[ARCHIVED CONTENT] Highways Agency - Final strategy document

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7 route outcomes

7 Route Outcomes

7.1 Introduction

7.1.1 This chapter outlines the process that has been undertaken to develop the Route Outcomes for the A49. These Route Outcomes are then set out in detail.

7.2 The Development of the Route Outcomes

7.2.1 The development of the route outcomes has been undertaken by reviewing the route functions, objectives and issues that have already been identified or brought to the attention of the Highways Agency. To enable a cohesive strategy to be developed, a manageable number of route outcomes have been identified which relate to more than one of the identified route functions, objectives and issues. The route outcomes have been developed through analysis of relevant data, site visits, engineering judgment and the result of the stakeholder and public consultation. These route outcomes will be used by the Highways Agency to develop the Route Management Plan for the A49, and to identify any specific measures.

7.3 Targeted Programme of Improvements

7.3.1 A review of The Highways Agency's Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPIs) has shown that there are no current or future schemes listed for the A49.

7.4 Route Outcome Summary Sheets

7.4.1 The following tables outline the Route Outcomes that have been developed following the process described above.

Route Outcome 1
RO 1
Route Outcome	To adopt a consistent, realistic and enforceable approach in the management of vehicle speeds along the route
Short Name	Speed Management Strategy
Related Route Functions	F1, F2, F3, F5, F6, F7
Improvements to Related Route Functions	Seek to enhance the efficiency of the A49 as a strategic route for Wales Seek to enhance the A49 as a regional spine; connection cross region routes and facilitating regional economic activity and regeneration Seek to enhance the A49 as a local road; providing access for local commercial and farming activities and facilitating public transport links Seek to reduce conflict between vehicles and communities Seek to enhance route standards to assist the regional economy Seek to reduce severance
Related Issues	Personal Injury Collisions, Inconsistent journey times, overtaking movements, HGV speeds, Safety of non-motorised users, speed through settlements, Existing traffic calming schemes.
Locations	Peterstow, Harewood End, Church Stretton and Leebotwood currently have 40 mph speed limits, The Cleaver, Much Birch, Wellington Marsh and Ashton currently have 60 mph speed limits (35mph advisory at Ashton) Severe bends on Dinmore Hill, at Kings Thorn and Marshbrook.
Policy Objectives	Seek to reduce the number and severity of accidents Seek to provide safe conditions for vulnerable road user groups Seek to ensure community safety through the management of traffic speeds Seek to ensure safe, easy access to facilities along the A49, particularly in rural settlements Seek to contribute to economic activity by maintaining journey time reliability along the route and improving it through Hereford Seek to improve access across and along the route for pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised users Seek to improve access for facilities, particularly for pedestrians, in settlements along the route
Target	Undertake studies to identify appropriate measures
Timescale	Complete initial studies by 2006
Possible Actions	Actions to consider in studies may include: Provision of 30mph speed limit through some settlements Provision of 50mph speed limit between settlements Provision of advisory speed limits, Road signs and markings Provision of Gateways on the approach to settlements
Other Issues	Enforcement of speed limits

Route Outcome 2
RO 2
Route Outcome	To improve overtaking opportunities to improve the safety and economic efficiency of the route
Short Name	Overtaking
Related Route Functions	F1, F2, F3, F6
Improvements to Related Route Functions	Seek to enhance the efficiency of the A49 as a strategic route for Wales Seek to enhance the efficiency of the A49 as a regional spine; connecting cross region routes and facilitating regional economic activity and regeneration Seek to enhance the efficiency of the A49 as a local road; providing access for local communities to everyday facilities; providing access for local commercial and farming activities Seek to reduce conflicts between vehicles and communities Seek to enhance route standards to assist the regional economy
Related Issues	Overtaking opportunities should meet the appropriate standards Traffic speeds, particularly through settlements Personal Injury Collisions Road markings and signings
Locations	Route wide, where improvements would satisfy horizontal and vertical visibility standards
Policy Objectives	Seek to reduce the number and severity of accidents Seek to provide safe conditions for vulnerable road user groups Seek to reduce opportunities for drivers to overtake at unsuitable locations along the route Seek to ensure there is suitable stopping/resting places along the route Seek to support economic regeneration in the region Seek to contribute to economic activity by maintaining journey time reliability along the route and improving it through Hereford
Target	Undertake studies to identify appropriate measures
Timescale	Complete initial studies by 2006
Possible Actions	Actions to consider in studies may include: Alter road markings Reduce speed limits Carriageway realignment Improved lighting Central hatching
Other Issues	Potential environmental impact and cost of realignment Potential environmental impact of signing and lighting Impact on vehicle speed Land constraints

