M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures M4 CEM Appraisal Handbook This handbook explains the Package Development appraisal process and provides key information associated with the M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures Programme. SUPPORTING TECHNICAL DOCUMENT November 2011 1 Introduction to the M4 CEM Appraisal Handbook This Appraisal Handbook is intended as a guide to readers of the Package Workbooks. It provides A Stage 1 Report (Problems and Goals) documenting this work can be downloaded at www.m4cem.com. background information and context relevant to the process of developing potential solutions to the travel-related problems affecting the M4 Corridor, Magor to Castleton arising from growing use and Next, all possible solutions to the revised problems were gathered together from many sources, outdated design of the M4. The problems being addressed are ones affirmed and identified during earlier including those contributed during the early dialogue with people and solutions identified during the stages of the M4 CEM Programme. Stakeholder Forum members helped identify measures effective in significant work already undertaken by the Welsh Government and others over recent years. meeting M4 CEM programme Aims and Goals. Those measures have now been grouped together to form packages of, as far as possible, future-proof solutions, offering different strategic approaches to The resulting long list of possible solutions fell into four broad categories: addressing the problems of the M4 Corridor. Taking traffic modelling work into account, the packages Highways infrastructure – proposed improvements involving building and improving highways and individual measures are appraised in the Package Workbooks, to assess and test their relative merits. networks so that they work more efficiently for travellers and cause fewer problems for people living near them. Following this second round of deliberations with the Stakeholder Forum, appropriate improvements to Road network management – proposed improvements to manage our existing roads better, and the packages can be made. Then, packages of measures will be presented in a Formal Consultation ideas about how to minimise peak-time congestion, traffic associated with popular events and the process open to all, due to begin in January 2012, to glean the views of others. Assisted by the response to accidents or bad weather so that there is less disruption for everyone. contributions received during Formal Consultation, the Welsh Government will decide which strategic Alternative travel modes – proposed improvements enabling more people to travel and access approach to problem solving to adopt. services, homes, work and leisure without driving a car. Smarter Sustainable Choices and Promoting Well-being – proposed improvements involving Content of this Handbook better organisation so that we can prevent further travel-related problems, achieved through: either This Handbook provides: government policy (better strategic land-use planning, linking travel and access plans to health, A summary of how the M4 CEM Programme has evolved to date; economy and environment agendas); and / or action by businesses or individuals (flexible working Explanation of the role and content of Package Workbooks; hours, reducing travel by working from home, car sharing). Package Workbook User Guide and glossary; A description of the appraisal process, modelling methodology and purpose; While the long list of possible solutions was generated, a specially selected group of experts and people Summary of the Measure sifting process; representing wide-ranging interests and experiences of transport issues were invited to join a Packages and phasing details; Stakeholder Forum. Working with the Forum all potential solutions were robustly explored and Key information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). appraised before sifting to identify solutions potentially able to deliver the best outcomes in terms of Programme Goals. The next step has been to group the potential solutions or measures into coherent Background and development of the M4 CEM Programme to date and complementary Packages. Each package of measures comprises core and supporting measures, Congestion and unreliable journey times have been a fact of life on the M4 around Newport for many which together represent a sustainable solution to current and foreseeable future issues of capacity, years. Problems also extend beyond the motorway into the wider travel network at times. The M4 resilience and safety in the M4 Corridor, Magor to Castleton. Each package represents an alternative Corridor Enhancement Measures Programme was set up to solve travel-related problems caused by option offering a distinctive strategic approach to problem solving. On page 6 of this handbook, you growing use and outdated design of the M4 here. will find a summary of the results of the sifting and packaging process. Early on in the development of the M4 CEM Programme we listened to what key stakeholders and The work described in the Workbooks introduces the Packages of measures to the Stakeholder Forum for the people living and working in the M4 Corridor, Castleton to Magor area, told us about the travel- their consideration. They have undergone appraisal to check they meet the requirements of the M4 CEM related issues affecting them. We asked them to consider the Problems identified by the Welsh Programme and Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance (WelTAG) criteria. Government, contributing to the obvious safety, capacity and resilience issues, and tell us whether we had identified the problems correctly, and asked what [if any] additional problems they experience. We The purpose of this phase of deliberation with the Forum is to ensure that the best possible also asked them about the M4 CEM programme Goals and the overarching Aims of the Programme. packages or options are presented during the Formal Consultation process, along with appropriate supporting evidence to ensure people can give their considered opinion. We are asking The early engagement involved holding open exhibitions in Newport City Centre, Lliswerry, Magor and the Forum to scrutinise the packages and measures presented here, to suggest any [new] measures or Duffryn, and two half-day workshops for Local Authorities and Government and for Key Stakeholders. options, if they consider any have been overlooked or appraised incorrectly, especially in the context of This phase of dialogue enabled a revision of the Problems, Goals and Aims – an important step because known and potential future challenges. it enables us to: focus on solving problems recognised by a wide range of people and stakeholders, and During Formal Consultation the public and other stakeholder groups will be asked to express the appraise any potential solutions against their capacity to deliver the goals identified for the M4 level of support [or lack of it] for each alternative solution, and encouraged to explain their CEM Programme taking into account a wide range of interests and needs. preferences and/or objections. 2 2 Package Workbooks A number of workbooks have been prepared for the use of the Forum. These will be adapted eventually to meet the needs of the Formal Consultation process. Bar the first, each describes a Package of measures, offering detailed descriptions and appraisal notes. The six workbooks prepared are: Alternatives Considered – a workbook of measures that have been considered but do not form part of the Packages. These measures are discarded either because they perform poorly against the goals, or because they cannot be delivered as part of the M4 CEM Programme; in each case, an explanation is provided. Where appropriate, an action is noted, identifying an alternative delivery route for implementation. Do-minimum scenario – describes a package of measures already planned or committed. This forms the baseline scenario for comparison against other options. Further scheme information about some of the measures included within the do-minimum scenario can be found via the transport section of the Welsh Government website at wales.gov.uk/topics/transport. Package 1 – at the core of this is the delivery of additional highway capacity through phased (step- wise) construction of a new dual 2-lane all purpose road to the south of Newport, supported by a range of other traffic management, public transport and sustainable travel solutions. Each implementation phase delivers positive outcomes in terms of M4 CEM Programme Goals. Package 2 – at the core of this is the delivery of additional highway capacity through phased upgrading of existing infrastructure, namely at-grade junction improvements (improvements to the existing road, maintaining all junctions at the same level) to the A48 Newport Southern Distributor Road (SDR), supported by a range of other traffic management, public transport and sustainable travel solutions. Package 3 – at the core of this is the delivery of additional highway capacity through a programme of on-line widening along the M4 between junctions 24 and 29 to dual 4 lanes, supported by a range of other traffic management, public transport and sustainable travel solutions. Package 4 – at the core of this is the delivery of additional travel capacity through major public transport facility and service improvements, aimed at reducing the reliance on private vehicle use and encouraging modal shift onto more sustainable alternatives of transport. It is supported by a number of other highway infrastructure