Route Study Summary Report A20 Corridor – Ashton Way to Coldharbour Roundabout
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Route Study Summary Report A20 Corridor – Ashton Way to Coldharbour Roundabout CO04300409/001 Revision 04 July 2016 Document Control Sheet Project Name: A20 Corridor – Ashton Way to Coldharbour Roundabout Project Number: CO04300409 Report Title: Route Study and Options Report Report Number: 001 Issue Prepared Reviewed Approved Status/Amendment 00 (Interim Summary Name: Name: Name: Report – Draft for Elizabeth Elphick Charlotte Saunders Jeff Webb Comment) Charlotte Saunders Elizabeth Elphick Signature: Signature: Signature: Date: 23/03/16 Date: 24/03/16 Date: 24/03/16 01 (Full Report – Draft Name: Name: Name: for Comment) Elizabeth Elphick Charlotte Saunders Steve Whittaker Charlotte Saunders Signature: Signature: Signature: Date: 16/05/16 Date: 17/05/16 Date: 17/05/16 02 (Minor Amendments Name: Name: Name: – Draft for Comment) Elizabeth Elphick Charlotte Saunders Steve Whittaker Charlotte Saunders Signature: Signature: Signature: Date: 18/05/16 Date: 18/05/16 Date: 19/05/16 03 (Minor Amendments Name: Name: Name: - Final Issue) Elizabeth Elphick Charlotte Saunders Steve Whittaker Charlotte Saunders Signature: Signature: Signature: Date: 31/05/16 Date: 31/05/16 Date: 31/05/16 04 (Parish Councils Mtg Name: Name: Name: Comments Added - Elizabeth Elphick Charlotte Saunders Steve Whittaker Final Issue) Charlotte Saunders Signature: Signature: Signature: Date: 20/07/16 Date: 20/07/16 Date: 20/07/16 Project Name A20 Corridor – Ashton Way to Coldharbour Roundabout Document Title Route Study Summary Report Contents 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Overview .......................................................................................................... 1 1.2 A20 Study Corridor ............................................................................................ 2 1.3 Perceived Issues................................................................................................ 3 2 Policy Context .................................................................................................... 4 2.2 National Policy .................................................................................................. 4 2.3 Local Policy (at County Level) ............................................................................. 6 2.4 Local Policy (at Borough Level) ........................................................................... 7 3 Current Traffic Conditions ................................................................................ 14 3.1 Overview ........................................................................................................ 14 3.2 ANPR Surveys ................................................................................................. 14 3.3 Link Flows ....................................................................................................... 24 3.4 Junction Operation .......................................................................................... 25 4 Highway Safety History .................................................................................... 66 5 Existing Transport Infrastructure Audit ........................................................... 75 5.1 Buses ............................................................................................................. 75 5.2 Pedestrian Accessibility .................................................................................... 83 5.3 Cycle Facilities ................................................................................................. 93 6 Stakeholder Consultation ................................................................................. 98 7 Summary and Recommendations ................................................................... 101 7.1 Summary ...................................................................................................... 101 7.2 Recommendations ......................................................................................... 104 Appendix A Crash Data A Appendix B Bus Condition Audit a Appendix C Walk & Cycle Audit a Appendix D Stakeholder Consultation Information 1 Doc. Ref.:CO04300409/001 Rev. 04 - 1 - Issued: July 2016 Project Name A20 Corridor – Ashton Way to Coldharbour Roundabout Document Title Route Study Summary Report 1 Introduction 1.1 Overview 1.1.1 Amey have been commissioned by Kent County Council (KCC) to investigate and assess the existing transport conditions along the A20 from the junction with A228 Ashton Way, Leybourne eastwards to the junction with Coldharbour Lane. 1.1.2 The purpose of the study is to provide a robust evidence base of ‘typical’ traffic conditions along the A20 road corridor; and to identify potential improvements that will enhance conditions for all users and enable future growth to be accommodated. It is intended to form part of the overall evidence base that can support the emerging Tonbridge & Malling Local Plan process. 