Highways Agency

• Executive summary
• 1 introduction
• 2 route description
• 3 policy objectives
• 4 route functions
• 5 land use & development control statement
• 6 route issues and performance
• 7 route outcomes
• 8 strategy impact statement

1 introduction

1 Introduction

1.1 Brief Overview of the Route

1.1.1 The A49 Ross-on-Wye to Shrewsbury Route Management Strategy (RMS) is a strategy for the management and development of the A49 between the A40 at Ross-on-Wye and the A5 at Shrewsbury until the end of 2014. This part of the A49 is some 106km (66.5 miles) long, and its route is shown in Figure 1.1. The route is described in detail in Chapter 2.

1.2 Brief RMS Overview

1.2.1 Route Management Strategies are being undertaken by the Highways Agency (HA) on all roads that form the nation's core trunk road network, to provide a framework for managing individual trunk routes as part of a wider transport network. The objective of the Route Management Strategies is to interlock with local transport strategies (set out in Local Transport Plans) within the context established by Regional Planning Guidance (Reference Para 3.1.34 "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone").

1.2.2 The RMS process has been developed in order to:

• Assist the HA in planning and optimising investment in the trunk road/motorway network (across different budget headings), and in the delivery of HA strategic plans and the ten year transport strategy;
• Provide consistency, transparency, openness and integration, particularly with other transport related strategies, including local and regional transport plans;
• Enable the Highways Agency to provide an input into these strategies and plans;
• Maximise customer focus; and
• Improve forward planning over a 10-year horizon.

Figure 1.1

1.2.3 An outline of the Route Management Strategy process is set out in the document entitled "Route Management Strategies - Seeking Your Views", produced by the HA. This document can be viewed on the HA website at the following address: www.highways.gov.uk/roads/rms/seeking_views/index.htm

1.2.4 Route Management Strategies embrace the Governments five policy objectives for transport as set out in the White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone (DETR 1998)" and discussed in the Route Management Guidance:

• To contribute to an efficient economy and to support sustainable economic growth in appropriate locations;
• To improve safety for all travellers;
• To protect and enhance the built and natural environment;
• To promote accessibility to everyday facilities for all, especially those
• without access to a car, and;
• To promote the integration of all forms of transport and land use
• planning, leading to a better more efficient transport system.

1.2.5 An RMS is a ten year route strategy which will not recommend specific proposals for identified issues.

1.2.6 This RMS report was originally produced in line with the January 2000 RMS Guidance and subsequently reviewed and updated following publication of the May 2003 Draft Version 2-5 RMS Guidance. Although outside the original scope of the RMS Study, a section on Development Control was added at that time, as an overview rather than a detailed analysis of future land use proposals. Subsequently a full Land Use and Development Control Statement has been included, in line with the November 2003 Version 2 RMS Guidance.

1.2.7 The study has been undertaken by the Highways Agency's consultants Halcrow Group Limited between November 2000 and May 2004.

1.3 Public Consultation Process

1.3.1 Consultation with members of the public was undertaken over a twelve-week period between the 10th June 2002 and the 2nd September 2002. There were two approaches to the public consultation display process. Firstly, static and mobile exhibitions displaying various proposals were held along the route of the A49 for a two-week period between 10 June 2002 and 21 June 2002. Consultation leaflets and posters, including a questionnaire, then supplemented the display period. The consultation process and outcomes are detailed in a separate report; A49 RMS Public Consultation Report. Appendix B of this strategy document contains a brief overview of the RMS consultation process and outcomes.

1.4 Report Format

1.4.1 The format of this report is outlined below:

1.4.2 Chapter 2 provides a description of the route, which includes relevant facts and figures on a sectional basis travelling from the southern end of the route to the north. It also includes plans showing the key features and constraints along the route.

1.4.3 Chapter 3 details policy objectives, with a plan showing policy areas, plus a written list of policies that have been used in the development of the RMS.

1.4.4 Chapter 4 details route functions. It explains how the route functions were derivedand the route functions are outlined. This chapter also includes a discussion on issues and conflicts, and it includes the route function performance tables.

1.4.5 Chapter 5 provides a Land Use & Development Control Statement, and an overview of likely land use changes within the next ten years, which may impact on the performance of the A49.

1.4.6 Chapter 6 highlights the route issues and performance. It includes an explanationof the issues along the route and how they were derived, including those issues identified through the consultation and function analysis.

1.4.7 Chapter 7 provides route outcomes. It explains how they were derived, as well asincluding Outcome Summary Sheets and sectional route plans indicating the location of Route Outcomes.

1.4.8 Chapter 8 contains the Strategy Impact Statement, and Strategy Impact Tables.

1.5 Reports & Data used

1.5.1 The following reports and data sources have been used in the production of this RMS;

1. Personal Injury Collision data, 1/06/97 to 31/05/02
2. Traffic flow data
3. Relevant Plans and Policies, outlined in paragraphs 3.4.2 and 3.4.3