Roads Review - what role for trunk roads in England? - consultation paper

The South West

Route hierarchy

The M4 from the Second Severn Crossing (opened in July 1996) to Junction 15 at Swindon is a part of the important strategic route between London, South Wales and the West country (via M5). The M5 between the M50 at Strensham and Exeter forms part of the strategic route into the South West peninsula from London, the Midlands and the North. Around Bristol both motorways serve as regional and local distributors. The M32 is of great local importance as the motorway link between M4 and the centre of Bristol. The M48/M49 forms part of the Severn Crossings Approach Roads network, including the first Severn Bridge now on the M48.

The A417/419 between the M4 at Swindon to M5 at Gloucester link the two motorways. The route is managed as part of a DBFO. It serves local traffic from Swindon and Gloucester and provides a link for traffic from the South of England to the West Midlands and the North West.

The A30/A303 trunk road links the M3, just south of Basingstoke, to the M5 at Exeter and the A30 west of Exeter, which is Devon and Cornwall's main spine road and the main route into and out of Cornwall. The A303 is an alternative to the M4/M5 between London and Exeter; whilst longer in distance, the motorway is normally quicker. However, increases in motorway congestion, and improvements to the A30/A303 are likely to make this route increasingly more important.

The A30/A35 between Exeter and Bere Regis is part of two strategic routes: the South Coast trunk road from Folkestone to Honiton (A259, A27, M27, A31 and A35) and the London to Exeter trunk road (M3, A303, A30). The A35 connects the South West peninsula to the South Coast ports but carries comparatively less traffic; the route is managed as part of a DBFO.

The A38 is the main route connecting South Devon, Plymouth and parts of South East Cornwall to the trunk network. The section between Exeter and Plymouth forms an extension of the M5, is the main access to Plymouth and is the country's first Expressway. The A361/A39 is the main route connecting North Devon and North Cornwall to the trunk road network at the M5 and A30 respectively.

The A46/A36 between the M4 and the M27 connect the South Coast Ports and Bristol, South Wales and the West Midlands. The trunk route is not continuous through the City of Bath.

The A40 between Oxford and Ross on Wye lost its importance as a strategic link, firstly when Severn Bridge was opened and all traffic to South Wales no longer needed to go via Gloucester and, more recently, when M40/M42 was completed. Proposals have been published to detrunk the route through Cheltenham and replace it by trunking a local road, the A436, which connects with M5 at Junction 11A. Traffic could then use M5 to rejoin the A40 at M5 Junction 11.

Detrunking has been sought for the A48 between Chepstow to Gloucester for many years, but has been opposed by the local authorities, most recently because of the diversion of HGV traffic from M4 Severn Bridge around Gloucester.

Traffic

Traffic flows on M4 range between around 60,000 at the eastern end, reducing to about 50,000 in rural Wiltshire but rising again to about 90,000 around the urban fringe of Bristol. HGV percentages hover around 13-15%, although they rise to about 20% on the M4 Severn crossing (about 30% of all vehicles crossing the estuary use the M48 crossing). There is congestion at junctions in and around Bristol and Swindon during the peak hours and studies done in 1989 indicated that trip lengths on M4 were quite short. Around Bristol a substantial proportion of all traffic is "junction hopping" and leaves at the first or second junction after joining. The M32 has traffic flows of about 46,000 and is congested in the peaks.

Traffic flows on M5 around Bristol are approximately 80,000, and range between 50-65,000 over the rest of its length to Exeter. There is congestion around Bristol in the peak hours, particularly at Avonmouth Bridge which is a pinch point as the only river bridge on the western side of the city centre. Traffic flows increase markedly during the summer holiday period and on bank holiday weekends, in particular on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, leading to very long queues, up to 20 kilometres long.

Traffic volumes are over 40,000 at the southern end of the A417/A419 where it serves Swindon. Flows reduce to around 18,000 on the central part of the route north of Cirencester, before increasing again on the approaches to Gloucester. The percentage of HGVs is approximately 11%.

