Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions.
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.
Traffic news on your desktop
Helpful ways to access the latest traffic information when you need it.
Report on the Final Route Management Strategy
A35/A31/A30 (Southampton to Exeter), Report on the Final Route Management Strategy
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 The Government's White Paper, "A New Deal For Transport: Better For Everyone",(HMSO Cm 3950 published 1998) set out a new policy strategy for the future of transportin the United Kingdom. In the section Making Best Use of Roads (p63) the governmentoutlined that it would "give top priority to improve maintenance and management ofexisting roads before building new ones".
The RMS process is about identifying problems on the route, setting objectives toimprove the route, and developing an action plan that can be delivered to bring aboutthose improvements.
It is about making best use of the roads we have, not building new ones.
1.1.2 In October 2000 Hyder Consulting Ltd were appointed by the Highways Agency toundertake a Route Management Strategy (RMS) Study for the A30/A35/A31 trunk roadbetween Junction 29 on the M5 near Exeter, and Junction 1 on the M27 nearSouthampton.
This report sets out the study conclusions of the study and presents the Final RouteManagement Strategy (Final RMS) in the form of an Overview and Ten YearManagement Plan that includes a Three Year Action Plan for the route. These Planshave been finalised following a 3 month formal Public Consultation on a Draft RouteManagement Strategy. In preparing the Final RMS full consideration has been given tothe views expressed by the public, stakeholders and consultees.
Details of the Public Consultation may be found in a separate Report which describesthe form of consultation, the views expressed, and how the results have been used torevise the Draft RMS.
The report has been prepared in accordance with the Highways Agency RouteManagement Strategy Guidance Document dated October 2000. Extracts from thisdocument are included in Appendix 1 and this includes an introduction to what a RouteManagement Strategy is, and provides an overview of the process leading to theadoption of the Strategy.
A glossary of terms is included in Appendix 2 and maps covering the route are includedin Appendix 8 in Volume 2.
This report and other reports referred to can be viewed and downloaded from the studyweb site, http://www.exso.org.uk/
1.2 History of Study to Date
1.2.1 The study commenced in October 2000 with the collection of data and a review of HAstrategic plans, regional and local transport plans, and the status of multi-modal studieshaving an impact on the route.
A Project Board was established comprising representatives from the Highways Agency,Government Office South West (also representing Government Office South East),Dorset County Council, Hampshire County Council, Connect Road Operators and MottMacDonald.
Connect Road Operators are the Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO)concessionaire for the A30/A35 from the M5 to Bere Regis, and Mott MacDonald are theManaging Agent for the A35/A31 from Bere Regis to the M27.
1.2.2 An internal workshop was held with the Project Board on 16 November 2000. Thisworkshop discussed the route's current functions in the national strategic, regional andlocal context, future objectives, and the current performance of the route.
A wide range of issues and problems were identified and information obtained on currentHA planned actions and studies which formed the basis of an initial RMS.
1.2.3 Three seminars were then held at Honiton, Dorchester and Ringwood in lateJanuary/early February 2001. A wide cross-section of interest groups was invited (356 inall).
A questionnaire was sent to all invitees to help identify what the problems and issuesare.
The seminars and questionnaires provided much valuable comment on the route'sfunctions and current problems, and what objectives should be set for its future use.
1.2.4 A first Value Management Workshop (VM1) was held on 11 April 2001 attended by thestakeholders. At this workshop broad agreement was reached on the route's functions,objectives and problems.
Agreement was also reached on a series of Action Studies to be carried out by theConsultants in order to assist in clarifying and quantifying what the problems are, and inpreparing the Draft Strategy. A report setting out the main conclusions of the workshopwas prepared and is available for reference.
A summary of the Action Study findings is given in Appendix 5 in Volume 2.
1.2.5 On conclusion of the Action Studies a preliminary Draft Strategy was prepared by theconsultants and discussed at a second Value Management Workshop (VM2) on 11September 2001.
Following VM2 the Draft Strategy was presented in a Report on the Draft RMS.
