M32 Consultation on the introduction of a permanent 40mph speed limit and the extension of the southbound bus lane

14 December 2016 -17 January 2017 Contents

Executive summary 2

Consultation at a glance 3

Background—how we got to this stage 4

Proposed legislative changes 5

Government consultation principles 11

Appendix 13

1 Executive Summary

This consultation gives interested The existing capacity of the M32 is not affected parties an opportunity to comment on by the extension of the bus lane. There will still be the introduction and enforcement (by two lanes of traffic flowing in and out of the city (on regulations under section 17(2) and (3) the northbound and southbound carriageways), of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984) alongside the extended bus lane. This has been of a bus lane extension and 40mph achieved by reducing the variable width hard speed limit on specified roads shown in shoulder, narrowing the central reservation, and diagrams on page 7. using narrower running lanes in both directions) to essentially fit the bus lane into the available land. The new bus lane is an extension of approximately 900 metres to the existing southbound The reduction in the permanent speed limit is Newfoundland Way bus lane on the M32 (in the necessary because once the bus lane has been vicinity of junction 3). Planning permission for the extended, traffic in and out of the city will be using extended bus lane was granted in 2014 as part narrower lanes, and will also be running closer to of the MetroBus project (details of that planning the structures around the motorway. application can be found here: https://www.bristol. gov.uk/streets-travel/metrobus-bus-rapid-transit-brt).

2 The consultation at a glance

Scope We are proposing to permanently introduce a 40mph speed limit in both directions on the M32 in the vicinity of junction 3 (from a point 101 metres south of junction 3 to a point 22 metres north of the Severn Beach Railway Line overbridge) and restrict traffic on a further 900 metre section of bus lane (which is attached to the existing bus lane) on the M32 (see the diagrams on page 7).

We are asking for your views on the traffic restriction on the extended bus lane on the M32, and the introduction of a 40mph speed limit.

This consultation is not seeking comments on the planning application for the bus lane itself, or the associated MetroBus works, as they were given planning permission in 2014.

The consultation will last for a period of four weeks commencing on 14 December 2016. It will close on 17 January 2017. Please ensure responses arrive no later than that date.

How to Please send your consultation response using the consultation response form respond in appendix A to:

Sean Walsh Highways England, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square Temple Quay, BS1 6HA.

Or alternatively you can respond electronically email at: [email protected]

After the All responses received within the consultation period will be considered and consultation responded to as necessary.

Following the end of the consultation period a summary report will be made available on the website (https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/). The report will provide an analysis of the feedback received and Highways England’s response to this input. We will aim to produce this report within four weeks of the consultation period ending.

Subject to the results of the consultation, it is envisaged that the bus lane and speed limits will be in operation by Spring 2017.

3 Background: how we got to this stage

The extension to the existing bus lane Information provided in response to this is part of the wider MetroBus project, consultation, including personal information, which is intended to reduce bus journey may be subject to publication or disclosure times across the city thus encouraging in accordance with the access to information people to travel by public transport, regimes (these are primarily the Freedom of reducing congestion and improving air Information Act 2000 (FOIA), the Data Protection quality as people switch from their cars. Act 1998 (DPA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004).

An important objective of the MetroBus scheme If you would like the information that you provide is to improve links between the relatively to be treated as confidential, please be aware poorly connected south of Bristol to the large that under the FOIA, there is a statutory Code of employment and education areas to the north of the city and in South Gloucestershire, thereby Practice with which public authorities must comply enabling social inclusion. and which deals amongst other things, with obligations of confidence. For more information The bus lane (and associated MetroBus works) about what information can be requested under received planning permission in 2014. For the FOIA, see: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/ information about the scheme and links to the official-information. planning applications submitted / granted in relation to it, see: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/streets- Highways England will process your personal data travel/metrobus-bus-rapid-transit-brt. in accordance with the DPA and in the majority of circumstances this will mean that your personal This consultation is on the proposed regulations data will not be disclosed to third parties. required to introduce traffic restriction for operation of the bus lane and a 40mph speed limit on the Further information roads specified in diagram 1 (on page 7). To request further information about the M32 bus This consultation is limited to the introduction of lane or the 40mph speed limit please contact the traffic restriction for operation of a 900 metre bus project team in writing to: lane extension to the existing Newfoundland Way bus lane onto the M32 and an associated 40mph Sean Walsh speed limit. Highways England Temple Quay House After the consultation period, we will publish 2 The Square Temple Quay a response to consultation report, which will BS1 6HA be shared online at https://highwaysengland. citizenspace.com. [email protected]

