Welsh Government M4 Junction 28 Improvements NMU Context Report
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Welsh Government M4 Junction 28 Improvements NMU Context Report M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001 P01 | 22 May 2015 This report takes into account the particular instructions and requirements of our client. It is not intended for and should not be relied upon by any third party and no responsibility is undertaken to any third party. Job number 240226 Ove Arup & Partners Ltd 4 Pierhead Street Capital Waterside Cardiff CF10 4QP United Kingdom www.arup.com Document Verification Job title M4 Junction 28 Improvements Job number 240226 Document title NMU Context Report File reference Document ref M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001 Revision Date Filename M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001.docx P01 22 May Description First draft 2015 Prepared by Checked by Approved by Name Signature Filename Description Prepared by Checked by Approved by Name Signature Filename Description Prepared by Checked by Approved by Name Signature Filename Description Prepared by Checked by Approved by Name Signature Issue Document Verification with Document V M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001 | P01 | 22 May 2015 \\MCCNTSI03\PW_ICS_WORKINGDIR\1583\61669_13\M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001.DOCX Welsh Government M4 Junction 28 Improvements NMU Context Report Contents Page 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Purpose of the Report 1 1.2 Methodology 1 1.3 Objectives 1 2 Scheme Description 2 3 Strategic Objectives 4 3.1 Welsh National Transport Strategy 4 3.2 Active Travel 4 3.3 Transport in the Cardiff Capital Region 4 3.4 Newport Unitary Development Plan 1996-2011 5 3.5 Scheme Specific Contract Objectives 5 4 Flows and Desire Lines 6 4.1 NMU Flows and Desire Lines 6 4.2 Observed Traffic Flows 6 4.3 Forecast Traffic Flows 7 4.4 Vehicle Speeds 8 4.5 Public Transport 8 5 Trip Generators 10 6 Development Proposals of Relevance 11 6.1 Committed Developments 11 6.2 Land Allocations 11 6.3 Development Proposals 11 7 Public Rights of Way 12 7.1 Pedestrians 12 7.2 Equestrians 14 7.3 Cyclists 14 M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001 | P01 | 22 May 2015 \\MCCNTSI03\PW_ICS_WORKINGDIR\1583\61669_13\M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001.DOCX Welsh Government M4 Junction 28 Improvements NMU Context Report 8 Accident Data 15 9 Views of User Groups / Interested Parties 16 10 Conflict Points 17 11 Scheme Objectives 18 12 Summary 19 12.1 Declarations 19 Appendices Appendix A Context Plan Appendix B Newport Cycle Map M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001 | P01 | 22 May 2015 \\MCCNTSI03\PW_ICS_WORKINGDIR\1583\61669_13\M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001.DOCX Welsh Government M4 Junction 28 Improvements NMU Context Report 1 Introduction 1.1 Purpose of the Report This Non-Motorised User (NMU) Context Report has been prepared as part of the assessment of the draft plan to improve the three roundabouts associated with M4 Junction 28. The aim of the report is to provide a summary of available information relevant to existing and potential Non-Motorised User activity (pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders), and to provide a baseline to ensure that the needs of Non-Motorised Users are addressed during the design stage and the subsequent detailed design and construction stages. To this end it also identifies opportunities and objectives to improve conditions for NMUs in the area. The report has been prepared using information available at the time of preparation and will therefore need to be revisited and updated to reflect any further information that should come forward following a wider consultation with stakeholders. 1.2 Methodology The methodology has been determined in accordance with the guidance contained in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) 1,2. 1.3 Objectives The following objectives have been adopted as a basis for the overall strategy: • Objective 1 – Making the best possible use of the existing capacity to improve accessibility to key centres and services; and • Objective 2 – Improving the resilience of the network. 1 Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 5, Section 2, Part 4, TA91/05 Provision for Non- Motorised Users, Department for Transport, February 2005 2 Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 5, Section 2, Part 5, HD42/05 Non-Motorised User Audits, Department for Transport, February 2005 M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001 | P01 | 22 May 2015 \\MCCNTSI03\PW_ICS_WORKINGDIR\1583\61669_13\M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001.DOCX Welsh Government M4 Junction 28 Improvements NMU Context Report 2 Scheme Description The aim of the scheme is to provide strategic capacity improvements and alleviate congestion throughout Junction 28 of the M4. M4 Junction 28 is a key interchange on both the local and strategic highway networks. It provides access to west Newport, a major employments area, the M4 motorway and Newport Southern Distributor (SDR) from the western valleys. The scheme involves three junctions: • Bassaleg Roundabout • Junction 28 Roundabout • Pont Ebbw Roundabout Figure 1 Junction Locations Bassaleg Roundabout to