TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE 5 FEBRUARY 2014

MAJOR ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS 2013–2018 - PRIORITISATION

Report by Director of Technical Services

PURPOSE OF REPORT To seek the Comhairle’s approval for the continuation of the extant prioritised programmes for Spinal Route and Roads to Communities projects.

COMPETENCE

1.1 There are no equalities or other constraints to the recommendations being implemented. Funding of the preparatory work has been identified in the Comhairle’s Capital allocation.

SUMMARY

2.1 Capital funding for the strategic improvement of roads was previously provided for in capital programmes under the headings Spinal Route and Roads to Communities and has seen a number of large scale projects delivered over the past 10-15 years, generally with financial support from the European Union through the ERDF. The most recent of these schemes is the widening and realignment of the northern approaches to the village of in Harris at a cost of approximately £900k. This project was part-funded by the ERDF at an intervention rate of 25%. 2.2 The Comhairle in November 2013 approved expenditure on two further capital projects previously identified through the approved scoring mechanism for Spinal Route projects and work on these projects is in progress. The two projects are at Stockinish in Harris and Carinish in North Uist. Both these projects are to be part funded through the ERDF with an intervention rate of 25%. Funding opportunities for such infrastructure projects is likely to be much-reduced in future and it will generally be necessary to fully-fund any future projects from the Comhairle’s own resources. 2.3 The Comhairle in November 2013 also approved a sum of £234k to progress future Spinal Route projects to “tender-ready” stage. 2.4 The extant prioritised lists of projects for both Spinal Route and Roads to Communities programmes were established on the basis of the criteria agreed by the Comhairle. This prioritisation criteria and weighting are similar to the Scottish Government’s Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) process and are detailed in Appendix 1 to the Report. Appendices 2 and 3 provide details of the prioritised Spinal Route and Roads to Communities programmes respectively. 2.5 The Director of Technical Services has reviewed the evaluation processes and extant programmes and, on the basis that there are no material changes to either the criteria on which the scoring was based or the outcome of the scoring exercise itself, it is considered that the current priorities still reflect the best options for asset and infrastructure improvement for the foreseeable future. 2.6 It is therefore proposed that the extant criteria and programmes of schemes for both Spinal Route and Roads to Communities projects be retained and, specifically, that development work on the preparation of projects on the Spinal Route programme be progressed to tender-ready stage for delivery when the necessary funding becomes available in the current or future Capital Programmes.

RECOMMENDATION

3.1 It is recommended that the Comhairle agree to retain the extant programmes for Spinal Route and Roads to Communities projects and that development work be progressed to tender- ready stage on the projects identified in the Spinal Routes programme included as Appendix 2.2 as far as available funding allows.

Contact: Donald MacRae, 01851 822664 Appendices: 1. Criteria Weightings and Scorings 2. Western Isles Spinal Route 2.1 Sections of Routes 2.2 Spinal Route Programme 3 Western Isles Road to Communities 3.1 Sections of Routes 3.2 Roads to Communities Programme Appendix 1 Criteria Weightings and Scoring

Criteria Weighting

National and Regional Objectives (STAG)

• Environment 1

• Economy 3

• Accessibility 2

• Integration 1

• Road Safety 3

Local Issues 3 • Existing Asset Condition 2 • Other Maintenance Issues 1 • Local Significance 2 • Special Road Safety Issues 3 • Traffic Volumes 1 • Density of Township(s) 1 • Existing Speed Limit(s) Projects - Criteria Scoring

Criteria - National and Regional Objectives Rating (1-4) • Environment

How the proposal will contribute towards reducing emissions of CO2 and other pollutants, and promote better air and water quality. Are there adverse impacts on the environment? What are the distributional impacts, who will be the gainers and losers?

