Agenda Item: 3023/2011 Report author: NICK BORRAS Tel: 0113 3951431

Report to the Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation)

Date: 05 December 2011

Scheme Title: A656 Roman Road, - Proposed Road Safety Scheme.

Capital Scheme Number: 16472

Are specific electoral Wards affected? X Yes No

If relevant, name(s) of Ward(s): GARFORTH & SWILLINGTON

Are there implications for equality and diversity and cohesion and Yes X No integration?

Is the decision eligible for Call-In? Yes X No

Does the report contain confidential or exempt information? Yes X No If relevant, Access to Information Procedure Rule number: Appendix number:

Summary of main issues

These proposals aim to address the problems and concerns that have arisen and been highlighted since the spate of road accidents including a fatal accident in April on the A656 Roman Road in Garforth.

The issues on the A656 Roman Road and the apparent contributing factors of the recent injury accidents are that the conspicuity and the general environment of the highway is such that there are no indications that vehicles are travelling on a single lane carriageway, which has led drivers, to drive on the wrong side of the road, which has subsequently resulted in serious and fatal collisions.

Recommendations

The Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation) is requested to:

i) approve the implementation of a road safety scheme on the A656 Roman Road, between Junction 47 of the M1 and Church Lane Micklefield as shown on the attached drawing TME-13-1-120-1 at a total estimated cost of £52,500; and

ii). give authority to incur expenditure of £50,000 works costs and £2,500 staff costs, to be funded from the Integrated Transport Scheme 99609 within the approved Capital Programme.

1 Purpose of this report

1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the implementation of a package of traffic management measures along the A656 Roman Road, Garforth between Junction 47 of the M1 and Church Lane Micklefield, as shown on the attached drawing number TME-13-1-120-1.

2 Background information

2.1 The A656 Roman Road is a main principal route running north to south from junction 47 of the M1 motorway at Garforth to Castleford, and is signed from Garforth as the main route from the M1 to the A1 giving it a high usage of all classes of traffic, with the section in question being the northern most section of carriageway between Micklefield and the M1 motorway.

2.2 The section of the A656 Roman Road between Junction 47 of the M1 motorway and Church Lane at Micklefield was constructed and opened in February 1999 as part of the A1/ M1 link road and runs from the line of the old Roman Road through open fields up to the new M1 motorway roundabout junction at Garforth. This section is tree lined on the southern side and rural in nature, curving through open fields, with only two side road junctions located at the Micklefield end of the length. The length of the A656 in question is a single carriageway, which is subject to a de-restricted speed limit and is not subject to any system of street lighting or any form of recognisable street furniture.

2.3 The issues on the A656 Roman Road have been brought to our attention following a double fatal accident in April 2011, which involved a vehicle leaving the M1 motorway at Junction 47 and proceeded to drive in a south easterly direction along the A656 Roman Road on the wrong side of the road for a distance of approx. 1 mile, with the driver under the impression that he was on a dual carriageway, until colliding head on into an unsuspecting vehicle on the correct side of the road, close to the Ridge Road junction.

2.4 The injury accident record for this specific length of the A656 Roman Road is such that there have been 10 injury accidents comprising of 4 slight, 4 serious and 2 fatal in the past five years, with the triple fatal accident in 2008 occurring under almost identical circumstances as the fatal accident in April this year, with a vehicle leaving the M1 motorway at Junction 47 and proceeding to drive on the wrong side of the road, with the driver under the impression that he was on a dual carriageway, until colliding head on into an unsuspecting vehicle on the correct side of the road.

2.5 Whilst the recorded injury accident record for the A656 Roman Road is reasonably good with 10 injury accidents over the past five years (average of 2 per annum), and only 12 injury accidents (4 slight, 6 Serious and 2 fatal) since 1999 (average 1 per annum). Investigations undertaken by both West Police and City Council, since the double fatal accident in April this year, have shown that the main problems on the A656 Roman Road are the general conspicuity of the highway environment, the lack of street furniture and the general open rural nature, which has lead to an element of drivers believing that they are travelling on a dual-carriageway and thus driving on the wrong side of the road. Since the fatal accident in April, there has already been another serious accident, which again involved a vehicle travelling on the wrong side of the road and colliding head on with another vehicle.

