Highways Agency

• 1. introduction
• 2. the route
• 3. consultation
• 4. policy objectives
• 5. route functions and performance
• 6. land use & development control statement
• 7. route problems and issues
• 8. route outcomes
• 9. initial strategy impact statement
• 10. conclusion

1. introduction

1. Introduction

1.1 Atkins were commissioned by the Highways Agency, in June 2003, to prepare aRoute Management Strategy (RMS) for the A303 trunk road throughout its lengthfrom Honiton to the M3. The route under consideration is 160 km in length and hasbeen divided into 9 sections, which have been determined by user needs andspecific route functions.

What is a Route Management Strategy

1.1.1 Route Management Strategies (RMS) are a technique that has been developed bythe Highways Agency to provide a framework for managing trunk roads andmotorways. The aim of the process is to take a holistic view of the problems andissues along a defined element of the network. From this is developed a series ofoutcomes to provide guidance to the Highways Agency in the needs of the route inthe short and medium terms. The RMS will interlock with local transport strategieswithin the context established by Regional Planning Guidance.

1.2 The development of Route Management Strategies assists the Highways Agency(HA) to achieve its Strategic Aim which is:

• To contribute to sustainable development by maintaining, operating andimproving the trunk road network in support of the Government's integratedtransport and land use planning policies.

1.3 Route Management Strategies are assessed against the Government's five keyinvestment criteria:

• Safety;
• Economy;
• Environment;
• Accessibility; and
• Integration.

RMS relationship with swarmms and large improvement schemes

1.4 The London to South West and South Wales Multi-Modal Study (SWARMMS)recommended in 2002 that the A303 be upgraded to dual carriageway standardthroughout its length to form a second major road corridor from London to the SouthWest. The study recommended a number of major improvement schemes tocomplete the dualling.

1.5 Importantly though, the overall aim of the A303 RMS is to improve the day to daymanagement of the existing route as a whole, through the implementation of minorshort to medium term measures.

This report

1.6 This report presents the final Route Management Strategy following the outcomes ofthe A303 RMS Seminar on 17th October 2003 and the Public Consultation inDecember 2003.

1.7 The report comprises the following:

• The Route - Section 2;
• Consultation - Section 3;
• Policy Objectives - Section 4;
• Route Functions and Performance - Section 5;
• Land Use and Development Control Statement - Section 6;
• Route Problems and Issues - Section 7;
• Initial Strategy Impact Statement - Section 8;
• Route Outcomes - Section 9; and
• Conclusion - Section 10.