Highways Agency

A5 Route Management Strategy (Dunstable M1 J9 to M1 J18)

Introduction

What is a Route Management Strategy?

A Route Management Strategy is a new method of planning our roads for the future. It looks at the whole picture by assessing the use and needs of a particular route with the intention of making better use by:

• Spending available money more effectively
• Making road planning tie in better with regional transport and planning decisions
• Allowing all users of the route to have their say. Local people often know more about local problems and what the solutions might be.

Why are we doing this?

The Highways Agency has a set of strategic plans for the trunk road network. Route Management Strategy is the system we want to use to take these plans from the drawing board and into reality - roads that better serve people who use them.

RMS is not about building new roads. It is about making better use of the roads we already have.

We can't do this alone: local councils, regional planning authorities, bus and lorry operators, train companies and the police all have a contribution to make. We also need to take account of other plans. Government Offices are leading studies on some routes looking at all modes of transport.

That's why each Route Management Strategy has a carefully thought out process to involve as many people as possible - road users, people living nearby and campaign groups.

How will we do it?

RMS means we can take a ten-year forward look covering the maintenance, operation and improvement projects for each of the routes that make up the core trunk road network. It looks at areas such as:

• Route Functions and Performance
  What does this road do now?
• Route Objectives
  What do we want this road to do in the future?
• Route Strategy
  The issues we need to tackle
• Route Management Plan
  Our ten-year vision for the road and the improvements we'd like to make.

Route Functions and Objectives

Route Functions

To ensure that any proposed improvements to, or works on, the route are compatible with the present and future purpose of the route, it is necessary to know the required functions of the route. The route functions are therefore being developed specifically for the A5 (from M1 Junction 9 to M1 Junction 18) from just south of Luton and Dunstable through Milton Keynes and northwards past Daventry. The M1 Junction 9 is close to Harpenden and M1 junction 18 is close to Rugby. The functions will be expressed as National, Regional and Local.

Route Objectives

In order to set out the future role and aims for the route, the route objectives will be developed in accordance with the following:

• Government Objectives and Policies
• Highways Agency Strategic Plans
• Development Plans
• Local Transport Plans
• Regional Strategies
• Multi-Modal Studies

In addition, the views expressed by the public, consultees and stakeholders about the existing performance and functions of the route will be also taken into account.

The RMS will seek to achieve (where appropriate) the specific objectives derived for the A5 (from M1 Junction 9 to M1 Junction 18) through a number of 'Route Outcomes' or measures to be implemented, but subject to statutory procedures and funding.

Route Problems

The information will be gathered from various sources including:

• Route stakeholders, i.e. the Highways Agency staff familiar with the route, Managing Agents, Police, County Highway Authorities, Regional Planning Bodies and the relevant Government Office for England
• Consultee organisations, including environmental organisations, freight organisations, bus companies, road groups, the Strategic Rail Authority, pedestrian, cycling and equestrian organisations, Councils, Chambers of Commerce, local fire brigade and ambulance services
• Individual responses from residents or road users.
• Route seminar delegates
• Assessment of route characteristics, features, accident statistics, traffic information, etc, and from site assessment and published data to identify other potential or actual problems associated with the route

This information will be used to develop a Route Management Strategy by categorising the relevant problems, focusing on the following five policy objectives for transport:

1. To protect and enhance the built environment.
2. To improve safety for all travellers.
3. To contribute to an efficient economy and to support sustainable economic growth in appropriate locations.
4. To promote accessibility to everyday facilities for all, especially those without a car.
5. To promote the integration of all forms of transport and land use planning, leading to a better, more efficient transport system.

Possible Route Outcomes

To produce the initial Route Management Strategy and preliminary solutions for some of the problems identified. By further analysis the Highways Agency could also be advised on their likely benefits and the extent of impact on the environment.