M32 Bristol Consultation on the introduction of a permanent 50mph speed limit over Eastville Viaduct on the M32
6 February – 5 March 2017 Contents
Executive summary 2
Consultation at a glance 3
Background 4
Proposed legislative changes 5
Frequently asked questions 7
Appendix 8
1 Executive summary
This statutory consultation gives The reduction in the permanent speed limit is interested parties an opportunity to necessary because this section of the M32 (the comment on the introduction and elevated section around junction 2) does not enforcement (by regulations under comply with the current safety standards required section 17(2) and (3) of the Road Traffic for a modern urban motorway. Regulation Act 1984) of a 50mph speed limit on the M32, over the Eastville Viaduct (from a point 83 metres north of the Eastville Viaduct northern mechanical joint to a point 22 metres north of the Severn Beach railway line bridge).
2 The consultation at a glance
Scope We are proposing to introduce a permanent 50mph speed limit in both directions on a 1.2 kilometre stretch of the M32 over the Eastville Viaduct. The restrictions would be from a point 83 metres north of the Eastville Viaduct northern mechanical joint to a point 22 metres north of the Severn Beach railway line bridge. See the map on page 6.
This consultation will last for a period of four weeks starting on 6 February 2017. It will close on 5 March 2017. Please ensure responses arrive no later than that.
How to Please send your consultation response using the consultation response form respond in appendix A to:
Paul Barker Highways England Temple Quay House 2 The Square Temple Quay BS1 6HA
Or alternatively you can respond electronically email at: [email protected]
After the All feedback received within the consultation period will be considered and consultation responded to as necessary.
At the end of the consultation period a summary report will be made available on the website (https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/). The report will provide an analysis of the feedback received and Highways England’s response to it. We will aim to produce this report within four weeks of the consultation period ending.
Subject to the results of the consultation, it is envisaged that the revised speed limit will be in place by autumn 2017.
2 3 Background
The Eastville Viaduct elevated section It is therefore proposed that the speed limit in this of the M32 was built in the early 1970’s, location is reduced, from 60mph to 50mph. according to the standards set at that time, with no provision for future The M32 runs through a predominately rural expansion made. landscape until the start of the viaduct, where it then cuts through a densely populated urban As things stand this section of the M32 does not area. A lower speed limit on the viaduct will have meet the current safety standards of a modern the benefit of not only improving safety for road urban motorway. Notably, users, but it will also simultaneously help reduce The hard shoulder is too narrow (it should be traffic noise and improve air quality, which are key at least 2.75 metres wide, but on average it is concerns for residents and commuters in 1.99 metres wide), that location. The space between the right hand lane and the central reservation is too narrow (there should be at least a 0.7 metre gap but on the Eastville Viaduct it is just 0.45 metres), The central reservation kerb in this location is too high (thereby reducing the effectiveness of the barrier itself).
4 Proposed legislative changes
Subject to the outcome of the enable a stepped transition from the 70mph limit consultation, regulations will need to be on the M32 around junction 1 (with the M4) to made under section 17(2) and (3) of the 50mph over the viaduct (junction 2), 40mph* in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (the vicinity of junction 3 and the bus lane, and 30mph 1984 Act). as traffic enters Bristol. The proposed regulations will prohibit driving at This stepped change will prevent excessive more than 50mph on the M32 and the slip roads braking, reduce vehicle noise and improve traffic northbound and southbound from a point 83 flow into the city. It will also be more intuitive, metres north of the northern mechanical joint of gradually reducing speed on the approach to the the Eastville viaduct to a point 22 metres north of urban area. the Severn Beach railway line overbridge.
