Highways Agency

• Executive summary
• 1. introduction
• 2. data collected
• 3. summary of results
• 4. conclusions

A6 Rushden and Higham Ferrers Bypass

3. Summary of Results

AUTOMATIC TRAFFIC COUNTS

3.1 Figure 3.1 below summarises the 'Before' and 'After' ATC information using the 24 hour, weekday two-way traffic volumes. A summary results table is included in Annex A of this report.

3.2 Figure 3.1 shows the 24 hour two way traffic flow for an average weekday at thirteen locations around the Rushden and Higham Ferrers area. Following the scheme opening, approximately 9270 vehicles per day were recorded using the new bypass in September.

3.3 On the bypassed section of the old A6 (High Street), traffic volumes have reduced

• North of the Bypass and south of Rushden 15,000 vehicles per day were recorded before opening and 9,000 vehicles per day after opening a reduction of 40% or 6,000 vpd;
• In Rushden, north of the gyratory system, 21,700 vpd were recorded before opening and 15,900 'After' opening, a reduction of 27%, or 6,000 vpd; and
• North of Higham Ferrers and south of the A45, 20,700 vpd were recorded before opening and 12,400 were recorded 'After' opening, a significant reduction of 40% or nearly 9,000 vpd;
• On the A5001, west of Rushden traffic volumes have fallen by 11%, reducing from 18,600 vpd to 16,660 vpd

3.4 On the A6 north of the A45 at Irthlingborough, there was no change in traffic volumes before and after opening, suggesting that no additional traffic has been drawn into the A6 corridor as a result of this scheme.

3.5 There is a reduction of vehicles using county roads at four locations namely:

• B663 North of Chelvaston, where traffic volumes reduce from, 3,330 vpd to 2,870 vpd, a reduction of 14%;
• B645 inside the bypass at Higham Ferrers, where daily traffic volumes have reduced from 7,120 to 5,390 a reduction of 1,800 vpd or 24%;
• U/C West Street, South of Stanwick, where traffic volumes have reduced from 7,500 vpd to 6,760, a 10% reduction; and
• Avenue road, southeast of Rushden, at Higham Park, where traffic volumes have reduced by half from 3,200 vpd to 1,700 vpd.

3.6 On the A45 and A6, north of Higham Ferrers there seems to be no change in traffic volumes, shown by the site on the A45 north of Raunds, which indicates a 1% reduction. The only site that shows an increase in traffic volumes is at Newton Street, accessing Rushden from the bypass, where traffic volumes have increased from 3,500 vpd to 4,500 vpd.

JOURNEY TIMES

3.7 In order to look at changes in journey times, data collected in June 2003, as part of the 'Before' surveys, has been compared to data collected in September 2003. In addition an 'after' only route was carried out using the new bypass.

3.8 A summary table of results from the journey time surveys is included in Annex A for comparison between 'Before' and 'After' results.

3.9 Table 3.1 above compares the new A6 route travel times (between the roundabout at Irthlingborough and Wymington Road) and the equivalent journey on the old A6 route measured before the A6 bypass was open. This highlights a best journey time saving of about 4 minutes in the am and almost 5 minutes in the pm southbound peaks.

3.10 Table 3.2 compares the 'Before' and 'After' travel times of the pink route (between Wymington to the A45 junction south of Wellingborough via the old A6 and the A5001). Eastbound traffic shows the highest time savings, almost 7 minutes are saved in the PM peak.

JOURNEY SPEEDS

3.11 Table 3.3 compares speeds 'before' and 'after' the A6 Rushden & Higham Ferrers Bypass. Average speeds on the new A6 are up to 28 kph quicker in the pm peak (southbound) and 25 kph quicker in the am peak (southbound). The new A6 shows vehicle speeds of 59 kph southbound and 50kph northbound, suggesting that the journey time reliability on the A6 will be improved.

3.12 The journey time surveys show that:

• Significant journey time savings of up to five minutes are experienced on the A6 through Rushden/ Higham Ferrers; and
• Time savings of up to seven minutes are shown on the A6/A5001 route through Rushden.

RUSHDEN LINK ROAD

3.13 The status of the Rushden Link Road is an 'A' class distributor road which links the A6 Rushden Higham Ferrers bypass to Rushden at the Station Road approach/Rectory Road junction, north of the gyratory system. Figure 1.1 shows the location of the Rushden Link road.

3.14 The link road will be the major link for Rushden, and to lesser extent Higham Ferrers, to the primary/trunk road network as well as serving as an access route for proposed residential development and an employment area. Construction is programmed to start in February 2004 with completion by autumn/early winter 2004.

3.15 The main effects of the Rushden Link Road are forecast to be:

• A reduction in the impact of traffic in both towns especially on Newton Road, Rushden;
• A reduction in the traffic flow on the one-way gyratory system in Rushden; and
• An increase in traffic flows on the bypass.