Chelmsford City-wide Signage Strategy Directional Signage June 2018
Document Control Sheet
Document prepared by:
Peter Miles Victoria House T 0345 603 7631 Project Manager Chelmsford E [email protected] CM1 1JR W www.essex.gov.uk/highways
Report Title Chelmsford City-wide Signage Strategy Project Number B355342A Status Final Revision - Control Date 25 June 2018
Record of Issue
Issue Status Author Date Check Date Review Date
1 Draft PM 1/6/18 KH 15/6/18 CC 19/6/18
1.1 Final PM 25/6/18 KH 25/6/18 CC 25/6/18
Approved for Issue By Date Chris Cooper 25/6/18
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Contents
1 Introduction ...... 1 2 Signing Principals ...... 3 3 Routing Options ...... 7 4 Goods Vehicle Signage...... 14 5 Tourist Signage ...... 15 6 Emergency Diversion Routes ...... 19
Figures
Extents of the Signage Strategy 2 A12 Routing Options 7 A130 Routing Options 8 A131 / Stansted Airport 9 A414 Harlow 10 Broomfield A+E Hospital 11 City Centre 12 Chelmsford Crematorium 13 Hylands House 15 Melbourne Stadium 16 Riverside Ice and Leisure 17
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1 Introduction
1.1 Background The signage across the Chelmsford Traffic Network has been introduced organically over a long period of time. This has led to inconsistencies across the City as the various priorities have changed and as signage has been introduced as part of smaller schemes, rather than reconsidered as a whole.
Since Essex County Council’s signage policy was introduced in the mid- nineties, the way that drivers use road signs has changed. There is now a much greater use of satellite navigation, which means a reduced reliance on directional signage. Directions that were once useful, now add to “clutter” – on both the sign face and the street – which can make the road network more confusing for drivers.
This document provides a strategy for the use of directional signage across Chelmsford.
1.2 Objective The main objective of the signing strategy is to reduce traffic in Chelmsford by ensuring that the most appropriate route is clearly and consistently signed. This will attempt to return traffic to the Strategic Route Network as efficiently as possible, rather than direct traffic through the centre of Chelmsford. 1.3 Extents This strategy covers the strategic directional signage within the Chelmsford City limits. This is the area bordered by the A12 to the south, the Beaulieu development to the east and Writtle to the west, as shown in the figure overleaf. The main roads into the City are designated PR1 within Essex County Council’s Functional Route Hierarchy. These roads tend to be where most of the strategic signage is sited.
This strategy does not include car park signage. A separate project is being developed within the Chelmsford City Growth Package to deliver a car park and driver information signage strategy across the City.
This strategy does not include pedestrian or cycle signage. This strategy does not preclude the use of warning or regulatory signs, or direction signs required to avoid any new restrictions.
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Extents of the Signage Strategy
Colchester
London
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2 Signing Principles
2.1 De-cluttering Signage across Chelmsford has been introduced as specific signs have been required, rather than as part of a holistic review. Consequently, there are often more signs than are required, which can lead to inconsistencies within the signage.
This strategy aims at reducing sign clutter by providing signage to those destinations that are considered most useful, both to drivers and for the main objective of directing traffic to the Strategic Route Network as efficiently as possible.
It is proposed that all unnecessary, outdated and contradictory directional signage is removed.
2.2 Choice of Destination The majority of routes in Chelmsford are not appropriate for strategic traffic routing, as such the main principle employed is to direct drivers out of the City as effectively as possible, back onto the Strategic Route Network. For most strategic destinations, the most appropriate Strategic Route is the A12. With this in mind it is proposed to sign the A12 as a destination from the City Centre, rather than any of the traditional Primary Destinations.
It is not proposed to sign the M11 from any point on the Chelmsford road network.
Traffic entering Chelmsford will be directed to City Centre. On reaching the centre the aim will be to direct drivers to car parks. Given that Chelmsford’s City Centre is relatively compact, it is believed that drivers should be directed to the closest car park with available spaces, rather than linking car parks to destinations. The car park and driver information signage strategy is currently in development.
2.2.1 Primary Destinations The DfT lists Primary Destinations, i.e. those destinations linked by the Strategic Route Network. Seven of these destinations are linked to Chelmsford by (predominantly) one route, which should necessitate signage:
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London Basildon Ipswich Harlow Colchester Sudbury Southend
London, Ipswich and Colchester are all directly accessible from the A12. With this in mind it is proposed to sign the A12, rather than a specific direction, as stated above.
Southend and Basildon are accessed by the A130. As part of the North Chelmsford developments the length of A130 to the north of the A12 will be re- classified. This allows directional signage for Southend and Basildon within the City Centre to be replaced with signs for A130.
Harlow is accessed from Chelmsford by the A414, however the A414 no longer runs through the centre of Chelmsford, instead it follows the A12. With this in mind, from most destinations in Chelmsford it is not proposed to sign Harlow, Harlow traffic will instead follow the A12 signage.