3 Main issues

3.1 Design Proposals and Full Scheme Description.

3.1.1 These proposals aim to address the problems and concerns that have arisen and been highlighted since the spate of fatal road accidents in April on the A656 Roman Road and A63 Road in Garforth.

3.1.2 Following discussions with Police and the City Council’s Accident Investigation team, the general consensus is that the conspicuity and the general environment of the A656 is such that there are no indications that vehicles are travelling on a single lane carriageway.

Therefore in order to improve the general environment of the A656 Roman Road and address the predominant fatal accident pattern, we are proposing to undertake works which include;

i) the introduction of a double white line system to prevent overtaking in unsuitable locations;

ii) the introduction of two way traffic warning signs to make drivers aware of the road condition;

iii) the introduction of warning signs, marker posts and chevron boards to highlight the numerous bends along the length of road;

iv) the introduction of appropriate road studs to highlight the length of road; and

v) the refurbishment of all existing road markings not affected by the works.

3.1.3 The proposed road safety measures are illustrated on the attached drawing number TME/13/1/120/1.

3.2 Prior Approvals

3.2.1 There are no prior approvals to report.

3.3 Programme

3.3.1 It is anticipated that the scheme will be undertaken during the 2011/2012 financial year subject to approval and funding allocation.

4 Corporate Considerations

4.1 Consultation and Engagement

4.1.1 Ward Members and Local MP

Ward Members and the Local MP have all contacted Traffic Management following the fatal accident in April this year requesting that works be carried out immediately to resolve the problems on the A656, and were informed that Traffic Management were already drawing up proposals to resolve the varying problems. The Ward Members and Local MP were consulted in August 2011 and all were in full support of the proposals. .

4.1.2 Emergency Services and Metro (WYPTE).

Traffic Management have been in continuous discussions with West Yorkshire Police during the development of the proposals and have received their full support to the scheme in July 2011. Due to the nature of the scheme and them being traffic signing and road markings orientated the other Emergency Services and Metro were not consulted as the proposals have no impact on the provision of these services.

4.1.3 ’s Accident Investigation Officer

Traffic Management have been in continuous discussions with the City Councils Accident Investigation Officer during the development of the proposed road safety scheme and suggestions about changing the direction signing at the M1 roundabout that were made by the Accident Investigation Officer have been taken on board and included in the scheme for the A656 Roman Road.

The road safety scheme was initially to have been undertaken within a maintenance scheme and would not have required a safety audit. However the maintenance scheme has slipped and the road safety scheme is now being progressed on a stand alone basis, which despite the discussions with the Accident Investigation Officer, now falls into the remit of a safety audit. A combined Stage 1/2 Safety Audit will be undertaken prior to the works being implemented and any issues raised will be addressed and included.

4.1.4 Family of the Deceased

Correspondence has been exchanged with the family of the deceased following the double fatal accident on the A656 Roman Road in April 2011. The family contacted Traffic Management via the Local MP asking that action be taken immediately to avoid any further unnecessary deaths. The family were informed that Traffic Management were currently drawing up proposals to resolve the problems on the A656 Roman Road, to which they were pleased to hear and waited to see what affect the proposals had on the behaviour of traffic.

4.2 Equality and Diversity / Cohesion and Integration

4.2.1 This report has no implication for ethnic minorities, women or disabled people.

4.3 Council Policies and City Priorities

4.3.1 The proposals contained within this report are in accordance with Aim 7 of the Environmental Policy in that the improvement works will reduce the number and severity of accidents thereby creating a safer local environment.

The road safety scheme is highly unlikely to generate any Land Compensation Act related claims or generate any significant environmental impacts. Overall this scheme should result in reduced vehicle speeds leading to reduced emissions & slight environmental benefits.