Significant impact on local landscape and local built environment with minimal contribution to environmental improvement. 1 Moderate impact on local landscape and built environment with moderate contribution to larger scale environmental improvement. 2 Minimal impact on local landscape and built environment with significant contribution to larger scale environmental improvement. 3 Negligible or no impact on local landscape and built environment with significant contribution to larger scale environmental improvement. 4 • Economy How will the proposal affect traffic volumes, journey times, or the reliability of travel times? Will there be gainers and losers, and if so what are the impacts on users and operators of different transport modes and in different areas? How might the proposal help attract new jobs, help existing businesses, open up appropriate land for development? Unlikely to generate any new or safeguard existing jobs; little or no reduction in journey times or costs. 1 Moderate likelihood of generating new or safeguarding existing jobs, little or no reduction in journey times or costs. 2 Moderate likelihood of generating new or safeguarding existing jobs, moderate reduction in journey times or costs. 3 Significant likelihood of generating new or safeguarding existing jobs, moderate or significant reduction in journey times or costs. 4 • Accessibility How does the proposal affect accessibility for transport users and for others, including access to jobs, communities, shops, services and other facilities? How does it impact in terms of tackling social exclusion?

Provides little or no improvement in accessibility for transport users; limited impact on social inclusion 1 Provides moderate improvement in accessibility for transport users; moderate impact on social inclusion 2 Provides moderate improvement in accessibility for transport users; significant impact on social inclusion 3 Provides significant improvement in accessibility for transport users; significant impact on social inclusion 4

• Integration

How will the proposal promote or enhance transport integration? Will services be able to function in a more complementary manner? How does the proposal fit with wider government policy including national transport targets?

Little or no contribution to promotion or enhancement of transport integration; little or no contribution to national transport targets. 1 Moderate contribution to promotion or enhancement of transport integration; little or no contribution to national transport targets. 2 Moderate or significant contribution to promotion or enhancement of transport integration; moderate or no contribution to national transport targets. 3 Significant contribution to promotion or enhancement of transport integration; significant contribution to national transport targets. 4 • Road Safety How will the proposal enhance safety for different types of transport users? Will it involve gainers and losers in terms of safety? Are there impacts on personal safety/security?

Little or no contribution to ensuring or enhancing general road safety for majority of transport users; little or no contribution to national and regional road safety targets. 1 Moderate contribution to ensuring or enhancing general road safety for majority of transport users; limited contribution to national and regional road safety targets. 2 Moderate contribution to ensuring or enhancing general road safety for majority of transport users; moderate contribution to national and regional road safety targets. 3 Significant contribution to ensuring or enhancing general road safety for majority of transport users; moderate to significant contribution to national and regional road safety targets. 4 Rating Criteria - Local Issues (1-4) • Existing Asset Condition

Little or no repair or general maintenance works to surfacing or foundations required; condition: generally fit for purpose. 1 Moderate requirement for repairs or general maintenance to surfacing or foundations (£5k - £10k) in medium to long term (5 - 10 years); condition: generally fit for purpose but some risk of becoming worse. 2 Moderate requirement for repairs or general maintenance to surfacing or foundations (£5k - £10k) in short to medium term (1 - 5 years); condition: moderate risk of becoming worse. 3 Significant requirement for repairs or general maintenance to surfacing or foundations (greater than £10k) in short to medium term (1 - 5 years); condition: generally inadequate for purpose, significant risk of becoming worse. 4

• Other Maintenance Issues

Verges, culverts and other structures in good condition; little or no requirement for repairs or maintenance 1 Verges, culverts and other structures in reasonable condition; requirement for minor repairs or maintenance work (less than £5k) in longer term (5 - 10 years) 2 Verges, culverts and other structures in poor condition; moderate requirement for repairs or maintenance work (£5k - £15k) in short to medium term (1 - 5 years) 3 Verges, culverts and other structures in critical condition; significant requirement for repairs or maintenance work greater than £5k) in short to medium term (1 - 5 years) 4 • Local Significance

