A602 Improvement Scheme - Hertfordshire · The A602 Improvement Scheme comprises a series of...
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A602 Improvement Scheme Section B: Watton-at-Stone to Tonwell Project Update and Consultation on Additional Cycle Facilities April 2020
Transcript of A602 Improvement Scheme - Hertfordshire · The A602 Improvement Scheme comprises a series of...
A602 Improvement Scheme Section B: Watton-at-Stone to Tonwell
Project Update and Consultation on Additional Cycle Facilities
April 2020
Overview
The A602 Improvement Scheme comprises a series of improvements at several locations to improve the overall standard of the route, ease congestion and improve journey times.
Why do we need the improvements?The A602 is a very important east west link across Hertfordshire. It links key towns in the county with the A10 and the A1(M). We want to reduce delays, make the road safer for all users and continue to support planned housing and business growth through strong transport links. We have reviewed the design and think we can do more to help walkers and cyclists within the planned works. We intend to add a new cycle track into the planned works to link key routes in the area. The cycle route will link between Stoneyhills and Sacombe Pound connecting north-south under the A602 at the new Dane End Bridge.
What has been done already?Improvements have been made to sections of the A602 from the south of Stevenage to the A10 in Ware. This included improving junctions at Hertford Road in Stevenage and Anchor Lane roundabout and the A10 junction near Ware.
What is left to do?The final phase of the A602 Improvement Scheme is the improvements to the A119 junction near Watton-at-Stone and realigning the road between Heath Mount School and Stoneyhills. These improvements will address the current problems of delays at the A119 junction, and poor visibility and sub-standard bends on the Ware Road.
Who is delivering the works?Hertfordshire County Council has appointed contractor, Interserve Construction Ltd. to build the improvements between Watton-at-Stone and Tonwell. The work is supported by the Local Enterprise Partnership.
When will the work start?During spring 2020 we started preliminary vegetation clearance and moving protected species to allow Interserve Construction Ltd to start main construction in summer 2020. The works are expected to take about 18 months to complete.
Hertfordshire County Council is working closely with its supply chain to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on staff and the wider community. The Council will also be working closely with Interserve Construction Ltd. to follow government guidance on working best practice and social distancing. For information on our response to the pandemic, please visit the website: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
Timeline
Construction (Due to start in summer 2020)
A602 Improvement Scheme, Watton-at-Stone to Tonwell, with cycle route, open (Early 2022)
Planning application for cycle facilities following public consultation (May 2020)
Side Road Order (August 2019)
Interserve Construction appointed as main work contractor (March 2020)
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Works on Hertford Road junction and
Anchor Lane junction, Westmill Road, A10
junction (Completed spring 2018)
Planning for A119 junction and Ware
Road improvements approved (Early 2018)
If planning application is successful, the cycle track construction will be
added in to the main works
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A119 Junction
Previous traffic surveys showed significant congestion at this location, especially at peak hours.
We are planning on making some key changes to provide additional capacity and encourage the free-flow of traffic through the junction, including:• Enlarging the existing roundabout • Installation of a segregated left-hand turn lane from Stevenage to Ware • Inclusion of two lane-entry on all arms of the roundabout
Ware Road Realignment
Along Ware Road, there are tight bends and low visibility, and several side roads which can cause congestion when trying to access. The overall standard is poor and needs improving. From Heath Mount School to the Stoneyhills junction we will realign the road, providing a much smoother and safer drive, as well as including right hand turn lanes at each of the side roads – all working to increase the free flow of traffic along the A602.
We are also planning to introduce a 50mph speed limit along this section.
Cottages
58.8m
Pond
Bardolphs
Drain
Drain
Drain
River Beane
A602
A602
The Springs
A602
µLegendMain Works
A602 - A119 Junction© Crown copyright and database rights 2020 Ordnance Survey OS EUL 100019606. Use of this data is subject to terms and conditions. You are not permitted to copy, sub-licence, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.
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ROM A N R OAD
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(c ourse of )
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LegendMain Works
A602 Ware Road
© Crown copyright and database rights 2020 Ordnance Survey OS EUL 100019606. Use of this data is subject to terms and conditions. You are not permitted to copy, sub-licence, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.
Managing Disruption
During construction, some traffic disruption in the local area can be expected. Interserve Construction Ltd are producing a Traffic Management Plan to manage potential disruption for residents, local businesses and roads users.
It includes the below key points: • During the works, the speed limit will be reduced on the route to help keep the
travelling public and those working on the road safe. This will be a temporary speed limit of 40mph or 30mph depending on the works underway.
• The A119 roundabout will remain open during peak times throughout the work, but narrow lanes will be installed on all approaches. These narrow lanes will be in place 24hours a day which may cause delays and congestion. On occasions temporary traffic signals will be in operation when the works cannot be completed within the narrow lanes.