Sudbury is linked to Chelmsford by the A131. Whilst the A131 is a Strategic Route it is believed that it would be more appropriate to direct traffic accessing Sudbury from the A12 to use the A134, rather than directing traffic through Chelmsford. It is also believed that for the majority of drivers Sudbury is a less useful destination than Stansted Airport (another Primary Destination). As such it is proposed to sign Stansted Airport as the destination to the north of Chelmsford.
2.2.2 Secondary and Tertiary Destinations The Essex Signing Policy identified 33 secondary destinations (destinations of significant navigational importance) and a further 145 tertiary destinations (typically communities having a population of over 1000 persons).
Eight of the secondary destinations are linked to Chelmsford by one route:
Billericay Maldon Braintree Witham Brentwood Canvey Island Danbury Halstead
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Brentwood and Witham are both accessible from the A12, as such drivers travelling to these destinations can follow A12 signage. Similarly, drivers travelling to Canvey Island can follow A130 signage.
Maldon and Danbury are both accessible on the A414. Historically this route has run through the centre of Chelmsford; it now follows the A12, with this in mind it is not proposed to sign these destinations from the City Centre. Maldon will be signed from A1114, Essex Yeomanry Way; it is not proposed to provide directional signage to Danbury.
Billericay is signed as the destination of the B1007. Through Chelmsford the B1007 is not an appropriate route for strategic traffic. Drivers for Billericay from the City Centre would be directed to the A12; Billericay is signed from the A12.
Braintree and Halstead are both accessible along the A131. Given Braintree’s size and navigational importance it is believed that there is value in signing Braintree from the north of Chelmsford to complement the Stansted Airport signage. It is not proposed to sign Halstead.
Sawbridgeworth, in Hertfordshire, has historically been signed as the secondary destination at the end of the A1060. It is not believed that Sawbridgeworth is a useful destination to drivers in Chelmsford City Centre. Furthermore, the strategic preference for trips between Chelmsford and Sawbridgeworth would be to use the A414.
Great Baddow is included as a secondary destination in the Signing Policy; Sandon, Springfield and Broomfield are designated Tertiary Destinations. It is believed that these are largely-residential suburbs of Chelmsford, rather than destinations in their own right. In general, it is proposed not to provide destination signage to residential suburbs as they are mainly of use to people who already know where they are going.
It is proposed that destinations physically distinct from Chelmsford such as the villages of Writtle and Galleywood will be signed from appropriate points in the Chelmsford Traffic Network – the A1016 junction with Writtle Road and the Miami Roundabout respectively.
2.2.3 Local Destinations With the exception of the City Centre, it is not proposed to provide direction signage to suburbs of Chelmsford (as noted above). City Centre will be signed on the approach roads once they have entered the Chelmsford City limits. Within the City Centre static direction signage will largely be replaced by variable car park / driver information signage.
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Broomfield Hospital will be signed across the City. Springfield Hospital will be signed from Chelmer Valley Road’s junction with Lawn Lane.
Both Park and Ride locations will be signed from appropriate locations.
It is proposed to sign the crematorium and Chelmsford Rail Station as both destinations are of value to drivers. It is noted, however, that car travel to the station is to be discouraged as car parking is limited and that additional signage may undermine the nearby bus gate. Beaulieu Station will not be signed from the City Centre.
The Essex Records Office will be signed from Springfield Road.
It is proposed not to sign the university, the courts or County Hall as there is no current parking provision.
It is not proposed to sign retail parks as distinct destinations in an attempt to reduce sign clutter.
It is not proposed to sign the prison as it has not previously been signed.
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3 Routing Options
3.1 A12 In Chapter 2 it was described that (generally) A12 would be signed, rather than a traditional primary destination. From most locations across the City the A12 will be signed without differentiating directions, so that traffic can be directed from the Chelmsford roads as efficiently as possible. Traffic in the City Centre will be directed towards the A12, via A1114, Essex Yeomanry Way.
Immediately north of the City Centre, where Parkway meets A1060 Roxwell Road and A1016 Waterhouse Lane, there is a benefit to splitting London-bound and Colchester-bound traffic, to reduce the pressure on Parkway. At this point, London-bound traffic will be directed along (A1016) Waterhouse Lane with Colchester-bound traffic directed along (A1016) Chelmer Valley Road.
A12 Routing Options
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3.2 A130 Traffic being directed to the A130 will be directed the same way as the A12 (all routes). At the point immediately north of the City Centre, A130 traffic will be directed along Parkway.
A130 Routing Options
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3.3 A131 Strategic traffic from the A12 will be directed to A131 Stansted Airport from Junction 19. Traffic will be directed towards Stansted Airport and Braintree from the north of the City Centre (i.e. from the Broomfield Road gyratory).
