Highways Agency

Route management strategy poster - march 2004

Route Management Strategy Poster - March 2004

What is the M40/A40Route ManagementStrategy?

Transport and the way we travel is one ofthe greatest challenges that we facetoday. We all have a part to play andthis draft Route Management Strategy(RMS) is a way for you to have your sayin how we maintain and manage theM40/A40.

The M40/A40 RMS is one of a series ofstudies that are being undertaken for theentire trunk road network, identifyingproblems and helping us deliver a highquality service.

This draft RMS has been prepared afterconsideration of route functions,objectives and issues and the needs ofpeople who drive along, cross or livealongside the route. It has beenprepared following a detailed study,including discussions with key local andregional interests. The Highways Agencyis now consulting the public on this initialstrategy, which will be finalised takinginto account the responses received.

This leaflet focuses on problems andpossible solutions. The full draft RMSdocument sets out current and possiblefuture use functions and suggestedoutcomes for the route.

Route Managment Strategy

The M40/A40 covered in this RouteManagement Strategy runs for approximately87 miles (140km) from the boundary betweenGreater London and Buckinghamshire tojunction 3A of the M42 south of Birmingham.UK Highways M40 Ltd are responsible for theoperation of the M40 motorway betweenJunctions 1 and 15 on behalf of theHighways Agency. The operation of theremainder of the route is the directresponsibility of the Highways Agency.

Route Management Strategies are beingdeveloped by the Highways Agency toprovide a framework for managing individual trunk routes as part of wider transportnetworks. Route Management Strategies willinterlock with local transport strategies withinthe context established by Regional PlanningGuidance.

The technique has been developed in orderto: Assist the HA in planning and optimisinginvestment in the trunk road/motorwaynetwork; provide consistency, transparency,openness and integration, particular withother transport related strategies, includinglocal and regional transport plans; maximisecustomer focus; and improve forwardplanning over a 10 year horizon.

During preparation of the draft Route Management Strategy the followingproblems have been identified or reported to the Highways Agency

Route Problems		Possible Options
RP 1(Junction 1 to1A)	Congestion/rearshunts.	Improve carriageway markings. Study improved lighting at junctions and use of road studs. Study improvement to advance route signing &151; electronic incident/delay warning signage. Study enhanced road surface treatment. Study improved carriageway alignment at congested junctions and exit slip roads. Detailed study of accidents causes and possible solutions at individual junctions. Study how junction operation can be improved whilst reducing/removing congestion, including managing traffic if necessary.
RP 2(Junction 3)	Delays/accidentproblems.	Study improved advance warning signage for junctionslip roads / changes in carriageway width. Study current entry / exit slip road operation &151; problems merging eastbound (due to gradient &151; climbing lane).
RP 3(Along route)	Accidents/collisions.	Study provision of real time information (National Traffic Control Centre). Improve performance of accident clearance and maintenance. Detailed study of accident causes and possible solutions at individual junctions.
RP 4(Junction 8 toJ9)	Accident cluster Shabington Bend.	Improve carriageway markings. Improve carriageway surface where required.
RP 5 (Junction 10)	HGV's/hardshoulder parking.	Study improvement of existing junction slip road geometry. Study how junction operation can be improved whilst reducing/removing congestion on the motorway, including managing joining traffic if necessary.
RP 6(Junction 11 to 12)	Single vehicle accidents	Improve carriageway markings. Improve carriageway surface where required.
RP 7 (Junction 11)	Insufficient capacity.	Where necessary; Manage flows onto the motorway at peak times; ask local planning and transport authorities to alter spatial and transport plans; and new developments should not add to the M40 peak flows.
RP 8 (Along Route)	Large part of M40 corridor is green belt land, within an area of outstanding natural beauty.	Produce Biodiversity Action Plan and Environmental ManagementPlan for whole route subject to funding.
RP 8 (Along Route)	Large part of M40 corridor is green belt land, within an area of outstanding natural beauty.	Produce Biodiversity Action Plan and Environmental ManagementPlan for whole route subject to funding.
RP 9 (Junction 4)	Congestion and delay.	The Highways Agency is developing a major scheme to improvejunction operation.
RP 10 (Junction 12)	Future potential additional traffic.	Study how junction operation can be improved whilstreducing/removing congestion on the motorway, includingmanaging joining traffic if necessary.
RP 11 (Junction 14)	Peak period congestion.	Study provision of real time information (National Traffic Control Centre). Study how junction operation can be improved whilst reducing/removing congestion on the motorway, including managing joining traffic if necessary.
RP 12 (Junction 15)	Large volumes of traffic changing routes.	Consider implementation of longer term measures identified in Road Based Study. The Highways Agency is developing a major scheme to improve junction operation. Work is due to commence March 2004.
RP 13 (Junction 16)	Limited access and exit difficulty in diverting traffic around M42 J3A.	The Highways Agency is developing a Strategic M40 &151; M42 Diversion Strategy.
RP 14 (Junction 9)	Congestion/ Capacity problems.	The Highways Agency is developing a scheme to improve junction operation, with possible priority for buses and HGV's through the junction.
RP 15 (Junction 10)	Congestion and delays.	Study improvement of existing junction slip road geometry. Study how junction operation can be improved whilst reducing/removing congestion on the motorway, including managing joining traffic if necessary.
RP 16 (Junction 13)	Delays on A452. High collision rate. No northbound access/exit.	Study to assess improvements required for operation of J13 andJ14 jointly.
RP 17 (Junction 16)	Traffic diversion difficulties.	The Highways Agency is developing a Strategic M40 &151; M42 Diversion Strategy.
RP 18 (Junction 3)	Poor local traffic access.	Study improved advance warning signage for junction slip roads / changes in carriageway width Study current entry / exit slip road operation &151; problems merging eastbound (due to gradient &151; climbing lane).
RP 19 (Along route)	Ease of crossing motorway by foot, cycle, or horseback.	Highways Agency are currently studying proposals for crossingsalong the route.