4.3.2 The proposal contributes to the policies in the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan 2011-26 as follows:

Proposal 18. Improve safety and security, seeking to minimise transport casualties

4.4 Community Safety

4.4.1 The proposals contained in this report have no implications under Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1988.

4.5 Resources and value for money

4.5.1 Full scheme estimate

The scheme is estimated to cost £52,500 ( £50,000 works costs and £2,500 staff costs ). All scheme costs will be funded from the Integrated Transport Scheme 99609 within the approved Capital Programme

4.6 Capital Funding and Cash Flow Previous total Authority TOTAL TO M ARCH FORECAST to Spend on this scheme 2011 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015 on £000's £000's £000's £000's £000's £000's £000's LAND (1) 0.0 CONSTRUCTION (3) 0.0 FURN & EQPT (5) 0.0 DESIGN FEES (6) 0.0 OTHER COSTS (7) 0.0 TOTALS 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Authority to Spend TOTAL TO MARCH FORECAST required for this Approval 2011 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015 on £000's £000's £000's £000's £000's £000's £000's LAND (1) 0.0 CONSTRUCTION (3) 50.0 40.0 10.0 FURN & EQPT (5) 0.0 DESIGN FEES (6) 2.5 2.0 0.5 OTHER COSTS (7) 0.0 TOTALS 52.5 0.0 42.0 10.5 0.0 0.0 0.0

Total overall Funding TOTAL TO M ARCH FORECAST (As per latest Capital 2011 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015 on Programme) £000's £000's £000's £000's £000's £000's £000's

LCC Supported Borrowing 0.0 Revenue Contribution 0.0 Capital Receipt 0.0 Insurance Receipt 0.0 Lottery 0.0 Gifts / Bequests / Trusts 0.0 European Grant 0.0 Health Authority 0.0 School Fundraising 0.0 Private Sector 0.0 Section 106 / 278 0.0 Government Grant 52.5 42.0 10.5 SCE ( C ) 0.0 SCE ( R ) 0.0 Departmental USB 0.0 Corporate USB 0.0 Any Other Income ( Specify) 0.0

Total Funding 52.5 0.0 42.0 10.5 0.0 0.0 0.0

Balance / Shortfall = 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Parent Scheme Number : 99609 Title : LTP Transport Policy Capital Programme

4.7 Legal Implications, Access to Information and Call In

4.7.1 There are no specific Legal Implications included within this report, nor is any information contained within the report to be deemed confidential.

4.8 Risk Management

4.8.1 The risks associated with this scheme are that should the works not be carried out then the risk of another accident, be it slight, serious or fatal is highly likely, especially during the autumn and winter months. In the time since the fatal accident in April there has already been another serious accident involving a vehicle on the wrong side of the carriageway colliding head on with another vehicle.

With regards undertaking the works themselves, there are no risks over and above those expected when working on the public highway, although the proposals for the A656 Roman Road will be undertaken under a road closure.

5.0 Conclusion

5.1 These proposals aim to address the problems and issues clearly apparent on the A656 Roman Road which have resulted in 10 injury accidents comprising of 4 slight, 4 serious and 2 fatal and the loss of 5 lives in the past five years.

5.2 The proposals are also aimed at addressing the concerns of the local Councillors, the local MP, West Yorkshire Police and the family of the recently deceased, and resolves the accident problems that are continuing to occur all too regular and it is felt that the proposals listed above will improve conspicuity of the highway environment and discourage drivers from overtaking in those precarious locations.

7.0 Recommendations

7.1 The Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation) is requested to:

i) note the contents of this report;

ii) approve the implementation of a road safety scheme on the A656 Roman Road, as shown on the attached drawings TME-13-1-120-1 at a total estimated cost of £52,500; and

iii) give authority to incur expenditure of £50,000 works costs and £2,500 staff costs, to be from the Integrated Transport Scheme 99609 within the approved Capital Programme.

8.0 BACKGROUND PAPERS • Consultation to: West Yorkshire Police, Ward Members, Local MP and the Family of the deceased. • Consultation responses. • Comments of the Accident Investigation Officer • Details of the Recorded Injury Accidents