No public buildings (e.g. Church, School, Community Hall, Post Office) in area; little or no pedestrian traffic. 1 Small number (less than three) of public buildings; (e.g. Church, School, Community Hall, Post Office) little or no pedestrian traffic. 2 Small number (less than three) of public buildings; (e.g. Church, School, Community Hall, Post Office) moderate to high pedestrian traffic. 3 Large number (greater than three) of public buildings; (e.g. Church, School, Community Hall, Post Office) moderate to high pedestrian traffic. 4 • Specific Road Safety Issues

Little or no specific road safety issues; adequate visibility and good horizontal/vertical alignment; little or no risk of accident as a result of infrastructure properties. 1 Some specific road safety issues; reasonable visibility and/or horizontal/vertical alignment; little or no risk of accident as a result of infrastructure properties. 2 Certain specific road safety issues; poor visibility and/or horizontal/vertical alignment; moderate risk of accident as a result of infrastructure properties. 3 Significant road safety issues; inadequate visibility and/or substandard horizontal/vertical alignment; high risk of accident as a result of infrastructure properties. 4 • Traffic Volumes

Low vehicular traffic flows; little or no HIV traffic. 1 Moderate vehicular traffic flows; little or no HIV traffic. 2 Moderate to significant vehicular traffic flows; moderate volume of HGV traffic; significant peak flows at certain times of day. 3 Significant vehicular traffic flows; considerable volume of HGV traffic; little or no variation in traffic flows during the day. 4 • Density of Township

No housing or properties with frontage or accesses onto carriageway. 1 Small township (less than ten properties) with frontage/access onto carriageway. 2 Medium sized township (ten to twenty properties) with frontage/access onto carriage. 3 Large township (greater than twenty properties) with frontage/access onto carriageway. 4 • Existing Speed Limits

