A40 Bus Lane Scheme

Gloucestershire County Council is developing a new design for the A40 Road Westbound Bus Lane Scheme following engagement with local residents

A40 Bus Lanes

LOCATION PLAN The scheme, promoted jointly by County Council and Stagecoach, proposes a new bus lane on the A40 westbound (outbound from ) from the Tennyson Road junction to the traffic signals at GCHQ (Telstar Rd junction).

The re-designed scheme would improve the travel experience for public transport users with minimal impact on the local environment. Over 2.1 million people use these bus routes.

This exhibition is designed to provide details of the scheme as well as give you the opportunity to ask questions of our team and tell us what you think of the proposals.

Leave your comments by filling in the questionnaires available at the exhibition or online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/majorschemes Scheme background

In April 2014 two Bus Priority schemes were approved for the A40 – one promoted by Gloucestershire County Council and one by

Stagecoach’s proposal for a new bus lane on the A40 raised concerns from local residents over the impact on trees and hedges along the path of the proposed route.

In response to these comments, the council has developed an alternative design which merges Stagecoach’s scheme with that proposed by the council.

The merging of the schemes was approved in July 2015.

The new scheme The merged scheme proposed by the council looks to extend the bus lane in order to reduce journey times and encourage commuters to make use of both scheduled bus services and the Arle Court Park & Ride service.

It will encompass a with-flow Westbound Bus Lane over a length of nearly 900 meters, beginning at the existing bus stop on Gloucester Road (opposite Tennyson Road) and continuing through the Benhall Roundabout (at the junction with Princess Elizabeth Way) to end just before the junction Interesting facts and figures with Whittington Road. • At least 95% of existing hedgerows and trees At the same time it will protect the green space between expected to remain the A40 and the local residents by reducing the width of • There are over 2,000,000 bus passenger trips on the central reservation in order to provide space for the the A40 Cheltenham to Gloucester bus corridor new bus lane. every year – at least 1,000,000 more than any other road in the county • Currently the road is extremely busy – there are Key aims of the new scheme: approx 50,000 vehicles using the A40 between • To provide a high quality, attractive public transport Benhall Roundabout and Arle Court Roundabout system connecting Cheltenham and Gloucester every weekday • To reduce bus journey times on the Cheltenham A40 • In the busiest section of the road a third of bus western corridor, making public transport more attractive journeys vary from their timetable by more than 5 minutes • To encourage mode of travel shift from car to bus, and car to Park & Ride on the Cheltenham A40 western • There are 17 bus journeys an hour along the road corridor • Benefits of the scheme will affect over 2,600 passengers each weekday on services between Gloucester and Cheltenham and 1,300 on the Park & Ride services • The additional bus lane will increase road space and decrease traffic conflict Summary of the A40 Bus Lane Scheme

Potential locations for a signal controlled pedestrians The proposed bus lane crossing. will be in operation from 7am to 7pm and may be used by taxis and cyclists

Benefits of the original scheme Additional benefits of the redesigned scheme

• Improved and consistent journey times for bus services • All trees and vegetation on Miserden or Campden road during congested periods retained, significantly reducing impact on local residents • Benefits important bus services, e.g. the route 94 and • Potential to enhance existing street scene with the Arle Court Park & Ride planting of specimen trees between existing trees • No loss of capacity to the main road, no disadvantage • Existing embankments supporting the A40 to remain in to other road users place • No safety concerns regarding the layout • Enforcement cameras now being considered for both the proposed and existing A40 bus lanes • Proposal will combine well with the Arle Court Bus Lane Details - A40 Gloucester Road East of Benhall Roundabout

Width of central reserve and island to be reduced

Bus priority at signals

Outbound carriageway to be widened to accommodate the bus lane by narrowing the existing verge. All trees and vegetation will be retained although some cutting back of overhanging tree branches will be required to site road signs

3m wide bus lane to start at existing bus stops

Existing layout: A40 Gloucester Road, Tennyson Road to Benhall roundabout, with inbound with flow bus lane. Bus stop and bus shelter on south side of carriageway opposite Tennyson Road. Dual carriageway on westbound approach to Benhall roundabout.

