Part 1 – open to the public ITEM NO.
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REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR FOR ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY SAFETY ______
TO THE ASSISTANT MAYOR FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING, TUESDAY 11TH FEBRUARY 2014 AND TO THE PROCUREMENT BOARD, WEDNESDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2014 ______
TITLE: A57 LIVERPOOL ROAD, PROPOSALS FOR CHANGES TO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AROUND THE GYRATORY AT IRLAM ______
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Assistant Mayor
1. Approves the target cost of £119,523.97 from the 2013/14 Block 3 Transport Capital Programme for Urban Vision Highway Services to carry out the works to amend the A57 Liverpool Road at the gyratory at Irlam.
2. Approves the sum of £19,362.88 from the 2013/14 Block 3 Transport Capital Programme for Urban Vision to undertake the detailed design and site supervision of the works.
3. Approves the cost of £2,000 from the 2013/14 Block 3 Transport Capital Programme for TfGM UTC to decommission the existing traffic signals from the entrance to the traffic gyratory
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The City Mayor has requested that Urban Vision develop a series of proposals to help mitigate traffic congestion on the A57 Liverpool Road between the gyratory at Irlam and Peel Green. A tidal traffic flow system has already been implemented, and this report proposes further measures around the gyratory at Irlam
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BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: (Available for public inspection) i) Report of the Assistant Director (Infrastructure and Programmes) to the joint briefing of the City Mayor and the Assistant Mayor for Strategic Planning 25th March 2013 ii) Report of the Strategic Director for Environment and Community Safety to the Assistant Mayor for Strategic Planning 12th March 2013
The proposals are as shown on drawing; UV/004172-0100-01 ______
KEY DECISION: NO ______
DETAILS:
1. Background
1.1 The City Mayor and local councillors have reflected concern about levels of traffic congestion along the A57 Liverpool Road corridor. Congestion is already high but is made worse during events at the City of Salford stadium when there have been traffic issues recorded on the M60 motorway by the Highways Agency. Urban Vision have been asked to design a series of temporary traffic management measures along the A57 corridor between the roundabout at Peel Green and the traffic gyratory at Irlam which will increase traffic capacity and reduce levels of congestion. It is acknowledged that increasing traffic capacity may have a consequential impact on other highway users such as pedestrians and cyclists, but that this should also be considered against the risks and effects associated with traffic congestion on the A57 Liverpool Road and the M60.
1.2 Specifically, The City Mayor requested that Urban Vision; develop a series of proposals for two lanes of eastbound traffic to be provided under normal carriageway conditions from the gyratory at Irlam through to Peel Green. develop the details of a tidal flow system which will operate between the roundabout at Peel Green (junction 11 of the M60) and the stadium during events to appropriately manage the available road space. amend the carriageway markings on the westbound approach to the roundabout at Peel Green to formalise two lanes of traffic. review the traffic flow around the gyratory and introduce measures which will assist northeast bound traffic joining from the B5320 Liverpool Road as the current layout causes long queues for local traffic. review the associated speed limits.
1.3 At a joint briefing for the City Mayor and the Assistant Mayor for Strategic Planning on the 25th March 2013, approval was given to implement a revised traffic tidal flow system to the A57 Liverpool Road between junction 11 of the M60 at Peel Green roundabout and Argosy Drive. The tidal flow system is now operational at Peel Green, maximising traffic capacity between the City of Salford stadium and junction 11 of the M60. The report also made reference to a future scheme to amend the traffic flow arrangements at the Irlam gyratory. This report requests approval to the details of those proposed changes.
2. Proposed scheme
2.1 The traffic gyratory was constructed to give priority for vehicles utilising Cadishead Way and encourage traffic to bypass Irlam and Cadishead. However increases in traffic volumes, particularly during the morning peak hours means that it is becoming increasingly difficult for local traffic on the B5320 Liverpool Road to enter the gyratory and queues are forming as a result. The speed limit around the gyratory is currently 50 mph.
2.2 To reduce this congestion it is proposed to; remove the existing build out from the western kerbline and widen / realign the existing traffic island remove the redundant traffic signals which were installed as part of the works to the recycling facility on the east side of the gyratory but when operated were found to increase local congestion. remove the existing road markings and replace with a new layout suitable for 30mph in accordance with the requirements of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions. amend the speed limit signage around the gyratory to 30 mph. reduce existing vegetation to allow for better visibility around the gyratory remove and replace the anti-skid surfacing at the exit from Cadishead Way to allow for the new road markings.