1.2.6 The Report on the Draft RMS formed the basis of a formal Public Consultation (PC)lasting 3 months from December 2001 to February 2002. The public consultation tookthe form of local exhibitions, press notices, and distribution of a pamphlet andquestionnaire to all stakeholders and consultees and the general public via localnewspapers and the website.
Following the PC, a detailed examination of responses has been made and someamendments made to the draft strategy. This report includes a summary of the changesmade to draft strategy as a result of the consultation.
Full details of the consultation, how it was conducted, analysis of the results, and how ithas affected the final strategy are set out in a separate report. The conclusions andrecommendations of that report are included in section 3.0 of this report forcompleteness.
1.3 Description of the Route (See Maps in Appendix 8 in Volume 2)
1.3.1 The route comprises the A30/A35/A31 trunk road between Junction 29 on the M5 nearExeter and Junction 1 on the M27 near Southampton.
The western half of the route (A30/A35) from the M5 to Bere Regis is the subject of aDesign, Build, Finance and Operate concession to Connect Road Operators.
The eastern half of the route (A35/A31) from Bere Regis to the M27 is managed by MottMacDonald as Managing Agent.
The route exhibits a wide range of characteristics throughout its length and for thepurpose of defining the Strategy the route will be considered under the following foursections:
1.3.2 Section 1: A30 from the M5 to Honiton (including the Honiton By-pass) (Section 1) 23kmThis length is part of the national strategic road network and is a Trans-European RoadNetwork ("TERN") route.
It comprises grade-separated dual carriageway throughout and traffic flows currentlyvary from over 30,000 Annual Average Daily Totals (AADT) near the M5, reducing toabout 19,000 AADT towards Honiton. Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV's) comprise about8%. The A30 from Exeter to the start of the Honiton by-pass has recently beenconstructed by Connect.
Daily flows in the summer (July/August) are 19,500 Average Daily Traffic (ADT) towardsHoniton.
1.3.3 Section 2: The A35 from Honiton to Dorchester (Sections 2 to 5) 57km
This length comprises almost entirely a single carriageway road, but with significantvariations in standard from "original" unimproved carriageway (about 60%) to modernsingle carriageway by-passing towns such as Axminster and the south of Bridport (about35%).
Traffic flows range from about 10,000 to 14,000 AADT. HGV's comprise about 6%Daily flows in the summer (July/August) range from 13,500 to 17,200 ADT.
This section lies almost entirely within Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and passesthrough some nine communities (Honiton East, Wilmington, Kilmington, Raymond's Hill,Morcombelake, Chideock, London Inn Hamlet, east Bridport and Winterbourne Abbas). In some cases it comprises the "high street".
Much of the route falls well below modern standards for a trunk road.
1.3.4 Section 3: The A35/A31 from Dorchester to Wimborne Minster (Sections 6 to 10) 40km
The road standard therefore varies significantly from original single carriageway (51%) tomodern single carriageway (15%) and modern, fully grade-separated dual carriageway(34%).
Traffic flows range from 15,000 - 20,000 AADT with about 8 % HGV's
Daily flows in the summer (July/August) range from 21,100 to 29,700 ADT.
All of the communities along this length have been by-passed with the exception ofWinterborne Zelston. However, there are direct frontages along most of the unimprovedsections (eg at Henbury).
1.3.5 Section 4: The A31 from Wimborne Minster to the M27 (Sections 11 to 13) 33kmApart from the first 6km, this length is entirely dual carriageway with most majorjunctions grade-separated from St Ives onwards.
Traffic flows vary from 29,000 to 75,000 AADT with about 8% HGV's
Daily flows in the summer (July/August) range from 33,300 to 73,500 ADT.
This length includes the Wimborne Minster and Ferndown by-passes, after which itpasses immediately adjacent to the communities of St Leonards, St Ives and Ringwoodmaking this the most urbanised section of the route. The final section passes throughthe New Forest which is under consideration for National Park status.
1.4 The Policy Context
The Strategy has been developed in the context of a range of policy documentsincluding Government Objectives and Policies, The Highways Agency Strategic Plans,Local Transport Plans, Regional Transport Strategies and strategies emerging fromMulti-Modal Studies managed by Regional Government Offices.
Relevant Policies are set out in Appendices 3 and 4.
