PTE/13/59 Cabinet 10 July 2013

A38/A380 Splatford Split to Wobbly Wheel, Kennford Improvements

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment

Please note that the following recommendationrecommendations/s are is/are subject subject to considerationto consideration and and determination by the ExecutiveCabinet (and (and confirmation confirmation under under the the provisions provisions of ofthe the Council's Constitution) before taking effect.

Recommendation: It is recommended that: (a) part of the scheme design shown on drawings 1048759-D-020 to 1048759-D-023 (attached to report) on the A380 and A379 on the County highways network be granted scheme layout approval, subject to completion of the Road Safety Audit process by the Highways Agency who are funding and promoting the scheme; (b) the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy, Growth and Cabinet Liaison for , be given delegated authority to make minor amendments to the scheme design affecting the County’s network.

1. Summary

This report seeks approval for the scheme to improve that part of the A38/A380 Splatford Split to Wobbly Wheel junction, Kennford (see attached location plan), on the County’s network. The improvement is in the northbound direction only. At this location the traffic from the south approaches in two lanes on both the A38 and A380. Congestion occurs in peak hours as traffic on the A380 merges to one lane before joining with the A38 to create a third lane. The improvement will provide two continuous lanes on the A380 and four lanes on the A38 northbound between the A380 merge and A379 diverge.

2. Background

The scheme is based upon achieving the following objectives:

 To create additional capacity to address current traffic queuing in peak periods;  Provide additional capacity to allow for future development identified in the Proposed Submission Local Plan, Exeter Core Strategy and current Planning Applications;

Following an announcement by the Secretary of State of funding for improvements to the trunk road network to facilitate growth and increase journey time reliability there is an opportunity to work with the Highways Agency and deliver the proposed scheme in partnership by 2015.

Current Traffic Queuing

The A38 is the strategic route between and Exeter and the A380 is the main link between Torbay, Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Exeter. Both routes are high quality two lane dual carriageways which carry high traffic volumes. At Splatford Split, the A380 joins into the A38 connecting the south to Exeter and the UK Motorway network.

The junction currently suffers from capacity issues on the A380 northbound approach with queues up to 1 mile long at peak times where the A380 reduces from two lanes to one before merging with the A38. Any increase in traffic volume will further exacerbate the existing problems.

Future Development

New developments are proposed within the surrounding area in Teignbridge and Exeter as part of the respective Local Plan documents.

Teignbridge District Council’s (TDC) Proposed Submission Local Plan 2013-2033 includes 6,000 homes and 11,000 jobs in the Heart of Teignbridge area (Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton and Kingskerswell). Much of this development is concentrated in two locations: 2,250 homes to the west of Newton Abbot with easy access to the A38 and 1,500 homes to the south of Newton Abbot with easy access to the A380.

The South Devon Link Road between Torbay and Newton Abbot has started construction and will relieve current capacity issues, enabling future development. The Drumbridges improvement scheme is set to begin construction early 2014, which will enable predicted increases in traffic resulting from new developments accessing the A38.

The adopted Core Strategy for Exeter aims to deliver 12,000 new dwellings and 60 hectares of employment in Exeter by 2026. In addition, the South West Exeter development of 2,500 dwellings is proposed close to Splatford Split on the A379 and development to the East of Exeter including 7,500 dwellings 65Ha employment is accessed from the M5 via the recently upgraded junction 29.

Infrastructure improvements planned within Exeter include the Bridge Road outbound widening scheme and a new Park and Ride side at Alphington. The Bridge Road scheme will increase capacity and reduce journey times on the inner bypass which connects to the A38 via the A379. The Alphington Park and Ride site will serve travellers to Exeter from the A30 to the west and A38/A380 to the south.

These schemes are part of a wider package of improvements to increase travel capacity in the area including rail frequency increases and new stations including Marsh Barton, Newcourt and Edginswell.

These new developments will result in increased traffic demand on both the A38 and A380 and therefore increased pressure on the connection at Splatford Split.

3. Proposal

Scheme Description

The scheme is currently progressing through detailed design where the following are proposed on the Devon County highway network:  introducing an additional lane on the A380 northbound between the junction which leads to Splatford Bridge and the A38;  realigning Brenton Road (link from Kennford and Clapham) to merge with a new A38 lane drop to A379.

