CARLISLE to SETTLE RAILWAY LONG DISTANCE ROUTE (THROUGH CUMBRIA) ROAD SAFETY REVIEW Project Client: Cumbria County Council January 2005 CARLISLE to SETTLE RAILWAY LONG DISTANCE ROUTE (THROUGH CUMBRIA) ROAD SAFETY REVIEW CAPITA Symonds for Cumbria County Council Status Date Author Approved DRAFT January 2005 Kevin McGeough ISSUED January 2005 C Hastings Work Order: IFF9349 Distribution List Cumbria County Council 2 copies all colour Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority 2 copies all colour Transport Policy File Copy Digital File Reference: G:\IFF9349SetCarLDR_RSR Status: ISSUE JANUARY 2005 Rev 0 HADRIAN’S WALL CONTENTS 1 Summary 2 Road Safety Review (Table 1) 3 Survey Photographs (Index and Thumbnails) 4 Route Map 5 Proposals for Risk Reduction 6 Proposed Risk Reduction Measures (Table 2) 7 Proposed Route Diversions 8 Costs 9 Recommendations Status: ISSUE JANUARY 2005 Rev 0 HADRIAN’S WALL Carlisle to Settle Railway, Long Distance Route (Through Cumbria) Road Safety Review 1 SUMMARY 1.1 Harvey, the ‘Walker’s Map’ makers, intend to produce a strip map of the Carlisle to Settle railway line and superimpose on it a Long Distance Route (LDR) suitable for walkers. The route will include circular paths between the various stations along the route. The idea is a joint venture between the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the mapmakers. The company also produce the Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail map in a similar strip map format. The National Trail has been extremely successful and it is hoped that this proposed map will generate interest in walking between the stations on this well-known railway. Following discussions between Cumbria County Council and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, CAPITA Symonds was engaged by Cumbria County Council to carry out a Road Safety Review for the proposed Long Distance Route through Cumbria. 1.2 The purpose of this Review is: • To prepare a table that details a road safety review of the sections of the LDR where it crosses or runs along the highway and prioritises the need for risk reduction, • To prepare a strip plan of the sections of the LDR with an indication of the Risk Ranking, and • To propose risk reduction measures with costs for each section. 1.3 A survey of the route was undertaken between Monday 15th and Friday 19th November 2005. The weather was changeable throughout the week but, in general, it was dry and cool. Heavy rain was experienced on the Wednesday for the survey on the southern route to Appleby. The Friday was very cold, and very bright, for the survey of the southern end of the Cumbrian sections of the route. It had snowed on the higher ground on the previous days. By Friday the snow on the roads had melted and the water then froze on the section of route between Garsdale Head and Dent (Galloway Gate). The sign says at Garsdale Head “Winter conditions can be dangerous”; the surveyors lightweight 4 wheel drive had great difficulty climbing the steep tight bend outside Garsdale Station. Galloway Gate would be very difficult for the average pedestrian in these conditions. The results of the survey are set out in Section 2 (Table 1). 1.4 The route was divided into 65 sections, which were either crossings or lengths of road. They were numbered, and the descriptions written, from the perspective of a person following the route from Carlisle to Settle. Refer to the Section 2 (Table 1) for the descriptions and Section 4 for the Route Map. 1.5 Initially the risks were grouped as High, Medium or Low dependant on a number of site factors (see 1.6 over). These groupings where then ranked from 1 to 36, (see Risk / Rank in Table 1) with 1 being the greatest risk with the greatest need for risk reduction measures. The rest of the locations were assessed as low risk and it was considered that further ranking was unnecessary. Status: ISSUE JANUARY 2005 Rev 0 HADRIAN’S WALL 1.6 The Risk was assessed based on the following factors: For all Locations: • The perceived speed of traffic and whether or not the site was subject to a speed limit (speed surveys were not undertaken) • The amount, type and size of the traffic For Crossings: • Visibility to and from the crossing point • How clearly defined the crossing is • How wide the carriageway is at that point • Is there a verge or footway to wait on For sections of path along the highway: • Visibility into and out of the section and forward visibility along the length of the section • How wide the highway is • Whether or not there is a footway or verge and the condition / width of either 1.7 As could be expected, the locations, where the route crossed or ran along the major roads were assessed as the higher risks. A66(T) ranked 1 and 2 A684 Garsdale Head ranked 4 A686 near Winskill ranked 5 A685 Winton ranked 6 1.8 The ‘odd one out’ is Eden Bridge, south of Kirkoswald. The bridge is a ‘pack horse’ style hump back bridge on the B6413. It is only wide enough for one-way working. Both approaches are at right angles and the approach parapet walls, especially at the eastern end, reduce visibility. The existing sign assemblies of ‘road narrows from both sides’ triangle, the old ‘single track road (with width?)’ plate and the ‘road narrows from both sides’ triangle, are in a poor state of repair. It is suggested that the Area Engineer is requested to confirm the appropriateness of these sign faces and considers replacing them with sign assemblies, which include a warning of ‘pedestrians in road ahead’, as soon as possible. 1.9 Temple Sowerby is the highest ranked location because, although the road is restricted to 40mph, the amount and size of the traffic that use the A66(T) is daunting. The map indicated that pedestrians should head west from the village centre and find somewhere to cross the road. A simple ‘mapped’ diversion sending pedestrians eastwards, along the footway or local service road, to a pedestrian refuge crossing facility, which is protected with hatched markings on a red surface, will provide a much safer crossing. 1.10 In Kirkby Thore the map gives the pedestrian a choice, either continue along the south side of the road taking a southerly route to Appleby, or cross the busy road and take a northerly route to Appleby station and the town. Unfortunately there is little to do to improve the situation for those trying to cross the road here. A village bypass is long overdue. There are already a number of warning signs and carriageway repeater speed limit markings. Further warning signs for pedestrians would appear unnecessary. Status: ISSUE JANUARY 2005 Rev 0 HADRIAN’S WALL 1.11 Generally, at road crossings in the higher risk categories, it is suggested that warning signs to diagram 544.1 in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 (Pedestrians in road ahead) be erected on each approach to the crossing. The distance to the crossing and size of sign should be determined from the approach speed of traffic. 1.12 Where the route is along a road with neither a footway nor a usable verge and the location is in the higher risk categories, it is suggested that the signs detailed above be sited at either end of the section of road and that the associated sign plate to diagram 547.3 var (No footway for XX yds) be erected beneath the warning sign. 1.13 Where the route passes through a village that is not subject to a speed limit, the Highway Authority should consider introducing a 30mph speed limit in accordance with its own policy. In exceptional circumstances this could be reinforced with ‘gateway treatments’ at either end of the village. 1.14 Three other locations all with Low risk assessments were found to have simple remedial measures or other measures, which could reduce the low risk assessment further to the benefit of all road uses. These measures are included in the risk reduction measures for consideration and are denoted with an asterisk in the Rank columns of both Tables 1 and 2 and in the breakdown of costs spreadsheet. 1.15 Other sections of this report set out the recommendations, explanation and costs of remedial measures for each location. Status: ISSUE JANUARY 2005 Rev 0 HADRIAN’S WALL Carlisle to Settle Railway, Long Distance Route (Through Cumbria) Road Safety Review 2 ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (Table 1) 2.1 Officers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) carried out a preliminary desktop study of road safety implications as part of the feasibility study for the route. The results were presented in a spreadsheet format and gave a description and existing usage of the sections of route, together with a category of risk assessment and suggested risk reduction measures. 2.2 Their findings are incorporated into Table 1, which follows, in note format. The number allocated to each section by YDNPA is included in the description. The section numbers used in this Review are from the perspective of a person following the LDR from Carlisle to Settle. 2.3 Indications of Visibility and Speed are perceived values as no speed measurements were undertaken and measurements of visibility splays would only be taken in exceptional circumstances. Road widths are only noted in the table when they had a bearing on the Risk Assessment. Status:ISSUE JANUARY 2005 Rev 0 HADRIAN’S WALL Carlisle to Settle Railway, Long Distance Route (Through Cumbria) Road Safety Review 3 SURVEY PHOTOGRAPHS (Index and Thumbnails) 3.1 The photographs taken during the survey are stored on the enclosed CD in .jpg format and are printed out as thumbnails in this section.