Highways Agency

• Executive summary
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Route description
• 3 Policy objectives
• 4 Route functions
• 5 Land use and development control statement
• 6 Route problems and performance
• 7 Route outcomes
• 8 Strategy impact statement

3 Policy objectives

3 Policy Objectives

3.1 Introduction

In July 1998, the Government set out its plan for a new integrated transport system within its white paper 'A new deal for Transport: Better for Everyone'. It set out policy for a transport system that is safe, efficient, clean and fair and which allows people to make more sustainable transport choices. One of its central themes included the integration within and between different types of transport; with policies for the environment; with land use planning; and with policies for education, health and wealth creation.

Since then the Government have published a second white paper for transport "The Future of Transport - a network for 2030". This paper is built around three central themes of sustained investment, improvements in transport management and planning ahead. In summary these refer to:

• Sustained investment - The government has committed long-term investment to transport networks.
• Improvements to transport management - The government highlights the need for better traffic management to ease congestion on the road network. Where economically and environmentally sensible it suggests that capacity could be added.
• Planning ahead - Building our way out of the problems we face on our road network has for sometime been realised as not possible. Therefore the government will lead the debate on road pricing.

The white paper strategy seeks to plan for transport over the next 30 years. For the road network this will include:

• new capacity where it is needed, assuming that any environmental and social costs are justified;
• locking in the benefits of new capacity through various measures including some tolling and carpool lanes where appropriate;
• Government leading the debate on road pricing and its capacity to lead to better choices for motorists;
• better management, exploiting the potential of new technology to avoid problems and deal with them rapidly if they occur; and
• using technology to keep people informed both before and during their journey.

In order for HA policy objectives for the M1 and M10 to integrate with wider planning, economic and transport objectives, a comprehensive review of national, regional and local objectives pertinent to the route, has been undertaken. These objectives and their sources are described in more detail below.

3.2 National Objectives

The framework for National transport policy objectives, are set out in the transport white paper and is also supported by further documents including Planning Policy Guidance, Highway Authority Strategic Plans and DTLR Circular 4/2001. Because this RMS has been developed within the lifetime of the 1998 white paper 'A new deal for Transport: Better for Everyone', the majority of this RMS's national objectives are based on its policy objectives.

3.3 Regional Objectives

The regional objectives have been sourced from the Regional Planning Guidance 9 and 8 (RPG 9 and 8), the Milton Keynes and South Midlands (MKSM) Panel Report and the Regional Transport Strategies that compose chapters in this document.

3.4 Local Objectives

The local objectives have been sourced from Structure Plans, Local Plans and Local Transport Plans of the County Council's and District Council's with which the M1 and M10 traverses.

3.5 Route Objectives

Derived from problems and issues on the M1 Junction 1 to 19 and M10 RMS corridor, these have been identified and listed under the five objectives for transport: Environment, Safety, Economy, Accessibility and Integration.

3.5.1 Environment

To protect and enhance the built and natural environment Route Objectives:

• ENV1 To mitigate and seek to reduce noise levels in line with government policy.
• ENV2 To improve air quality (with especial regard to Air Quality Management Areas).
• ENV3 To minimise the adverse effect of lighting on the environment.
• ENV4 To seek to ensure effective measures are in place to enhance water quality along the route from pollutant spillage on the highway.
• ENV5 To maintain a clean & tidy route.
• ENV6 To minimise or avoid impact on environmentally designated areas.
• ENV7 To protect environment elsewhere in the region by encouraging appropriate traffic to use the route.
• ENV8 Promote Bio-diversity.

3.5.2 Safety

To improve safety for all travellers Route Objectives:

• SY1 To review and where possible improve the safer operations of the route.
• SY2 To investigate where the provision of improved lighting would improve safety, without disproportionate environmental damage.
• SY3 To seek to achieve a consistent high standard of variable and static signing along the route.
• SY4 To seek to manage vehicle speeds at appropriate levels.
• SY5 To review safety and the security for non motorised users crossing the route at interchanges or bridges/subways.
• SY6 To seek to improve the quality of user facilities and provide adequate rest and emergency facilities.
• SY7 To seek to improve safety for people working on the route.

3.5.3 Economy

To contribute to an efficient economy, and to support sustainable economic growth in appropriate locations

Route Objectives:

• EC1 To seek to prioritise actions with regard to the needs of the national, regional and local economy.
• EC2 To seek to reduce congestion, particularly between London and Milton Keynes.
• EC3 To seek to minimise traffic disruption due to traffic incidents.
• EC4 To seek to plan all works to achieve optimum whole life costs with minimal disruption to users.
• EC5 To seek to maximise the availability for use of the route for users, and the serviceability of the road, structures and other highway equipment.
• EC6 To seek to improve journey time and reliability and information.
• EC7 To seek to support the objectives in the Land Use Planning System.
• EC8 To seek to reduce congestion at major interchanges.

3.5.4 Accessibility

To promote accessibility to everyday facilities for all, especially those without a car

Route Objectives:

• AC1 To seek to reduce community severance.
• AC2 To seek to make appropriate provision for and encourage the use of public transport.
• AC3 To seek to make appropriate provision for non-motorised users.
• AC4 To seek to make appropriate provision for disabled and elderly users.

3.5.5 Integration

To promote the integration of all forms of transport and land use planning and development, leading to a better, more efficient transport system.

Route Objectives:

• IN1 To improve user information.
• IN2 To increase knowledge of user patterns and needs.
• IN3 To support regional transport strategy, local transport plans and development plans.
• IN4 To make better use of the route by working in partnership with road users, transport providers and operators, local authorities and those affected by the network.
• IN5 To recognise the two-way interaction between the RMS and other RMSs (e.g. A43/A45 RMS - suggestions on Junction 15 and 15A).