30 mph (including existing or proposed 20 mph zone at school). 1 30 mph 2 40 mph 3 National Speed Limit; 60 mph 4 APPENDIX 2.1 Western Isles Spinal Route SECTION OF ROUTES (UPDATED JAN 2014) SECTION OF ROUTES LENGTH FRONTAGE Comments KM HOUSES LEWIS A857 TO PORT OF NESS Eorodale to Port of Ness 0.45 Yes Single track section with passing places. Good horizontal alignment. Bridge 0.2 Yes Stone built single track bridge. High traffic volumes. Signal lights programmed for Spring 2014. HARRIS A859 Tarbert to Leverburgh Direcleit to Miabhaig Junction 1.9 Few Significant gradient and road alignment issues to resolve on mid section. Stockinish Junction to Junction 5.0 No Too large a project so split into 2 sections, no frontage properties but no of widening appears simple with rock readily available on site – phase 1 complete. Luskentyre Junction past Seilebost Causeway 1.5 No Section of road recently improved at old cutting – complete. Seilebost through township past school junction 0.8 Yes Existing road through village short, narrow and windy section; many houses close to existing road. Horgabost through to Borve Lodge 2.3 No No houses on this section, rock can be sourced from works as part of the contract. Some sections of twin track have previously been provided around bends . Borvemor Studio towards Scarista 0.8 Yes Two short sections of single track, existing alignment reasonable, section of twin track at Scarista Post Office. Scarista Cemetery to Northton Junction 3.8 Yes Frontage houses in Scarista village, past village, alignment and visibility relatively good, second section from Glenn Uachdrach to Northton potential for widening. Kyles Lodge to entrance to Leverburgh Village 1.1 No Short section downhill into village with some rock cutting to north side of existing road, road failing at start of village – part complete. NORTH UIST AND BENBECULA B893 Berneray Causeway to A865 Junction Berneray Causeway to Portnalong Junction 2.5 No Unclassified road with no house frontages and poor alignment. Newton Road Junction to Clachan Farm 2.0 Few Existing road past well spaced homes and farms reasonable forward visibility. Clachan Farm to A865 Junction at MacIain Quarry 3.1 Few Poor alignment past Dunrossil House then improved visibility but blind summits. A865 From B893 to Lochmaddy Junction From existing twin track up to Blathaisbhal Hill 0.8 No Short section of singletrack with good forward visibility but blind summits. Blathaisbhal Water Works to Lochmaddy Junction 3.0 Few Section of route with poor vertical and horizontal alignment. A865 Clachan to South Ford Causeway North of Carinish Hall through to Carinish School 1.8 Few Improvement of section appears straightforward with limited roadside dwellings, short section of widened road in centre of single track sections. Carinish Inn through to North Ford Causeway 1.5 Few Three single carriageway sections mixed with improved double track, visibility and alignment generally good with improved sections through problem areas – part complete. LENGTH FRONTAGE Comments KM HOUSES Grimsay Island between Causeway sections 1.7 Few Over the next 3 years causeway improvements will be undertaken, improvement on this section should await completion of the causeway rocks. Gramsdale Fish Factory to Balivanich Junction 1.7 Few High traffic volumes, some issues with proximity of houses but straightforward line. Balivanich Junction to Market Stance 2.2 Few Northern section amongst housing with potential for great depth of peat areas to south. Market Stance to Griminish Road Junction 1.8 None Clear difficulties with line and buildings/monument on approach to Griminish junction. Section from Market Stance relatively simple but risk of big peat depths. Griminish Road Junction to Liniclate Junction 2.9 Few Few issues on route as house numbers small. Potential for soft ground and deep peat problems around Loch Olavat SOUTH UIST A865 South Ford to Lochboisdale South of Iochdar to Loch Bee 3.0 No No houses, flat area south of Iochdar. Expected problems with peat depths. Ruabhal Radar Station entrance to Loch Druidibeg 2.0 Yes Few houses on lengthy section. Potential to provide rock from sensitive area around Loch Druidibeg. Stilligarry through to Howmore 2.4 No No frontage properties, but northern section close to Loch Druidibeg reserve through SSSI low lying ground with no obvious local rock source. Loch a’Phuirt-ruaidh to Abhainn Gheatry 1.9 No Connecting to existing section of twin track road, flooding problem and deep soft peat, potential for rock source close to Loch a Phuirt-ruaidh North of Kildonan Junction to Loch Roinich 3.5 Few Lengthy section linking existing twin track roads, perhaps two phases. Very poor alignment to north with several blind summits. Potential rock sources for improvement – part complete. Leonard Place Daliburgh to Lasgair Junction 2.7 Yes Existing houses close to and all along this section of road. B888 Daliburgh to Eriskay Ferry Terminal Daliburgh School to North Boisdale Junction 2.3 No No houses beyond Daliburgh, rock should be available from widening into existing hillside. North Boisdale to Pollochar Junction 3.4 Few Most of route clear of existing houses, section through significant soft peat area north of Trosaraidh. Pollachar Junction to start of East Kilbride 2.0 Few Very few properties close to this section, opportunity to combine road scheme with Executive funding for coastal protection scheme. Surfaced as part of coastal protection works. East Kilbride to Ludag Pier 1.0 Yes Existing narrow road poorly aligned through housing in East Kilbride; potential for widening severely constrained by housing and shoreline. Ludag Pier to new Eriskay Causeway 0.5 Few Old road link through new causeway, houses and business premises close to road.

Eriskay Causeway to Ceann a Gharaidh pier road 1.5 Yes Many houses close to road creating design issues, road improved when ferry introduced but still narrow with poor vertical and horizontal alignment. LENGTH FRONTAGE Comments KM HOUSES

BARRA The entire section of the spinal route through Barra is single track. Two sections have been Aird Mhor Terminal to 14.0 identified for inclusion on the short leet. A88 Northbay Junction to Castlebay Northbay Junction past Loch an Duin Water 1.5 Few Some housing close to Northbay Junction and significant water course alongside existing road, Works potential for issues working alongside existing Barra drinking water reservoir. Alasdale Junction to Craigston School Road 1.3 None No housing. Road runs along coastline so rock available but works could be costly, opportunity to combine road scheme with Executive funding for coastal protection scheme. Western Isles Spinal Route Programe Priority List - Scored 2008

