Highways Agency

M53/A55/A483 (Birkenhead to Welsh Border)

The Strategy

1.0 Introduction

Some background to the objectives, problems and possible actions for the route.

1.1 Development, by the Highways Agency, of the Route Management Strategy approach to trunk road/motorway investment planning was highlighted in the Government's Integrated Transport White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" published in July 1998.

1.2 The aim, in developing the technique, has been to:

• Assist the Highways Agency to plan and optimise investment in the trunk road/motorway network;
• Provide consistency, transparency/openness and integration, particularly with other transport related strategies, including local and regional transport plans; and
• Maximise customer focus.

It should be noted that increasing customer focus is a part of the Highways Agency's overall policy and is not specific to the Route Management Strategy process.

1.3 Following initial pilot studies and the development of a methodology, the Highways Agency has trialled the use of this technique on three routes, M62 between Liverpool and Hull, A14 between M1/M6 and Felixstowe, and the A1 between A194(M) south of Gateshead and the Scottish border near Berwick upon Tweed.

1.4 This Route Management Strategy applies to a corridor between Birkenhead and the Welsh Border (click here to view map). The study commenced in Autumn 2000 and the intention is to produce the final strategy document early in 2002.

1.5 This strategy document will provide a framework and a basis for the development of a comprehensive management plan for all Highways Agency activities along the route. It will be used by all Highways Agency staff and their agents to develop investment programmes, which not only target specific problems, but which benefit from an holistic, in depth, knowledge of all the problems to be solved along the route. Investment decisions, therefore, will be made after consideration of the interaction of alternatives and the efficiency with which they solve these problems.

1.6 In addition to Highways Agency staff, this strategy will also be used by others who have an interest in the performance of the road. The strategy will be of particular interest to other transport and network operators who may be affected by decisions taken relating to the route and who may wish to influence the management plan, in particular, by helping the Highways Agency to solve some of the problems identified.

1.7 It is essential that the Highways Agency investment plans are interlinked with those transport and land use strategies and plans emanating from the new regional planning processes, in particular Regional Planning Guidance with associated Regional Transport Strategies and Local Plans. In order to ensure this, representatives from the Regional Planning board will be involved in the processes leading to the development of this strategy and their views will continue to be taken into account as the Strategy and the associated Management Plan are developed.

1.8 Initially, this Route Management Strategy will be a means by which the Board, and those involved in the various elements of Local Plan and Regional Strategy development, will be aware of the limitations of this route, in particular its operation and its ability to accommodate possible future growth. When the Local Plans and Regional Strategy/Regional Planning Guidance are updated the Route Management Strategy will need to be reviewed to ensure that it continues to fit closely with those publications.

2.0 Purpose of the Route Management Strategy

2.1 The purpose in developing the Strategy has been the need to:

• Assist the Highways Agency to improve its planning and optimisation of investment;
• Achieve consistency, transparency and openness and be integrated with other transport and land use policies and programmes; and
• Maximise customer focus.

2.2 Route Management Strategies are in line with "New Deal" policies and flow directly from the Government's five objectives for transport:

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

2.3 The strategy development supports the Highways Agency's Strategic Aim "to contribute to sustainable development by maintaining, operating and improving the trunk road network in support of the Government's integrated transport and land-use planning policies".

2.4 The strategy will also take account of the eight Key Objectives for the Highways Agency:

• To give priority to maintenance whilst minimising whole life costs;
• To develop its role as a network operator;
• To reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability;
• To carry out the targeted investment programme;
• To minimise the environmental impact of the trunk road network;
• To improve safety for all road users;
• To work in partnerships that promote choice and information for travellers; and
• To be a good employer.

2.5 The Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements, also announced in "A New Deal for Trunk Roads", has been accepted as a firm commitment in developing Road Management Strategies.

3.0 The Route Management Strategy Process

3.1 The main features of the process to be used are:

• Data collection;
• Seminar process;
  • To agree Route Function;
  • To determine Route Objectives;
  • To identify Problems/Issues;
• Subsequent study to develop potential solutions;
• Appraisal of feasible options;
• Identification and recommendations for further work (including studies, data collection and projects).

3.2 A Route Management Strategy seminar will be held during June 2001. This will be the first of several consultations with organisations and individuals who have an interest in the route and who have a contribution to make to the future performance of the route.

Stakeholders and consultee organisations will be invited to this seminar so that the Highways Agency can explain the general approach to Route Management Strategies and present their initial views on the route. Stakeholders and consultee organisations will be able to put forward their views on the road corridor.

3.3 The Route Management Strategy will consist of:

3.3.1 Route Functions

Existing Strategic, Regional and Local functions.

3.3.2 Route Management Objectives

Objectives to be achieved over the 10 year period of the Strategy for management of the route, will be developed and agreed.

3.3.3 Problems, Issues and Broad action areas

Problems and Issues to be addressed in order to achieve the Route Objectives will be partially identified during the first seminar and further developed by subsequent work.

3.3.4 Recommended Actions

Recommended actions will be included in the Management Plan.