And on the Highways Agency network:  continue the additional lane on the A380 as an additional lane gain onto the A38;  widening to four lanes from Splatford Bridge to Wobbly Wheel Bridge;  introducing a lane drop between Wobbly Wheel Bridge and A379.

The improvements will address several existing and future problems at the junction by:  reducing congestion;  managing traffic flows during peak periods;  reducing the risk of accidents.

Land Assembly

No private land is required for this scheme. All widening is within Highways Agency or Devon County highways boundary.

Environment

No adverse environmental impacts are expected when implementing this scheme, however full ecological surveys and assessments are being carried out. A Record of Determination and Notice of Determination will be carried out following assessment and detailed design of the entire scheme.

4. Consultations, Representations and Technical Data

Consultations are proposed by the Highways Agency, following detailed design (January 2014), with Kennford Parish Council particularly with respect to any improvement in highway drainage.

5. Financial Considerations

The scheme is estimated to cost £5.5 million which has already been secured by the Highways Agency from their Pinch Points fund. This programme of funding is aimed at improvements to the strategic road network to stimulate local economy growth, relieve congestion and improve safety. A condition on the provision of this budget is that it must be spent by the end of March 2015. Currently construction work is planned to start mid 2014 with completion by spring 2015 in order to meet this requirement.

This scheme is one of four successful Pinch Point schemes being delivered in partnership by Devon County Council and the Highways Agency. Other schemes are Drumbridges roundabout improvements, M5 Junction 30 southbound off slip widening and M5 Junction 27 off slip widening and signalisation.

6. Sustainability and Equality Considerations

An Impact Assessment has been undertaken for this scheme considering Equality and Economic Impacts.

The scheme will have no adverse impact on pedestrians and cyclists. There is desire from Devon County Council and Sustrans to improve the cycle route from Haldon Forest to Exeter which may include sections adjacent to the A38. The scope to incorporate elements of this cycle route into the Splatford Split scheme will be developed at the detailed design stage.

In economic terms the scheme will facilitate travel and development which will have a beneficial impact upon the local economy by enabling employment and housing development in the area to proceed with mitigated impact.

7. Carbon Impact Considerations

The scheme will facilitate additional journeys by road however it is essential to provide some additional capacity in order to allow future housing and employment development in the area. This scheme is part of a wider package of improvements in the area including improvements to the rail network (frequency and new stations) plus car sharing and travel plans.

Improving traffic flow also has the advantage of improving the fuel efficiency of engines and reducing certain emissions including carbon.

8. Legal Considerations

The lawful implications of the recommendations have been considered and taken into account in the formulation of the recommendations set out above.

9. Risk Management Considerations

The scheme is subject to the normal engineering risks. A quantified risk assessment has been undertaken and these risk costs have been included in the scheme estimate. The overall scheme delivery is being funded and managed by the Highways Agency.

10. Public Health Impact

The scheme is subject to a Road Safety Audit with the stage 1 audit currently being carried out. Road safety auditors have been involved in design reviews throughout the design process and have therefore highlighted potential issues ahead of the independent Road Safety Audit, giving the opportunity to amend the scheme design.

11. Options and Alternatives

During the design process alternative options were considered at the A380 on-slip and the A389 off-slip. These were lower cost options which included departures from current highway design standards. The final design conforms to the latest standards without the need for departures.

12. Reason for Recommendation

The scheme addresses existing issues with traffic congestion. The scheme also enables the traffic impacts of future development to be mitigated by allowing such development to take place without severe impact on the A380 or A38. The scheme is consistent with the aims of the Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan 3 with regard to economic growth and maintaining strategic connections. Working in partnership with the Highways Agency enables an overall plan for strategic highway improvements and the early delivery of the scheme.

Dave Black Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment

Electoral Divisions: Exminster & Kenton

Cabinet Member for Economy, Growth and Cabinet Liaison for Exeter Councillor Andrew Leadbetter

Strategic Director, Place: Heather Barnes

Local Government Act 1972: List of Background Papers

Contact for enquiries: Samantha Taylor

Room No. AB2 Lucombe House, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 4QD

Tel No: (01392) 222770

Background Paper Date File Reference

1 Impact Assessment June 2013

st200613cab Splatford Split hk 02 280613 Location Plan

KEY Splatford Split scheme New Development

Splatford Split

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2013