• There may be times when full road closures of Whempstead Lane and Sacombe Pound will be required. We will only close one road at a time meaning the other road will be available as a diversion route. The red line on the map, called Diversion Route A (local roads), shows this diversion.
• When the A602 needs to be closed, the diversion will be in place via the A602 / A1(M) / A414 / A602. The A602 is an ‘A’ road, so the diversion must follow similar sized ‘A’ roads. The blue line on the map, called Diversion Route B, shows this diversion.
We will inform nearby residents before the start of work setting out when works will happen, how long they will take, and if there are any planned diversions.
Please note this is an outline plan and traffic management is subject to change.
Please plan your journey and regularly check the one.network website for details of planned works.
LegendDiversion Route A
Dirversion Route B
µA602 Managing Disruption
© Crown copyright and database rights 2020 Ordnance Survey OS EUL 100019606. Use of this data is subject to terms and conditions. You are not permitted to copy, sub-licence, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.
Map
Ware Lodge
GP
WARE ROAD 62.2m
Grid75.0m
66.8m
60.4m
SubSta
Cattle
Path (um)
Pumping StationTributary
Spreads
El
Dane E
nd
LegendNew Cycle Track
Main Works
© Crown copyright and database rights 2020 Ordnance Survey OS EUL 100019606. Use of this data is subject to terms and conditions. You are not permitted to copy, sub-licence, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form.
A602 New Cycle Track Proposal
Pre-Planning Application Cycle Track
In 2017 we submitted two planning applications for the Watton-at-Stone to/from Tonwell part of the A602 Improvement Scheme, which were approved in early 2018.
We have been continuing to develop our design and as a result of engagement with residents and local community groups we have identified opportunities to enhance the walking and cycle facilities in this area as part of the works.
We welcome your views and feedback before we submit the application in June 2020.
Why was this not included in the original planning application?Hertfordshire County Council policy was updated with the latest Local Transport Plan. This placed more emphasis on walking and cycling. The permission for the main scheme met with earlier policies however we took the opportunity to review the planned works to make sure it fitted with the new policy.
In addition to this, we listened to local user groups who walk and cycle in the area. They asked for better links across the A602 to connect with other popular routes.
As a result of this review and based on information about popular cycle links, we identified an opportunity to enhance the cycle facilities along this section of the A602.
What are the proposals?The proposed off-road cycle track will run on the south west side of the A602 from Stoneyhills junction and connect to Sacombe Pound. The proposed route will go under the A602 at the new Dane End Bridge. Other ‘at-grade’ crossing points are already included in the proposals.
What about environmental impacts?The cycle route is not considered likely to directly impact upon any designated environmentally sensitive or otherwise valuable sites, either alone or in combination with the consented scheme.
The cycle track will be situated along a field edge and will run, in part, within areas of woodland and grassland to the south of the existing A602 alignment. Although the design has sought to minimise impacts upon biodiversity, it is anticipated that some trees will be affected. Trees that could house bats have been avoided and the design of the cycle track has sought to minimise impact upon trees by avoiding their roots.
New tree planting will be undertaken as part of the scheme to offset any trees that are lost. Other ecological mitigating measures will be provided if required.
Were alternatives considered?Alternative options were considered for the cycle track including an at-grade crossing controlled via signals or an off-road route with a bridge. However, these alternative options were discounted due to safety concerns arising from an at-grade signalised crossing or due to the maintenance of a bridge across a high-speed road, along with the significant costs associated with these options.
From an environmental perspective these options would have been located within a locally designated wildlife site (ancient woodland) and have direct impacts upon an area of ancient woodland.
How can I provide comments on the proposals?The planning application for this proposal is due to be submitted in June 2020. We welcome feedback before this is submitted. Read the ‘Have your say’ section below to find out how to complete the survey.
Pre-Planning Application Cycle Track – Have Your Say
Feedback is open from Monday 20 April to Monday 18 May 2020.
If planning approval is granted, it is intended for the cycle track proposals to be built by Interserve Construction Ltd as part of the main A602 Improvement Scheme
This can be completed online by heading to the website: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/a602.
If you would like to be sent a hard copy of the survey please email: [email protected] or call 0300 123 4040.
In your response we may ask for personal information as it is helpful to analyse your specific feedback in context with that made from the wider area. Personal information you give us will remain strictly confidential and will be used for monitoring purposes only, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations. Information will be stored for the life of the scheme only and will not be used outside of this project. We may have to release some information through a freedom of information (FOI) request however your personal details will not be shared. For more information please visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/privacy
Staying in Touch
For more information on the A602 Improvement Scheme, head to the webpage: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/a602
From here you can find the latest editions of our monthly newsletter, and sign up for updates via the Update Me service.
If you wish to contact us directly, you can either:
Call: 0300 123 4040
Email: [email protected]
Write: Highways Major Projects Group,
First Floor NW Block
County Hall
Pegs Lane
Hertford
SG13 8BR