A30/A303 traffic flows increase from west to east and range from 14,000 - 20,000 from Bodmin to Exeter, around 24,000 just east of Exeter, 18,000 - 20,000 through Somerset and 30,000 - 60,000 beyond. The average percentage HGV figure is about 10%. Flows increase substantially during the summer, particularly at weekends. Trip lengths on the route are quite long. Much of the A303 has been upgraded, but substandard sections in Wiltshire and Somerset give rise to problems. Much of the A30 in Devon and Cornwall has been upgraded, but there are notable pressure points, particularly at Goss Moor near Bodmin.

Traffic flows vary along the A30/A35 DBFO route and there are significant seasonal variations. The highest flow is in excess of 24,000 at the Exeter end and HGV percentages are around 10%. Existing traffic congestion (on the A30 approach to M5 Junction 29 during peak periods and frequently in bottlenecks at the railway bridge at Iron Bridge at the start of the existing Iron Bridge to Honiton dual carriageway, and at present particularly at Tolpuddle and Puddletown during the summer) will be dealt with by the construction of the A30 Honiton to Exeter Improvement and the A35 Tolpuddle to Puddletown Bypass, being built as part of the DBFO project.

A38 traffic flows are at about 20,000 at Liskeard, rising to 47,000 around Plymouth. Much of the A38 is dual carriageway except at the western end - where problems occur, particularly at Dobwalls, where temporary traffic management is installed for peak flows over holiday periods. The A361/A39 is modern 2 lane single carriageway to the west of Bideford. Traffic flows are about 17,000 off the M5 to 10,000 around Barnstaple; west of Bideford flows drop and much of the alignment is unsuitable for fast moving traffic.

South of Bath on A36 traffic flows range from 10,000-15,000, whilst on A46 to the north of Bath the figure is about 25,000. The route gets very congested through Bath.

Traffic flows on the rural sections of A40 range from 7,000-15,000 and in the Gloucester/Cheltenham area they rise to 20,000-25,000 reflecting the large number of commuting and local distribution trips. The A48 is primarily a rural single carriageway; flows are 6,000 - 8,000 except at Lydney where local trips raise the figure to about 11,000. The percentage of HGVs is between 7 and 10%.

Network Management

Throughout the Region the present strategy can be summed up as: monitor the network to identify shortcomings (defined against commonly accepted national values); identify improvement measures and prioritise, using safety/environment/traffic framework, but generally driven by safety needs; deliver improvements in line with priorities as resources permit.

Although there are as yet no formal management plans for the M5, there has been a long standing commitment to minimise disruption to holiday traffic in the West Country, by the imposition of restrictions on non-essential roadworks when holiday traffic congestion is expected and press releases to encourage motorists to stagger their travelling times.

The A419/A417 (Swindon - Gloucester) and the A30/A35 (Exeter - Bere Regis) are managed under DBFO contracts and strategies for improving these routes will need to be developed in due course.

Strategies are under development for the A40 and A48 to implement traffic calming techniques to reduce the impact of the trunk roads on local settlements.

Development Pressures

In the Bristol area, the opening of the Cribbs Causeway Regional Shopping centre later this year will result in a further significant increase in M5 peak hour congestion. Recent economic activity has also led to renewed interest in major developments in the hinterland of Junction 21 at Weston. A new motorway junction between M4 Junctions 18 and 19 (Emerson's Green) has been agreed in principle. A spur from this junction would connect with the Avon Ring Road, a local authority principal road scheme for which the local authorities are seeking developer funding to supplement Transport Supplement Grant. Development of a large retail park at the Bristol end of M32 continues and local authorities would like to see a Park and Ride at the M4 end - which could lead to problems preserving the main M4 strategic link.

There has been much pressure to press on with an intermediate junction between M5 and M4 on M49; this was agreed to at the Parliamentary hearing into the Severn Bill. ICI and several others have large land interests which this new junction would open up for development. The scheme would not be funded publicly but special road orders would be required and, as such, this scheme would have to be included in the Roads Programme.

There are very major development pressures on the north Swindon fringe near Blunsden, which will have a major effect on the A419/A417. There may be continuing pressure for development both further south near M4 and at the northern end near M5, the Gloucester Trading Estate site, where developers are exploring a major link to the A417 just east of its junction with the M5.

Other developments likely to significantly affect the network include:- Broadmoor Farm on the A38 at Saltash, Cornwall where completion of a trunk road improvement is required to service the development; the Barnstaple Western Bypass and general housing development in Barnstaple creating pressure on the A361/A39; and the `Eden' millennium project which together with continuing development in the Victoria area will affect the A30 in Cornwall.