4 Proposed legislative changes

Subject to the outcome of the Junction 3 of the M32 is flanked by high retaining consultation, regulations will need to be walls. This limits the width available to provide made under section 17(2) and (3) of the the bus lane. Therefore the existing hard shoulder, Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (the running lanes and central reservation have 1984 Act). been narrowed in accordance with the planning permission, to create the space for the bus lane extension. The proposed Regulations will prohibit vehicles from driving in the bus lane extension with the There will still be reduced, variable width, hard following exemptions- shoulders and hardened verges along the side of the motorway, and the widest points will be „„ Buses marked as passenger Emergency Refuge „„ Taxis Areas (ERAs) should people prefer not to stay „„ Motorcycles with their car in the event of a breakdown or „„ Police emergency situation. „„ Ambulance „„ Fire and rescue service In order to enforce the reduced 40mph speed „„ Highways England traffic officer service limit, average speed cameras will be introduced „„ Maintenance vehicles southbound. CCTV coverage in the locality will also be extended either via the In addition, the proposed Regulations will prohibit network or new provision. Currently Highways driving at more than 40mph on the M32 and the England coverage does not include this locality. slip roads northbound and southbound from a point 22 metres north of the Severn Beach railway With the above safeguards in place, the area will line overbridge in the vicinity of M32 junction 3 to be very similar in configuration to other restricted the terminus of the M32 (approx. 101 metres south highway networks across the country. For example of junction 3). tunnels, bridges and local parts of the Avon Ring Road or Bristol City network (such as that shown in Vehicles used for emergency services and UK the photograph below). special forces purposes would be exempt from the proposed speed limit. The extent of the speed limit is shown in diagram 1 (on page 7).

General information on the M32 off side bus lane extension

Proposed extent.

The bus lane extension will run along the offside of Temple Way on the local Bristol City network southbound carriageway of the in the vicinity of junction 3 towards for approximately 900 metres. It will join with the existing Bristol City Council bus lane and there will still be two lanes in both directions for regular traffic. A plan of the extent is shown in diagram 2 (on page 7).

5 Why does the city need this? Furthermore there will be no loss of traffic Although beneficial to the faster movement of capacity. Regular traffic will still have two lanes in all buses using it, this bus lane extension has both directions. been designed as part of West of England’s How will emergency situations Local Enterprise Partnership MetroBus rapid be managed? transit scheme. The addition of the extended bus lane and the Evaluation and comparison of similar schemes introduction and enforcement of a 40mph speed indicate that it will help to: limit will still allow the M32 to operate safely. While narrower than at present there will still be „„ Reduce bus journey times hard shoulders and hardened verges alongside „„ Improve customer satisfaction the live running lanes, with defined emergency „„ Enable people to shift from their cars to refuge areas at the widest points. Motorists will public transport be able to use these in the event of a breakdown „„ Reduce congestion on both Highways England should they choose not to stay with their vehicle and local roads while they wait for recovery either by the police or „„ Improve air quality Highways England traffic officers. In addition to „„ Enable social inclusion this there will be improved signing and „„ Facilitate economic growth CCTV coverage.

The emergency services will be able to use the extended bus lane at all times.

