COUNTY COUNCIL HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORTATION EXECUTIVE DECISION

Short Title of Decision: A414 (Hastingwood Roundabout to Southern Way) 40mph speed limit *Tick the relevant box below Key Decision by Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation • in consultation with another Cabinet Member • in consultation with the Director for Highways and Transportation Non Key Decision by Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation • in consultation with another Cabinet Member • agreed with the Director for Highways and Transportation x Non Key Decision by Director for Highways and Transportation • in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation • on own account Recommendation - Decision(s)

It is recommended that approval is given to advertise an out of policy 40mph speed limit on the A414 Harlow between Hastingwood Roundabout and Southern Way Junction.

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Background

The A414 duelling is an on line improvement that will replace a short section of sub-standard dual carriageway and 800 metres of single carriageway between Hastingwood Roundabout and Southern Way Junction with dual carriageway. The Southern Way Junction will be reconstructed as a signal controlled through about. The existing speed limit is 50 mph from Hastingwood Roundabout to a point 35 metres south of Southern Way Junction and 40mph beyond that point. It is proposed that post construction the entire length will be signed as a 40mph speed limit. If this road is classified as rural the 40mph limit is outside of policy. However as it lies on the outskirts of Harlow it could be classified as urban. There are a number of characteristics to support this including street lighting, footway/cycleway directly adjacent to the northbound carriageway and a pedestrian crossing point.

Permanent 40mph Speed Limit: The location is shown on the attached drawing

Statement of Reasons

The new carriageways have been designed using standards contained in the Design Manual for Roads & Bridges (DMRB) to a standard for a speed limit of 40mph because there was insufficient land within the existing highway footprint to allow a higher design standard to be adopted. In order to allow the scheme to be delivered within the time frame dictated by the funding, the acquisition of additional land was ruled out.

The design would have allowed for a short length to be signed at 50mph but for consistency, after leaving Hastingwood Roundabout which is subject to the national speed limit and to avoid confusion to motorists, it has been decided that a 40mph limit should be put in place on the A414 for the whole length of carriageway between Hastingwood Roundabout and Southern Way Junction. There is an existing 40mph limit in place on the A414 to the north of Southern Way Junction.

There are a number of factors which support the proposed speed limit which include the under listed constraints which occur within 1500 metres. • a junction with London Road including a central reserve crossing • a service station and restaurant entry and egress to the northbound carriageway • a service station entry and egress to the southbound carriageway • private access to a residential property to the northbound carriageway • 2 agricultural field accesses to the northbound carriageway • access to an area used periodically for site compounds/storage of material to the southbound carriageway • 1 agricultural field access to the southbound carriageway • signal controlled through about at Southern Way. • pedestrian crossing point at London Road • a cycle/pedestrian route directly adjacent to the northbound carriageway

2 Views of the Local County Member Local County Members approved this approach.

Views of other Consultees

This recommendation is supported both by and ECC Mid Area Office.

Financial Implications Budget Reference: HCAF 4010 00000 HA 27408

Any costs associated will be covered from the A414 Harlow Dualling budget.

Policy Fit / Reasoning *Tick the relevant Yes/No box below Policy Reference: Is a departure from policy needed? Yes * No * Is a Cabinet Decision needed? Yes * No * √ √ Recommended change in policy to be made with this decision: No recommended change in policy

Originating Officer I certify that: • there is an approved budget for the expenditure arising from this decision • guidance and protocol has been followed as per attached checklist Details Signature Date Name Deborah Gallantree Designation Principal Engineer Extension 51342 Consultation Designation Signature Date * Delete when not relevant to the decision

* Director for Highways and Transportation (for a decision by the Cabinet Member) * Other (insert details of person consulted)

3 Decision * Tick approval / non-approval in the relevant box below With regard to the recommended decision: I approve * I do not approve * Reasons for the decision (to be completed by the decision taker):

Designation Signature Date * Delete when not the decision maker * Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation

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