Archived decisions

APPENDIX

A325 Farnborough Road Improvement - Appraisal Report

1. Summary

1.1 The appraisal report for the A325 improvement, including the performance and operation of the bus lanes, was reported to the Panel on 7 October 2005 and 28 October 2005. This report discusses a number of issues relating to the A325, as recorded in the minutes of the previous meeting of the Panel:

1 That, a safety audit be undertaken into the use of bus lanes by motor cycles on all sections except Prospect Avenue and Bradford's roundabout northbound where there is a bus lane;

2 That, the section of bus lane between the Toucan Crossing south of Bradford's Roundabout and Ship Lane be removed, and that a decision be requested before the end of 2005, and if applicable, setting out timescales for their removal;

3 That, traffic flows and traffic merging problems between Farnborough Gate and Bradford's Roundabout be investigated;

4 That, an appraisal be carried out of traffic conditions between Kingsmead and Victoria Road, which should be considered in the light of development proposals in the area;

5 That, left turning traffic from Sycamore road to the A325 be examined; and

6 That progress reports be presented on each of the above items to the Spring 2006 meeting.

1.2 A location plan is attached for Members' information.

2. Safety Audit of Use of Bus Lanes by Motorcycles

2.1 A safety audit has been carried out, as requested by the Panel, into the principle of allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes on the A325. A number of issues have been raised and are detailed here for Members' consideration.

2.2 According to Department for Transport guidelines, the recommended minimum width of bus lanes is 3 metres, which is the minimum width of the bus lanes on the A325. Department for Transport guidelines also suggest that bus lanes should be a minimum preferred width of 4 metres to safely allow buses to overtake push bikes. The maximum width of the A325 bus lanes is 3.5 metres, with off-road cycle provision which is used by virtually all push cycles. However, motorcycles travel at higher speeds than pedal cycles and so buses are unlikely to need to overtake and do not require the extra bus lane width. Experience from other authorities also bears this out. Since 1995, Bristol City Council have allowed motorcycles to use the majority of their bus lanes, with no reported safety concerns. The bus lane widths in Bristol are mainly 3.5 metres, similar to the bus lane widths on the A325. However, a potential safety issue might arise if motorcycles were allowed to use the bus lanes when a motorcycle needs to overtake a stationary bus at a bus stop and is required to pull out into the main stream of traffic. This manoeuvre might cause confusion and possible conflict between traffic in the main traffic stream and the motorcyclist.

2.3 There are some further safety concerns with allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes along the A325. The nature of the bus lanes on the A325 needs to be considered as they are mainly short sections of bus priority and motorcyclists would be required to make several manoeuvres between the bus lanes and the main traffic flow at the end of each section. Motorcyclists are not always as visible to drivers as other types of vehicle and so the safety risks are higher for motorcyclists performing this manoeuvre.

2.4 Another issue is the bus gate on the northbound lane at Bradford's roundabout. Motorcycles will need to leave the bus lane prior to the bus gate, as they would be prohibited from using this final section. This may cause confusion for motorcyclists as to when they are allowed to use the bus lanes.

2.5 Transport for London are currently undertaking a trial into allowing motorcycles to use bus lanes. This is a three year study, with an 18 month interim report published in November 2004 detailing the results to date. These have revealed a reduction in motorcycle casualties by 10%. However, it should be noted that motorcycle collisions are considerably higher in the trial area in London (216) than on the A325 (5) . The final report from the TfL is expected later this year when the full findings and conclusions will be presented.

2.6 The bus lanes are currently operating safely. There may be some safety benefits in allowing motorcycles to use the bus lanes, but there are also several potential disbenefits which need to be considered. Member's may wish to await the full report into the Transport for London trial due later this year before reaching a final recommendation.

3. Operation of Southbound Bus Lanes in Vicinity of Ship Lane

3.1 In the appraisal report for the A325 it was recommended that the operation of the southbound bus lane, north of Ship Lane, be investigated in more detail. The following issues have been assessed:

· The number of cars illegally using the bus lanes; and

· The safety aspect of the bus lanes.

3.2 Surveys were undertaken to record levels of illegal use on the bus lanes between the toucan crossing to the south of Bradford's roundabout to the end of the bus lane past the entrance and exit at Ship Lane. Two types of illegal use were recorded: minor infringements, when illegal users `cut the corners/ends' of the bus lanes; and the illegal use of the bus lane from the petrol garage south of Bradford's roundabout to the entrance of Ship Lane. Levels of minor infringements were reported to be minimal when compared to total traffic flows, and the proportion of vehicles using the whole section of the bus lane from the garage to Ship Lane was very low.

3.3 Records of personal injury accidents and on site observations conclude that the bus lanes have not created a road safety problem. There has been one recorded accident on this section of bus lane, involving two cars just prior to the entrance to the garage. One of the cars was illegally using this section of the bus lane.

3.4 The impacts of removing some or all of the bus lanes south of the toucan crossing to the end of the section south of Ship Lane, to address both issues of illegal use and road safety, have been examined.