3.4 As indicated in Section 1 an essential element of the further development of the Management Strategy is the need to consult in order to ensure a close fit with other developing plans and strategies.

3.5 As part of the first Seminar process, ideas will be produced which have the potential to contribute to the future performance of the Route. Some of these ideas may not be within the remit of the Highways Agency to deliver, but have the potential to be progressed by the development of partnerships between the Highways Agency and other transport or network operators. Although they will not be included in this initial Strategy, they will be examined further.

3.6 Those ideas which have the potential to assist in a wider multi-modal study or in regional plan/strategy development will be passed to the Government Office for the North West for their consideration.

3.7 Other ideas which may be worth further consideration, but which require e.g. legislative or policy changes will also be passed to the Government Office.

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4.0 Route Functions and Objectives

4.1 Route Functions

The Strategic functions of the route are:

• M53/A55/A483 are identified as part of long distance network strategic routes -(as defined in draft regional planning guidance);
• Provides a major transport link between the National Motorway Network and Holyhead;
• Provides a transport link between Merseyside and South Wales;
• Provides a transport link between Merseyside and North Wales;
• Forms part of the National High Load Route Network.

The Regional functions of the route are:

• Provides the major transport link between regional centres of population and employment including Liverpool and its hinterland, Birkenhead, Ellesmere Port, Chester and Deeside;
• Provides a bypass for traffic around Birkenhead, Ellesmere Port and Chester;
• Provides a link between the Wirral and the North West;

The Local functions of the route are:

• Provides a distributor function around the large population centres of Birkenhead, Ellesmere Port and Chester. Provides local access;

4.2 Route Objectives

Environment

Government Objective:

To protect and enhance the built and natural environment

Route Objectives:

General

• To identify locations where noise levels are high and mitigate where appropriate including the use of low noise surfacing.
• To seek to improve air quality.
• To encourage traffic to use the most appropriate route.
• To improve environment, by encouraging modal transfer and use locally of traffic management measures.
• To use environmentally friendly lighting when replacing existing or providing new systems.
• To ensure effective measures are in place to protect watercourses from pollutant spillage on the Highway.
• To protect flora and fauna.
• To maintain and improve where necessary soft landscape.
• To work with the responsible authorities, to seek to maintain a clean and tidy route.

Safety

Government Objective:

To improve safety for all travellers

Route Objectives:

General

• To improve the quality and quantity of traveller facilities;
• To improve safety during maintenance works;
• To improve the safe operation of junctions;
• To investigate where the provision of improved lighting would improve safet;
• To define and encourage road users to travel at an appropriate speed (as defined in policy AR4 in draft regional planning guidance);
• To seek to improve safety for more vulnerable users, particularly cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians.

Location Specific

• To improve safety on the M53 between Junctions 1 and 5;
• To improve safety on the A550 (especially at Woodbank Junction).

Economy

Government Objective:

To contribute to an efficient economy, and to support sustainable economic growth in appropriate locations

Route Objectives:

General

• To provide efficient route guidance, including responsive signage;
• To give priority to the strategic and regional functions of the route;
• To minimise traffic disruption due to roadworks;
• To plan all works to achieve optimum whole life costs with minimal disruption to users.

To maximise the availability and reliability for use of the route for users, and the serviceability of the road, structures and other highway equipment.

• To reduce congestion due to freight movements by working with other organisations to encourage modal transfer;
• To reduce congestion due to HGV's using appropriate traffic management;
• To investigate the effects of local authority transport and land use development schemes on the Highway Network.

Location Specific

To investigate the reduction of congestion at major interchanges e.g. A55/A483.

To improve operational efficiency along the A550.

To work with local authority to effect a transfer of some traffic from the A41 to the M53.

Accessibility

Government Objective:

To promote accessibility to everyday facilities for all, especially those without a car

Route Objectives:

General

• To improve crossing facilities at junctions for non-motorised users
• To improve facilities for NMU's along the routes
• To improve access to/for public transport.
• To make appropriate provisions to encourage the use of public transport.

Location Specific

• To remove at-grade pedestrian crossings on the A483 by providing alternatives;
• To improve facilities for non-motorised users along the A550.

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:

General

• To improve user information (e.g. signing for public transport interchanges);
• To increase knowledge of user patterns and needs;
• Encourage use of park and ride.

Local issues:

• Encourage modal transfer to Birkenhead rail freight;
• To make better use of the route by working in partnership with road users, transport providers and operators, local authorities, Mersey Tunnel and those affected by the network;
• To contribute to Regional and Local transport and development plans.

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5.0 Possible Problems

Key points which have already been raised:

• Better and more co-ordinated signing on the route;
• Concern over the accident record at Jct 1 of the M53;
• Congestion at peak times near the Chester Business Park;
• Provision of more park and ride schemes along with cycle lanes on A550;
• Consideration of previous proposals to improve the A550;
• Identify stress points on the M53;
• Options to improve the junction including the A55 and A483;
• Measures to alleviate congestion on the A55;
• Minimising disruption to motorists by strategic planning of routine maintenance.

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6.0 Possible Actions

A number of action studies are being carried out and the results of these will be published shortly.