Route Outcome 3
RO 3
Route Outcome	To seek to reduce the number of personal injury collisions alongthe route
Short Name	Anti-Collision Strategy/Junction Improvements
Related Route Functions	F1, F2, F3, F5, F6, F7
Improvements to Related Route Functions	Improve safety along the route for all road users Consistent route standard would assist the regional economy Improvements to the route will result in improved journey time reliability for strategic and regional traffic. Will improve accessibility for all road users
Related Issues	Overtaking movements Speed of traffic Rationalisation of road signs Right turning vehicular movements
Locations	General along the route. In particular Poolmill junction, Much Birch crossroads, Kings Thorn corner, Holme Lacy Road, Belmont Road roundabout, Greyfriars Bridge, Barton Road, Moreton-on-Lugg, north of Hope under Dinmore, A44 Leominster, B4361 to Overton, south of Little Stretton, north of Dorrington and Stapleton crossroads
Policy Objectives	Seek to reduce the number and severity of personal injury collisions Seek to provide safe conditions for vulnerable road user groups Seek to reduce opportunities for drivers to overtake at unsuitable locations along the route Seek to ensure there is consistent signing and suitable stopping/resting places along the route Seek to ensure community safety through the management of traffic speeds Seek to contribute to economic activity by maintaining journey time reliability along the route and improving it through Hereford
Target	Undertake studies to identify appropriate measures, which may include a programme of junction improvement measures Contribute to the national target of a 40% reduction in people killed or seriously injured in road accidents by 2010 (from 1994-1998 average), and 10% reduction in slight casualty rate expressed as the number of people slightly injured per 100 million vehicle kilometres
Timescale	Complete initial studies by 2006
Possible Actions	Actions to consider in studies may include: Improve junction alignments Reduce speed limits, Improve overtaking opportunities Improvements to link alignment Improve lighting and carriageway markings
Other Issues	Alterations to speed limits have to be enforceable Land constraints may pose a problem Lighting may be environmentally sensitive and signing visually intrusive in some locations

Route Outcome 4
RO 4
Route Outcome	To improve alignment so as to enhance the safety and economic efficiency of the route
Short Name	Alignment Strategy
Related Route Functions	F1, F2, F3, F4
Improvements to Related Route Functions	Enhance the role of the A49 as a strategic route for Wales Enhance the role of the A49 as a regional spine connecting cross region routes and facilitating regional economic activity and regeneration Enhance the role of the A49 as a local road; providing access for local commercial and farming activities and facilitating public transport links Seek to reduce conflict between vehicles and communities Seek to enhance route standards to assist the regional economy
Related Issues	Limited overtaking opportunities results in unreliable journey times and safety issues Severance and safety issues in settlements
Locations	General along the route, particularly areas with recorded Personal Injury Collisions Locations where alignment poses issues for HGVs
Policy Objectives	Seek to reduce the number and severity of accidents Seek to reduce opportunities for drivers to overtake at unsuitable locations along the route Seek to support economic regeneration in the region Seek to contribute to economic activity by maintaining journey time reliability along the route and improving it through Hereford
Target	Undertake studies to identify appropriate measures
Timescale	Complete initial studies by 2007
Possible Actions	Actions to consider in studies may include: Junction and Carriageway realignment Road markings and signing
Other Issues	Environmental impact of any realignment measures Land constraint

Route Outcome 5
RO 5
Route Outcome	To improve non-motorised user facilities to enhance accessibility along and across the route
Short Name	Non Motorised Users
Related Route Functions	F4, F5, F6, F7
Improvements to Related Route Functions	Improve access for local communities to everyday facilities; providing access for commercial and farming activities and facilitating public transport links Reduce conflict that results between multiple junctions and communities, including pedestrians, cyclists and other nonmotorised users Reduce severance, increase integration between transport modes
Related Issues	Conflict between motorised and non-motorised road users Overtaking movements Speed of traffic Junction Improvements
Locations	Within and near settlements along the route, particularly to improve access to community facilities, or where the A49 links to strategic cycle/pedestrian/equestrian routes. There is currently limited pedestrian crossing provision in Bridstow, Much Birch, Wellington Marsh, Onibury, Dorrington and Bayston Hill, one controlled crossing in Church Stretton. Bridstow, Much Birch, Craven Arms, Dorrington and Bayston Hill all have schools located near to the A49. Cycle crossing provision is only currently in place at Leominster, Brimfield and Church Stretton. Cycle route are provided in three locations; south of Hope-under-Dinmore, north of Leominster and between Bayston Hill and Shrewsbury. Currently no equestrian crossing provision at Moreton-on-Lugg which is a crossing point for the Three Rivers Ride
Policy Objectives	Seek to reduce the number and severity of accidents Seek to provide safe conditions for vulnerable road user groups Seek to ensure community safety through the management of traffic speeds Seek to ensure safe, easy access to facilities along the A49, particularly in rural settlements Seek to improve access across and along the route for pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised users Seek to Improve access to facilities especially schools, particularly for pedestrians, in settlements along the route Seek to Reduce community severance
Target	Undertake studies to identify appropriate measures
Timescale	Complete initial studies by 2006
Possible Actions	Actions to consider in studies may include: At grade controlled and uncontrolled crossing provision Improved lighting Reduce or manage vehicle speeds through settlements
Other Issues	Links with other strategic routes such as the National Cycle Network, Three Rivers Ride, Hereford Cycling Strategy