1.1.3 The existing issues within the corridor have been identified through a range of activities as follows: Traffic data collection and analysis to establish: o Origin/destination patterns; o Link Flows; o Junction Operation; Existing transport infrastructure audit: o Bus services and facilities provision; o Pedestrian accessibility; o Cycle Facilities; Stakeholder Engagement; 1.1.4 Potential next steps and recommendations are then provided based upon the evidence base built up from the above activities and the wider context of Local Plan processes in Tonbridge & Malling and Maidstone Boroughs. Doc. Ref.:CO04300409/001 Rev. 04 - 1 - Issued: July 2016 Project Name A20 Corridor – Ashton Way to Coldharbour Roundabout Document Title Route Study Summary Report 1.2 A20 Study Corridor 1.2.1 The A20 route runs parallel to the M20 Motorway east to west. Originally the A20 provided a route from London into Kent but this purpose has been largely superseded by the M20. The A20 today has greatest significance to localised travel however it is also of importance as a component of the County road network, not least because it offers some form of contingency when incidents occur on the M20. 1.2.2 The section of the A20 considered within this study is between the junction with the A228, to the west, and the Coldharbour Lane roundabout, to the east. The study route passes into the parish boundaries of Aylesford, Ditton, East Malling and Larkfield and Leybourne. This stretch of the A20 covers approximately 3 miles and the speed limit is 40mph throughout the whole of the route. 1.2.3 Initial observations of the route indicate that movement through the corridor is dominated by vehicular traffic. The A20 is dualled on the eastern extent of the corridor and all of the major junctions are traffic signal controlled with additional lanes and flares provided to accommodate traffic movements. 1.2.4 The nearest railway stations are West Malling, East Malling and Barming stations with services travelling between London Victoria and Canterbury via Ashford International; and New Hythe and Aylesford stations with services travelling between Strood and Tonbridge via Maidstone. 1.2.5 Figure 1 below shows the A20 study area within the Geographic context. Figure 1 A20 Corridor Study Area Doc. Ref.:CO04300409/001 Rev. 04 - 2 - Issued: July 2016 Project Name A20 Corridor – Ashton Way to Coldharbour Roundabout Document Title Route Study Summary Report 1.3 Perceived Issues 1.3.1 There is concern from local Parish Councils (including Aylesford, Ditton, Leybourne, East Malling & Larkfield) that the traffic problems are worsening along the A20 and associated link roads, particularly within the study corridor between the traffic signalised junction at Leybourne (often referred to as the Leybourne lights) and the Coldharbour (Lane) roundabout, east of the Royal British Legion site and connecting to M20 J5. 1.3.2 Pressure is being placed on KCC, as the Local Highways Authority, to identify and implement measures to address what is perceived as “worsening traffic problems” resulting from increased residential and business development flanking the A20. 1.3.3 Concern has also been raised relating to new/proposed development in the “Medway Gap”, including traffic arising from a new bridge from Wouldham to Snodland to serve the Peter’s Pit development. 1.3.4 A large proportion of the 3 mile A20 study route is classified as Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 Air Quality Management Areas Doc. Ref.:CO04300409/001 Rev. 04 - 3 - Issued: July 2016 Project Name A20 Corridor – Ashton Way to Coldharbour Roundabout Document Title Route Study Summary Report 2 Policy Context 2.1.1 This section reviews national and local planning and transport policy documents to identify the overarching aims and objectives of the study. The methodology for this study has progressed in accordance with the requirements of the Local Plan. 2.1.2 This review will document policies which satisfy the aims and objectives identified in the Tonbridge and Malling Core Strategy including sustainability, support new development with the transport infrastructure needed to serve that development; and ensure actions result in a high quality environment. The Core Strategy has been summarised as part of the following policy review. 2.2 National Policy 2.2.1 Any proposed scheme should be considered within the context of relevant national policy. In March 2012 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published superseding