Highways Agency

A590 (Barrow - M6) RMS

The Strategy

1. Introduction

1.1 Route Management Strategies are being developed by the Highways Agency, with their consultants, to provide a framework for the management of trunk routes within the context of wider transport networks. The strategies are focused on making best use of existing infrastructure through an analysis of problems, issues, objectives and functions and identifying how the route can be managed, maintained and, if required, improved over the next ten years.

1.2 This Route Management Strategy covers the A590 in Cumbria and is being produced by Mouchel Parkman Ltd.

1.3 The map below shows the network covered by the RMS.

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2. The Purpose of the Route Management Strategy

2.1 The purpose in developing the Strategy is to:

• Assist the Highways Agency in improving its planning and optimisation of investment in the trunk road/motorway network and in the delivery of HA strategic plans and ten-year transport strategy.
• Achieve consistency, transparency and openness and be integrated with other transport related strategies, including local and regional transport plans.
• Enable the Highways Agency to provide an input into these policies and programmes.
• Maximise customer focus.
• Improve forward planning over a 10-year horizon.

2.2 Route Management Strategies embrace the five policy 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;
• 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". The development of the RMS also seeks to assist the HA to achieve its main objective;

• To deliver a high quality service to all our customers by;
  1. Improving road safety
  2. Making journeys more reliable through better network management and information
  3. Respecting the environment

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 and contribute to the Government's new safety strategy and targets for 2010.
• To work in partnerships that promote choice and information for travellers.
• To be a good employer, managing the Agency's business efficiently and effectively, seeking continuous improvement.

2.5 The HA Strategic Aim and Key Objectives are presented through eight strategic plans:

• Operate
• Maintain
• Improve
• Safety
• Environment
• Economy
• Accessibility
• Integration

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3. The Route Management Strategy Process

3.1 Several key elements form the skeleton of the RMS

1. Route Management Strategy Initiation

   This event is the start of the RMS process, it sets out the HA's understanding of what the route does, what it should do in the future and any problems it has that affects its performance.

2. Production of Initial Route Management Strategy

   This event sees the agreement of the Initial Route Management Strategy and will provide:

   • Initial Policy Objectives
   • Initial Route Functions and Performance
   • Initial Route Problems and Issues
   • Initial Land Use and Development Control Statement
   • Initial Route Outcomes
3. Route Management Strategy Seminar and Consultation

   The main purpose of this event is to present the initial RMS as a work in progress and to give an opportunity for the invitation of specific comment on what is proposed. This event comprises of the following events actions:

   • Press notice
   • RMS Seminar
   • Preparation of Draft Route Management Strategy
   • Public consultation
4. Publication of Final Route Management Strategy

   From the completion of the elements described above; the final Route Management Strategy will include the following information.

   • Policy Objectives
   • Route Functions and performance
   • Route Problems and Issues
   • Land use and development control statement
   • Route outcomes
5. Route management plan

   It is the responsibility of the HA to develop actions that will achieve the route outcomes set out in the RMS. This plan will include committed and potential actions that take into account any budget and resource considerations.

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4. Route Objectives

Following a review of national, regional and local transport and land-use policy objectives a set of Route Objectives has been identified for the A590 RMS corridor. The following Objectives are based on the five government investment criteria of environment, safety, economy, accessibility and integration.

Environment
En1.	To seek to maintain the integrity of the Lake District National Park.
En2.	To seek to minimise the environmental impact on sites of biodiversity/heritage/ landscape/townscape interest.
En3.	To identify locations where traffic noise levels are higher than Highways Agency guidelines and mitigate where possible.
En4.	To work towards improving air quality in line with the National Air Quality Strategy and Local Air Quality Management Plans.
En5.	To ensure effective measures are in place to protect and improve water quality.
En6.	To protect existing flora and fauna, enhance habitats and seek to increase diversity where appropriate.
En7.	To protect and enhance the landscape character and visual amenity of the route corridor and adjacent areas.
En8.	To maintain the highway and soft estate in a sustainable way and minimise waste.
En9.	To encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport to reduce environmental impact.
En10.	To minimise the impact of highway lighting systems.
En11.	To maintain a clean and tidy route in partnership with the local authorities

Safety
S1.	To improve safety along the route, especially at identified accident cluster locations.
S2.	To ensure the safety of contractors and the public during maintenance works.
S3.	To encourage good driver behaviour and road users to travel at an appropriate speed.
S4.	To improve safety for vulnerable users, particularly cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians.
S5.	To provide a high level of personal safety and security.

