Highways Agency

A45 Ryton on Dunsmore Junction Improvement

Junction Improvement Scheme

Introduction

The Highways Agency is proposing to construct a new roundabout at the junction of the A45 and A445 Leamington Road at Ryton on Dunsmore, near Coventry in Warwickshire. In addition it will also realign Wolston Lane to join the new roundabout.

This website will tell you about the proposed scheme and ask your views on it.

An exhibition of the proposals will be held at Ryton on Dunsmore Village Hall on the 23rd November 2001 between 1.30pm and 8.00pm and the 24th November 2001 between 10.00am and 4.00pm.

Representatives from the Highways Agency and its Managing Agents, WS Atkins will be there to explain the proposals and answer any questions.

Background

The A45 trunk road is an important all purpose dual carriageway between Birmingham and Northampton, which provides links to Coventry, Rugby and Daventry along the route. At Ryton on Dunsmore the road carries around 25,000 vehicles a day of which 14% are heavy goods vehicles. The central reservation gaps that allow it to be crossed at the junctions with A445 Leamington Road and Wolston Lane create the potential for accidents.

In the last five years there has been a total of 21 accidents recorded on this stretch of the A45. These accidents all involved vehicles turning and crossing at this junction.

The Highways Agency's studies show that in addition to the major safety benefits that would accrue from this scheme, the financial benefits from the reduction in the number of accidents would exceed the cost of the improvement work.

Existing Junction looking East towards Dunchurch

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Existing Junction looking West towards Coventry

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The Proposals

The Highways Agency proposes to close the gaps in the central reservation at Ryton on Dunsmore and to construct a new roundabout to replace the existing crossroads. A section of Wolston Lane will be realigned to join the new roundabout. A layout of the proposed roundabout is shown below. The scheme would affect four adjacent landowners.

The existing footways along the A45 will be maintained and enhanced wherever possible. There will be the provision of shared pedestrian and cycle footways on all sides of the new roundabout, which will enable riders to pass through the junction safely. To assist visually impaired pedestrians, crossing points will be identified with the use of tactile paving slabs.

A new roundabout would improve safety at the junction by providing an alternative for traffic crossing or turning right. The new roundabout would also enable traffic affected by the gap closures to go safely in any direction with a minimum of disruption.

The Environment

The roundabout construction would require some additional land outside the existing highway boundary. There will be the loss of existing vegetation from adjacent properties and businesses.

An integral part of the scheme would include landscaping and mitigation measures designed to minimise the effects of the roundabout on its surroundings.

An Example of a Roundabout Planting Scheme
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Including:

• Every effort will be made to retain the existing hedges and trees and these would be carefully protected during the construction phase.
• The roundabout will be planted with suitable growing shrubs.
• Where possible vegetation lost due to the construction of the roundabout, will be replaced by new planting.
• New improved road lighting using flat glass lanterns, which focus more direct light onto the road, would be installed to minimise the nuisance caused by light spillage to nearby properties or into the night sky.
• There would be no significant changes to the current vehicle emissions and noise levels.

Table showing Potential Impact and Mitigation Measures

Short Appraisal Summary Table

Objective	Comments	Assessment
Environment	The loss of existing hedgegrows and trees will have some adverse impact on the existing landscape and biodiversity; this will be offset by new planting incorporated into the scheme. Lower traffic speeds around the new roundabout are expected to lead to a slight reduction in air quality and a slight increase in greenhouse gasses but any variation from current noise levels is expected to be negligible. An archaeological site is affected by the proposed link to Wolston Lane; the effects on heritage require further investigation.	Overall slight adverse effect
Safety	Accidents will be reduced as a result of the scheme.	Significant beneficial effect
Economy	Reduction in queuing on minor roads but introducing some delays to major road. Benefits gained from a reduction in accidents.	Results of economic assessment not yet available
Accessibility	Improvements to pedestrian and cycling facilities. Bus stops improved where possible but no other specific public transport measures.	Some benefits
Integration	For public transport the scheme only improves bus stops. The proposals are consistent with key land use policy and guidance at all levels. No governmental policies, outside land muse policy, are affected by this proposal.	Some benefits

The above table is an abbreviated form of the Scheme Appraisal Summary Table; the full version of which will be available to view at the Public Exhibition or by request.

Your Views

If you would like to comment on the proposals, please write to us, for the attention of Miss L Stinson, the Highways Agency in Birmingham at the address given below

Highways Agency
Broadway
Broad Street
Birmingham
B15 1BL

Telephone : 0121 678 8000

or email:lynne.stinson@highways.gsi.gov.uk

You can also hand in your comments at the exhibition. The closing date for replies is 21st January 2002.

What Happens Next

Your views will be considered and will be assessed, with all the comments received, to see if any changes to the proposals are necessary. A preferred route option will be announced followed by the publication of draft Highways Act Orders. These seek the powers necessary to construct the scheme and acquire the land. Depending on the nature of any objectors to the draft Orders, a public inquiry may be held before an independent Inspector.

A decision to go ahead with the scheme would then be taken only after the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions has considered the Inspectors report.

Construction of the scheme is dependent on the availability of financial resources.

Detailed Information

A large scaled drawing and an assessment report can be seen until 21st January 2002 at:

Highways Agency
Broadway
Broad Street
Birmingham
B15 1BL

Contact Miss L Stinson 0121 678 8000

WS Atkins Transportation Engineering
Silica House
Galena Close
Amington
Tamworth
Staffordshire
B77 4AS

Contact Mr D Gardner 01827 313313

Proposed New Junction

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