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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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The Strategy
M57/M58/A5036 (M6 to Liverpool to M62)
The Strategy
Introduction
A Route Management Strategy (RMS) is being developed by the Highways Agency to provide a ten-year framework for managing the M57, M58 and A5036 routes as part of the wider transport network. This RMS will interlock with Local Transport strategies (set out in Local Transport Plans) within the context established by Regional Planning guidance (Ref para 3.134 "A New Deal For Transport: Better for Everyone").
The RMS will:
- Assist the Highways Agency in planning and optimising investment in the Trunk/Motorway network
- Provide consistency, transparency, openness and integration
- Maximise customer focus
- Improve forward planning over a 10 year horizon
Pell Frischmann are acting as consultants for the Highways Agency in delivering this RMS.
Route Functions
National
- Part of the National Trunk Road Network
- The M57 and A5036 are part of the Trans-European Road Network
- Provides a major transport link for the movement of freight and also people between the Port of Liverpool and rest of country
- Assists the movement of abnormal loads
Regional
- Part of the Regional Highway Network linking Merseyside with the rest of the region.
- The M58 between M57/A5036 junction and the M6 is a strategic access route.
- Acts as a major link between regional centres of population and employment
- Forms a major transport artery between urban centres and conurbations off the route
- Provides a distributor function around the outlying population centres of Merseyside, West Lancashire and Greater Manchester
- The M57 and A5036 provide part of an orbital route around the east of Liverpool including access to the Airport
- Provides good access to and is important for supporting and encouraging economic development
- Provides access for tourism and city centre shopping
Local
- Provides local, commuter, and recreational access
- Provides access to and from local industrial, retail and commercial development
- Provides a distributor function around and through population centres
- Provides links between communities
- Facilitates public transport operations
- The M57 and the A5036 are primary routes for use by emergency services.
- The M58 provides for longer journeys by emergency services.
Route Objectives
The objectives which the Highways Agency should aim to achieve in managing the route during the period of the Route Management Strategy are as follows:
Environment
Government Objective:
To protect and enhance the built and natural environment.
Route Objectives:
- To identify locations where noise levels are high and propose mitigating measures where appropriate. (EN1)
- To assist, through the operation, maintenance and improvement of the route, in reducing harmful emissions from vehicles. (EN2)
- Use environmentally friendly lighting when replacing existing or providing new systems. (EN3)
- To develop and implement a biodiversity action plan for the management of the soft estate. (EN4)
- To produce and implement a landscape management plan for the management and future development of the soft estate along the route. (EN5)
- To ensure effective measures are in place to protect watercourses from pollutants from the highway. (EN6)
- To work with the responsible authorities, to seek to maintain a clean & tidy route. (EN7)
- To reduce visual intrusion and enhance aesthetic quality of the route corridor. (EN8)
- To complement the objectives of Atlantic and Euro Gateways for the A5036. (EN9)
Safety
Government Objective:
To improve safety for all travellers.
Route Objectives:
- To improve the safety and security of all motorised and non-motorised users. (S1)
- To improve the facilities for vulnerable road users on or crossing the route (S2)
- To review the performance of all junction layouts and, where justified, seek to carry out improvements. (S3)
- To achieve a consistent high standard of signing and road markings along the route. (S4)
- To encourage road users to travel at an appropriate speed. (S5)
- To improve driver information e.g. VMS signs. (S6)
- To review, improve and encourage the enhancement of facilities along the route for all motorised users. (S7)
- To install additional street lighting along the route where appropriate. (S8)
- To maintain a clean, tidy and well drained route. (S9)
- Provide measures to improve emergency services' response times to incidents. (S10)
- To improve safety during all maintenance activities along the route. (S11)
- To rationalise the number of direct accesses serving private properties and encourage the provision and improvement of turning facilities where justified. (S12) (A5036 only)
- To identify and remove central reserve gaps for motorised users where justified. (S13) (A5036 only)
- To reduce conflicts at junctions. (S14)
Economy
Government Objective:
To contribute to an efficient economy, and to support sustainable economic growth in appropriate locations.
Route Objectives:
- To reduce disruption and delays to all road users on congested sections of the route, especially the A5036 and motorway interchanges. (EC1)
- To maximise route availability particularly during road works. (EC2)
- To design and plan all works to achieve optimum whole life cost and minimal disruption to users. (EC3)
- To provide signed alternative routes during temporary delays or closures along the route. (EC4)
- To improve facilities for Goods traffic. (EC5)
- To minimise potential for conflict/incidents and thereby improve journey time reliability. (EC6)
- To implement a route development control policy in line with the Memorandum of Understanding as agreed between the Highways Agency and Local Authorities (EC7)
- To support the continued competitiveness of the Port of Liverpool and accommodate the growing needs of the Port related business sector.(EC8)
Accessibility
Government Objective:
To promote accessibility to everyday facilities for all, especially those without a car.
Route Objectives:
- To reduce community severance wherever feasible. (A1)
- To provide new and improve existing facilities for disabled users, pedestrians, equestrians, cyclists and agricultural traffic using or crossing the route where appropriate. (A2)
- To improve access and to make appropriate provisions to encourage the use of public transport. (A3)
- To improve pedestrian and cyclist, crossing movements on the A5036 by the enhancement or provision of suitable crossing facilities where appropriate. (A4)
- To discourage the inappropriate use of side roads as alternative routes by long distance traffic. (A5)
- To discourage the inappropriate use of side roads to access the route. (A6)
Integration
Government Objective:
To promote the integration of all forms of transport and land use planning, leading to a better, more efficient transport system.
Route Objectives:
- To improve user information. (I1)
- To seek to facilitate the integration of all modes of travel. (I2)
- To contribute to local and regional transport and development plans. (I3)
- To increase knowledge of user travel patterns and needs. (I4)
- To make better use of the route by working in partnership with road users, transport providers and operators, port and local authorities and those affected by the route. (I5)
- To encourage and support modal transfer of existing and potential users of the route to public transport and/or non motorised modes. (I6)
