Highways Agency

• 1. introduction
• 2. scheme proposals
• 3. engineering assessment
• 4. environmental assessment
• 4. environmental assessment (continued)
• 4. environmental assessment (continued)
• 4. environmental assessment (continued)
• 4. environmental assessment (continued)
• 4. environmental assessment (continued)
• 4. environmental assessment (continued)
• 4. environmental assessment (continued)
• 4. environmental assessment (continued)
• 4. environmental assessment (continued)
• 4. environmental assessment (continued)
• 5. traffic and economic assessment

4. environmental assessment (continued)

4. Environmental Assessment (continued)

4.9 Vehicle Travellers

4.9.1 Introduction

This chapter assesses the impact of the Alternative Proposal on Vehicle Travellers in terms of journey ambience. Journey ambience refers to the quality of the journey and can be affected, positively or negatively by travellers themselves and by the journey surroundings.

Traveller care refers to the facilities that improve en-route ambience including lay-bys, service areas and travel information along the route. The proposal does not involve construction of these en-route facilities and the impacts here would be neutral. The two issues which are examined include views from the road and driver stress.

'Views from the road' have the potential to make a journey more interesting due to the different types of scenery through which a route passes. Aspects to be considered relate to the extent to which travellers may be able to view the scenery, the various types of scenery, quality of the landscape and features of particular interest.

'Driver stress' is defined as the adverse mental and physiological effects experienced by a driver traversing a road network. Factors influencing the level of stress include road layout and geometry, surface characteristics, junction frequency, and speed and flow per lane. The extent of stress will depend on the travellers driving skills and experience, temperament, knowledge of the route and state of health.

4.9.2 Method of Assessment

The assessment is predominantly a qualitative one and has been undertaken in accordance with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 11, Section 3, Part 9, Vehicle Travellers.

4.9.3 Existing Conditions

Landscape quality is a term used to indicate value based on character, condition and aesthetic appeal which is informed by various landscape character assessments and guidance notes. These include the Countryside Agency's guidance 'Landscape Character Assessment' April 2002, Huntingdonshire Landscape and Townscape Assessment June 2003, Cambridge Greenbelt Study September 2002 and the Cambridgeshire Landscape Guidelines. The majority of the study area, south of the existing A14 consists of good quality landscape with its undulating landform, frequent vegetation, small villages and hamlets. The landscape north of the A14 is considered to be of ordinary quality due to its flat open and unchanging nature with little vegetation. The landscape in the vicinity of the River Great Ouse is considered to be of Attractive Quality.

4.9.4 Effect of Proposed Routes on the Traveller

TRAVELLERS VIEWS

The extent to which the option would augment travellers' views is difficult to assess, even on a subjective basis, until more detail is known about the design of the scheme.

Form east to west, the Alternative Proposal passes over the River Great Ouse on a 13m high viaduct, providing views of the surrounding landscape, which is assessed as being attractive and good quality. East of the A1198, the scheme would be on an embankment of 3m, thus providing for new and attractive views to the south of the South Cambridgeshire plateau. As such, between Ellington and Fenstanton, the option would contribute to the enhancement of travellers' views as it traverses open countryside.

The majority of this scheme running west of A1198 is in deep cutting or low embankments of 2m. It would not open up any significant views of the surrounding countryside.

DRIVER STRESS

The Alternative Proposal would reduce driver frustration, which contributes to traveller stress, as the new road would help to increase the average speed of vehicles and increase opportunities for over-taking of slower moving vehicles. It would reduce the fear of accidents which can also contribute to traveller stress and reduce potential pedestrian/vehicle conflict and turning movements. However, increased flow and speed of traffic would also increase fear.

The route option incorporates a number of structures, including Brampton (A1) and Ellington. In addition there are other crossings and footpath/accommodation crossings.

These structures will generate a degree of route uncertainty, which is also a factor in assessing traveller stress. However, this will be alleviated by route specific and general road signage, which will be provided in accordance with the DETR's guidelines for road building. In the short term the Alternative Proposal would lead to uncertainty because it deviates from the existing A14. However, this perception should quickly dissipate as travellers become familiar with the new road layout.

Driver stress - frustration and route uncertainty - would be exacerbated during the construction phase as a result of road closures and diversions associated with the replacement viaduct.

4.9.5 Summary

The provision of a high quality road, the reduced potential for accidents and reduction in traveller stress would contribute to enhancing the quality of the journey for travellers.

The proposal is assessed as neutral in accordance with the TAG methodology, in terms of the Journey Ambience sub-objective.

4.9.6 Comparison with CHUMMS Strategy

The impact on traveller views - enhancement - is considered to be equal for both options since it involves the same route. The impact in relation to driver stress would be similar. Frustration levels experienced by travellers would be slightly higher for the Alternative Proposal due to lower speeds associated with a dual carriageway; however slower speeds of traffic would result in lower fear levels.

During the construction phase for the replacement viaduct, stress levels (frustration and route uncertainty) would be made worse for travellers due to added congestion and road diversions.