. | Pollution traps will be installed in the highway drainage system where appropriate. | |
| Safety | Accidents | Significant reduction in accidents. Reduction in driver stress. | Crossing the A1 on foot/cycle will be safer and easier. |
| Economy | Transport economics | Reduced journey times and journey costs. | Significantly reduced economic cost of delays and accidents. |
| Journey times | Journey times can be predicted more accurately. | Travellers much less likely to encounter unexpected delays and accidents. | |
| Accessibility | Access to the transport system | Negligible impact on access to transport services. | - |
| Severance | Pedestrian, cyclists and vehicular movement across the junction will be much improved. | Impact on two existing routes. | |
| Integration | Land use policy | Local land use policies recognise the importance of the A1 route and proposals to improve its safety and efficiency are endorsed. | - |
| Works | Disruption during construction | Some short-term lane restrictions would be required during the construction of the tie-ins on the A1. | Temporary speed limit will be in force during construction. |
Map
Proposal for colsterworth
Proposal for Colsterworth
At Colsterworth a bridge would be constructed over the A1 to carry traffic between the B676 and A151. The existing roundabout would be removed but new slip roads would be provided to allow traffic to leave and enter the A1 from and to the A151 and B676. The gap in the central reservation at the A1/B6403 junction would be closed to prevent traffic crossing the A1 at this location. A new road would be provided to link the B6403 (east) to the new A1/A151/B676 junction. All other roads would be retained to maintain access to services and to Colsterworth. The A1 would be realigned slightly for about 400m north and south of the existing roundabout to accommodate the new slip roads.
It is estimated that the works will cost about £7m
Benefits
This proposal would provide the following benefits:
- Reduce congestion
- Improve safety
- A safe route across the A1 for pedstrians, cycists and equestrians
Other Proposals Considered
Other proposals were considered but rejected due to a combination of reasons. A proposal to take the B676 to A151 link road under the A1 was rejected due to significant increases in construction costs and disruption to traffic during construction. A proposal to provide a link road on the south side of the roundabout was rejected due to increased costs and its impact on a proposed industrial site. A bridge providing access to the A1 from the B6403 was rejected due to environmental impact, increased construction cost and disruption to traffic during construction.
Summary of Scheme Impacts
| CRITERIA | SUB-CRITERIA | IMPACT OF PROPOSAL | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Environent | Noise | With the exception of 2 properties, there will be no significant increase in noise levels. | New sections of road will use low noise surfacing. |
| Air quality | Slight adverse impact on local air quality. | The new junction will reduce pollution from traffic congestion, but junction will be nearer to properties. | |
| Landscape | The section of the new junction on raised embankment will have an adverse visual impact on nearby houses. | The embankment will be overwidened and shaped on the village side to help screen traffic. Once established new tree and shrub plantations will provide significant additional screening. | |
| Archaeological heritage | Very slight impact on known features. | Area around Ermine Street to be further surveyed. | |
| Nature Conservation | Slight disruption to flora on verges at B6403. | Site will be protected during construction. The opportunity to create new roadside habitates will be taken. | |
| Water Environment | No detrimental effect on the water environment. | Pollution traps will be installed in the highway drainage system where appropriate. | |
| Safety | Accidents | Significant reduction in accidents. Reduction in driver stress. | Crossing the A1 on foot/cycle will be safer and easier. |
| Economy | Transport economics | Reduced journey times and journey costs. | Significantly reduced economic cost of delays and accidents. |
| Journey times | Journey times can be predicted more accurately. | Travellers much less likely to encounter unexpected delays and accidents. | |
| Accessibility | Access to the Transportation System. | Negligible impact on access to transport services. | - |
| Severance | Pedestrian, cyclists and vehicular movement across the junction will be much improved. | The A151 to B676 link road would provide improved pedestrian routes. | |
| Integration | Land use policy | Local land use policies recognise the importance ofthe A1 route and proposals to improve its safety and efficiency are endorsed. | - |
| Works | Disruption during construction | Some short-term lane restrictions would be required during the construction of the tie-ins on the new junction. | Temporary speed limit will be in force during construction. |
Map
Key events
Key Events
It is not possible, at this stage, to say in which order the six junctions would be constructed as each of them has to pass through the statutory procedures before work can start. However, for practical reasons it is unlikely that work would be carried out on more than two junctions at any one time.
It is intended to appoint one contractor who will design and build all six junctions. It is hoped to appoint the contractor before the preferred option for each of the junctions is announced. The contractor will then help the Highways Agency in taking the six junctions forward through the necessary statutory procedures. Appointing the contractor early gives them the maximum opportunity to use their skills to produce both innovative and workable solutions. It also allows construction work to start very quickly after the statutory procedures have been completed.
What Happens Next
Please let us have your views on the proposed junction layouts by completing the enclosed comment form and either handing it in at the exhibitions or posting it (no stamp required) to the Highways Agency. Alternatively, you can write to the Highways Agency at the Birmingham address provided at the back of this brochure. The closing date for receiving comments is 9 May 2003. You can also email your comments to: a1peterboroughblyth@highways.gsi.gov.uk
All comments received will be reviewed before the Secretary of State for Transport announces the preferred option for each junction. The next stage would then be to publish draft orders under the Highways Act 1980 which seeks the powers necessary to acquire land and construct the scheme. At this stage the public will have a further opportunity to comment. Depending on the nature of any objections to the draft Orders, a Public Inquiry may be held before an independent inspector. If so, a decision to proceed with the scheme would only be taken after the Secretary of State for Transport has considered the Inspector's report.
Exhibition Details
Exhibitions will be held at the following locations:
- St John's Hall, West Street, Stamford
Friday, 28 February 2003 14:00 - 20:00
Saturday, 01 March 2003 10:00 - 16:00 - Great Gonerby Sports & Social Club, High Street, Great Gonerby
Monday, 03 March 2003 10:00-20:00 - Colsterworth Memorial Hall, Water Lane, Colsterworth
Wednesday, 05 March 2003 10:00-20:00
Representatives of the Highways Agency and their consulting engineers, Pell Frischmann, will be present to explain the proposals and answer questions.
Entry to the exhibition is free.
Further Information
Copies of the layout drawings and further information on the proposals may be inspected at the exhibitions or during office hours at the following deposit locations:
- Peterborough Central Library, Broadway, Peterborough, PE1 1RX
- Stamford Library, High Street, Stamford, PE9 2BB
- Grantham Library, Isaac Newton Centre, Grantham, NG31 6EE
- Colsterworth Post Office, 2 Bourne Road, Colsterworth, NG33 5JE
- Great Gonerby Post Office, 14 High Street, Great Gonerby, Grantham, NG31 8JP
- South Kesteven District Council, St Peters Hill, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6PZ
- Highways Agency, Reception Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1BL
Contacts
The Highways Agency
Room D4
Broadway
Broad Street
Birmingham
B15 1BL
0121 678 8080
Email: a1peterboroughblyth@highways.gsi.gov.uk
Questionnaire
Questionnaire
As an integral part of Regional Planning Guidance/Regional Transport Strategy, the Region has asked Government to grade separate the 6 remaining roundabouts on the A1 between Blyth and Peterborough to improve safety and congestion. The Government has responded positively by adding these proposals to its Targeted Programme of Improvements in 2001, and by asking the Highways Agency to work up suitable proposals.
This consultation is now closed.
Please contact HAIL for more information