2.3 An upgrade of the signal controlled pedestrian crossing south of the gyratory on the B5320 Liverpool Road to a Toucan would also improve facilities for cyclists and pedestrians by providing a safer link between the shared facilities on Cadishead Way and Liverpool Road. However, officers within Urban Vision are currently considering a pre-planning application for the potential development of the site between the B5320 Liverpool Road and the A57 Cadishead Way which if approved may mean the relocation of this crossing facility. For this reason, it is not proposed to undertake any works to the existing pelican at this stage.
2.4 Changes to the current layout of the traffic gyratory may increase the potential for turning and merging vehicle collisions around the junction with Crossfield Road. It is proposed that new traffic signs will provide advance warning of merging vehicles and that reduction in speed limit from 50 mph to 30 mph will help mitigate this risk.
2.5 Following consultation with the Strategic Director, the Assistant Mayor gave approval on the 30th August 2013, to advertise proposals to reduce the speed limit around the gyratory to Boysnope Wharf from 50 mph to 30 mph and to reduce the speed limit from Boysnope Wharf to Argosy Drive form 50 mph to 40 mph. That advertising process has now been completed by the city council’s legal services team and no objections were received. Greater Manchester Police also commented that the gyratory will become significantly safer at 30 mph.
2.6 The implementation of the proposals to amend the speed limits has now been approved by the Strategic Director.
3. Financial
3.1 Highways and civil engineering projects where the initial estimated works value is less than £140,000 (£100,000 index linked from November 2004) are allocated directly for construction to Urban Vision Highway Services. The 2013/14 Transport Capital Programme (Block 3) which was approved following consideration by the Assistant Mayor for Strategic Planning on the 9th April contains an initial allocation of £100,000 for proposed changes to the gyratory at Irlam.
3.2 The target cost for the works element of the scheme is £92,863.00
3.3 The depot running costs for the year 2013 / 2014 is calculated to be £1,298,704 and this cost is being paid in twelve equal instalments in accordance with the terms of the Development Services Partnering Agreement. At the end of the year, these monies will be distributed across all schemes. The estimated recovery of depot running cost against this steam of work, with an allowance for overhead, profit and fees is as follows;
Works Costs £92,863.00 Assessment of Depot Cost 15.71% £14,588.78 Assessment of Overhead & Profit 8% & 5% £12,072.19 Total £119,523.97
UV design and Supervision fees @ 9.6% and £19,362.88 6.6%
3.4 Greater Manchester Urban Traffic Control Unit has provided a budget estimate of £2,000 to carry out the removal of the existing traffic signals from the junction. This work will be carried out directly by TfGM. The cost of this work will also be met from the 2013/14 Transport Capital programme (Block 3)
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KEY COUNCIL POLICIES:
- Pledge 5: Promoting Inclusion in Salford - To improve pedestrian / cycling facilities. Greater Manchester’s Third Local Transport Plan 2011/12- 2015/16 Planning application reference 03/47344/EIAHYB
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EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND IMPLICATIONS:
These traffic management proposals are designed principally to reduce local traffic congestion highway capacity. However amendments to speed limits and the improvement of facilities for cyclists will have a positive impact on the local community.
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ASSESSMENT OF RISK: Medium Changes to the current layout at the Irlam Gyratory may increase the potential for turning and merging vehicle collisions around the junction with Crossfield Road. It is proposed that new traffic signs will provide advance warning of merging vehicles and the reduction in speed limit will help mitigate this risk.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING: 2013/14 Block 3 Transport Capital Programme
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LEGAL IMPLICATIONS: Supplied by Richard Holmes, Solicitor 234 4987 It is considered that the legal implications arising out of this report are limited as the allocation of the contract to Urban Vision Highways Services is in accordance with the exclusivity provisions set out in the Development Services Partnering Agreement between the Council and Urban Vision and which itself was procured in accordance with the EU Public Procurement Regulations and the Council’s Contractual Standing Orders.
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Supplied by Natalie Birchall, Accountant x2316 17/1/2014
There is sufficient funding within the approved Block 3, highways capital programme 13/14, to cover the cost of these proposals.
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PROCUREMENT IMPLICATIONS: Supplied by Andrew White, Finance and Support Services x 6295 The works detailed within this report can be procured directly with Urban Vision Highway Services under the Development Services Partnering Agreement and therefore in compliance with Contractual Standing Orders. ______
HR IMPLICATIONS: There are no HR implications associated with this report
______CLIENT IMPLICATIONS:
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OTHER DIRECTORATES CONSULTED: Urban Vision Partnership
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WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE(S): Irlam ______
CONTACT OFFICER: David A Dean TEL. NO: X4895 ______
Ben Dolan Strategic Director for Environment and Community Safety.