Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

A38 Derby Junctions Study

Terms of Reference

Study to consider options for dealing with congestion at the junctions of the A38 with the A52, the A5111 and the A61 at Derby

1. Study Brief

1.1 Background

1.1.1 "A New deal For Trunk Roads in England", published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) in July 1998, proposed a series of studies to address problems on the strategic trunk road network, which were not addressed in the Targeted Programme of Improvements being taken forward over the next 7 years. On 23rd March 1999, following consultation with Regional Planning Bodies, DETR announced the final programme of 27 studies and the timetable for taking these forward.

There are two kinds of study:

Multi-Modal Studies will examine the role of the transport modes in major urban areas or inter -urban corridors to consider the contributions that each and make to tackling transport problems. They will also reflect the strategic priorities for future land use and how transport options can reduce them. There are 17 such studies.

Road-Based Studies will look for solutions to more localized problems on the roads network. The emphasis here will be on solutions, which make the best use of road infrastructure, taking full account of safety and environmental considerations. There are 10 road-based studies, of which this study into congestion and safety at 3 junctions on the A38 Derby is one.

1.1.2 The results of the studies will need to be taken into account in Regional Transport Strategies which are to be prepared by Regional Planning Conferences in their updating of Regional Planning Guidance. The regional transport strategy will be based on the promotion of sustainable forms of transport to ensure that solutions to transport problems are developed in a manner consistent with the governments integrated transport policy. In some cases, where studies cover large areas and the output contains a strategy element, the study output could form a significant component of a Regional Transport Strategy. However, it is more likely that the A38 Derby Junctions Study will be seen as a source of information and advice about how the transport system and its interaction with the land-use system, in the immediate vicinity should be developed. Although of undoubted importance, it will be only one of a number of elements for consideration for inclusion in the Regional Transport Strategy and Regional Planning Guidance.

1.1.3 The study should identify the most appropriate ways of addressing the problems in the light of developing Government policy. A list of key documents is given at Annex A. However, the outputs will be in the form of recommendations to implement policies or interventions in principle, as opposed to fully developed schemes ready for statutory procedures and implementation.

1.1.4 The work of the study needs to be sufficiently detailed to ensure that the decisions to proceed with the implementation of any particular policy or invention are robust. By this, it is meant that a decision should not be different if the analysis had been conducted at a greater level of detail and precision. The aim should be to carry out the study at a level of detail, which is just sufficient to enable confident decisions to be taken about what initiatives to progress.

1.2 Overall Aim

1.2.1 There is no specific and separate guidance for Road Based Studies, but he guiding principles of the MVA Methodology for Multi Modal Studies (GOMMS), a copy of which is enclosed, should be followed where there is potential for this. The overall aim of the project is to use the underlying principles of this methodology to:-

1. Carry out an in-depth appraisal of the congestion, safety and development problems at three at-grade junctions on the A38 in Derby (hereafter referred to as the junctions), at present and for the future to the year 2021, drawing on previous work undertaken wherever possible and considering:
   • The road improvements necessary to reduce congestion and improve safety;
   • The contributions which different modes of transport can make to developing alternative solutions to problems
   • The potential effects of an integrated transport approach.
2. Identify viable, sustainable and costed options for future measures to address current forecast problems; and
3. Recommend:
   • A preferred strategy for action and investment
   • A detailed range of measures necessary to implement the strategy, showing the potential benefits and cost effectiveness of each.

1.3 Study Area

1.3.1 The A38 through Derby is part of an important strategic route linking the West Midlands to the M1at Junction 28. There are 3 at-grade junctions in Derby where serious congestion occurs; A38/ A511 (Kingsway Roundabout), A38/A52 (Markeaton Roundabout) A38/A61 (Abbey Hill).

1.3.2 The locations of the three junctions are defined in figure 1. However, the consultants will also need to have regard for issues and developments, which originate outside the locations but may impact upon them. A list of some of the factors, which may well impact on the scope of the study, is at Annex B.

1.4 Objectives

1.4.1 In accordance with the guiding principles of GOMMS, the consultants will be required to:

1. Assess the scale and nature of existing and future congestion and other transport problems at the junctions. This will include an assessment of environmental problems (e.g. noise, air pollution), related problems on the local highway network and existing and potential problems for public transport, which could affect the scope for modal shift:
2. Consider planned and possible future development needs and pressures affecting the study area, including those further a field that will have an effect upon the junctions, and assess their impact on the operation of the junctions:
3. Consider the impact on transport of proposed and potential developments in the area:
4. Identify a comprehensive range of strategies, consistent with the policies set out in the Integrated Transport White Paper and Roads Review Report, that could be used to tackle the transport problems of the study area identifying:
   • Scope for road improvements to reduce congestion and improve safety at these junctions
   • Scope for improving cycling, pedestrian and equestrian facilities
   • Scope for modal shift and public transport measures to reduce congestion at the junctions - all modes of travel should be considered and any scope for park and ride sites in the vicinity should be taken into account;
   • Freight movements options, including the scope to transfer traffic from road to rail,
   • Scope for environmental improvements;
   • The impact on transport on planned and foreseeable developments;
   • Implications for bodies with relevant policy, operational or representational roles (e.g. local authorities; public transport operators; chambers of commerce);
   • Resource implications;
   • Possible timing:
   • Likely effectiveness;
   • Performance against New Approach to Appraisal criteria; and
   • Road safety implications, including their effects on vulnerable road users
5. Identify a preferred strategy and a more detailed range of measures necessary to implement it (including measures to cover trunk road and local road networks and public transport infrastructure, and to include traffic management, new infrastructure and proposals for public transport);
6. Ensure the consistency of the strategy and measures with other strategies affecting the study area, especially those to be delivered in the North South movements in the East Midlands and West Midlands to Nottingham Multi-Modal Studies.
7. Take account of the relevant issues, including those identified in Annexes A and B
8. Ensure that the recommendations put forward are consistent with the principles of sustainable development;
9. Flag up significant implications of individual options for specific economic and social sectors and the mobility impaired.
10. Identify the likely cost of implementing the recommended strategy and the best means of resourcing it including:
    • Existing and potential funding sources, including developer contributions;
    • Links to other investment; and
    • Specific action, which can be taken by Government, local authorities and other partners in support of the strategy;
11. Be alert to the developing thinking of the Integrated Transport Commission and the shadow Strategic Rail Authority; and
12. Recognise and accommodate the need for emergency vehicle access to all transport routes at all times.

1.4.2 Specific objectives for this study are to identify:

1. The opportunities for the provision of a bus/and rail based park and ride sites including consideration of highway access arrangements and complementary measures required to facilitate services having particular regard to existing traffic conditions on the local road network;
2. The scope for providing bus priority measures.
3. Other bus-based opportunities including consideration of the viability of access to the conceptual Mickleover/ Mackworth express bus way.
4. The opportunities to reduce severance between communities on either side of the AQ38; and
5. Scope to improve the landscape and environment of Markeaton Park.
6. Scope for improving conditions for pedestrians, cyclist and equestrians.