Ellesmere Port Signage Strategy Directional Traffic Signage Audit March 2015 Document Control Project Title: Ellesmere Port Signage Strategy Document: Directional Traffic Signage Audit Client: Chester West and Chester / Ellesmere Port Development Board Project Number: 60336318 File Origin: \\uklpl1fp001\uklpl1fp001-v1tp\projects\development - ellesmere port signage review\ellesmere port signage review\ellesmere port signage strategy - existing signage report draft 19.03.15.docx Document Checking Prepared by: Checked by: Phil Gibbon Michael Anthony Consultant Principal Consultant Approved by: Mark Edwards Regional Director Rev No Comments Checked by Approved by Date 1 Final Draft MA ME 19.03.15 2 3 4 1 New York Street, Manchester, M1 4HD, United Kingdom Telephone: 0161 601 1700 Website: http://www.aecom.com This document has been prepared by AECOM Limited for the sole use of our client (the “Client”) and in accordance with generally accepted consultancy principles, the budget for fees and the terms of reference agreed between AECOM Limited and the Client. Any information provided by third parties and referred to herein has not been checked or verified by AECOM Limited, unless otherwise expressly stated in the document. No third party may rely upon this document without the prior and express written agreement of AECOM Limited. Ellesmere Port Signage Strategy CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.1 PREAMBLE ................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.2 SCOPE ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 REPORT STRUCTURE ................................................................................................................................. 4 2 DMRB SIGNAGE DESIGN CRITERIA ...................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 TOURIST DESTINATIONS ............................................................................................................................. 5 2.2 RETAIL DESTINATIONS AND EXHIBITION CENTRES ...................................................................................... 6 3 INDICATIVE COSTINGS ........................................................................................................................................ 7 4 M53 MOTORWAY DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE ......................................................................................................... 8 4.2 EXISTING DESTINATIONS ............................................................................................................................ 8 4.3 COMMITTED DESTINATIONS ........................................................................................................................ 9 4.4 FUTURE DESTINATIONS .............................................................................................................................10 4.5 SIGNAGE AUDIT – KEY SIGNAGE ...............................................................................................................11 5 M56 MOTORWAY DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE ........................................................................................................26 5.2 EXISTING DESTINATIONS ...........................................................................................................................26 5.3 SIGNAGE AUDIT – KEY SIGNAGE ...............................................................................................................27 6 A5117 DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE...........................................................................................................................30 6.2 EXISTING DESTINATIONS ...........................................................................................................................30 6.3 COMMITTED DESTINATIONS .......................................................................................................................31 6.4 FUTURE DESTINATIONS .............................................................................................................................32 6.5 SIGNAGE AUDIT – KEY SIGNAGE ...............................................................................................................33 7 B5132 DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE ...........................................................................................................................44 7.2 EXISTING DESTINATIONS ...........................................................................................................................44 7.3 COMMITTED DESTINATIONS .......................................................................................................................45 7.4 FUTURE DESTINATIONS .............................................................................................................................46 7.5 SIGNAGE AUDIT – KEY SIGNAGE ...............................................................................................................47 8 SIGNAGE AUDIT A55 / A494 / A550 ...................................................................................................................49 9 A41 DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE ..............................................................................................................................50 9.2 EXISTING DESTINATIONS ...........................................................................................................................50 9.3 COMMITTED DESTINATIONS .......................................................................................................................51 9.4 FUTURE DESTINATIONS .............................................................................................................................52 9.5 SIGNAGE AUDIT – KEY SIGNAGE ...............................................................................................................53 10 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..............................................................................................................58 1 Directional Traffic Signage Audit Ellesmere Port Signage Strategy FIGURES Figure 1 – Existing Key Destinations Figure 2 – Committed Key Destinations Figure 3 – Future key Destinations Figure 4 – Proposed Amendments to Existing Traffic Signage Figure 5 – Proposed Amendments to Existing Motorway Signage APPENDICES Appendix A – Steering Group Inputs Appendix B – Full Signage Schedule 2 Directional Traffic Signage Audit Ellesmere Port Signage Strategy 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Preamble 1.1.1 AECOM have been commissioned by Cheshire West and Chester (CWaC) and Ellesmere Port Development Board (EPDB) to provide a directional traffic signage audit along key approaches and gateways towards and around the town of Ellesmere Port. 1.1.2 The existing directional traffic signage in the study area has evolved incrementally through a combination of recommendations by Local Highway Authority engineers, Highways Agency (HA) engineers and obligations identified in relation to new developments. As such, the need to audit and upgrade the existing signage has been identified by regional stakeholders in order to support the ongoing development of the town. 1.1.3 The study is intended to support the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) which has been adopted EPDB with the specific objective of attracting investment in Ellesmere Port and improving the perception of the town. 1.2 Scope 1.2.1 The scope of this study is to provide a comprehensive schedule of the existing directional traffic signage displayed in around Ellesmere Port with an accompanying detailed audit of the signage. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of the signage and identify areas where the signage is lacking, is inefficient, is out dated and there is duplication. 1.2.2 The findings of this evaluation will inform recommendations on how the signage can be improved, supported by sign-face design proposals and indicative costings where applicable. The recommendations have been designed in accordance with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (2002) and the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB). 1.2.3 As agreed with CWaC, the study area incorporates the following road network in and around Ellesmere Port; x M53 / M56 / A5117 / B5132 / A55 / A494 / A550 / A41. 1.2.4 The extent of the study area is defined by the first existing direction sign to reference Ellesmere Port or associated attraction on the approach to the town or the roads listed above. 1.2.5 The study was supported by the inputs of a Steering Group, comprising representatives from CWaC and the HA. Inputs received from the Steering Group are shown in Appendix A. 3 Directional Traffic Signage Audit Ellesmere Port Signage Strategy 1.3 Report Structure 1.3.1 Following this introduction, this report contains the following chapters; Chapter 2 – outlines the DMRB signage design criteria for tourist destinations, retail destinations and exhibitions centres. Chapter 3 – provides high level costings for traffic signage. Chapter 4 – describes the M53 signage audit Chapter 5 – describes the M56 signage audit Chapter 6 – describes the A5117 signage audit Chapter 7 – describes the B5132 signage audit Chapter 8 – describes the A41 signage audit Chapter 9 – provides