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A419/A417 RMS Leaflet
A419/A417 RMS Leaflet
Introduction
The Highways Agency maintains, operates and improves the strategic road network in England. Route Management Strategies are a new approach to manage the trunk road network.
In preparing the strategy for the A419/A417 we have looked at what functions the road should be serving and how well it is doing this. From this we identified the problems and decided what is needed for the route to do what we want ( objectives ). This has been arrived at following a detailed study of the route and consultation with interested parties at a seminar andworkshops.
The proposed draft strategy is the resulting plan of actions needed to bring the road up to the standard that we all want.
This pamphlet outlines the proposed strategy for the A419/A417 and invites the views of the general public.
What are we proposing?
In order to meet the Route Strategy Objectives, a number of Actions are proposed for the A419/ A417. These have been divided into High, Medium and Low Priority Actions as shown, all of which are subject to normal approval procedures. A brief summary and aims of the high priority actions is also given.
- The A419/A417 study route runs from M4 junction 15 in Swindon to Zoons Court roundabout (north of M5 junction 11a) in Gloucestershire.
- The route forms part of the core trunk road network.
- The majority of the route is dual carriageway and is approximately 53 kilometres (33 miles) long.
- There is a 5km section of single carriageway near Birdlip and Brockworth.
- Nearly half the route lies within the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
There are a number of route issues which are not included in the priority actions because the solutions are classified as major schemes (i.e. costing over £5m) which have either been identified in other studies such as the Blunsdon Study, (Blunsdon Bypass including grade separation of Turnpike and Commonhead grade separation) or due to be the subject of a future study (as for the Missing Link between Nettleton and Brockworth bypass).
The Regional Planning Assembly will be advised of these is sues for them to take forward through the Regional Trans port Plan.
Interim small scale improvements at Birdlip are imminent, so this issue has been excluded from the list. Once in place, the need for further works will be reviewed.
| Some current problems with the route are described below . These are considered withinthe government objectives for transport. | |
|---|---|
| To protect and enhance the built and natural Environment. | Traffic using local roads and lanes to avoid congestion. Traffic noise. Landscape issues. Lack of biodiversity information. |
| To improve Safety for all travellers. | Lack of hard shoulder style 1m strip. Minor junctions. Sub-standard lay-bys and bus stops. Safety problems at congested junctions. Inadequate non-motorised user facilities. Inadequate Services, espespeciallyr HGV's. Poor quality signing. Inconsistent lighting. |
| To contribute to an efficient Economy and to support sustainable economic growth in appropriate locations. | Slow moving vehicles and HGV's. Lack of driver information. Congestion. |
| To promote Accessibility to everyday facilities for all, espespeciallyose without a car. | Restricted movements at junctions. Poor pedestrian facilities. Lack of facilities for mobility impaired persons. Poor bus facilities. Poor cycle facilities. Heavy mainline traffic restricting access. |
| To promote Integration of all forms of transport and land use planning, leading to a better, more efficient transport system. | Inadequate signing and information on public transport. |
| High Priority Actions | |
|---|---|
| H1 Grove Farm Function | Progress current scheme for improved access to invincreasefety |
| H2 IdeIdentifyd implement safety improvements | Avoid conflict where footway converges with the A419 verge at Cricklade |
| h2 Castle Eaton Junction | Identify options to improve safety and progress scheme if feasible |
| H4 Cold Slad Junction | Identify options to improve safety and progress scheme if feasible |
| H5 Dorcan Junction, A420 Junction and A631 Junction | Consider implementing the safety improvements identified in the Blunsdon Study |
| H6 Provide or improve crossing facilities | Set up a programme to provide safe facilities for those who wish to cross the road |
| H7 Provision for HGV's | Assess current facilities for HGV's and improve standard of services in partnership with others as required |
| H8 Bus Stop Strategy | Develop a strategy to ensure an acceptable standard of facilities at bus stops in partnership with bus companies |
| H9 Signing Strategy | Set up a signing working group in partnership with the local authorities to introduce signing for clarity, safety, consistency and sense of identity |
| H10 Noise migration measures | Provide measures along the route around Swindon to reduce traffic noise for residents |
| H11 Landscape Strategy and update Landscape Management Plan | Review existing Landscape Management Plan and adopt a strategy that comcomplimentse Biodiversity Plan |
| H12 Develop Biodiversity Plan | Produce plan to identify and protect species for the success of wildlife and plants |
| H13 M4 Junction 15 | Implement improvements for safety and operation of the junction in cooco-ordinationth other proposals for the M4 as identified in the Blunsdon Study |
| H14 Cycle-friendly road treatments | Develop a strategy to provide cycle-friendly measures and encourage safe cycling |
| H15 Measures to discourage use of in appropriate roads | HA to work in partnership with local authorities to restrict or calm tratraffic minor roads |
| H16 Petrol Filling Stations | Possible access improvements in partnership with others to improve safety and access |
| Medium Priority Actions | |
| M1 Rationalise minor junctions, private accesses and field accesses. | |
| M2 Improve visibility at minor priority junctions which curcurrentlyuse difdifficulties | |
| M3 Improve the standard of lay-bys. | |
| M4 Continue noise study work to find where measures would have a positive benefit. | |
| M5 Introduce new section of lighting north of Blunsdon Hill. | |
| M6 Introduce footway lighting according to demand. | |
| M7 Provide a 1 metre wide hard shoulder style hard strip at selected locations. | |
| Low Priority Actions | |
| L1 Provide new lay-bys. | |
| L2 Increase parapet heights on overbridges where used by horse-riders. | |
| L3 Electronic signs to provide current traffic information. | |
Route Functions
The strategic functions of the route are as follows:
- It forms part of the core trunk road network.