Economy
Ec1.	To improve journey time reliability for road-users.
Ec2.	To minimise traffic disruption due to roadworks and incidents.
Ec3.	To maximise the availability of the route for all users, and the serviceability of the road, structures and other highways infrastructure.
Ec4.	To reduce congestion through working with other organisations to encourage modal transfer.
Ec5.	To support sustainable development and regeneration in accordance with national, regional and development plan policy.
Ec6.	To reduce conflict between freight and personal travel.
Ec7.	To make best use of the investment in infrastructure.
Ec8.	To support the national and regional functions of the route whilst recognising the needs of local communities.

Accessibility
A1.	To improve access and facilities to/for public transport.
A2.	To improve facilities for non-motorised users along the route.
A3.	To make appropriate provisions for disabled users.
A4.	To maintain accessibility for communities along the length of the route.
A5.	To reduce severance of communities by the route.

Integration
I1.	To develop a sustainable strategic land-use planning policy for the route in accordance with national, regional and local government policy.
I2.	To improve user information.
I3.	To increase knowledge of user patterns and needs.
I4.	To make better use of the route by working in partnership with route users, transport providers and operators, local authorities and those affected by the route.
I5.	To contribute to regional and local transport and development plans.
I6.	To assist in the promotion of the public transport networks.

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5. Route Functions

Following on from the Route Objectives, Route Functions have been identified. These Route Functions are set out below and are categorised at Strategic, Regional and Local levels

Existing Functions

National:
EF1	Provides the transport link from Barrow-in-Furness to the national motorway network.
EF2	Provides a major transport link for the movement of freight between the Port of Barrow-in-Furness and the rest of the UK.
EF3	Provides a wide-load route between Barrow-in-Furness and the M6 Motorway.
EF4	Provides access to the Lake District National Park from the M6 and Barrow-in-Furness.

Regional:
EF5	Provides an east-west route across south Cumbria.
EF6	Provides the main access for the south Cumbria area to the wider trunk road network.
EF7	Facilitates employment-generating development in Regeneration Priority Areas.
EF8	Acts as a key part of a transport network including acting as a public transport corridor.
EF9	Provides access to Barrow-in-Furness Hospital from the south Cumbria area.
EF10	Facilitates the movement of materials to and from mineral extraction and waste disposal sites.
EF11	Specific features within the route perform local functions of screening, integration, townscape/landscape/nature conservation, and provide interest for the road user.

Local:
EF12	Acts as a bypass for several settlements, improving their environment.
EF13	Provides a commuter and leisure route for the towns and villages along the A590.
EF14	Acts as a distributor around population centres.
EF15	Provides access, in some places the only access, to local businesses, schools, leisure activities, services, farms and houses.
EF16	Provides a route for vulnerable users.
EF17	Facilitates public transport access to rural areas.

Future Functions

General:
FF1	Provides a transport link with good journey-time reliability along its entire length.
FF2	Provides a safe transport link for all users.

National:
FF3	Provides the major transport link from Barrow-in-Furness to the national motorway network.
FF4	Provides a transport link for the movement of freight between the Port of Barrow-in-Furness and the rest of the UK.
FF5	Provides a wide-load route between Barrow-in-Furness and the M6 Motorway.
FF6	Provides access to the Lake District National Park from the M6 and Barrow-in-Furness.

Regional:
FF7	Provides an east-west route across south Cumbria.
FF8	Provides the main access for the south Cumbria area to the wider trunk road network.
FF9	Facilitates sustainable employment-generating development in Regeneration Priority Areas.
FF10	Acts as a key part of a transport network including acting as a public transport corridor.
FF11	Provides access to Barrow-in-Furness Hospital from the south Cumbria area.
FF12	Facilitates the movement of materials to and from mineral extraction and waste disposal sites.
FF13	Specific features within the route perform local functions of screening, integration, townscape/landscape/nature conservation, and provide interest for the road user.

Local:
FF14	Acts as a bypass for several settlements, improving their environment.
FF15	Provides a commuter and leisure route for the towns and villages along the A590.
FF16	Acts as a distributor around population centres.
FF17	Provides access, in some places the only access, to local businesses, schools, leisure activities, services, farms, houses and communities.
FF18	Provides a route for vulnerable users.
FF19	Facilitates public transport access to rural areas.

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6. Route Problems

Following a detailed review of the route, including data analysis, consultations with key stakeholders and a coach tour, the following problems and issues have been identified:

