Contact: Rob Ward, ext 7071 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the attached Project Appraisal for a junction improvement on the A325 at Bucks Horn Oak, at an estimated cost of £253,000, be approved, subject to an amendment being made to the 2006/07 Environment Capital Programme.

2. Reason

2.1 This decision supports Aim 5 (Improving Services) by provision of a junction improvement to reduce accidents and Aim 2 (Stewardship of the Environment) by minimising the disturbance of protected species.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Two roundabout options, a signal junction and a large-scale staggered junction were considered by the 2003 feasibility study. All these options would require third party land that is habitat to European protected species. On balance, of these options the signal junction was felt to give the best balance of safety, cost, environmental impact and access for non-motorised users.

3.2 In the last two years the personal injury accident (PIA) rates have dropped and a major junction improvement scheme, like the signal option that was previously considered, would represent a very poor rate of return in accident savings if implemented now. The cost of the signal junction would have been in the order of £1 million. With the current low level of PIAs, a safety scheme of this size would be difficult to justify.

3.3 However there is a case for undertaking the low cost junction improvement currently proposed. This scheme will continue to reinforce the A325 strategy of safety led improvements and it is expected that this will positively influence driver behaviour.

3.4 The `do nothing' option has been rejected as there is historical evidence that drivers have difficulty negotiating this junction.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or Other Executive Member Consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor J K Glen

739Decn/RW