6 Diagram 1

Diagram 2

7 Government consultation principles

We are conducting this consultation proposal. Consulting for too long will unnecessarily in accordance with the government’s delay policy development. Consulting too quickly consultation principles: will not give enough time for consideration and will reduce the quality of responses. Consultation principles 2016 F. Consultations should be targeted. Consider A. Consultations should be clear and concise the full range of people, business and voluntary Use plain English and avoid acronyms. Be clear bodies affected by the policy, and whether what questions you are asking and limit the representative groups exist. Consider targeting number of questions to those that are necessary. specific groups if appropriate. Ensure they are Make them easy to understand and easy to aware of the consultation and can access it. answer. Avoid lengthy documents when possible Consider how to tailor consultation to the needs and consider merging those on related topics. and preferences of particular groups, such as older people, younger people or people with B. Consultations should have a purpose Do disabilities that may not respond to traditional not consult for the sake of it. Ask departmental consultation methods. lawyers whether you have a legal duty to consult. Take consultation responses into account when G. Consultations should take account of the taking policy forward. Consult about policies or groups being consulted. Consult stakeholders in a implementation plans when the development of way that suits them. Charities may need more time the policies or plans is at a formative stage. Do not to respond than businesses, for example. When ask questions about issues on which you already the consultation spans all or part of a holiday have a final view. period, consider how this may affect consultation and take appropriate mitigating action. C. Consultations should be informative. Give enough information to ensure that those consulted H. Consultations should be agreed before understand the issues and can give informed publication Seek collective agreement before responses. Include validated assessments of publishing a written consultation, particularly when the costs and benefits of the options being consulting on new policy proposals. Consultations considered when possible; this might be required should be published on gov.uk. where proposals have an impact on business or the voluntary sector. I. Consultation should facilitate scrutiny. Publish any response on the same page on gov.uk as the D. Consultations are only part of a process of original consultation, and ensure it is clear when engagement. Consider whether informal iterative the government has responded to the consultation. consultation is appropriate, using new digital tools Explain the responses that have been received and open, collaborative approaches. Consultation from consultees and how these have informed the is not just about formal documents and responses. policy. State how many responses have It is an on-going process. been received.

E. Consultations should last for a proportionate J. Government responses to consultations amount of time. Judge the length of the should be published in a timely fashion. Publish consultation on the basis of legal advice and responses within 12 weeks of the consultation or taking into account the nature and impact of the provide an explanation why this is not possible.

8 Where consultation concerns a statutory Andy Johnson instrument publish responses before or at the Highways England same time as the instrument is laid, except in The Cube, exceptional circumstances. Allow appropriate 199 Wharfside Street, time between closing the consultation and Birmingham, implementing policy or legislation. B1 1RN.

K. Consultation exercises should not generally be Or alternatively email launched during local or national election periods. [email protected] If exceptional circumstances make a consultation absolutely essential (for example, for safeguarding Further information about the consultation public health), departments should seek advice principles can be located on the Gov.uk website: from the Propriety and Ethics team in the https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ Cabinet Office. consultation-principles-guidance

If you have reason to believe this consultation document does not comply with these consultation principles, please write to our consultation co-ordinator at the address on this page, setting out the areas where you believe this paper does not meet the criteria.

9 Appendix A Consultation response form M32 south bound bus lane extension and 40mph speed limit.

Please complete this form by 17 January 2017 and return it to:

Sean Walsh, Highways England Temple Quay House 2 The Square, Temple Quay Bristol, BS1 6HA.

Part 1 – Information about you Completion of this section is optional but helps with our analysis of results. A note at the end of this form explains that we may be obliged to release information if asked to do so.

Name

Address

Postcode

Email

Company name or organisation

Please tick one box from the list below that best describes you/your company or organisation.

Small to medium enterprise (up to 50 employees) Large company Representative organisation Trade union Interest group Local government Central government Police Member of the public Other (please describe)

10 If you are responding on behalf of an organisation or interest group how many members do you have and how did you obtain the views of your members.

If you would like your response or personal details to be treated confidentially, please explain why.

Part 2 – Your comments

Yes Do you have any concerns or feedback to offer regarding traffic restrictions on a southbound bus lane extension? No

Please add any comments:

Do you have any concerns or feedback to offer regarding the plan to introduce a new Yes permanent 40mph speed limit (from a point 101 metres south of junction 3 to a point 22 metres north of the Severn Beach Railway Line overbridge), on the M32? No

Please add any comments:

11 Are there any additional comments you would like to make about this project (traffic Yes restriction on a southbound bus lane extension and a 40mph speed limit on the M32 in the vicinity of junction 3)? No

Please add any comments:

Notes on the disclosure of information Information provided in response to this consultation, including personal information, may be subject to publication or disclosure in accordance with the access to information regimes (these are primarily the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004).

If you want any information that you provide to be treated as confidential, please be aware that under the FOIA, there is a statutory Code of Practice with which public authorities must comply and which deals, amongst other things, with obligations of confidence.

For more information about what information can be requested under the FOIA, see: https://ico.org.uk/ for-the-public/official-information

Highways England will process your personal data in accordance with the DPA and in the majority of circumstances this will mean that your personal data will not be disclosed to third parties.

