Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Related pages

• 1 introduction
• 2 data collection
• 3 route functions
• 4 route objectives
• 5 route problems
• 6 route actions

1 introduction

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 General

Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd. has been commissioned by the Highways Agency, as part of theRoute Management Strategy (RMS) (North) Framework Consultancy Agreement, to undertake the M55 Blackpool to the M6, Route Management Strategy.

1.2 Overview

The Route Management Strategy for the M55 has been developed in order to provide a framework for managing the route, which will help to enhance the route as a part of the wider transport network.

The Strategy will encompass the Highways Agency Strategic Plans, and has been developed after consultation with the local authorities of Blackpool, Preston and Fylde, with reference to their general and transport plans. An assessment of regional strategy documents produced by organisations such as the North West Regional Assembly, the North West DevelopmentAgency, and the Strategic Rail Authority has also been undertaken in order to establish the current situation with regard to integration with other forms of transport.

The Strategy has been formulated after following many established processes, which involve the collection of established data on the route; the collection of new data deemed relevant to the study; and feedback from representatives from various local organisations and the general public.

The general aims of the RMS are as follows:

• To assist the Highways Agency in planning ahead with the most effective forms of investment in the trunk road/motorway network
• To provide integration with other forms of transport
• To increase customer awareness of the processes involved in route planning.

This report is the culmination of seven months study into the route. Further information can befound in the previous reports written for the RMS, these are:

• Inception Report
• Key Data Report
• Data Collection Report
• Route Performance Framework Report
• Action Studies Report

This report will bring together all the previous reports, which have led to the formulation of theProblem and Action Identification Frameworks, the Route Management Plan, and the RouteAction Plan. The report will identify the actions necessary to eliminate problems and potential issues identified which would otherwise have an adverse effect on the operation of the route, thereby ensuring the route achieves its objectives in to the future.

1.3 Route Sections

For the purposes of this study the route was split up into sections so it would be easier to analyse more specific areas more accurately. The M55 runs through sparsely populated areas, and is divided by three junctions, it was therefore felt logical to divide each section at junction locations.

• Section 1 M55 Junction 4 to M55 Junction 3
• Section 2 M55 Junction 3 to M55 Junction 1
• Section 3 M55 Junction 1 to M6 Junction 32

1.4 Problem and Action Identification Frameworks

The Problem Identification Framework has been produced from studies undertaken during production of Route Performance Indicators (RPI) and further Action Studies, which were deemed necessary. The background to the RPI's can be found in the Route Performance Framework Report. The problems encountered have been detailed in Section 4 of this report.The Action Identification Report tackles the elements described in the Problem Identification Framework, and forms the outline of plans to eradicate or improve each element. Detailed descriptions of the Actions can be found in Section 5, and both Frameworks can be found inAppendix A.

1.5 Route Management Plan

The Route Management Plan is a ten-year plan, which lists the proposed actions in order ofpriority. The plan does not detail specific tasks to be undertaken but gives an outline of the actions and their approximate chronology. The actions are split into four separate areas, which will help to programme the work and monitor progression.

1.6 Route Action Plan

The Route Action Plan is a three-year plan based on the first three years of the RouteManagement Plan. More detailed descriptions have been used here, but have still been grouped in the same original categories used for the Route Management Plan.

Both the Route Management Plan, and the Route Action Plan can be found in Appendix B.

1.7 Review

The Route Action Plan is to be updated annually with any changes in the route functions and problems being incorporated.

The entire strategy will be subject to review every three years, or sooner if it is felt that an unexpected change in the route performance has occurred. This review will cover any achievements or otherwise of the original strategy, and report on further actions required.