- To provide a link between the M4 and M5 motorways for traffic between the south and the midlands and the north.
The regional functions of the route are:
- To provide links to and between the regional centres of population and employment including Swindon, Gloucester and Cheltenham areas.
- To provide a bypass for traffic around towns such as Swindon, Cricklade, Cirencester, Stratton and Brockworth.
- To provide a route for freight traffic that serves industries in the area.
- To cater for tourist traffic attracted to the Cotswolds.
- To provide the road infrastructure for public transport services that serve the surrounding towns and villages.
The local functions of the route are:
- To provide access onto and egress from the M4 and M5 for settlements in thelocal area.
- To form a peripheral route around large population areas, such as to the east of Swindon, acting as a distributor of traffic onto radial routes into the town.
- To provide a cycle route for local trips at certain locations.
- To provide a pedestrian route within localised areas such as Blunsdon.
Route Objectives
The objectives of the 10 year strategy for the route are given below.
Environment
- To seek to minimise environmental impact in designated nature conservation sites.
- To seek to minimise the impact on and to protect ancient monuments.
- To protect and minimise the environmental impact on the Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty.
- To identify locations where traffic noise levels are identified as a problem and mitigate in line with Government policy.
- To seek to improve air quality in accordance with Air Quality Action Plans.
- To optimise use of the route and thus support local authorities in the removal ofunsuitable traffic from local roads.
- To use environmentally friendly lighting.
- To seek to maintain a clean and tidy route.
- To ensure effective measures are in place to protect and enhance water quality along the route.
- To protect and enhance existing flora and fauna.
Safety
- To improve safety at identified accident cluster sites.
- To improve the safety of junctions.
- To improve the standard of remaining direct accesses.
- To improve safety during maintenance works.
- To provide new or improved lighting where this would improve safety.
- To achieve a consistent high standard of signing along the route.
- To encourage road users to travel at an appropriate speed.
- To improve user security.
- To seek to improve safety for more vulnerable users, particularly cyclists andpedestrians.
- To improve access to and egress from existing layblay-bysng the route.
- To consider opportunities to improve safety of operation and maintenance e.g. provision of hard strips.
Economy
- To minimise traffic disruption due to roadworks.
- To facilitate developments to support the objectives of the Regional PlanningGuidance.
- To plan all works to achieve optimum whole life costs with minimal disruption to users.
- To maximise availability of the route for users and also the serviceability of road, structures and other highway equipment.
- To minimise congestion.
- To minimise the effects of breakdowns or accidents on the local economy.
- To facilitate the promotion of alternative freight modes.
Accessibility
- To improve access to/for public transport.
- To improve pedestrian, cyclist and equestrian crossing arrangements.
- To improve facilities for non-motorised users along the route.
- To make appropriate provisions to encourage the use of public transport.
- To reduce community severance.
- To seek to improve the quality and quantity of user facilities, e.g. service stations,adequate facilities for HGV drivers and adequate lay-bys along the route.
Integration
- To improve user information.
- To increase knowledge of user patterns and needs (e.g. Park and Ride feasibility).
- To make better use of the route by working in partnership with road users, transportproviders and operators, local authorities and those affected by the network.
- To support the Regional Transport Strategy and Local Transport and DevelopmentPlans.
Come to a Public Exhibition
You will have an opportunity to find out more and comment as part of the PublicConsultation process. Exhibitions will be held at:-
- Madison Hotel, A419/A420 junction, Swindon. Wed 7th Nov, 2001 (3pm - 7pm)
- The Parade shopping centre, central Swindon. Thu 8th Nov, 2001 (10am - 4pm)
- Gloucester Suite, Moat House Hotel, Brockworth. Fri 9th Nov, 2001 (12noon - 7pm)
- Kingshill School, Kingshill Lane, Cirencester. Sat 10th Nov, 2001 (10am - 4pm)
What Happens Next?
The draft strategy is currently available for Public Consultation. Any comments received during this process will be considered before its publication. On completion of this stage, the A419/A417 Route Management Strategy will be finalised and implemented by the Highways Agency.
Additional Information
More detailed information regarding the Highways Agency's proposals for managing the A419/A417 are included in the draft Route Management Strategy document. This can be obtained from the Highways Agency or viewed at the following locations.
- Swindon Borough Council Offices, Premier House, Swindon.
- Shire Hall, Gloucestershire.
- District/Borough Council Offices.
- Libraries within the area:-
Swindon : Chiseldon, Liden and Upper Stratton Libraries.
North Wiltshire : Chippenham (incl. mobile service), Cricklade, Purton and Wooton Bassett Libraries.
For more general information on the Highways Agency, you can contact the Customer Services Hotline on: 08457 50 40 30
We Want Your Views!
If you wish to comment on the A419/A417 Route Management Strategy, please complete the questionnaire here.
Alternatively/additionally you may wish to write to the following address:
Vinny Mott
Babtie Group Limited
Churchill House
Churchill Way
Cardiff CF10 2HH
or e-mail us at: a419a417rms@babtie.com
All comments to be received by Friday 25th January, 2002.
