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Home , Alderbury, Poole, Salisbury, Southern England, West of England, Wiltshire

South of north-south connectivity

Malmesbury M4 Yate M5 M4 An outline economic case for M4

Bristol M4 Reading A46 the inclusion of north-south A4 Marlborough

A39 Bath M3 connectivity improvements to Weston-super-Mare A34 A36 form part of the government’s M5 M3 Wells Andover A361 investment strategy (RIS2) A39 Glastonbury A371 A34

A303 A350 A36 A378 M3 October 2017 A354 A358 A303 Yeovil

A31 Blandford M5 Forum

A37 A338 A31 A35 A35

Weymouth SOUTH OF ENGLAND NORTH–SOUTH CONNECTIVITY

Summary

Businesses say: “The absence of an effective north-south link “Inadequate north-south has hindered growth in connectivity to the South East ’s economy for Dorset Conurbation (adds decades. The Port of time and mileage costs which Poole is a strategically ultimately impacts on our important ferry port and customers).” has recently invested “Inbound vessel arrival heavily in new port times are predictable – by infrastructure, opening contrast, outbound road up new markets and delivery movement times are enabling larger ships to access the port. Existing and new port constantly unpredictable.” customers currently face major delays and detours in getting goods and passengers to and from Poole. Dorset’s economy “25% of deliveries are delayed requires urgent investment in a viable north-south road solution – this means that excess if it is to achieve its full potential.” labour costs are incurred.” Jim Stewart, CEO of Commissioners

2 The preceding quotes demonstrate that the adequacy of connections between the south coast (the in particular) and M4 and onwards to and the has been increasingly compromised. There are a lack of suitable north-south connections in the strategic network covering large parts of ; formed by a ‘box’ bounded by the M5 to the west, A34 to the east, M4 to the north, and the A31, A35 and Dorset coast to the south. Within this area, north-south connections are made either by the A36/A46 through Bath, or the A350 and A338 primary routes. These routes experience considerable congestion and road safety problems, and their increasing unreliability is significantly constraining development and business growth across the region, including plans to grow the Port of Poole and Portland Port. “Dyson is investing and growing in . However our continued growth here depends upon investment in connectivity If nothing is done, the region stands to lose out on £20.5 and capacity in the road network. A more joined up approach, billion of economic benefits designed to support business expansion, is essential.” over the next 60 years. Robert Hill, Estates Director, Dyson

3 SOUTH OF ENGLAND NORTH–SOUTH CONNECTIVITY

Summary continued

The local authorities in the study area, Bath strategic road network between 2015 and Within the RIS framework, the case for & North East , Dorset County and 2020, including over 100 major schemes improved N/S links can only be formally Wiltshire Councils are supported by their funded by £15.2 billion. Work is now advanced as and when the Secretary of respective Local Enterprise Partnerships and underway to develop those schemes to State for Transport mandates Highways have collaborated to bring forward a case for be included in RIS2 that will deliver long England to carry out a Strategic Study. (see investment as summarised in this document. term improvements to the Strategic Route time line opposite). has also supported the Network (SRN) beyond 2020. process. We are also working with the newly Having now created what we believe is a formed There is a strong economic case for compelling argument, we seek support to ensure this scheme is given top priority in improved north-south links in the south in encouraging the Minister to mandate recognition of its regional importance. of England. We are therefore seeking Highways England to commence a Strategic a commitment from Government to Study, preferably commencing as soon as Central Government launched the first Road commission a Strategic Study that further possible. Investment Strategy (RIS) in 2015. The develops the economic case to a level of first RIS covered investment in England’s detail suitable for funding and delivery. 10,300 30,000 27,500 new jobs in B&NES new jobs in Dorset new jobs in Wiltshire 13,000 68,114 42,000 new homes in B&NES new homes in Dorset including new homes in Wiltshire Bournemouth and Poole by 2029 by 2032 between 2006 and 2026 4 The timeline

Autumn 2017/18 2018/19 Spring 2019/20 Highways England Cross government Highways England publishes SRN approval and to approve Strategic Initial Report and publication of Business Plan starts two-month updated business consultation period. case and Road Investment Strategy

2017 2018 2019 2020

Spring 2018/19 Winter 2019/20 The Department Highways England for Transport to to approve Delivery approve business Plan case and draft Road Investment Strategy

