A362), Chapmanslade (A3098) and Maiden Bradley (B3092)

WILTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM NO. 12

CABINET 23 rd JANUARY 2007

PROPOSED WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS CORSLEY HEATH (A362), CHAPMANSLADE (A3098) AND MAIDEN BRADLEY (B3092)

Executive Summary

Wiltshire County Council has adopted a HGV Route Network to inform HGV drivers of the most appropriate routes in Wiltshire. The villages of Corsley Heath, Chapmanslade and Maiden Bradley are not designated freight routes but still experience high levels of HGV traffic that negatively affect the quality of life for residents in these villages. After discussions with Somerset County Council, an objective assessment framework tool, Large Vehicles in Rural Areas (LVIRA), has been applied to establish the environmental, safety, social and economic impacts of the proposal. The assessment tool demonstrates that when all the above factors are taken into account there is a net benefit for society to be realised if the proposed weight restrictions outlined in this report were to be implemented. If the weight restrictions are to be progressed there is likely to be strong opposition from affected freight operators in the area.

Proposal

To seek Cabinet’s approval to advertise Traffic Regulation Orders for the following weight restrictions as proposed in Mouchel Parkman’s report entitled ’Proposed Weight Restrictions - A362, A3098 and B3092 - Implementation Proposals Report’:

§ 7.5 tonnes weight restriction on the A3098 (both directions) § 7.5 tonnes weight restriction on the B3092 (both directions) § 18 tonnes weight restriction on the A362 (both directions) § 7.5 tonnes weight restriction on the B3089 to be revoked in order to address safety concerns at the A350/A303 junction.

Reasons for Proposal

In some instances, such as Corsley Heath (A362), Chapmanslade (A3098) and Maiden Bradley (B3092), the County Council may have to consider the introduction of weight restrictions to protect Wiltshire’s environment and improve the quality of life for residents as set out in the Council’s freight policies.

GEORGE BATTEN Director of Environmental Services

CM08412/F WILTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM NO.

CABINET 23 rd JANUARY 2007

PROPOSED WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS CORSLEY HEATH (A362), CHAPMANSLADE (A3098) AND MAIDEN BRADLEY (B3092)

Purpose of Report

1. To seek Cabinet’s approval to advertise Traffic Regulation Orders for the following weight restrictions as proposed in Mouchel Parkman’s report entitled ’Proposed Weight Restrictions - A362, A3098 and B3092 - Implementation Proposals Report’ and as shown in Appendix 1 :

Background

2. The villages of Chapmanslade, Corsley Heath and Maiden Bradley are located on roads which are extensively used by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) travelling between Somerset and Wiltshire. None of these roads are designated HGV routes by Wiltshire or Somerset County Councils. Due to the increasing number and size of the HGVs the negative impact of these vehicles on the rural communities has increased and considerable local pressure has been applied on the highway authorities to address the issue. In February 2005 the County Council's Environment Advisory Panel considered a report on several freight management studies. One of the studies covered the Corsley Heath, Chapmanslade and Maiden Bradley areas. Since the proposals straddle the Wiltshire and Somerset border, the Panel recommended further discussion with Somerset County Council (SCC).

3. As a result of discussions with SCC, it became apparent that a more holistic and objective appraisal of the benefits and disbenefits of the whole project area were required. Consequently, the scope of the latest commission to Mouchel Parkman not only considered the impacts on the three village routes noted above but also extended to the possible HGV diversion routes, some of which are in Somerset. The commission also employed an independent assessment framework developed by Devon County Council and the Countryside Agency. The assessment tool is called Large Vehicles in Rural Areas (LVIRA) and allows an objective assessment to be made of the overall social, economic, environmental and safety impacts of the proposals.

4. In view of the implications of the proposal in both Wiltshire and Somerset, a joint Freight Quality Partnership (FQP) meeting was held on 19 th December 2006. This sought to give members of both FQPs an opportunity to comment on both the study methodology and its recommendations. In general, the comments expressed at the meeting broadly reflected the findings of a recent review commissioned by the Mendip Quarry Producers (MQP) into the County Council’s approach.

CM08412/F 2 5. In summary, representatives at the meeting felt that not all the affected organisations and communities had been consulted, that the economic and environmental impacts had not been accurately reflected, that other alternatives to weight restrictions had not been considered and that the LVIRA assessment was based on flawed assumptions. While accepting some of these criticisms, it is important to note that SCC agreed the LVIRA methodology and that the County Council consulted with and requested information from a number of organisations over the last year or so. Unfortunately, a number of these organisations chose either not to respond or not to provide comprehensive responses. In both cases, this did not help the County Council to refine and inform its approach.

Main Considerations for the Council

6. The County Council has adopted an HGV Route Network to inform HGV drivers of the most appropriate HGV routes in Wiltshire. By adopting Wiltshire’s HGV Route Network, drivers will be protecting Wiltshire’s environment and residents’ interests by avoiding unsuitable roads, whilst meeting the economic needs of the County.

7. The proposed weight restrictions being considered are on routes which are not part of Wiltshire’s or Somerset’s designated HGV Route Network. According to Wiltshire’s HGV Route Network, the three routes noted above should only be used by HGVs where it is essential to gain access. Survey information shows this not to be the case.

8. The proposed weight restrictions in these areas are being considered because, in practice, HGV drivers have not chosen to adopt Wiltshire’s advisory HGV Route Network. The outcome of this behaviour is an increase in the number and size of HGVs travelling through the rural communities of Chapmanslade, Corsley Heath and Maiden Bradley. The level of HGV traffic experienced by these communities is leading to a deterioration in the quality of life for residents and a reduced life expectancy of the roads, increasing the maintenance burden for the County. In order for the County Council to deliver its Freight Strategy and focus maintenance expenditure on core routes, a series of weight restrictions is required to protect these non-designated freight routes from onerous amounts of freight traffic. To address the consultation criticisms raised at the joint FQP meeting, the Traffic Regulation Order process will be agreed with SCC and will seek to capture the views of all affected parties.

Environmental Impact of the Proposal

9. There are no environmental impacts associated with the proposal.

Risk Assessment

10. Some elements of the proposals require a joint Traffic Regulation Order to be made with SCC and further discussions are necessary to progress this issue.

11. Whilst there is debate over the level of economic impact on the freight industry, Wiltshire County Council accepts that the proposals will lead to longer journeys and therefore increased operational costs. There is likely to be substantial opposition to the proposals from freight operators in the area. The MQP have commissioned consultants to critique the latest Mouchel Parkman report and they were present at the joint FQP in December 2006.

CM08412/F 3 Financial Implications

12. There are no significant financial implications associated with the proposals over and above the normal requirements placed on the Council for advertising Traffic Regulation Orders.

Options Considered

13. A workshop and desktop study was conducted which concluded that there were few alternative approaches to the introduction of the proposed weight restrictions to achieve the desired results. For this reason the preferred options were identified and their impact assessed using LVIRA.

14. The options considered are set out in the following report which is available in the Members' Room :

§ Proposed Weight Restrictions - A362, A3098 and B3092 - Final Implementation Proposals Report, 10 th October 2006

Conclusion

15. In some instances, such as Corsley Heath (A362), Chapmanslade (A3098) and Maiden Bradley (B3092), the County Council may have to consider the introduction of weight restrictions to protect Wiltshire’s environment and improve the quality of life for residents as set out in the Council’s freight policies.

GEORGE BATTEN Director of Environmental Services

Report Author ROBERT MURPHY LTP Principal Transport Planner

The following unpublished documents have been relied on in the preparation of this Report:

None

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