A131 / Stansted Airport
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3.4 A414, Harlow Harlow will be signed from the A12 Junction 15. It is not proposed to sign Harlow from within the City Centre, as a general principle. Harlow will be signed from the north of the City Centre via A1016 Waterhouse Lane (to relieve pressure on Parkway).
A414 Harlow
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3.5 Broomfield A+E Hospital Strategically Broomfield Accident and Emergency Hospital will be signed from A12 Junction 19; traffic will be directed around the northeastern boundary of Chelmsford and south along the B1008.
Within the City Centre traffic will be signed along A1016 Chelmer Valley Road, Valley Bridge and north along B1008.
Broomfield A+E Hospital
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3.6 City Centre Chelmsford will be signed as a destination from the A12. Once drivers are within the City limits they will be directed to City Centre, this will be via A138, Chelmer Road from the Northeast and A1016, Waterhouse Lane from the Southwest.
City Centre
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3.7 Other Destinations Chelmsford Crematorium will be signed from the City Centre, via both A1114 Princes Road and A1016 Waterhouse Lane. The Crematorium will also be signed from the Widford Roundabouts, via Waterhouse Lane.
Chelmsford Crematorium
As well as the A12 approaches, Sandon Park and Ride will be signed from the B1007 approach to the A12. Chelmer Valley Park and Ride will be signed from the Nabbotts Farm and Sheepcotes Roundabouts.
Chelmsford Station will be signed from Parkway, Springfield Road and the Broomfield gyratory. It should be ensured that signage does not undermine the signage for the nearby bus gate.
Springfield Hospital will be signed from the A1016, Chelmer Valley Road at its junction with Stump Lane.
Essex Records Office will be signed from B1137, Springfield Road, at its junction with Navigation Road.
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4 Goods Vehicle Signage
Chelmsford’s two main industrial areas are in the vicinity of Junctions 15 and 19 of the A12. It is proposed to sign traffic to these industrial areas from the closest junctions. It is not proposed to sign traffic to these industrial areas from elsewhere in the City.
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5 Tourist Signage
In an attempt to limit the amount of symbols and the subsequent risk of inconsistent route signage, it is proposed (as a general rule) to direct drivers to the City Centre and sign tourist destinations from there.
This document has not conducted a review of the City’s tourist attractions in line with the Essex Procedure for Consideration of Brown and White Tourism Signs. It has generally been assumed that if the car park access to a tourist attraction is not obvious from the Strategic Road Network then it should be signed
5.1 Hylands House Hylands House estate will be signed from Junction 15 of the A12. The access to Hylands House will be signed on Three Mile Hill using the T3 House of historic or architectural value symbol; the access to Hylands Park will be signed on Greenbury Way using the T8 Woodland recreation area symbol.
Hylands House
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Given the significance of the park, signage will be provided from the City Centre, via both Van Diemens Road and Waterhouse Lane, using the T3 symbol.
5.2 Sports facilities Melbourne Stadium is shared by Chelmsford City Football Club and Chelmsford Sport and Athletic Centre. To reduce the signage requirements it is proposed to sign both venues using one symbol, it is proposed to use the T138 Football ground symbol as this is easier for drivers to understand and ensures that there is no confusion with the Riverside Leisure Centre. It is proposed to sign Melbourne Stadium from the City Centre via A1060 Roxwell Road and Chignal Road.
Melbourne Stadium
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Riverside Ice and Leisure is located on Victoria Road in the City Centre. It will be signed from Springfield Road, Chelmer Valley Road and Parkway using the T147 Ice skating symbol.
Riverside Ice and Leisure
Essex County Cricket Club is in the centre of the City in a location visible from Parkway. It is proposed to sign the stadium from Parkway using the T137 Cricket ground symbol.
Chelmsford City Racecourse is five miles north of Chelmsford and accessed from the A131. It will not be signed from the Chelmsford Traffic Network.
5.3 Other Attractions Chelmsford Cathedral does not have any designated parking, as such it will not be signed beyond the initial direction towards the City Centre.
Chelmsford Museum will be signed from Parkway and Waterhouse Lane using the T203 Museum or art gallery symbol.
The Civic and Cramphorn Theatres will be signed from Parkway, from the Multi- storey roundabout, Broomfield Road Gyratory and Waterhouse Lane using the T164 Theatre or Concert Hall symbol.
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Moulsham Mill Centre will be signed on Parkway, from the Army and Navy and Odeon Roundabouts using the T120 Pottery or craft centre symbol.
Pontlands Park and Baddow Antique Centre will be signed from the A1114 via Church Street.
Epping and Ongar Railway can be reached using the A414. It will not be signed from the Chelmsford Traffic Network, but from the A414 at the Four Wantz Roundabout. It is not proposed to sign the Chelmsford Miniature Railway, as it does not have a formal tourist sign.
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6 Emergency Diversion Routes
It is not proposed to reintroduce the diversion symbol signs as part of this signage strategy.
The signs that are in place are inconsistent, occasionally conflicting and seldom, if ever, used for strategic diversions.
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