Route Outcome 6
RO 6
Route Outcome	To improve the performance of the A49 through Hereford
Short Name	Hereford Strategy
Related Route Functions	F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7
Improvements to Related Route Functions	Seek to enhance the role of the A49 as a strategic route for Wales Seek to enhance the role of the A49 as a regional spine; connecting cross region routes and facilitating regional economic activity and regeneration Seek to enhance the role of the A49 as a local road; providing access for local communities and farming activities and facilitating public transport links Seek to reduce conflict between vehicles and non-motorised road users Seek to enhance route standards to assist the regional economy Seek to enhance integration of transport modes
Related Issues	Congestion through Hereford impacts on the economic efficiency and safety of the A49
Locations	Within Hereford, options that had significant support during the pubic consultation were junction improvement of the Newmarket Street, Newtown Road, Priory Place, Mortimer Road, Barton Road Traffic Signals.
Policy Objectives	Seek to reduce the number and severity of Personal Injury Collisions. Seek to provide safe conditions for vulnerable road user groups Seek to support economic regeneration in the region Seek to contribute to economic activity by maintaining journey time reliability along the route and improving it through Hereford Seek to reduce congestion on the A49 within Hereford Seek to encourage the use of public transport through increased awareness and improved facilities
Target	Undertake studies to identify appropriate measures.
Timescale	Complete initial studies by 2008
Possible Actions	Actions to consider in studies may include: Junction improvements and realignment Improved public transport facilities Improved pedestrian/cycle crossing provision Improved signing of public transport facilities
Other Issues	Work already undertaken including the Hereford Transport Review

Route Outcome 7
RO 7
Route Outcome	Seek to facilitate and support economic activity along the routethrough a proactive development control policy
Short Name	Economic Activity
Related Route Functions	F1, F2, F3, F4, F6, F7
Improvements to Related Route Functions	Seek to enhance the role of the A49 as a strategic route for Wales Seek to enhance the role of the A49 as a regional spine, connecting cross region routes and facilitating economic activity and regeneration Seek to enhance the role of the A49 as a local road; providing access for local commercial and farming activities and facilitating public transport links Seek to reduce conflict between vehicles and communities Seek to enhance route standards to assist the regional economy Seek to enhance accessibility Seek to reduce severance
Related Issues	Limited overtaking opportunities can affect journey time reliability HGV flows along the route Personal Injury Collisions Integration of strategy with land use planning
Locations	General along the route
Policy Objectives	Seek to reduce the number and severity of accidents Seek to support economic regeneration in the region Seek to contribute to economic activity by maintaining journey time reliability along the route and improving it through Hereford Seek to contribute to economic activity by improving accessibility Seek to provide a standard of route appropriate to its functions
Target	Ongoing discussions with developers & local planning authorities
Timescale	Ongoing
Possible Actions	Actions to consider in studies may include: Improve public transport accessibility and integration to existing and future employment areas Measures to improve safety for drivers along the route Improve overtaking opportunities Improve signing and road markings Improve junction alignments Improve road geometry to improve HGV access
Other Issues	Potential for developer contributions

Route Outcome 8
RO 8
Route Outcome	To enhance the provision of, and rationalisation of signing and road markings along the route
Short Name	Signing and Road Marking Strategy
Related Route Functions	F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7
Improvements to Related Route Functions	Enhance the strategic nature of the route for Wales Enhance the regional spine function of the A49, connecting cross region routes and facilitating regional economic activity and regeneration Enhance its function as a local road, providing access for local communities to everyday facilities, providing access for local commercial and farming activities and facilitating public transport links Reduce conflict between vehicles and communities Enhance route standards to assist the regional economy Enhance integration between transport modes in the corridor
Related Issues	Speed limit repeater signs to be located in accordance with Traffic Advisory Leaflet 01/95: Speed Limit Signs
Locations	General Route Wide, however particularly in and approaching settlements along the route
Policy Objectives	Seek to reduce the number and severity of accidents Seek to provide safe conditions for vulnerable road user groups Seek to reduce opportunities for drivers to overtake at unsuitable locations along the route Seek to achieve a consistent and high standard of signing Seek to ensure community safety through the management of traffic speeds Seek to support economic regeneration in the region Seek to contribute to economic activity by maintaining journey time reliability along the route and improving it through Hereford Seek to encourage the use of public transport through increased awareness and improved facilities
Target	Undertake studies to identify appropriate measures
Timescale	Complete initial studies by 2006
Possible Actions	Actions to consider in studies may include: Speed limit repeater signs Speed limit countdown markers on the approach to settlements Improved lighting Improved signing of public transport facilities Gateway features Road studs, Signing alternative cycle routes Signing local facilities, Speed actuated signs Advanced signing of lay-bys Central road hatching
Other Issues	Minimise impact of marking and signs on the environment

