Highways Agency

• A40 Over to Highnam Road Renewal

Working Together

In May, the Highways Agency will commence a major maintenance project to enhance safety and improve long term reliability on the A40.

The dual carriageway section of the A40 between Over and Highnam roundabouts is reaching the end of its effective life, and far reaching works are required to renew the surface, drainage system, barriers and street lights. While this extensive work is taking place, an additional bus lane will be incorporated into the road layout to improve public transport links into Gloucester.

Highways Agency project manager, David Sledge, expects the project to produce significant long term benefits for road users in Gloucestershire:

“This essential maintenance will not only provide a safer, more reliable surface for road users but also enable Gloucestershire County Council’s transport plan to be integrated into the works at the same time, reducing the need for future disruption on this important route. By designing the bus lane into our works, we are also able to maintain two lanes for motorists, meaning there will be no reduction in vehicle capacity.”

What is involved and why is it necessary?

The existing carriageway between Over and Highnam is experiencing cracking and rutting; beneath the surface the base layers are also breaking up, so superficial repairs will not be effective. Reconstruction of the road will minimise the need for ongoing repairs to structural failures. New combined kerb/drainage units are also integral to the reconstruction as the existing highway drainage pipes are blocked and collapsing.

The street lighting has been in place for a long period and is reaching the end of its effective life. It will be completely replaced with new cabling, columns and‘high cut-off’ lanterns.

While the above work is taking place, we will also be taking the opportunity to replace the safety barriers alongside the road and renew the traffic signage.

Minimising the delay

Forty thousand vehicles per day use the section of the A40 between Over and Highnam, a high proportion of which are commuter journeys during peak times. The extensive nature of the works will unfortunately mean that delays will be experienced. We will be doing what we can by advising long distance traffic to avoid the area if possible, but there are steps that everyone can consider which will help to ease the congestion.

Public transport.

Regular bus services run into Gloucester from outlying areas affected by the works. Train services from Cardiff to Gloucester also stop at Lydney station, close to the A48.

Cycling

It’s pollution-free and good for you!

Flexible Working

The volume of traffic decreases considerably after the morning peak. You or your employers may be able to arrange alternative working times which allow travel to and from work during off-peak times, or perhaps you can work from home?

Reducing journey times as part of the local transport plan

As part of the A40 improvements, Gloucestershire County Council is investing more than £2 million in a new bus lane. The bus lane will be put in place at the same time as the Highways Agency’s improvements, so that disruption to commuters is kept to a minimum.

Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan for 2006-11 sets out the county’s transport strategy, including measures to tackle big issues on the local transport network. One major issue is that of congestion, particularly on the A40 route to Gloucester from the Forest of Dean. Fundamental to meeting these aims is an effective bus strategy, which emphasises the need for priority measures to reduce journey times.

“For bus services to compete with a private car, it is important for journey times to be reduced,” explains Councillor Stan Waddington, Portfolio Holder for transport at Gloucestershire County Council. “Priority schemes such as bus lanes can help to achieve that reduction, making public transport a more desirable and reliable option for motorists.”

In some circumstances, bus lanes can remove existing lanes for cars, but at this location the road is being widened and re-profiled to allow buses to run alongside the existing lanes. This will enable improved bus services, while not increasing delays for motorists.

The bus lane is just the start of improved links into Gloucester City Centre, Councillor Waddington added: “The new bus lane is the first phase of our plans, which will eventually provide a Park & Ride site west of the River Severn. This will improve services for commuters and shoppers from the Forest of Dean, directly into the city centre.”

For more information on the Local Transport Plan or other council services, please speak to Gloucestershire County Council. They are available by phone on: 01452 425000, by email: customerservices@gloucestershire.gov.uk, or via the online form at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk

What will be happening and where?

The road renewal will take place on a 2.5km length of the A40, between the junctions with the A48 and A417. It is anticipated that the scheme will commence on the12th of May and last for up to 26 weeks.

In order to work on the road, it will be necessary to provide a contraflow arrangement through this section, which will allow a single lane of traffic to travel in each direction.

The road is composed of a number of layers, called Base, Binder and Surface. The existing road surface will be ‘planed’ off and completely reconstructed at depths up to 60cm (commonly, road repairs only lay down a new Surface layer). High friction surfacing will also be added prior to junctions to improve grip. During the scheme, the roundabouts at each end of the workswill also be resurfaced.

New combined kerb and drainage units will be incorporated into the roadside which will alleviate problems with blocked gullies and areas of standing water. The central reserve will be reduced in width, and an additional lane added ‘inbound’ to Gloucester for use as a bus lane. This will include re-profiling of the junction with the B4215 and the integration of new traffic signals at this location.

The Benefits

The renewal scheme will greatly enhance the condition of all aspects of the existing road. Key improvements will include:

Contribute to road safety

The new surfacing and drainage will improve friction and reduce surface water. New safety barriers will better protect motorists if they leave the carriageway.

Improve ride quality

The new surface will create a smoother ride. Combined kerb/drainage units will remove drainage gullies from vehicle wheel tracks. The new surface will also reduce noise generated from traffic.

Enhance visibility

The new lighting columns will create better visibility at night, improving road safety. The ‘high cut-off’ lanterns also minimise light spill onto areas off the carriageway.

A cleaner environment

The installation of drainage interceptors will prevent contamination in surface water such as oil, petrol and diesel from reaching outfalls to the River Severn.

Contact Us

For questions, comments or information on the roadworks, please see the Contact Information and Map page.