Proposed Measure: Potential benefits:

• Construct a 3m wide ‘with flow’ bus lane from Tennyson • No significant removal of trees or vegetation required in Road to Benhall roundabout, approx 400m long order to construct the bus lane • Space required for proposed bus lane to be taken from • Buses given priority over main road traffic nearside (southern) verge between Tennyson Road and • Option supported by bus operator giving reduced journey Benhall Avenue times and improved reliability • Advanced bus detection on approach to roundabout to • No negative effect on main road traffic trigger green traffic light signal as bus arrives at junction • Enforcement cameras now being considered to ensure compliance Details - Benhall Roundabout

Exit from roundabout to be widened by reducing the width of the central reserve

Carriageway widening by reducing the central roundabout Subway

Outside lane to be a dedicated bus lane. Proposed layout to Vegetation to remain untouched have 3 lanes on roundabout

Existing layout: 3 arm roundabout at the junction of the A40 Gloucester Road east, A40 Gloucester Road west and Princess Elizabeth Way. All arms controlled by traffic signals. Pedestrian subway on the A40 east arm, signalled controlled pedestrian crossing facilities on Princess Elizabeth Way.

Proposed Measure: Potential benefits:

• Widening of the approach to the roundabout from the • Offers a continuous bus lane from Tennyson Road A40 east to allow for the installation of a bus lane on the through to Arle Court roundabout nearside • Buses can safely negotiate the roundabout without • Size of roundabout central island to be reduced to having to merge with other traffic accommodate the bus lane on roundabout • Supported by bus operator giving reduced journey times • Widening of roundabout exit from A40 east to allow for and improved reliability installation of bus lane on the nearside • No negative effect on main road traffic or other road • Space to be taken from the nearside verge and the users central reservation • Buses will be able to leave the Benhall roundabout bus • Advanced bus detection on approach to roundabout to stop safely entering the bus lane without having to merge trigger green traffic light signal as bus arrives at junction with main road traffic Details - A40 Gloucester Road West of Benhall Roundabout

Eastbound carriageway to be re-aligned, kerb line moved to the north and verge space taken

Width of central reserve reduced to 1.6m and safety barrier removed

Existing vegetation Existing kerb to remain untouched line to remain

A small area of verge to be taken to re-align the carriageway. No trees will be removed

Buses exiting the proposed bus lane will join the Arle Court Bus lane

Existing layout: A40 Gloucester Road dual carriageway between Benhall Roundabout and (GCHQ) Telstar Way traffic signals.

Proposed Measure: Potential benefits:

• Both sides of the dual carriageway to be realigned • Buses will have unrestricted access on the approach to the bus bypass facility at Whittington Road (included in • Westbound carriageway to be widened from two to three Arle Court Bus Lane) lanes and include 3m bus lane • No need to remove any embankment on south side of • Eastbound carriageway to remain as two lanes road next to Miserden Road • The additional space required to widen westbound • Buses given priority over main traffic carriageway to be taken from existing central reservation and from verge on north side of road, next to the GCHQ • Supported by bus operator giving reduced journey times site and improved reliability • Advanced bus detection on approach to roundabout to • No negative effect on main road traffic or other road trigger green traffic light signal as bus arrives at junction users • Exploits the lightly used left turn lane into the Benhall housing estate • Allows left turning traffic into Whittington Road to use bus lane A40 BUS LANES - Scheme Location Plan

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Overall map 13

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40 19 N SPENSER AVENUE

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BENHALL 26 11 ROUNDABOUT

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49.1m 10 9 50.9m

MS A40 GLOUCESTER ROAD 14 (Defaced)