12 Appendix B List of consultees Government Bodies

Government bodies Chief Executive MOD Driving Standards Agency DE&S Secretariat Axis Building, Ministry of Defence Maple 0a, #2043 MOD Abbey 112 Upper Parliament Street Wood, Bristol. BS34 8JH Nottingham NG1 6LP Chief Executive Chairman Local Government Association The Crown Estate Local Government House 6 Bell’s Brae Smith Square Edinburgh London EH4 3BJ SW1P 3HZ Core responders / legal Chairman (Traffic Committee) The Association of Ambulance Chief ACPO Executives 7th Floor 32 Southwark Bridge Road 25 Victoria St London, London SE1 9EU SW1H 0EX Chief Constable Central Council of Magistrates Courts British Transport Police Committee Force HQ 185 Marylebone Road, 25 Camden Road London London NW1 5QB NW1 9LN The President Executive Director Chief Fire Officers Association Magistrates’ Association 9-11 Pebble Close Fitzroy Square Amington London Tamworth W1P 6DD Staffordshire B77 4RD Chief Constable Chief Executive Ministry of Defence Police DVSA 5th Floor, Berkeley House Zone A Main Building Whitehall Croydon Street London Bristol SW1A 2HB BS5 0DA

13 The President The Chairman Police Superintendents Association of Police Federation England and Wales Federation House 67a Reading Road Highbury Drive Pangbourne Leatherhead Berkshire Surrey RG8 7JD KT22 7UY Regimental Secretary RHQ RMP Defence Chief Fire Officer Police College Policing and Guarding Postal Point Avon Fire & Rescue Service 38, Southwick Park, Headquarters Fareham, Temple Back Hants Bristol PO17 6EJ BS1 6EU Avon and Somerset Police South Western Ambulance Service NHS Avon and Somerset Police HQ Foundation Trust PO Box 37 Abbey Court Valley Road Eagle Way Portishead Exeter Bristol EX2 7HY BS20 8QJ Environmental organisations Chief Executive The Chair Environment Agency Friends of the Earth South East Regional Office, 26-3 Underwood Street Kings Meadow House, London Kings Meadow Road, N1 7JQ Reading RG1 8DQ Chief Executive Natural England 1 East Parade Sheffield S1 2ET Road user / safety organisations The Chairman The Chairman AIRSO Alliance of British Drivers 68 The Boulevard P O Box 248 Worthing MANCHESTER BN13 1LA M41 4BW The Chairman The Chairman Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport British Motorcycle Federation Safety (PACTS) 3 Oswin Road Clutha House, Brailsford Industrial Estate 10 Storey’s Gate, Braunstone London Leicester SW1P 3AY LE3 1HR

14 The Chair Chief Executive Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Health and Safety Executive Committee Rose Court, 2/17 Great Minster House 2 Southwark Bridge 33 Horseferry Road London London SE1 9HS SW1P 4DR Chief Executive The Chairman Freight Transport Association Institute of Road Safety Officers Hermes House IRSO Head Office St John’s Road 12 Haddon Close Tunbridge Wells Wellingborough Kent Northamptonshire TN4 9UZ NN8 5ZB The Chairman The Chair Institute of Advanced Motorists Motorcycle Industry Trainers Association IAM House 1 Rye Hill Office Park Birmingham Road 510 Chiswick High Road Allesley London Coventry W4 5RG CV5 9AB The Chairman Chief Executive Motorcycle Action Group National Express Group PLC Central Office National Express House P.O. Box 750 Mill Lane Warwick Digbeth CV34 9FU Birmingham B5 6DD The Chairman The Chairman PACTS RAC Foundation Office F18 89-91 Pall Mall The Media Centre London 7 Northumberland Street SW1Y 5HS Huddersfield HD1 1RL The Chief Executive The Chairman Road Haulage Association Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Roadway House, RoSPA House Bretton Way, 3 Calthorpe Road Bretton, Edgbaston Peterborough Birmingham PE3 8DD B15 1RP

15 The Chief Executive The Chief Executive Campaign For Better Transport Disabled Motoring UK 16 Waterside, National Headquarters 44-48 Wharf Road Ashwellthorpe London Norwich N1 7UX NR16 1EX Vehicle recovery operators Operations Manager Road Operations Director RAC Motoring Services The Automobile Association Ltd RAC House Fanum House Brockhurst Crescent Basing view Walsall Basingstoke WS5 4QZ Hampshire RG21 4EA Chief Executive Managing Director Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators Britannia Rescue AVRO House Freepost RSJA-XLCX-BLCE 1 Bath Street Folly Hall Mills Rugby St Thomas Road CV21 3JF Huddersfield HD1 3LT Network Operations Manger Operations Director Green Flag Mondial Assistance Green Flag House Mondial House Cote Lane 102 George Street Pudsey Croydon Leeds Surrey LS3 5GF CR9 1AJ Chief Executive The President Institute of Vehicle Recovery Operators Road Rescue Recovery Association Top Floor Hubberts Bridge Rd Bignell House Kirton Holme Horton Road Boston West Drayton Lincolnshire Middlesex PE20 1TW UB7 8EJ The Director National Tyre Distributors Association 8 Temple Square Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP20 2QH