Similarly traffic exiting Bristol will gradually Vehicles used for emergency services and UK increase in speed from 30mph in the city centre, special forces purposes would be exempt from the 40mph* around junction 3, a proposed new proposed speed limit. 50mph zone in the vicinity of junction 2, before reaching the national speed limit (70mph) at a The extent of the speed limit is shown in the map point 83 metres north of the northern mechanical on page 6. This section of road has been subject joint of the Eastville viaduct outbound towards to a 40mph speed limit under a temporary traffic junction 1 (M4 interchange). regulation order since July 2014. This was put in place following an inspection of the central *subject to agreement following a statutory reservation vehicle restraint system (central barrier) consultation on changes to the speed limit in that which found that the bolts holding it down no area, around the newly extended bus lane. longer had the capacity to withhold a vehicle travelling at 60mph (the previous speed limit). A scheme has subsequently been devised to replace the central barrier (due to start early in 2017), however even when complete it is Highways England’s view that the elevated section of the M32 on the Eastville Viaduct will still not meet current safety standards. In view of this Highways England is proposing to reduce the permanent speed limit on this section of the road to 50mph. Once in place, a 50mph limit in this location will
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FOSTER STREET 42 ROBERTSON ROAD 2 The Square,
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6 Frequently asked questions
Why do you need to reduce the speed on this section of the M32 to 50mph? The reduction in the permanent speed limit is necessary because this stretch of the M32 (the elevated section around junction 2) does not comply with the current safety standards required for a modern urban motorway. Specifically, the hard shoulder and the space between the right hand lane and the central reservation are too narrow. The central reservation kerb in this location is also too high (thereby reducing the effectiveness of the barrier itself).
Will the planned reduction in the speed limit slow traffic down even further / make it harder to get into Bristol than it is already? No. There is already a gradual reduction in speed as traffic makes its way into Bristol (noting that where the M32 becomes the A4032, Newfoundland Way, the road is subject to a 30mph limit, before reaching traffic signals which often bring traffic to a standstill).
What happens next? This consultation will run until 5 March 2017. Feedback collated during this period will then be considered, with a consultation report produced within four weeks of it ending. This report will provide an analysis of the feedback and Highways England’s response to it.
Subject to the results of the consultation, it is envisaged the new speed limit will be in operation by Autumn 2017.
6 7 Appendix
Consultation response form List of statutory consultees Government consultation principles
8 Consultation response form
Proposal to reduce the speed limit on the M32 to 50mph over the Eastville Viaduct Please complete this form by 5 March 2017 and return it to:
Paul Baker Highways England Temple Quay House 2 The Square Temple Quay Bristol BS1 6HA
Part 1 – Information about you Completion of this section is optional but helps with our analysis of results. A note at the end of this form explains that we may be obliged to release information if asked to do so.
Name Address Postcode Email Company name or organisation
Please tick one box from the list below that best describes you/your company or organisation.
Small to medium enterprise (up to 50 employees) Large company Representative organisation Trade union Interest group Local government Central government Police Member of the public Other (please describe)
If you are responding on behalf of an organisation or interest group how many members do you have and how did you obtain the views of your members.
8 9 If you would like your response or personal details to be treated confidentially, please explain why.
Part 2 - Response to the Proposal Do you have any concerns or feedback to offer regarding the plan to introduce a new Yes permanent 50mph speed limit (from a point 83 metres north of the northern mechanical joint of Eastville viaduct to a point 22 metres north of the Severn Beach Railway Line No overbridge) on the M32? Please add any comments:
Space for additional comments:
Notes on the disclosure of information Information provided in response to this consultation, including personal information, may be subject to publication or disclosure in accordance with the access to information regimes (these are primarily the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004).
If you want any information that you provide to be treated as confidential, please be aware that under the FOIA, there is a statutory Code of Practice with which public authorities must comply and which deals, amongst other things, with obligations of confidence.
For more information about what information can be requested under the FOIA, see: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/official-information
Highways England will process your personal data in accordance with the DPA and in the majority of circumstances this will mean that your personal data will not be disclosed to third parties.