Download detailed map.

Schemes under construction

Conventionally funded

M5 Widening Junctions 18-19

Standard D4 Tender cost £49.9m

Length 3.4km Completion Mid 1999

The M5 is the main route linking the South West to the rest of the country and provides the only major crossing of the River Avon in the area. Avonmouth Bridge on the M5 between Junctions 18 and 19 is currently being strengthened to carry the 40 Tonne lorries permitted by EC regulations from 1 January 1999 and the opportunity is also being taken to relieve the congestion between the two junctions by widening the motorway from three lanes in each direction to four. No land outside the highway boundary is needed and the scheme will provide additional and improved environmental barriers to minimise noise levels and limit visual effects.

DBFO

A30 Honiton - Exeter Improvement

Standard D2/D3 Scheme cost N/A

Length 21km Completion Mid 1999

Part of A30/A35 DBFO

Improvement of the A30 in Devon by providing a dual carriageway between Honiton Bypass and the B3183 west of the M5, bypassing Fenny Bridges, Fairmile and Clyst Honiton including five grade separated junctions and the addition of northbound entry and southbound exit slip roads at M5 Junction 29. At the extreme western end it will be constructed to dual 3 lanes to provide for weaving movements.

The A30/A303 is in the Trans European Road Network and is a major inter regional route between the M25 via the M3 to Exeter and the South West. It is the direct route from the M3 to Exeter and an alternative route to the M4/M5 corridor for long distance traffic.

The scheme's objectives are to enhance the environment of the villages along the existing A30; to improve safety by removing through traffic; to provide additional capacity to improve traffic flow; and to meet future predicted traffic growth.

A35 Tolpuddle - Puddletown Bypass

Standard D2 Scheme cost N/A

Length 9.3km Completion Late 1998

Part of A30/A35 DBFO

Improvement of the A35 in Dorset by providing a dual carriageway between the east of Tolpuddle near Tolpuddle Ball and the existing dual carriageway at Yellowham Hill to the west of Puddletown, bypassing the villages of Tolpuddle, Puddletown, Athelhampton and Burleston and including two grade separated junctions.

The A35 forms part of an east/west trunk road corridor across the south of England connecting the A31 at Bere Regis and the A30 at Honiton.

The scheme's objectives are to enhance the environment of the villages of Tolpuddle, Puddletown and other communities on the A35; to increase safety by removing trunk road through traffic; and to provide additional capacity to improve traffic flows; and to meet future predicted traffic growth.

A419/A417 Cirencester and Stratton Bypass

Standard D2 Scheme cost N/A

Length 9.3km Completion End 1997

Part of A419/A417 Swindon-Gloucester DBFO

Improvement of the A419/A417 in Gloucestershire by providing a dual carriageway between Stratton and the Latton Bypass, bypassing the city of Cirencester to the east and the village of Stratton, including three grade separated junctions.

The A419/A417 forms a direct route between the M4 at Swindon and the M5 at Gloucester and is used as a diversionary route for the Severn crossing.

The scheme's objectives are to provide additional capacity to improve the traffic flows and meet future predicted traffic growth; and to enhance the environment of Cirencester and the village of Stratton by removing through traffic.

A417 North of Stratton - Nettleton Improvement

Standard D2 Scheme cost N/A

Length 9.5km Completion End 1998

Part of A419/A417, Swindon-Gloucester DBFO

Improvement of the A417 in Gloucestershire by the provision of a dual carriageway between the Cirencester and Stratton Bypass and Nettleton, following closely the line of the existing road, including five junctions, four of which are grade separated. The A419/A417 forms a direct trunk route between the M4 at Swindon and the M5 at Gloucester and is used as a diversionary route for the Severn crossing.

The scheme's objectives are to provide additional capacity to improve traffic flows and meet future predicted traffic growth, and to improve safety.

A419 Latton Bypass

Standard D2 Scheme cost N/A

Length 6.8km Completion October 1997

Part of A419/A417, Swindon-Gloucester DBFO

Improvement of the A419 in Wiltshire by providing a bypass of Latton, including three grade separated junctions. The A419/A417 forms a direct trunk route between the M4 at Swindon and the M5 at Gloucester and is used as a diversionary route for the Severn crossing.

