Highways Agency

• Executive summary
• 1 introduction
• 2 scope of the route management strategy
• 3 policy and planning context
• 4 m5 rms process and route performance
• 5 route objectives and functions
• 6 route problems and issues
• 7 route actions
• 8 ten year route management plan and three year route action plan
• 9 conclusion and recommendations

Executive summary

This Route Management Strategy has been prepared by W.S. Atkins, in accordance with the Highways Agency 'Route Management Strategy Guidance October 2000' (RMS Guidance), [at website address, www.highways.gov.uk/info/rootstrat/index.htm], for the M5 motorway south of junction 21 to the end of the motorway at junction 31. It comprises a Ten Year Route Management Plan and Three Year Route Action Plan.

The preparation for the Route Management Strategy included a seminar for stakeholders, two Value Management Workshops and a period of public consultation. Reports have been prepared describing each of these events.

This Route Management Strategy has been developed within a policy framework shaped by the Government's Ten Year Transport Plan, the Highways Agency Strategic Plans and Regional Planning Guidance. Furthermore close communication has been maintained with the development of the London to South Wales and the South West Multi-Modal Study (SWARMMS).

The existing and future performance of the route has been assessed using core and route specific performance indicators that measure the performance of the route in terms of safety, economy, environment, accessibility and integration.

The development of the strategy has revealed that, broadly speaking, the M5 south of junction 21 operates within its traffic capacity for much of the year. It is predominantly a safe motorway with lower accident rates than others from across the country. Furthermore the existing performance of the route with regard to environmental, economic, integration and accessibility indicators suggests that, whilst improvements can be made, the route operates at a generally acceptable level.

The Route Management Strategy contains some 22 prioritised elements that include measures to provide real-time information, review and improve the operation of road works, and identify engineering solutions to driver error accidents.

The strategy has been developed to the extent possible within the timescale of a twelve month study. A number of the strategy elements will require further study to:

• determine the full costs of measures proposed;
• forecast the likely traffic effects and future benefits; and
• assess the value-for-money of strategy elements.

Further discussion and agreements will be needed with the various stakeholders for some measures to be delivered successfully.

Figure 1: The Route - M5 South of Junction 21 to 31