16 Business organisations The Chairman The Chairman Business West - Leigh Court Association of British Insurers Leigh Court 51 Gresham Street Abbots Leigh London Bristol EC2V 7HQ BS8 3RA Chief Executive The President British Insurance Brokers’ Association Institute of Civil Engineers 8th Floor One Great George Street John Stow House Westminster 18 Bevis Marks London London SW1P 3AA EC3A 7JB Chief Executive Chief Executive The Chartered Institution of Highways and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation Transport 119 Britannia Walk Earlstrees Court London Earlstrees Road Corby, N1 7JE Northants NN17 4AX Chief Executive South West Director Motor Insurers’ Bureau CBI South West Linford Wood House Innovation Centre 6-12 Capital Drive Linford Wood University of Exeter Milton Keynes Rennes Drive MK14 6X T EX4 4RN Local Government Bristol City Council South Gloucestershire Council Bristol City Council PO Box 300 City Hall, Civic Centre PO Box 3176, High Street Bristol Kingswood BS3 9FS Bristol BS15 0DS

17 Frequently asked questions

Why are you consulting on a bus lane which is already under construction? The extension to the existing bus lane was given planning approval in 2014 as part of the planning application for MetroBus north fringe (see https://www.bristol.gov.uk/streets-travel/metrobus-bus-rapid- transit-brt and http://planningonline.bristol.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=d ocuments&keyVal=N2FHD4DN00J00).

We are simply seeking views on traffic restrictions that now need to be applied to the lane to enable it to work effectively. Why do you need to reduce the speed on this section of the M32 to 40mph? In order to maintain two live lanes of traffic both in and out of Bristol on the M32 in the vicinity of junction 3 while extending the existing bus lane, we have had to narrow the hard shoulder and the central reservation in places. Similarly the live running lanes are also being narrowed slightly. These changes mean that road users will find themselves driving closer to the large structures around the road. As such it’s necessary to reduce the speed limit to 40mph to ensure the safety of road users. If this speed reduction is not put in place there could be a risk to life should an accident occur. What will you do to enforce the new speed limit? We will be installing some permanent average speed cameras on the M32 (in the vicinity of junction 3) to monitor the average speeds of road users. What impact will the newly extended bus lane have on journeys in / out of Bristol by car / other means? The newly extended bus lane is part of the wider MetroBus project which aims to increase public transport use, and therefore cut congestion, across the wider Bristol area. The bus lane will make local bus travel more reliable, by offering consistent and reduced end to end journey times for those buses using it. This is turn is expected to increase the appeal of public transport and encourage people to make a modal shift from car to bus. Any reduction in car usage in favour of more sustainable means of transport will make travelling in and out of Bristol better for everyone. What work has already taken place? Work to extend the bus lane on the M32 has already begun (having been given planning consent in 2014). Will the planned reduction in the speed limit slow traffic down even further / make it harder to get into Bristol than it is already? No. There is already a gradual reduction in speed as traffic makes its way into Bristol (noting that where the M32 becomes the A4032, Newfoundland Way, the road is subject to a 30mph limit, before reaching traffic signals which often bring traffic to a standstill). The introduction and enforcement of the new 40mph speed limit on the approach to this point will simply ensure traffic slows down in a controlled manner. Traffic exiting the city will move from a 30mph zone on the A4032 (Newfoundland Way), gradually building speed through the planned 40mph zone, before reaching the national 70mph limit. What happens next? This consultation will run until 17 January 2017. Feedback collated during the period will then be considered, with a consultation report produced within four weeks of this. This report will provide an analysis of the feedback and Highways England’s response to it.

Subject to the results of the consultation, it is envisaged that the bus lane and speed limit will be in operation, by Spring 2017. 18 If you need help accessing this or any other Highways England information, please call 0300 123 5000 and we will help you.

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