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Route Functions
Initial Draft Strategy - July 2004
4 Route Functions
4.1 Background
The functions of the route described in this chapter are derived from the policies identified in the previous chapter. They are based on recent studies, including:
- South Coast Multi Modal Study (SoCoMMS)
- Rye Local Area Transport Strategy
The South Coast Multi Modal Study identified that the car is the most dominant method of transport in the area. An analysis of highway demands shows that there is considerable demand for local movements. However at present, the proportion of long distance travel along the south coast is low, as the alternative routes via the M25 are quicker, if somewhat less direct. However, this may not always be the case in future, as parts of this section of the M25 increasingly suffer from regular daily congestion.
4.2 Existing and future functions
Trunk Roads are important national routes for which the Secretary of State for Transport, rather than the local highway authority, is responsible. The Government has identified a 'core' network of nationally important roads, accounting for some 60 per cent of the earlier strategic network. These roads will continue to be managed and improved by the HA. The remainder were considered to serve local and regional needs and would be more appropriately managed by local authorities, and would be 'de-trunked'. It is not expected that HA would revisit the constitution of the core network, including the A259 and the A2070 within the foreseeable future.
The functions of a Trunk Road are:
- to provide an efficient route
- to provide reliable journey times
- to provide safe transportation of people and goods
- to be environmentally acceptable
- to be part of an integrated transport system
- to support sustainable development
4.2.1 The functions of the route are:
- F1 to provide a link between Sussex coastal towns and the Continental terminals of the Channel Tunnel, via Ashford International station and the terminal at Folkestone, and the port at Dover in the east. This route is an alternative to the longer but quicker A23 M23-M25-M20 route.
- F2 to provide a route for abnormal loads (high/wide/heavy vehicles). However, it is recognised that part of the route, the section between Hastings and Brenzett, is at present unsuitable for this.
- F3 to provide a link between the coastal towns and regional centres of population and employment, such as Tunbridge Wells (via A21), and Maidstone (via M20), although it is recognised that much of this traffic currently uses more direct routes.
- F4 to provide a primary link between Hastings and the designated strategic growth development area to the south of Ashford.
- F5 to provide local access to Hastings, Rye and Ashford.
- F6 to provide access between the M20 and the local airport at Lydd (A2070 only).
- F7 to provide for local industry, including agriculture.
- F7 to provide access for tourists.
4.3 Function performance
Table 4.1 relates the route functions with the factors that affect route performance. These are considered under the Government's five policy areas for transport.The ability for the route to meet its functions is limited by its narrow width and poor route alignment, particularly between Hastings and Brenzett. This has an adverse effect on safety, and accidents that result in road closures have a serious impact on journey times, as there are few diversionary routes. The route also passes through environmentally sensitive areas, which may inhibit widening or realignment.
| No. | Existing Route Functions | Factors Affecting Route Performance | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | Economy | Environment | Accessibility | Integration | ||
| F1 | Provides a link from Sussex coastal towns and the Continental terminals (Channel Tunnel and Dover) | Poor route alignment, and substandard junctions west of Brenzett contributes to the severity and number of accidents | Slow journey times due to poor alignment and costs of accidents on sub-standard sections of the route. If routine maintenance is carried out on narrow sections of the A259 traffic has to be diverted adding considerably to journey times. | Long distance traffic impacts on adjacent towns and villages along A259. The alignment of A259 cannot be improved, including widening of narrow sections, without a negative impact on adjacent SSSI. | No issue identified | No issue identified |
| F2 | Provides a route for abnormal loads | No issue identified | Slow journey times due to poor alignment and costs of accidents on sub-standard sections of the route. If routine maintenance is carried out or an accident occurs on narrow sections of the A259, traffic has to be diverted adding considerably to journey times. Two HGV's are unable to pass on these narrow sections and can cause delays to other users. | Not a serious issue as long as numbers of abnormal loads remain low | No issue identified | No issue identified |
| F3 | Provides a link between the coastal towns and regional centres of population and employment | Poor route alignment between Hastings and Brenzett contributes to the severity and number of accidents | Slow journey times due to poor alignment and costs of accidents on sub-standard sections of the route. If routine maintenance is carried out on narrow sections of the A259 traffic has to be diverted adding considerably to journey times. | Traffic impacts on adjacent towns and villages along A259. The alignment of A259 cannot be improved, including widening of narrow sections, without a negative impact on adjacent SSSI. | Access to bus stops is limited for some sections of the route and could cause social exclusion of certain groups of society. | Due to its mainly rural nature there is, at present, little opportunity for the provision of interchanges between road and public transport. |
| F4 | Provides a primary link servicing strategic development growth in south Ashford | Excessive speeds on the A2070 through south Ashford are contributory to the high number of accidents. Particular problem involving motorcycles losing control resulting in fatal injuries at Cloverleaf junction. | Congestion on the A2070 as it approaches J10 of the M20 causes delays and poor journey time reliability as J10 is already at capacity. Cost associated to high number of accidents on this section. | Possible noise /pollution impact on residential areas in south Ashford | Pedestrians and cyclists suffer severance crossing route at certain locations along this section. | As development to the south of Ashford grows it will create a greater need for integrated transport. Particularly the need to provide interchanges between road and public transport walking or cycling. |
| F5 | Provides local access to Hastings, Rye and Ashford | Poor route alignment and substandard junctions contributes to the severity and number of accidents to the west of Brenzett | Slow journey times due to poor alignment and costs of accidents on sub-standard sections of the route. If routine maintenance is carried out on narrow sections of the A259 traffic has to be diverted adding considerably to journey times. | Traffic impacts on adjacent towns and villages along A259. The alignment of A259 cannot be improved, including widening of narrow sections, without a negative impact on adjacent SSSI. | In places along the route there is poor access across the trunk road to bus stops, local facilities etc. with the trunk road causing severance of towns and villages. There is limited provision for cyclists, pedestrians and the mobility impaired along and across the route. | Due to its mainly rural nature there is, at present, little opportunity for the provision of interchanges between road and public transport.. |
| F6 | Provides access to the local airport at Lydd | No issue identified | Slow journey times due to poor alignment and costs of accidents on sub-standard sections of the route. If routine maintenance is carried out on narrow sections of the A259 traffic has to be diverted adding considerably to journey times. | Traffic impacts on adjacent towns and villages along A259. The alignment of A259 cannot be improved, including widening of narrow sections, without a negative impact on adjacent SSSI. | No issue identified | No issue identified. |
| F7 | Provides access for local industry, including agriculture | Substandard junctions on A259 section contribute towards the accidents on this section | Slow journey times due to poor alignment and costs of accidents on sub-standard sections of the route. If routine maintenance is carried out on narrow sections of the A259 traffic has to be diverted adding considerably to journey times. | Traffic impacts on adjacent towns and villages along A259. | Slow travel time on A259 west of Brenzett due to poor route alignment, and lack of public transport | No issued identified. |
| F8 | Provides access for tourists | Poor route alignment west of Brenzett contributes to the severity and number of accidents | Slow journey times due to poor alignment and costs of accidents on sub-standard sections of the route. If routine maintenance is carried out on narrow sections of the A259 traffic has to be diverted adding considerably to journey times. | Tourist traffic impacts on adjacent towns and villages along A259. | Poor accessibility not considered a major issue. | Due to its mainly rural nature there is, at present, little opportunity for the provision of interchanges between road and public transport. |
