Highways Agency

• 1.0 introduction
• 2.0 purpose of route management strategies
• 3.0 description of the route
• 4.0 route functions
• 5.0 route objectives
• 6.0 land use & development control statement
• 7.0 route problems and issues
• 8.0 route outcomes
• 9.0 review

1.0 introduction

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Highways Agency is currently developing Route Management Strategies for all routes within the Trunk Road and Motorway network providing a new approach to road investment planning. This new technique was highlighted in the Government's Integrated Transport White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone" published in July 1998. They will set out how each route is to be managed over the next ten years focussing on making better use of the existing road infrastructure and obtaining better value for money.

1.2 The purpose of developing Route Management Strategies is given in Section 2. This Route Management Strategy has been developed from a detailed study carried out by consultants and in consultation with key bodies, including local authorities, the police and users of the route.

1.3 The route runs from Blyth in Nottinghamshire, commencing at Blyth roundabout (Junction 34) and runs northwards to Junction 65 at the split of the A1 and A194(M) near Gateshead. It is 188km (118 miles) in length passing close to Doncaster, Pontefract, Wetherby, Darlington, Durham and Chester-le-Street. The route consists of four lengths of motorway, totalling 64 miles in length, linked together by 54 miles of all-purpose road. The route is rural in character. Further details on the route are found in Section 3.

1.4 Details of the Route Management Strategy for the route are set out in Sections 4 to 8 inclusive together with Appendices 1 and 2.

1.5 The Route Management Strategy requires that a policy on Development Control be produced setting out the Highways Agency's approach to further development affecting the route. Section 6 sets out the Development Control Policy. This policy will be specific to the route and will be used by the Highways Agency when considering future planning applications.

1.6 This Route Management Strategy will be reviewed on a regular basis as circumstances change. Further details of the review procedure are given in Section 9.

1.7 Various upgrading schemes are planned along the route over the next 10 years. These schemes are important in contributing to the delivery of the benefits set out in this Route Management Strategy. Details of these schemes are given in Appendix 3.