(GLTB) STAGECOACH / GCC BUS LANE 49.7m

A40 Westbound Bus Lane, Tennyson Road to ED & Ward Bdy

CR Benhall Roundabout to Whittington Road GLOUCESTER ROAD CAMPDEN ROAD Shelter 21

27 B4063 OLD GLOUCESTER ROAD 28

38 Potential scheme to be confirmed: TURKDEAN ROAD B4063 eastbound bus lane, Arle Court roundabout 50 15

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ARLE COURT BUS LANE - ELMBRIDGE 37 A40 westbound bus lane, Whittington Road to ARLE COURT 48 ROUNDABOUT Arle Court bus lane 15 2 11

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To Cheltenham

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7.6m ARLE COURT 48 PARK & RIDE SITE 56

Proposed radius 25m A40 GOLDEN VALLEY BYPASS 10.5

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Weir

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Potential scheme to be confirmed: FB To Gloucester Left turn bus only slip road from Arle Court Park & Ride onto the A40 52

Playground

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Consultation Site

Consultation previously undertaken in 2013 ED & Ward Bdy

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48 3 Potential additional sites

Gloucestershire County Council 2 ED & Ward Bdy

Und 1000191342013

14 44.7m Showing all current and proposed schemes along the A40 including proposals for: • The confirmed Arle Court bus lane (previously consulted in 2013) • A Park & Ride Access Road • The B4063 Gloucester Road eastbound bus lane Environmental impact

Air Quality Landscape

The permanent effect of the proposed scheme on local air The newly proposed scheme retains as many existing trees quality within the study area is classified as insignificant. and screen planting as possible, and maintenance and It is reasonable to suggest that improvements to the additional or replacement planting will enhance the local sustainable travel network will have a positive impact on landscape. Impact on existing vegetation, such as removal, those areas within Cheltenham town centre which currently will be mitigated through planting of similar species, have poor air quality. e.g. oak or field maple, excluding ash due to risk of ash dieback. During construction work measures will be in place to minimise the impact of dust on the local area. The overall Additional planting may include native or ornamental effects of traffic on ambient air quality have been assessed species in order to increase biodiversity as well as as being imperceptible and as such no mitigation is improving the general visual environment and providing required once the bus lane is operational. screening for adjacent residents in Miserden Road and Campden Road.

Noise Proposed Enhancement It is considered that the effect of noise is neutral at all the properties in close proximity to the scheme. There are Instant impact could be provided by new planting of no significant changes to noise levels and as a result no standard trees and a variety of ornamental shrubs. The mitigation measures are proposed. This will be verified combination of both evergreen and deciduous species will through before and after noise surveys. provide screening in autumn and winter, and the range of species will increase biodiversity and provide a landscape of varied forms and colours. Water

Appropriate pollution prevention measures will be implemented during works to prevent contamination to the water environment. Any impact from the carriageway widening will be managed through enhanced drainage capacity.

Incorporating Beech hedging could assist with screening as this plant tends to Biodiversity hold onto its leaves even though a deciduous species.

Some vegetation removal is proposed as part of the scheme, however local ‘green corridors’ will remain intact and no impact on protected species is anticipated as a result of the work. Any vegetation removed will be replaced with native species. Clearance of vegetation will avoid negative impact on nesting birds by taking place outside of the period from March to August.

Summer Autumn/winter

Example of ornamental trees that could be used - Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ – all year round interest – flowers spring, green, glossy foliage in summer and dramatic colour change in autumn Arle Court Bus Lane

This part of the proposed scheme consists of 2 measures:

Bus lane westbound on A40 Gloucester Road, from the GCHQ / Whittington Road traffic signals to Arle Court roundabout

Bus priority through the GCHQ / Whittington Road junction

Outbound carriageway widened from 2 to Buses to be allowed to Site Plan 3 lanes to allow installation of 3.5m wide pass through the GCHQ bus lane on the nearside (from Whittington traffic signals without the GCHQ Road to existing Arle Court bus stop). need to stop.

