A465 Dualling Section 2 Gilwern to Brynmawr in October 2013 (The Scheme)
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Objectors’ Alternative Proposals The Welsh Government published draft Orders for the A465 Dualling Section 2 Gilwern to Brynmawr in October 2013 (the scheme). Objections have been received and will be heard at a Public Local Inquiry to commence at 10.00am on 18 March 2014 at Gilwern Old School Community Centre, Gilwern NP7 0AT. Suggested alternatives to the Published Scheme have been received by the Welsh Government. While the Welsh Government is not promoting or supporting these alternative proposals, it is obliged to consider them so that the Inspector conducting the Public Local Inquiry can report on their relative merits in his report to the Welsh Ministers. You may wish to know that one or more of the alternatives suggested might, if adopted, affect your property and/or interest. This Objectors’ Alternative Proposals brochure shows details of the proposed alternatives. Brochures are available at the following locations during all reasonable business hours: Orders Branch Brynmawr Library Department of Economy, Science and Transport Market Square Welsh Government Brynmawr Cathays Park NP23 4AJ Cardiff CF10 3NQ Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Brecon Beacons National Park Authority Municipal Offices Plas y Ffynnon Civic Centre Cambrian Way Ebbw Vale Brecon NP23 6XB Powys LD3 7HP Monmouthshire County Council Gilwern Old School Community Centre One Stop Shop Gilwern Market Hall NP7 0AT Cross Street Abergavenny Monmouthshire NP7 5HD 2 Please note that the Welsh Government is not promoting or supporting the Objectors’ Alternative Proposals. Anyone wishing to comment on the Objectors’ Alternative Proposals should do so as soon as possible (and before the Inquiry opens on 18 March 2014) by writing to: Orders Branch Department of Economy, Science and Transport Welsh Government Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3NQ All comments received will be passed to the Inspector for his consideration. You are reminded that the substance of your comments may be communicated to other people who may be affected by them; that they will be passed to the Inspector holding the Inquiry and, that in that event the Inspector may require to disclose the comments at the Inquiry; and, unless there are special reasons to the contrary, the identity of the authors. A copy of all such correspondence is normally kept in the Public Local Inquiry and is open to public inspection. Copies of this brochure can be obtained, free of charge, from the locations mentioned or by contacting Orders Branch at the above address, telephone number 029 2082 1577. The Public Local Inquiry The Public Local Inquiry is to be held before Mr W S C Wadrup BEng (Hons), CEng, MICE, FIHT at Gilwern Old School Community Centre, Gilwern NP7 0AT, commencing at 10am on 18 March 2014. Alternative proposals Objectors’ alternative 1 - Westbound provision at Gilwern junction Two options for this alternative have been considered: Objectors’ alternative 1a - Additional westbound exit only at Gilwern junction Objectors’ alternative 1b - Additional westbound exit and entry at Gilwern junction Objectors’ alternative 2 - Additional footbridge at Gilwern Two options for this alternative have been considered: Objectors’ alternative 2a - Additional footbridge at Gilwern with stepped access Objectors’ alternative 2b - Additional footbridge at Gilwern with ramped access The Welsh Government’s Published Scheme is included for reference only. Please note that the Welsh Government is not promoting or supporting the Objectors’ Alternative Proposals The Published Scheme and Objectors’ Alternatives Proposals have been appraised against the Welsh Government’s criteria as set out in WelTAG (Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance). This objective led approach considers the ability of the option to meet the scheme’s transport planning objectives and appraises it against the Welsh Government’s three impact areas of Economy, Environment and Social. 3 The Welsh Government’s objective (Objective 1) for the scheme is to improve the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road between Gilwern and Brynmawr (Section 2 of the overall dualling programme) from a single 3-lane carriageway to dual 2-lane carriageways in accordance with the made Line Order and its associated Environmental Statement and to deliver the scheme to programme and budget. The scheme specific objectives are: Objective 2. To maintain the current level of service and to carry out improvements. Objective 3. To reduce journey times for private and commercial road users. Objective 4. To facilitate economic regeneration. Objective 5. To enhance road safety and reduce casualties. Objective 6. To do all this with proper care for the environment. Objective 7. To