5 SOUTH OF ENGLAND NORTH–SOUTH CONNECTIVITY

The problem

The study area is included in Highways Supporting economic growth: An improved environment: England’s South West Peninsula Route • Lack of a strategic link to the south coast • Air Quality Management Areas declared Strategy (March 2017) which acknowledges ports. along the route including in Bath, Salisbury that there are current problems associated and Poole. with a lack of north–south connectivity • Serves relatively high employment growth and the extent of wider benefits that are areas around A36, A303 and A35. • Bath and North East Somerset Council effectively being lost as a result of this. is required to undertake local action to • Capacity problems on the links at achieve statutory air quality levels as part The South West Peninsula Route Strategy Dorchester and at the junctions through of Defra’s ‘UK Plan for Tackling Roadside identifies current constraints and challenges Salisbury constrain potential for improved Nitrogen Dioxide’. This focuses on the on the SRN in the south of England. strategic movements, particularly for freight A4 Road which currently forms traffic. part of the missing strategic road network A safe and serviceable network: • Significant new housing and employment between the A46 and A36. • Poor safety record on A36 and A46. developments are planned in the following • Congestion and air pollution remain a areas: threat to the fabric of the World Heritage • Surface repairs required on A36. – on the A36 near Salisbury e.g. City of Bath. • Geological stability issues on A36 and A46. Down, Garrison • Nature Improvement Areas – A36 Bath – near the A36 and A46 at Bath and A35. More free-flowing network: – in the Poole–Bournemouth conurbation. • Flooding – causes disruption on SRN at • Congestion is a problem – on A36, A46 the A36 and near Dorchester. A350 at peak periods and seasonal peaks. “Improved connectivity is critical • In Salisbury all A36 junctions along Southampton Road are currently operating to our strategy for driving up at or above capacity. productivity and cementing Dorset’s position as a world class place to do business.” Rob Dunford, Interim Director of Dorset LEP 6 A more accessible and integrated network: • Severance from missing links – e.g. gaps in the network between A36 and A46. • Cycling – improvements petitioned for the to Salisbury cycle route. • Lack of north-south connectivity from the south coast ports to the M4 and the Midlands. The A36/A46 provides a strategic route, most of which is unimproved single carriageway and without the missing link, traffic routes through Bath.

“This is an important piece of work. To address transport and congestion issues in the West of England region we need to work closely with our neighbouring authorities as roads don’t end at council boundaries.” Tim Bowles, West of England Mayor 7 SOUTH OF ENGLAND NORTH–SOUTH CONNECTIVITY

The economic case

Wiltshire Council, , There is a similar picture in Dorset where, is reflected in a relatively high GVA per capita Bath and North East Somerset Council even in the more economically active (and (£41,600), the continuation of this is very in partnership with Highways England urbanised) areas of Bournemouth and Poole, much dependent on businesses being able commissioned a study to investigate how GVA is considerably less than the national to draw labour from the wider area, not least improved connectivity could unlock the wider average (at £23,787 in B&P, and £20,338 in from the key A46 / A36 corridor. economic benefits associated with improved the rest of Dorset). access to jobs. Using DfT guidance on agglomeration B&NES has different economic improvements, a series of wider impacts At present, GVA per head in Wiltshire (at characteristics given the high number have been calculated. £19,771) is below the national average with of small, specialist firms in Bath and the the ‘gap’ between the UK average growing surrounding area. Although the economic over time. importance of these businesses

Key outcomes of enhancing connectivity Potential gains also include: • Increased revenue from personal income taxation £342m • Increase in economic £20.5bn additional GDP annually output per worker • Commercial goods reduced generated to the economy unit cost as journey times improve £16.5m • Dependent Development benefits (ie unlocking land 1,400 additional corporation tax value gain) new jobs generated annually Potential gains revenues annually • Tourism benefits.

8 What we want from Government

Support The Case for Action is supported by: • the local authorities in the study area, – Bath & North East Somerset – Dorset County Council – – of Poole • The West of England Combined Authority • Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership • Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

We ask that ministers include north-south The information presented within this network with less congestion and greater document demonstrates there are journey time reliability. connectivity considerable economic benefits associated with improving north-south connectivity in An improved north-south link could result in improvements in the the South of England. the region gaining £20.5 billion of additional economic benefits over the next 60 years. government’s road Improving links will support economic and housing growth in southern England investment strategy and create a safer more resilient transport (RIS2). 9