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Bypass Study Report

A417 Cowley to Brockworth Bypass Improvement

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 The safety and congestion issues on the A417 south of Cheltenham have long been recognised. The road is part of the core trunk road network and the remaining single carriageway section between Cowley (Nettleton) Roundabout and the bottom of Crickley Hill urgently requires improvement. It comprises the only single carriageway section on the route between the M5 at Junction 11a and the M4 at Junction 15.

1.2 Small scale improvements have been completed along the route since the opening of the Birdlip Bypass in 1995. Further small scale schemes are being planned over the next few years by the Highways Agency and the network maintenance contractor, RMS. These would provide short term amelioration of safety and congestion issues. However, a long-term solution is required for this section of the road.

1.3 Discussions with Local Authorities (County, Borough, District and Parish Councils) have resulted in all agreeing that the current situation is limiting economic growth in the area and resulting in significant congestion and safety problems along the route. They also agree that it is unacceptable not to improve the A417 within the study area.

1.4 Options developed in the past for a long-term road based solution have all resulted in the identification of unacceptable environmental impacts and so have not been taken forward.

Terms of Reference

1.5 In October 2001, the Highways Agency appointed WSP Group to undertake a study of the environmental and engineering issues related to the A417 between Cowley Roundabout and the bottom of Crickley Hill. The Terms of Reference were to consider if the route could be improved without unacceptable environmental impacts and to hold discussions with statutory bodies to ascertain their views on whether an option(s) could be taken forward for more detailed assessment. The Terms of Reference are given in Table 1-1.

1.6 The work undertaken comprises a pre-investment study. As such it utilises the "Plan" elements of the Guidance on Multi-Modal Methodology Studies (GOMMMS) Assessment and Stage 1 methodologies as given in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB).

Table 1-1 Study Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference. Cowley to Air Balloon Improvement. Environmental Study
  • The study should be conducted in close liaison with statutory consultees and should produce a comprehensive environmental constraints plan and environmental data report.
  • This should be used as a basis for considering whether environmentally acceptable improvements could be made to the trunk road to address the safety and congestion problems that currently exist on the A417.
  • Preliminary proposals for improvement that emerge should be discussed and agreed with statutory consultees.
  • Whether or not a tunnel is an appropriate solution should be given consideration.
  • The consultants should agree with the statutory consultees whether or not it will be necessary to carry out additional surveys on a particular issue and if so, a survey brief should be agreed with them. The consultant should advise the Agency when such surveys should be carried out, even when they could be outside the timescale for this study.
  • The consultants should take into account the views of local residents, local groups, representative bodies and other interested organisations.
  • The consultants should carry out an appropriate environmental and economic appraisal in accordance with GOMMMS and summarise the results in an Appraisal Summary Table (AST).
  • The final report should include comments made on the issues, so that Ministers will have sufficient information to be able to make informed decisions on whether an improvement scheme(s) could go forward and be added to the TPI programme.

Study Area

1.7 The study area is shown on Figure 1.1. The area is based on the line of the A417 from a point adjacent to the A46 junction in the west (at NGR SO 9100 1634) and a point near Highgate Farm, Elkstone in the east (at SO 9546 1264). The study area extends for 1 km in all directions from the road and covers approximately 14.5 km². The study area was extended to the west of the escarpment to cover possible offline corridors. The area is within the Gloucestershire civil parishes of Badgeworth and Great Witcombe in Tewkesbury Borough and Brimpsfield, Coberley, Cowley and Elkstone in Cotswold District. The entire area is within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it also overlaps the Brimpsfield Conservation area.