Agenda item

Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/29) relating to scheme approval for the A3121 and the Safer Roads Fund for the A382 corridor improvement scheme, attached.

(Councillors Connett and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered the Report of the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment (PTE/19/29) relating to scheme approval for the A3121, circulated prior to the meeting in accordance with regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Report sought approval to implement the DfT Safer Roads Fund agreed road safety improvements on the A3121 following the award of £1,900,000 as part of the Department for Transport’s “Safer Roads Fund” project.

In 2016, the Transport Secretary announced a £175 million fund to improve the 50 most dangerous A roads in the country.  This identified two roads in Devon in that national list, one being the A3121 in the South Hams and the other the A3123 in North Devon.  The A3121 connected the A379 west of Modbury to Ermington and the A38 east of Ivybridge and was 9km in length. Between 2012 and 2016, the A3121 had 31 collisions along the route, of which six were fatal or serious injuries (KSIs).  A “Safer Roads Fund” bid was submitted for both the A3121 and the A3123 and the Council was subsequently awarded £1,900,000 for the A3121 and £2,200,000 for the A3123. The Report provided details and recommendations for the A3121 scheme.

The proposal was to implement up to twelve road safety improvement schemes along the 9km length of the A3121 and an overview of the schemes was shown in Appendix I.  Land acquisition was necessary at six of the twelve sites and at Site 12 (Modbury Cross) and Traffic Regulation Orders would be required.  All interventions and whole route performance would be subject to review after the scheme was complete.

The Cabinet Members for Highways Management advised that concerns had been raised by the Local Member and Parish Council on Kitterford Cross Junction.

As part of the grant application bid an impact assessment was carried out, available at https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/safe-travel/road-safety/saferroads/capital-schemes/.   The scheme would reduce journey times as well as localised congestion on the A3121.  The assessment outlined the required earthworks and construction at Site 4 (Kitterford Cross) and Site 12 (Modbury Cross), the translocation (moving back) of hedge banks which were expected to recover fully, that discussions regarding Ecology and Landscape had taken place in order that the schemes were designed and in compliance with the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and enhanced planting would be undertaken to compensate for the loss of some trees.

Road safety schemes of this kind were expected to be of general benefit across the road using demographic.  Cumulatively, the proposed measures offered a positive social impact by decreasing risk of injury and severity, arising from road travel. No adverse impacts were identified and road safety audits would be carried out, paying particular attention to vulnerable road users.

The Report outlined the legal considerations in terms of entering into land purchase agreements with several landowners and also the risk management considerations including the short timescale of the funding, impacts on nesting birds, work near hazards (high voltage overhead power lines, gas mains etc) and the mitigations in place. As outlined above, the proposals and considerations in relation to the A3213 would come to a future meeting.

The matter having been debated and the options and/or alternatives and other relevant factors (e.g. financial, sustainability (including carbon impact), risk management, equality and legal considerations and Public Health impact) set out in the Head of Service’s Report and/or referred to above having been considered:

it was MOVED by Councillor Hughes, SECONDED by Councillor Hart, and

RESOLVED

(a) that the Safer Roads Schemes on the A3121 in South Hams at a cost of no more than £1.9 million be approved, subject to a further review of a roundabout at Kitterford Cross;

(b) that any land required for the schemes be acquired by negotiation and, if necessary, by Compulsory Purchase Orders and any associated statutory orders;

(c) that any Traffic Regulations Orders necessary be advertised and, if no significant objections received, be made and sealed;

(d) that the schemes be tendered, and subject to all legal agreements being in place, be constructed; and

(e) that the Head of Planning, Transportation and Environment be given delegated powers, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member and relevant local Member(s), to make minor amendments to scheme details to facilitate their delivery.

[NB: The Impact Assessment referred to above may be viewed alongside Minutes of this meeting and may also be available at:  https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/safe-travel/road-safety/saferroads/capital-schemes/].