TO CHELTENHAM

A40 GLOUCESTER ROAD TO GLOUCESTER

Advanced bus detector in place to change the traffic Buses allowed to use left signals to green as a bus turn lane from the A40 approaches the junction New traffic signals New trees planted to replace approx 25 into Whittington Road from A40 Existing embankment widened (Whittington Road) trees removed from existing embankment

Photomontage of bus priority measures

© 2012 Blom UK

Benefits • Improved and consistent journey times for bus services during the congested periods (including improved journeys for the route 94 between Cheltenham and Gloucester and the Arle Court Park & Ride bus services) • Will not affect other traffic or cause any further delays to other motorists • Simple and safe layout • Improved safety and security for pedestrians using the footway which is currently obscured behind trees A40 Pedestrian Crossing - West of Benhall Roundabout

This part of the proposed scheme consists of the provision of a toucan pedestrian crossing on the western side of Benhall roundabout

Existing crossing Existing footway to to be broken out Bus stop be resurfaced as it is and grassed over in very poor condition

Provision of a controlled Toucan crossing for pedestrians & cyclists at existing traffic signals

Provision of a ARLE COURT guardrail/barrier to protect users

Provision of a cycle/footway

ROUNDABOUT

Some vegetation clearance may be required to allow for footway/cycleway

Bus stop

Installation of safety barrier

Provision of a guardrail to Installation of traffic signals protect users due to for westbound controlled difference in ground level Toucan crossing

Tactile paving does not currently exist and there Crossing will be located to ensure westbound Tactile paving, a new footway and guardrail will is no drop-kerb crossing on the other side of the drivers can respond to pedestrian movement in be instated on the southern verge to make the carriageway good time crossing safe

The eastbound crossing will be placed at Existing pedestrian desire line in the vicinity of the the existing traffic signals, creating minimal proposed pedestrian/cycle way is clearly visible disruption for vehicles

Benefits:

• Risk of collision between vehicles and pedestrians/ • The layout is simple and easy to use cyclists will be significantly reduced • Existing barriers will remain, with more added at the • Toucan crossing will allow both cyclists and pedestrians existing crossing in order to protect all users to use the crossing together • Tactile paving will provide a safe crossing facility for disabled/blind pedestrians • Moving and/or stationary traffic will experience minimal impact as traffic signals already exist in the eastbound direction Details – Public transport

Stagecoach in Cheltenham

Passenger Focus Survey Autumn 2014: Benefits of the proposed scheme • Overall 90% customer satisfaction; Journey Time and Reliability • In Gloucestershire, 56% of users choose to use the bus; Positives Negatives • Bus lane proposed allows for more reliable service Punctuality Congestion/Traffic Jams throughout the day Driver Appearance Value for Money • Current timetable allows for increase of 20 minutes Vehicle Standards Bus Stops (+66%) in overall journey time for AM peak period compared to off peak Stagecoach Investment in Cheltenham • Peak hour delays are estimated to account for more than 20% of the journey • Major fleet investment (average age of buses 3.5 years, 2% improvement in mpg) • Proposals will benefit 2,600 passengers each weekday on 17 buses per hour on the A40 corridor from Cheltenham to Gloucester

Benefits for all users;

• Promote access to jobs/services via reliable, sustainable transport • Promote healthy and active population by discouraging car use • Encourage confidence in sustainable transport and shift users from car to bus (including Park & Ride)

• New engine technology has 80% lower Nitrous Oxides • Reduced emissions resulting from increased bus use by emissions car owners • Frozen season ticket prices for 2015 • Shift from car to bus may result in reduced traffic and queues for car drivers • Adult passenger growth 2% over 12 month period • Cyclists able to use bus lanes • 42% of bus users in Cheltenham had access to a car they could have used for their journey • Working in partnership with GCC to develop bus priority along A40 • A40 corridor is the busiest bus route in the county with 2 million annual trips, twice as many as the next busiest route