Stag Factors

Length Km Length

SCORE

Exist Asset ConditionAsset Exist Issues Maint Other Significances Local Issues Safety Special Volumes Traffic Township of Density SpeedLimit Exist

Environment Economy Accessability Integration Safety Road 1 3 2 1 3 3 3 1 2 3 1 1 Stockinish Junction to Luskentyre 1 5.0 4 3 2 2 3 2 3 1 3 3 1 4 64 Junction ( 2nd Phase) North Of Carinish Hall through to 2 1.8 3 3 2 2 3 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 64 Carinish School North of Kildonan Junction to Loch 3 3.5 2 3 2 2 3 3 2 1 3 3 2 4 63 Roinich Kyles Lodge to entrance to Leverburgh 4 1.1 3 2 2 2 2 4 3 2 2 3 2 3 62 School Pollachar Junction to start of East 5 2.0 3 2 2 2 3 3 3 1 3 2 2 4 61 Kilbride Northbay Junction past Loch an Duin 6 1.5 2 3 2 2 3 2 3 1 3 2 2 4 60 Waterworks Blathaisbhal Water Works to 7 3.0 2 3 2 2 3 3 2 1 2 2 3 4 59 Lochmaddy Junction Gramsdale Fish Factory to Balivanich 8 1.7 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 1 2 3 2 4 58 Junction Clachan farm to A865 junction at 9 3.1 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 1 3 2 2 4 57 MacIan quarry Port of Ness, single track section past 10 1.0 3 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 3 3 57 houses 11 Laxdale Bridge widening to two lanes 0.1 1 3 2 2 1 2 1 3 3 4 4 2 55

12 Horgabost through to Borve lodge 2.3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 4 54 Ruabhal Radar Station entrance to 13 2.0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 3 1 4 51 Loch Druidibeg Alasdale junction to Craigston School 14 1.3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 3 2 1 4 50 road Daliburgh School to North Boisdale 15 2.3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 4 49 Junction

Appendix 2.2 Western Isles Spinal Route Programme Appendix 3.1 Roads to Communities SECTIONS OF ROUTES

Length of Consistent with Proposed HITRANS Route Section of Route Investment (km)Programme Barra Uncl. From Coalas Bridge to Village 1.5 CnES only A888 Castlebay out to Breibhig Hill 1.5 YES A888 Balle nam Bodach past old Decca Station 1.0 YES South Uist Uncl. Stoneybridge Road link with coastal protection 2.0 CnES only works Benbecula B892 Borve to Liniclate 1.5 YES B892 Nunton through to Pol na Cran (Stinky Bay) 2.6 YES North Uist A865 Newton Junction to Ahmore 2.4 YES A865 Clachan to Claddach Kirkibost 2.2 YES Harris C79 Liceasto through to Leac a’Li Road 1.8 YES C79 Leac a’Li Junction through to the Main A859 1.8 YES C78 Scalpay Road at Urgha 1.5 CnES only C78 Kyles Scalpay Phase 2 at old rock cutting 1.3 CnES only B887 Bunavoneadar Whaling Station towards 2.00 YES Lewis B8060 Before the Eishal Junction towards 2.1 YES B8011 Enaclete through to the Geshader Junction 2.2 YES B8011 Scaliscro Road End to Morsgail 2.0 YES B8059 Bernera road End to Earshader (Section at 1.2 CnES only Cruilibhig) A858 Doune to Kirivick 0.6 YES A858 Kirivick to Carloway Bridge 0.9 YES A858 School to North Shawbost 0.5 YES A858 School to 0.8 YES C36 Macdonald Gardens to Old School 1.1 CnES only B895 Tolsta Village from cattle grid to the war memorial 1.1 YES B895 Druim Road Tong to Gearraidh Ghuirm 1.4 YES A866 Holm to Road End, remove blind summit 0.5 YES A866 Blind Summit 0.3 YES Appendix 3.2 Western Isles Roads to Communities Programme