deliver a scheme that is sustainable. To promote non-motorised user provision and provide opportunities for a healthy Objective 8. lifestyle. To deliver a scheme that minimises future maintenance requirements and disruption to Objective 9. the network. Objective 10. To reduce journey time variability and improve resilience on the A465. To use the A465 to manage traffic effectively and improve resilience on the strategic Objective 11. road network in South East Wales. To deliver a scheme that integrates with public transport and the local transport Objective 12. network. Objective 13. To improve access to healthcare, education and leisure facilities. Objective 14. To reduce community severance. The Welsh Government’s impact areas for WelTAG appraisal are Economy, Environment and Social. Economy: The economic appraisal considers: Construction cost Cost of constructing the scheme based on 2012 prices. Benefit cost ratio (BCR) Numerical value of the benefits of the scheme divided by the cost. Environment: The environmental appraisal considers: Noise Appraisal of the effect on noise. Local air quality Appraisal of the effect on local air quality. The number of properties experiencing an improvement, deterioration or Landscape and townscape neutral effect to views, and an impact appraisal of the changes to the landscape, as a result of the proposal. The creation, enhancement, loss, damage or disturbance of fauna and Bio-diversity flora species, ecosystems and habitats. 4 Heritage Appraisal of the effects on cultural heritage sites. The effect on water quality including any changes likely to occur to Water environment existing watercourses. The effect on soils, vegetation, general habitats, agriculture and Soils horticultural practices. Social: The social appraisal considers: Transport safety The change in personal injury accidents. Personal security The risk to and fear for personal safety. Permeability The ease of travel by non-motorised modes. Physical fitness The health benefits associated with active travel. Social inclusion The relative ease with which people can get to their destinations and obtain the services that are important to them. Equality, diversity and Equality of access to transport, sites, services and facilities. human rights Appraisal summary table Appraisal summary tables including key points are enclosed for the Published Scheme and each of the Objectors’ Alternative Proposals. The Objectors’ Alternative Proposals included within this brochure are for amendments and additions at individual locations along the Published Scheme. The appraisal undertaken considers their impacts both local to where they are proposed and in the context of the whole scheme. 5 Published Scheme appraisal summary table This scheme proposes to dual the A465 between Gilwern and Brynmawr. The overall length of the scheme is approximately 8.1 kilometres, with a speed limit of 50 miles per hour. Appraisal against scheme objectives The Published Scheme meets all the scheme objectives (1-14). Appraisal against appraisal criteria y Construction cost: £151.2 million. nom Benefit cost ratio (BCR): 1.46. Eco Noise: The overall effect of the scheme is rated as negligible beneficial. Air Quality: The overall effect of the scheme is rated as not significant. Landscape: With mitigation consisting of woodland planting, earth mounding and false cuttings, the overall effect 15 years after opening is rated as slight adverse. There would remain some local moderate adverse effects at Brynmawr, at Blackrock, between Clydach North and Cwm Sion Matthew, and at Gilwern. Bio-diversity: Overall, and on the Usk Bat Sites Special Area of Conservation and locally designated sites, the scheme would result in a slight adverse effect. Proposed mitigation includes replacement woodland planting, maintaining bat flight lines and providing new bat Environment roosts. Heritage: The overall effect of the scheme on the historic landscape is rated as slightly adverse. Water environment: The overall effect of the scheme is rated as neutral. Soils: There is an adverse effect on the Geological Site of Special Scientific Interest. However, new cuttings will provide access to new geological exposures. Some loss of agricultural land. Transport safety: 10% reduction in the number of collisions. Personal security: Some benefits, for example from new footbridges following the removal of subways. All footbridges and roadbridges would be lit. Permeability: Non-motorised user access is provided across the A465 via footbridges at Brynmawr, Pont Harri Isaac, Blackrock, Clydach, and Pant Glas and roadbridges with footways at Brynmawr, Saleyard (Clydach link) and Navigation Inn. Safer walking and cycling routes to cial o Brynmawr Foundation School. S Physical fitness: Improved facilities for non-motorised users which promotes walking and cycling. Social inclusion: Non-motorised access