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The Project Control Framework
On 1st April 2008 we launched the Project Control Framework. The Framework sets out how we, together with the Department for Transport, manage and deliver major improvement projects.
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Newsletter - Winter 2003
Layout Plans
The Highways Agency has published this third newsletter to help people stay in touch with progress on the A419 Blunsdon Bypass and Commonhead Junction Improvement project. In this issue, you will find out about progress since the Summer Newsletter and what will be happening over the coming months.
Progress since last Newsletter
The summer newsletter reported that a significant step forward in progress had been made in the project with the appointment of the Early Design and Build (EDB) contractor McAlpine, their designer Mouchel Parkman and environmental consultants Nicholas Pearson Associates. In the last few months this team have been working in partnership with the Highways Agency and their agents WSP to further develop the project.
In developing the Blunsdon Bypass and Commonhead Junction Improvements the EDB team has, amongst other things been developing layouts that:
- Minimise disruption to traffic during the construction phase.
- Minimise the impact on the environment and local population.
- Provide for non motorised road users.
For Blunsdon Bypass, the EDB team's main investigations have been directed towards developing junction layouts and landscape mitigation proposals.
At Commonhead Junction, the main considerations here have been to reduce the effects of road noise on the local population and the need to minimise the visual impact. The eastern flank of the road forms the boundary of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Again the team have been developing environmental mitigation measures.
Progress on the project will be shortly presented to Swindon Borough Council and Statutory Consultees to obtain their views.
Other work carried out includes archaeological investigation trenching throughout the Blunsdon route, water quality sampling of streams and brooks for both schemes, further topographical surveys and land referencing.
Programme
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Appointment of EDB Contractor | July 2003 |
| Publication of Draft Orders and Environmental Statements | Late Summer 2004 |
| Start of Works | 2006 |
Next Stage- Continuing Design Development
The next stage will see further design development progressing towards the submission of Draft Orders and Environmental Statements for both schemes in the late summer of 2004. This will involve detailed discussions with Swindon BC and Statutory Consultees such as, The Environment Agency, English Heritage, Countryside Agency and English Nature. Non Statutory Groups, local Parish Councils and individual landowners and occupiers will also be consulted to ensure that their views and concerns are given due consideration.
Surveys will continue as information is required eg ecological surveys will be carried out as seasonal constraints permit.
The Highways Agency intends to keep local residents and other interested parties informed of progress and to gain their comments as the schemes are developed.
The Highways Agency is therefore proposing to open a Local Information Centre for the Blunsdon and Commonhead projects. The centre will be located in Blunsdon and the current intention is to open the centre for 1 or 2 days a week to allow the local community to drop in at their convenience. Opening hours will extend into the early evening to allow people to call in after work.
The Information Centre will generally be manned by the Public Liaison Officer who will be pleased to discuss the project, its progress and obtain your views. There will also be regular occasions when open meetings will be held to give people the opportunity to meet the Highways Agency and members of the design and construction team.
The Information Centre is planned to become operational in February 2004 and details will be published locally.
Looking ahead
The next key stage will be for the Highways Agency to publish details of the two schemes in the form of draft Orders and environmental statements. As reported in the last newsletter, the Highways Agency are intending to publish these documents around summer next year. Local people will then be invited to view the scheme at exhibitions in the area.