3.5 It was concluded that removing some sections of bus lane would lead to more confusion and the potential for greater conflict for weaving traffic and for traffic entering and leaving the A325. Removing the sections of bus lanes south of the toucan crossing would lead to increased confusion for drivers exiting the garage as to whether cars moving into the inside lane are entering the garage or Ship Lane. There would also be increased temptation to illegally use the remaining short section of bus lane coming off Bradford's roundabout.

3.6 Hence it was concluded that in order to avoid these issues of confusion and safety the bus lanes from Bradford's roundabout to south of Ship Lane would have to be completely removed. This would adversely affect the journey times and reliability for buses and undermine the effectiveness of the overall bus lane scheme on the A325. (Removing these sections of bus lane would also be a very expensive solution for a relatively minor issue, costing approximately £70,000 -£100,000).

3.7 It is concluded that:

· The level of minor abuse of the bus lanes is minimal;

· The proportion of vehicles using the whole section of the bus lane from the garage to Ship Lane is very low;

· The bus lanes have not generated an increase in recorded injury accidents or conflicts between vehicles exiting the garage and entering Ship Lane; and

· Removal of sections of bus lane may create new potential safety problems.

3.8 These conclusions have been discussed by the County Council's Executive Member for Environment: North Hampshire and Spatial Strategy and the Environment Portfolio Holder for Rushmoor Borough Council. In the light of the report's findings the Executive Member has concluded that the bus lanes should not be modified. However, the situation will be monitored and an update given to the next meeting of the Panel.

4. Farnborough Gate

4.1 Concerns were raised at the last meeting about the operation of the Farnborough Gate retail park junction, particularly for vehicles exiting the park onto a busy dual carriageway. Two accidents have been recorded at this site in the last three years, when vehicles have been emerging to join the main carriageway. A site visit has concluded that it is not feasible to undertake major alterations to the junction. This is because the junction is situated on a short section of carriageway between two major roundabouts and installing traffic signals will seriously affect the capacity of these roundabouts, and in particular increase congestion on the A331. There is also limited highway space to undertake alterations to the current layout junction. Poor visibility is a concern at this junction and will be addressed by cutting back surrounding vegetation. Rushmoor Borough Council are implementing a cycle scheme in the area and will cut back the vegetation as part of the scheme.

5. Victoria Road

5.1 Surveys have been undertaken into the operation of the bus lane between Kingsmead roundabout and Clockhouse roundabout where the appraisal report identified that queues had increased from the year 2000 to 2004. Surveys have highlighted some queuing issues in both the AM and PM peaks.

5.2 Safety improvements were undertaken at the junction of Victoria Road with Clockhouse roundabout to reduce the 3 lane operation to 2 lane. These alterations have reduced the capacity at this arm of the roundabout and are responsible for the increase in delays on Victoria Road. The works were necessary in order to provide a safer angle of entry onto the roundabout providing drivers with better visibility. The footpath was also widened to provide a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists. The implementation of the bus lane has effectively reduced Victoria Road eastbound at this location from two lanes to one lane for traffic over a short length of 90 metres. However, delays to traffic flows are determined by the capacity of the roundabout which has a two lane approach for all traffic, rather than the bus lane. Hence removal of the bus lane would only provide the opportunity to queue in two lanes and not reduce delays queuing for the roundabout. Surveys have also shown that the bus lane provides journey time reliability for buses from Kingsmead roundabout to Clockhouse roundabout.

5.3 Farnborough Borough Council have received proposals to redevelop Farnborough Town Centre that include plans to signalise the Kingsmead roundabout. This will affect the queuing situation along this section of Victoria Road. It is considered appropriate that a future review should be undertaken once works have been formulated in association with the redevelopment.

6. Sycamore Road

6.1 The southbound section of bus lane on the A325 ends approximately 40 metres before the junction with Sycamore Road. There is a slip road entry to Boundary Road that commences just to the south of Sycamore Road, and drivers indicate left to pull into the inside lane as soon as the bus lane ends. Drivers can then do one of three things; either pull into Sycamore Road or the slip road or to carry straight on. Drivers exiting from Sycamore Road onto the A325 may be unsure what the intentions are of drivers indicating left in this manner.

6.2 On site observations concluded that lengthening or shortening the bus lane, so that it stops after or further back from Sycamore Road, will not improve the situation. If the bus lane is lengthened, it would need to end just after Sycamore Road so that vehicles can pull into the slip road for Boundary Road. There would be dangerously little space for vehicles to pull over from the right hand lane into the slip lane. Lengthening the bus lane in this manner would also require a break in the bus lane across the entrance to Sycamore Road and so would not remove the potential confusion caused by southbound A325 drivers indicating to turn left. Shortening the bus lane would not be sufficient for removing the potential for confusion as there is only a short length back to Pinehurst roundabout. No accidents have been recorded at the site in the last three years and no further action is recommended.

Recommendation

That the responses to the recommendations made at the last meeting of the Panel relating to the A325 and associated bus lanes be noted.