10 List of statutory consultees
Government bodies Chief Executive MOD DVSA DE&S Secretariat Berkeley House Ministry of Defence Maple 0a, #2043 MOD Croydon Street Abbey Wood Bristol Bristol BS5 0DA BS34 8JH Chief Executive Chairman Local Government Association The Crown Estate Local Government House 6 Bell’s Brae Smith Square Edinburgh London EH4 3BJ SW1P 3HZ Core responders / legal National Police Chiefs Council The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives 1st Floor 32 Southwark Bridge Road 10 Victoria St London London SE1 9EU SW1H 0NN Chief Constable Executive Director British Transport Police Magistrates’ Association Force HQ Fitzroy Square 25 Camden Road London London W1P 6DD NW1 9LN The President The Chairman Chief Fire Officers Association Police Federation 9-11 Pebble Close Federation House Amington Highbury Drive Tamworth Leatherhead Staffordshire Surrey B77 4RD KT22 7UY Chief Constable Chief Constable Ministry of Defence Police Ministry of Defence Police 5th Floor, Zone A Main Building Whitehall 5th Floor, Zone A Main Building Whitehall London London SW1A 2HB SW1A 2HB The President Regimental Secretary RHQ RMP Defence Police Police Superintendents Association of England College Policing and Guarding Postal Point 38 and Wales Southwick Park 67a Reading Road Fareham Pangbourne Hants Berkshire PO17 6EJ RG8 7JD
10 11 Chief Fire Officer South Western Ambulance Service NHS Avon Fire and Rescue Service Foundation Trust Headquarters Abbey Court Temple Back Eagle Way Bristol Exeter BS1 6EU EX2 7HY Avon and Somerset Police Avon and Somerset Police HQ PO Box 37 Valley Road Portishead Bristol BS20 8QJ Environmental organisations Chief Executive The Chair Environment Agency Friends of the Earth South East Regional Office 26-3 Underwood Street Kings Meadow House London Kings Meadow Road N1 7JQ Reading RG1 8DQ Chief Executive Natural England 1 East Parade Sheffield S1 2ET Road user / safety organisations The Chairman The Chairman AIRSO Alliance of British Drivers 68 The Boulevard P O Box 248 Worthing MANCHESTER BN13 1LA M41 4BW The Chairman The Chairman Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport British Motorcycle Federation Safety (PACTS) 3 Oswin Road Clutha House Brailsford Industrial Estate 10 Storey’s Gate Braunstone London Leicester SW1P 3AY LE3 1HR The Chair Chief Executive Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee Health and Safety Executive 2/17 Great Minster House Rose Court 33 Horseferry Road 2 Southwark Bridge London London SW1P 4DR SE1 9HS
12 Chief Executive The Chairman Freight Transport Association Institute of Road Safety Officers Hermes House IRSO Head Office St John's Road 12 Haddon Close Tunbridge Wells Wellingborough Kent Northamptonshire TN4 9UZ NN8 5ZB The Chairman The Chair Institute of Advanced Motorists Motorcycle Industry Trainers Association IAM House 1 Rye Hill Office Park 510 Chiswick High Road Birmingham Road London Allesley W4 5RG Coventry CV5 9AB The Chairman Chief Executive Motorcycle Action Group National Express Group PLC Central Office National Express House P.O. Box 750 Mill Lane Warwick Digbeth CV34 9FU Birmingham B5 6DD The Chairman The Chairman PACTS RAC Foundation Office F18 89-91 Pall Mall The Media Centre London 7 Northumberland Street SW1Y 5HS Huddersfield HD1 1RL The Chief Executive The Chairman Road Haulage Association Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Roadway House RoSPA House Bretton Way 3 Calthorpe Road Bretton Edgbaston Peterborough Birmingham PE3 8DD B15 1RP The Chief Executive The Chief Executive Campaign For Better Transport Disabled Motoring UK 16 Waterside National Headquarters 44-48 Wharf Road Ashwellthorpe London N1 7UX Norwich NR16 1EX
12 13 Vehicle recovery operators Operations Manager Road Operations Director RAC Motoring Services The Automobile Association Ltd RAC House Fanum House Brockhurst Crescent Basing view Walsall Basingstoke WS5 4QZ Hampshire RG21 4EA Chief Executive Managing Director Association of Vehicle Recovery Operators Britannia Rescue AVRO House Freepost RSJA-XLCX-BLCE 1 Bath Street Folly Hall Mills Rugby St Thomas Road CV21 3JF Huddersfield HD1 3LT Network Operations Manger Chief Executive Green Flag Institute of Vehicle Recovery Operators Green Flag House Top Floor Cote Lane Bignell House Pudsey Horton Road Leeds West Drayton LS3 5GF Middlesex UB7 8EJ The Director The President National Tyre Distributors Association Road Rescue Recovery Association 8 Temple Square Hubberts Bridge Rd Aylesbury Kirton Holme Buckinghamshire Boston HP20 2QH Lincolnshire PE20 1TW Business organisations
The Chairman The Chairman Business West Association of British Insurers Leigh Court 51 Gresham Street Abbots Leigh London Bristol EC2V 7HQ BS8 3RA
Chief Executive The President British Insurance Brokers’ Association Institute of Civil Engineers 8th Floor One Great George Street John Stow House Westminster 18 Bevis Marks London London SW1P 3AA EC3A 7JB
