Opportunity to raise questions/issues regarding the proposed works which commenced on 17 January 2011.
Minutes:
Dave Sledge (Highways Agency Area Manager) introduced the item, reiterating that the current works related to a safety project rather than a traffic reduction programme, although it was hoped that the works may also reduce traffic congestion. Dave introduced Mark Arberry, also from the Highways Agency, to give an overview of the project.
Mark explained that the project consisted of two parts:
· Safety improvements, including the widening of the access to the roundabout from the East and West, introduction of traffic signals, and a new 40 mph speed limit. This element would cost £1.59 million.
· Planned maintenance, including carriageway resurfacing, replacement of drainage, and upgrading of lighting. This element would cost £3 million.
The total cost of the works was therefore £4.59 million, which took account of the economies of scale in terms of both elements being undertaken at the same time. This was in addition to the reduced disruption to the local road network (and community) of combining the schemes. The safety element of the scheme would produce a first year rate of return of 26.4% by reducing accidents at the site, and so the capital investment in the safety element of the works would be paid back in around four years.
The works would take place over a 17-week programme, incorporating site establishment, 12 weeks of works, and an allowance for the Easter holiday traffic management embargo.
It was regrettable that the community could not have been given more notice of the proposed plans. However, the 2010 general election and subsequent spending review had meant that the project had not been confirmed until shortly before the start date. In terms of on-going consultation and engagement with the local community, a representative of Balfour Beatty Mott Macdonald (BBMM) – the contractors for the works – would be in the Amesbury Community Shop every Tuesday from 10am to 4pm to help with queries from local residents.
The Chairman thanked Mark for the overview and invited questions and comments from the floor:
· Concern was raised that there may be other sites on the A303 with higher accident rates. Mark confirmed that a review had been undertaken of all roundabouts along the A303 corridor. Countess roundabout had the second highest rate (after the Cartgate roundabout near Yeovil), with around 60 accidents over the period 2002-2010. A similar safety scheme had already been implemented at the Podimore roundabout, which had significantly reduced accidents at the site.
· At the request of the meeting, Jeff Colenzo (BBMM) explained the phases of the works. In relation to the contraflow arrangements, it was noted that there would be no access onto the roundabout from the A345, although traffic would be able to exit the A303 to the South, during phase 3 (when the contraflow would be on the westbound carriageway), and to the North during phase 6 (contraflow on the eastbound carriageway). Traffic could not be allowed to join the contraflow at the roundabout for safety reasons, and to maintain the flow of traffic. During these phases (1-7 March, and 11-18 April), traffic on the A345 would be diverted to join the A303 at the Solstice park junction. It was noted that the Countess Services would remain open throughout the period of the works.
· Responding to concerns that the proposed traffic signals would exacerbate the existing traffic queues, Mark commented that a detailed analysis of the traffic flow had been undertaken. It was anticipated that there would be no negative impact on the A303 traffic, and there would be a small benefit to the A345 traffic. This was corroborated by evidence from the similar scheme at the Podimore roundabout.
· Concern was raised that the traffic signals may increase “rat running” on Stonehenge road, as people joining the A303 Westbound from Amesbury tried to avoid the junction. The Chairman commented that this option was available at the moment, and would continue to be a problem, until a long-term solution for the A303 was implemented.
· With reference to the overrunning of the recent roadworks at the A345/London Road/High Street junction, concern was raised that this project could also overrun, causing more disruption to local residents. Dave explained that there would be financial penalties for BBMM (as a private contractor) if the work was not completed on time and budget.
· Councillor Graham Wright expressed thanks to Wiltshire Council highways for encouraging the contraflow arrangements as an alternative to closing the roundabout entirely. However, he hoped that the closures to the A345 could be kept to the two short proposed periods, to minimise the impact on Durrington and Larkhill.