Route Outcome 9
RO 9
Route Outcome	Seek to facilitate improvement of public transport facilities along the route
Short Name	Public Transport
Related Route Functions	F4, F5, F6
Improvements to Related Route Functions	Seek to enhance the effectiveness of the A49 as a local road; providing access for local communities to everyday facilities; providing access for local commercial and farming activities and facilitating public transport links Seek to enhance accessibility and reduce severance Seek to enhance integration of transport modes in the corridor
Related Issues	Conflict along the route between vehicles and pedestrians
Locations	Within settlements and along the route
Policy Objectives	Seek to provide safe conditions for pedestrian groups Seek to contribute to economic activity by improving accessibility Seek to encourage the use of public transport through increased awareness and improved facilities Seek to encourage the use of other alternative transport modes through increased awareness and improved facilities, and increased integration
Target	Undertake studies to identify appropriate measures
Timescale	Complete initial studies by 2007
Possible Actions	Actions to consider in studies may include: Improved signing of railway stations and other public transport facilities Improved pedestrian access to bus stops/shelters Improvements to existing lay-bys
Other Issues	A review of public transport services is dependant upon discussions with public transport operators

Route Outcome 10
RO 10
Route Outcome	To improve lay-by provision along the route
Short Name	Lay-by Strategy
Related Route Functions	F1, F2, F3, F4
Improvements to Related Route Functions	Seek to enhance the A49 as a strategic route for Wales Seek to enhance the A49 as a regional spine, connecting cross region routes and facilitating regional economic activity and regeneration Seek to enhance the A49 as a local road; providing access for local commercial and farming activities and facilitating public transport links Seek to improve the safety of the route Seek to enhance route standards to assist the regional economy
Related Issues	Lay-by provision should meet the required standards. Public transport facilities in lay-bys Signing and road markings Traffic speeds Personal Injury Collisions Environmental impact of lay-bys
Locations	Generally along the route at regular intervals, particularly between Dorrington and Shrewsbury, southbound at Craven Arms, and there are no type A laybys between Hope-under- Dinmore and Leominster
Policy Objectives	Seek to reduce the number and severity of accidents Seek to ensure there are suitable stopping/resting places along the route Seek to support economic regeneration in the region Seek to contribute to economic activity by maintaining journey time reliability along the route and improving it through Hereford
Target	Undertake studies to identify appropriate measures
Timescale	Complete initial studies by 2006
Possible Actions	Actions to consider in studies may include: Upgrading all Type B Lay-bys to appropriate standards Improve advance signing of lay-bys Investigate pairing of all Lay-bys
Other Issues	Environmental impact of upgrading or providing new lay-bys Land constraints

Route Outcome 11
RO 11
Route Outcome	Seek to reduce the environmental impact of the route
Short Name	Environment Strategy
Related Route Functions	F5, F6, F7
Improvements to Related Route Functions	Seek to manage and control the impact of the A49 on the rural landscape, and maintain the route as part of the local environment that people travel through and live alongside
Related Issues	Impact of Signing, Road Marking and Lighting on the environment Impact of Realignment on the environment Impact of any speed reduction measures on the townscape of settlements
Locations	General along the route, particularly sites of environment and heritage value. Currently the A49 visually impacts on the landscape at Leominster Bypass and Berrington Hall. Townscape impacts in Peterstow, Ashton, Dorrington, Bromfield, Woofferton Highway flooding has been identified at Peterstow, Pengethley, Hereford, Little Stretton, Felhampton and Ludlow Bypass
Policy Objectives	Seek to retain and protect the landscape by minimising and mitigating impacts from the road Seek to improve the built environment in rural settlements along the route Seek to maintain village character along the route Seek to protect watercourses and improve biodiversity
Target	Undertake studies to identify appropriate measures
Timescale	Complete initial studies by 2008
Possible Actions	Actions to consider in studies may include: Improve highway drainage and runoff Carriageway Realignment Mitigating measures on some sections of the route to reduce visual impact Protection of important habitats along the route including ancient woodlands and hedgerows
Other Issues	Biodiversity Plan