14 Chief Executive Chief Executive The Chartered Institution of Highways and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Transportation Earlstrees Court 119 Britannia Walk Earlstrees Road London Corby N1 7JE Northants NN17 4AX Chief Executive South West Director Motor Insurers' Bureau CBI South West Linford Wood House Innovation Centre 6-12 Capital Drive University of Exeter Linford Wood Rennes Drive Milton Keynes EX4 4RN MK14 6X T Local government Bristol City Council South Gloucestershire Council City Hall PO Box 300 PO Box 3176 Civic Centre Bristol High Street BS3 9FS Kingswood Bristol BS15 0DS
14 15 Government consultation principles
We are conducting this consultation in accordance with the government’s consultation principles: Consultation principles 2016 A. Consultations should be clear and concise Use plain English and avoid acronyms. Be clear what questions you are asking and limit the number of questions to those that are necessary. Make them easy to understand and easy to answer. Avoid lengthy documents when possible and consider merging those on related topics. B. Consultations should have a purpose Do not consult for the sake of it. Ask departmental lawyers whether you have a legal duty to consult. Take consultation responses into account when taking policy forward. Consult about policies or implementation plans when the development of the policies or plans is at a formative stage. Do not ask questions about issues on which you already have a final view. C. Consultations should be informative. Give enough information to ensure that those consulted understand the issues and can give informed responses. Include validated assessments of the costs and benefits of the options being considered when possible; this might be required where proposals have an impact on business or the voluntary sector. D. Consultations are only part of a process of engagement. Consider whether informal iterative consultation is appropriate, using new digital tools and open, collaborative approaches. Consultation is not just about formal documents and responses. It is an on-going process. E. Consultations should last for a proportionate amount of time. Judge the length of the consultation on the basis of legal advice and taking into account the nature and impact of the proposal. Consulting for too long will unnecessarily delay policy development. Consulting too quickly will not give enough time for consideration and will reduce the quality of responses. F. Consultations should be targeted. Consider the full range of people, business and voluntary bodies affected by the policy, and whether representative groups exist. Consider targeting specific groups if appropriate. Ensure they are aware of the consultation and can access it. Consider how to tailor consultation to the needs and preferences of particular groups, such as older people, younger people or people with disabilities that may not respond to traditional consultation methods. G. Consultations should take account of the groups being consulted. Consult stakeholders in a way that suits them. Charities may need more time to respond than businesses, for example. When the consultation spans all or part of a holiday period, consider how this may affect consultation and take appropriate mitigating action. H. Consultations should be agreed before publication Seek collective agreement before publishing a written consultation, particularly when consulting on new policy proposals. Consultations should be published on gov.uk. I. Consultation should facilitate scrutiny. Publish any response on the same page on gov.uk as the original consultation, and ensure it is clear when the government has responded to the consultation. Explain the responses that have been received from consultees and how these have informed the policy. State how many responses have been received. J. Government responses to consultations should be published in a timely fashion. Publish responses within 12 weeks of the consultation or provide an explanation why this is not possible. Where consultation concerns a statutory instrument publish responses before or at the same time as the instrument is laid, except in exceptional circumstances. Allow appropriate time between closing the consultation and implementing policy or legislation. K. Consultation exercises should not generally be launched during local or national election periods. If exceptional circumstances make a consultation absolutely essential (for example, for safeguarding public health), departments should seek advice from the Propriety and Ethics team in the Cabinet Office.
16 If you have reason to believe this consultation document does not comply with these consultation principles, please write to our consultation co-ordinator at the address on this page, setting out the areas where you believe this paper does not meet the criteria.
Andy Johnson Highways England The Cube 199 Wharfside Street Birmingham B1 1RN
Or alternatively email
Further information about the consultation principles can be located on the Gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/consultation-principles-guidance
16 17 If you need help accessing this or any other Highways England information, please call 0300 123 5000 and we will help you.
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