REPORT OF THE

EXECUTIVE MEMBER

Spatial Strategy

PART II

A36 PLAITFORD-WEST WELLOW SPEED AND SAFETY STUDY

The A36 between Plaitford and West Wellow is a well used stretch of road and this has led to a number of concerns being raised by local residents' groups, involving a number of road safety issues and the incidence of speed related road traffic accidents at key junctions between Plaitford and West Wellow. In order to resolve these issues, detailed discussions are taking place between the County Council and the Highways Agency. It is particularly important that these discussions take place prior to the Highways Agency detrunking the A36 between the Ower roundabout and the county boundary with Wiltshire. Once the necessary detrunking orders have been implemented, the County Council becomes responsible for this stretch of road.

Following the concerns that have been raised, the Highways Agency commissioned Atkins, their managing agents for the A36, to conduct a review of speed and safety issues in the Plaitford to West Wellow corridor. County Council officers had the benefit of submitting informal comments on an early version of the draft study report. This was followed by a revised study report being published for formal consultation in September 2003, with responses due by the end of December 2003.

The Study provided a general overview of the existing conditions, safety and traffic speed along the corridor primarily in Hampshire, together with a description of the function of each of the key junctions. An analysis of accidents on this stretch of road was undertaken using police recorded personal injury accident data and highlighted the key patterns of accidents occurring and their main underlying causes. Various traffic surveys were carried out as part of the Study as were a series of speed surveys, to determine typical speeds along the different sections of the corridor. This data was used to support an analysis of the impact of various proposed safety remedial actions, such as reducing speed limits and introducing certain banned right turn movements. Finally, a survey of needs was conducted for non-motorised users crossings along the route. In conclusion, the analysis led to a number of recommendations designed to improve safety along the corridor, proposing works for the short to medium terms together with further studies to be undertaken.

It has been a difficult task for the County Council to respond to the consultation on the basis that, at the time the response was prepared, the analysis period was almost two years out of date and therefore did not fully reflect the latest casualty data position, including the multiple fatality crash in the summer of 2003. However, these concerns were discussed with Atkins who fully understood the difficulties in responding on this basis.

The Executive Member for Spatial Strategy met with Sandra Gidley, MP for Romsey and David Jamieson, Minister for Transport in November 2003 and emphasised the importance of a strategic management plan and a highway maintenance schedule being agreed by the County Council and the Highways Agency before the road can be accepted by the County Council.

JONATHAN K. GLEN,

Executive Member

for Spatial Strategy.