the north is linked to Junction 28 via the A467 Forge Road. To the east, Pont Ebbw Roundabout is linked to Junction 28 via the SDR. Junction 28 roundabout is full time signal controlled. Pont Ebbw Roundabout is part-time signal controlled, triggered by traffic flow and queuing thresholds, such that the junctions are signalised during the AM and PM peak periods but operate as roundabouts during off-peak periods. All works are considered to be highway maintenance and all are within the existing highway boundary. In total, the M4 Junction 28 scheme covers an area of 12.74 hectares. A summary of the improvement works are provided below. Junction 28 – The existing roundabout will be increased in size through the construction of an elongated signalised gyratory with a dedicated through link for eastbound traffic leaving the M4 to join the A48 and Newport Southern Distributor Road (SDR). The current proposal includes the demolition of the M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001 | P01 | 22 May 2015 \\MCCNTSI03\PW_ICS_WORKINGDIR\1583\61669_13\M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001.DOCX Welsh Government M4 Junction 28 Improvements NMU Context Report existing M4 westbound slip road overbridge where it crosses the A48 and an earthworks cutting to create a realigned westbound M4 onslip which will require tree felling/vegetation removal. Pont Ebbw Roundabout – The existing gyratory is largely retained with an additional link between the A48 and SDR arms to form a throughabout. Some modifications to the existing splitter islands will be necessary. Bassaleg Roundabout – The existing gyratory is largely retained and slightly increases to the east. The roundabout is signalised at all arms excluding the Park View and Court Crescent arms. M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001 | P01 | 22 May 2015 \\MCCNTSI03\PW_ICS_WORKINGDIR\1583\61669_13\M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001.DOCX Welsh Government M4 Junction 28 Improvements NMU Context Report 3 Strategic Objectives 3.1 Welsh National Transport Strategy The Welsh Transport Strategy identifies five overarching priorities: • Reducing greenhouse emissions and other environmental impacts; • Integrating local transport; • Improving access between key settlements and sites; • Enhancing international connectivity; and • Increasing safety and security. 3.2 Active Travel The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 places a legal requirement on local authorities to map and plan suitable routes for walking and cycling. Importantly, it requires new road schemes to consider the needs of pedestrians and cyclists at design stage. The Act came into legal force in spring 2014 and is supported by the Active Travel Action Plan. This replaces the Walking and Cycling Action Plan for Wales 2009-2013. The following active travel objectives underpin the Action Plan: • Implement the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013; • Improve the health and well-being of Wales through increased physical activity; • Improve the local environment for walkers and cyclists; • Encourage sustainable travel to combat climate change; • Increase levels of walking and cycling through promotion; and • Ensure that walking and cycling are prioritised in policies, guidance and funding. 3.3 Transport in the Cardiff Capital Region Across the Capital Region, efficient and effective transport networks are critical to the success of achieving the Welsh Government's Programme for Government Priority Areas such as targeted investment, supporting economic growth, reducing economic inactivity, tackling poverty and encouraging safer, healthier and sustainable travel. This can be done by: • Providing new transport capacity to cope with future demand • Improving accessibility and connectivity, and reducing journey times between key settlements within South East Wales • Improving access to a wider range of job opportunities by increasing the coverage of public transport, particularly for cross-valley journeys M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001 | P01 | 22 May 2015 \\MCCNTSI03\PW_ICS_WORKINGDIR\1583\61669_13\M4J28-ARP-ENM-SWG-RP-YT-000001.DOCX Welsh Government M4 Junction 28 Improvements NMU Context Report • Expanding the effective labour market catchment for businesses, enabling local companies to recruit from a wider skills base • Supporting the growth of business clusters in the larger urban centres (for example, around the designated Enterprise Zones), helping to stimulate competition and innovation • Ensuring that additional travel demand does not impose costs on businesses through increased congestion and crowding • Enhancing facilities that support our key airport, ports and freight terminals 3.4 Newport Unitary Development Plan 1996-2011 The transport policy of the UDP is to reduce the reliance on the private motor car by the provision of sustainable transport infrastructure to: Promote the use of public transport, walking and cycling and other non-motor car by the provision of sustainable transport infrastructure to: • Promote the use of public transport, walking and cycling and other non- polluting transport; • Contribute towards the integrated transport strategy; • Provide appropriate transport modes to serve new development area; and • Enhance Newport’s strategic position in the regional transport network.