National Objective Areas	Ref.	Problem/Issue
Environment	En. 1	Conflict of route and sensitive nature of Lake District National Park/SSSIs/Conservation Areas.
	En. 2	Noise nuisance due to the close proximity of property frontages to the route.
	En. 3	Lack of up-to-date air quality information for the A590 corridor.
	En. 4	The route has a significant visual impact.
	En.5	Review of litter picking required in some locations.
	En.6	Drainage pollution from A590- surface water drainage impacting on water quality.
Safety	S. 1	Accident Cluster sites.
	S. 2	Junction layout safety concerns.
	S. 3	Standard, location and frequency of lay-bys.
	S. 4	Vehicles travelling at inappropriate speeds.
	S. 5	Gaps in central reservation to allow access to side roads and properties.
	S. 6	Unlit sections of the route may increase accident risk.
	S. 7	Pedestrians using route where no facilities are provided.
	S. 8	Inadequate pedestrian crossing facilities at bus stops.
	S. 9	Security issues regarding secluded areas.
	S. 10	Increased safety measures required to protect vulnerable users.
	S. 11	Concerns over the layout of dual-carriageway terminations.
	S. 12	Motorists performing U-turns at inappropriate locations.
	S. 13	Parking on the A590 in urban areas causes obstruction.
	S. 14	Lack of an Incident Response Plan.
	S. 15	Narrow sections cause increased conflict between traffic and vulnerable users.
	S. 16	Locations of route are liable to flooding.
	S. 17	Inappropriate speed limits in some locations.
	S. 18	Review of lighting required.
	S.19	Driver vision impaired by overgrown vegetation.
Economy	Ec. 1	Congestion in urban areas.
	Ec. 2	Congestion caused by events.
	Ec. 3	Congestion at pinch points.
	Ec. 4	Limited overtaking opportunities on single carriageways sections.
	Ec. 5	Ability of junctions to operate with future increased traffic demands due to new developments.
	Ec. 6	Maintenance issues on single carriageway sections.
	Ec. 7	Potential for redistribution of traffic due to traffic management improvements external to the route.
	Ec. 8	Review of signing strategy is required.
	Ec. 9	Variations in the standard of carriageway provision.
	Ec.10	Delay caused by incidents and maintenance.
	Ec.11	Delays caused by slow moving vehicles.
	Ec.12	Traffic diversions unsuitable for some traffic
Accessibility	A. 1	Severance issues for residential and development areas.
	A. 2	Inconsistency in provision of facilities for alternative modes of transport including pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians.
	A. 3	Lack of vulnerable user crossing facilities.
	A. 4	Lack of visibility of vulnerable user crossing facilities.
Integration	I. 1	Signing to other forms of transport.
	I. 2	Lack of viable alternative to A590 for freight movements.
	I. 3	Lack of integration between modes on route.
	I.4	Green routes for cyclists need linking up

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7. Route Outcomes

Following a review of the Route Functions, Objectives and Problems, a series of Route Outcomes have been identified. The outcomes were identified as those improvements that the Highways Agency should aim to achieve over the ten-year timescale of the RMS.

Five national objective areas have been used to categorise Route Problems and Objectives. By comparing Route Problems to Objectives, fifteen individual Route Outcomes have been identified for the route, which can be categorised into one of the five national objective areas. The Route Outcomes identified are listed below:

RO1	Improve the understanding of the environmental impact of the route
RO2	Implement a water quality review following the Water Framework Directive
RO3	Undertake a review of statutory protected sites to reflect Section 28G of the Countryside Rights of Way Act.
RO4	Seek to influence driver behaviour
RO5	Seek to reduce the number of accidents along the route
RO6	Implement a review of incident planning
RO7	Improve journey time reliability
RO8	Implement a signing review
RO9	Mitigate against flooding in locations that are liable to flooding
RO10	Undertake a review of studies investigating the impact of future developments taking future aspirations into account
RO11	Reduce the impact of maintenance operations on single carriageway sections
RO12	Improve accessibility for vulnerable users along and crossing the route
RO13	Promote the use and integration of different modes of transport
RO14	Ensure co-ordination between the operations of the HA and other organisations
RO15	Ensure that there is adequate and safe provision of appropriate user facilities along the route

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8. Route Actions

In order to meet the route objectives, potential route actions have been developed to address problems and issues on the route. These potential route actions are be categorised as:

Studies and Reviews

Possible actions that would require further study or review before schemes, if required, are undertaken. For example:

• Undertake a review of the speed limits across the route to develop/review speed management strategy
• Encourage and promote the appropriate use of the route by vulnerable (including disabled) users through the investigation and implementation of measures including additional routes and improving links between existing infrastructure

Schemes

Possible actions that could result in schemes without significant prior study or review. For example:

• Develop options to improve flow of traffic through Ulverston without significant adverse effects on other users
• Seek to ensure a consistent level of quality and safety along the route taking account of needs of HGVs

Partnerships

Possible actions that will be implemented through the further development of partnerships or that will require a significant amount of partnership working in their implementation. For example:

• Liaise with vulnerable user organisations regarding provision along the route
• Encourage the provision of travel plans by developers

Operations

Possible actions that relate to the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the route. For example:

• Use low noise surfacing for renewals
• Continue to monitor accident cluster sites and identify measures to address key issues

Policy

Possible actions that relate to policy or development control. For example:

• Where opportunities arise, consider the potential for joint funding arrangements to secure necessary improvements