The scheme's objectives are to provide additional capacity to improve traffic flows and meet future predicted traffic growth; and to enhance the environment of Latton and to improve safety by the removal of through traffic.

Schemes in preparation

M5 J17-21 Widening

Standard D3 Scheme cost £23.4m

Length 9.1km Next Stage OP

Improvement of the M5 in Avon between Junctions 17 and 21 by the provision of climbing lanes on the steep gradient at Hallen Hill, Naish Hill and Tickenham Hill. The M5 is a strategic route linking the South West to the rest of the country and is in the Trans European Road Network.

The scheme's objective's are to provide additional capacity to relieve traffic congestion which occurs during peak periods on steep gradients on this section of the M5; and to meet future predicted traffic growth.

A30/A303 - Marsh Honiton and A35 Honiton Eastern Bypass

Standard D2 Scheme cost £44.9m

Length 13.0km Next Stage OM

Improvement of the A30/A303 in Devon by provision of a dual carriageway between the Marsh Bypass and the Honiton Bypass near Langford Road interchange, together with the improvement of the A35 by providing a single carriageway bypass of Honiton between the A30 near Cheney's Farm and the A35 at Mount Pleasant. Four junctions are proposed, two of which are grade separated. The A30/A303 is in the Trans European Road Network and is a major inter-regional route between the M25 via the M3 to Exeter and the South West. It is the direct route from the M5 to Exeter, an alternative to the M4/M5 corridor for long distance traffic.

The scheme's objectives are to improve traffic flows and provide additional capacity to meet future predicted traffic growth; to improve safety by reducing the numerous existing junctions and farm accesses; and to enhance the environment of Honiton by removing trunk road through traffic.

A30 - Bodmin-Indian Queens Improvement

Standard D2 Scheme cost £35.7m

Length 10.9km Next Stage PC

Improvement of the A30 in Cornwall by providing a dual carriageway between the Bodmin Bypass and the Indian Queens Bypass. The A30 trunk road through Devon and Cornwall provides the major link for the whole of the south west peninsula to the M5 and the rest of the trunk road network at Exeter.

The scheme's objective is to provide additional capacity to meet future predicted traffic growth, relieve congestion and improve safety.

A36 Codford - Heytesbury Improvement

Standard D2 Scheme cost £10m

Length 3.7km Next stage OM

Improvement of the A36 in Wiltshire by providing a dual carriageway between the Codford and Heytesbury bypasses, running close to the River Wylye with two grade separated junctions.

The A36/A46 forms the strategic route between the M27 at Southampton and the M4 near Bristol.

The scheme's objectives are to improve the traffic flow and meet the future predicted traffic growth: and to improve safety.

A38 Saltash - Stoketon Cross Improvement

Standard D2 Scheme cost £17.0m

Length 2.7km Next Stage OP

Improvement of the A38 in Cornwall by the provision of a dual carriageway between the Saltash Bypass at Carkeel and the existing A38 at Stoketon Cross. The A38 in Cornwall is an important route, particularly for holiday traffic.

The scheme's objectives are to provide additional capacity and to improve road safety.

A38 Dobwalls Bypass

Standard D2 Scheme cost £11.8m

Length 4.8km Next Stage OP

Provision of a bypass to the village of Dobwalls. The A38 in Cornwall is an important route particularly for holiday traffic.

The scheme's objectives are to provide additional capacity; to enhance road safety; and to improve the environment of the village by the removal of through traffic.

A303 Winterbourne Stoke Bypass

Standard D2 Scheme cost £13.2m

Length 4.7km Next Stage PRA

This scheme, part of the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down Improvement previously withdrawn from the programme, would provide a dual carriageway bypass of the village. The A303 is part of the Trans European Road Network and is a major inter-regional route between the M25 via the M3 to Exeter and the South West.

The scheme's objectives are to increase capacity, improve safety and enhance the environment of the village by the removal of trunk road through-traffic.

A303 Ilminster - Marsh Improvement

Standard D2 Scheme cost £25.3m

Length 10.1km Next Stage OM

Improvement of the A303 in Somerset by provision of a dual carriageway between the Marsh Bypass and the Ilminster Bypass at Southfields Roundabout, including a grade separated junction at Eagle Cross. The A30/A303 is on the Trans European Road Network and is a major inter-regional route between the M25 via the M3 to Exeter and the South West. It is the direct route from the M3 to Exeter and an alternative to the M4/M5 corridor for long distance traffic.

The scheme's objectives are to improve traffic flows; provide additional capacity to meet future predicted traffic growth; and to improve safety.

A303 Ilminster Bypass Improvement

Standard D2 Scheme cost £20m

Length 10.3km Next stage OM

An on-line widening to two lane dual carriageway between the two junctions of Cemetery Cross and Southfields, and an improvement to these junctions.

The A303 is in the Trans European Road Network and is a major inter-regional route between the M25 via the M3 to Exeter and the South West. It is the alternative route to the M4/M5 corridor for long distance traffic.

The scheme's objectives are to improve safety of the A303/A30 trunk road; and to provide additional capacity to meet future predicted traffic growth, including traffic expected to transfer from M4/M5 and other routes if the A303 is progressively improved.

A303 Sparkford - Ilchester Improvement

Standard D2 Scheme cost £10m

Length 5.5km Next stage SOW

The scheme provides a dual carriageway improvement of the existing A303, between the existing two lane dual carriageway bypasses of Sparkford and Ilchester.

The A303 is in the Trans European Road Network and is a major inter regional route between the M25 via the M3 to Exeter and the South West, and is the alternative route to the M4/M5 corridor for long distance traffic.

The scheme objectives are to improve traffic flows and provide additional capacity to accommodate future traffic growth, and traffic expected to transfer from M4/M5 and other routes if the A303 is progressively improved; and to enhance road safety by eliminating the at grade side road crossings of the existing A303 whilst ensuring that continuity of the local road network is maintained to cater for existing private accesses to the trunk road.

A303 Wylye - Stockton Wood Improvement

Standard D2 Scheme cost £5m

Length 3.7km Next stage OP

Improvement of the A303 in Wiltshire by provision of a dual carriageway between existing lengths of dual carriageway at Wylye and Stockton Wood.

The A30/A303 is in the Trans European Road Network and is a major inter-regional route between the M25 via the M3 to Exeter and the South West. It is the direct route from the M3 to Exeter and an alternative to the M4/M5 corridor for long distance traffic.

The scheme's objectives are to improve traffic flows and provide additional capacity to meet future predicted traffic growth; and to improve road safety by reducing and improving access to the trunk road.

A303 Chicklade Bottom - Mere Improvement

Standard D2 Scheme cost £17m

Length 12.8km Next stage OP

Improvement of the A303 in Wiltshire by provision of a dual carriageway between Chicklade Bottom and the Mere Bypass, bypassing Chicklade.

The A30/A303 is in the Trans European Road Network and is a major inter-regional route between the M25 via the M3 to Exeter and the South West. It is the direct route from the M3 to Exeter and an alternative route to the M4/M5 corridor for long distance traffic.

The scheme's objectives are to provide additional capacity to meet future predicted traffic growth; to enhance the environment of Chicklade by removing trunk road through traffic; and to improve road safety by reducing and improving access to the trunk road.

A31 - Poole Link Road

Standard D2 Scheme cost £67.2m

Length 9.6km Next Stage OP

Provision of a new trunk road to link the commercial port of Poole Harbour, via a new Poole Harbour bridge across Holes Bay, to the existing A31/A35 trunk road network. This scheme provides the new dual carriageway between the A31 at Ameysford north of Ferndown and the A3049 at Mannings Heath in Poole. The existing A3049 between Mannings Heath and Fleetsbridge is to be trunked.

The scheme's objectives are to provide a new trunk road between the A31 and Mannings Heath; and to enhance the environment of both suburban and residential areas of Ferndown, Longham, Bear Cross and Hanley by removing through traffic, particularly traffic bound for the port area at Poole.

Poole Harbour Crossing

Standard S Scheme cost £40.4m

Length 2.2km Next Stage OP

A new trunk route to link the commercial port of Poole Harbour to the existing A31/A35 trunk road network via a new Poole Harbour bridge crossing Holes Bay.

The scheme's objective is to provide a fixed bridge across Holes Bay with links to the existing road network; and to relieve the congestion on the approach roads to the port and the congestion within the port caused by frequent opening for maritime traffic of the existing Poole Lifting Bridge.

Back to top