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A494 Drome Corner to Ewloe – The Way Forward
Last updated 21 October 2008
The Deputy First Minister agreed to update traffic data underpinning the original report; and conduct an internal desk based exercise to test the possibilities for public transport options along with options for making better use of alternative routes such as the A548 and utilising the latest technology and softer complementary traffic measures. This would include evaluations of opportunities for pedestrian, cycling and community benefits considering the Assembly Government’s wider objectives.
Date of decision / Dyddiad y penderfyniad:
7 October 2008
Statement of information / Datganiad gwybodaeth:
Following a Public Local Inquiry (11th September to 5th October 2007) into proposals to improve the A494 between Drome Corner and Ewloe, the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport decided to not make the Orders and is to decide on the way forward to determine appropriate transport intervention.
A number of studies looked at alternatives for tackling the transport problems on the A494 in this area, most notably the Queensferry Transportation Study (2000). This considered multi-modal options and formed the basis of the strategy for improving the A494 and A55 in North East Wales. It concluded that the alternatives to highway construction would not have sufficient impact. However, the report did not deal fully with the potential of intelligent transport systems or softer transport planning measures to manage demand on the A494.
The Public Inquiry earlier this year highlighted that there was significant local concern and opposition to the scheme as planned. People put forward a number of alternatives, but the Inspector concluded that all but one were unsuitable. Regarding the option of using the Flintshire Bridge, the Inspector concluded that this is a matter of fine balance. The information available to him did not enable him to recommend that this should be further investigated or ruled out. (The Queensferry Transportation Study had discarded this alternative, as it would not attract sufficient traffic away from the A494.)
The Inspector concluded that the traffic model properly reflects the current situation and that the forecasting has been carried out satisfactorily according with current requirements and practice. He confirmed that this section of the A494 would need some form of improvement in the foreseeable future, but the scale of the proposals is greater than would be required to accommodate the forecast traffic in the design year. In particular he did not consider that the scheme requires either a climbing lane or hard shoulders. The resulting scheme would be inappropriate in the landscape and would have some significant impacts on pedestrians, cyclists and community effects.
Links / Cysylltiadau:
Inspector’s report and the decision letter
7 October 2008
Statement of information / Datganiad gwybodaeth:
Following a Public Local Inquiry (11th September to 5th October 2007) into proposals to improve the A494 between Drome Corner and Ewloe, the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport decided to not make the Orders and is to decide on the way forward to determine appropriate transport intervention.
A number of studies looked at alternatives for tackling the transport problems on the A494 in this area, most notably the Queensferry Transportation Study (2000). This considered multi-modal options and formed the basis of the strategy for improving the A494 and A55 in North East Wales. It concluded that the alternatives to highway construction would not have sufficient impact. However, the report did not deal fully with the potential of intelligent transport systems or softer transport planning measures to manage demand on the A494.
The Public Inquiry earlier this year highlighted that there was significant local concern and opposition to the scheme as planned. People put forward a number of alternatives, but the Inspector concluded that all but one were unsuitable. Regarding the option of using the Flintshire Bridge, the Inspector concluded that this is a matter of fine balance. The information available to him did not enable him to recommend that this should be further investigated or ruled out. (The Queensferry Transportation Study had discarded this alternative, as it would not attract sufficient traffic away from the A494.)
The Inspector concluded that the traffic model properly reflects the current situation and that the forecasting has been carried out satisfactorily according with current requirements and practice. He confirmed that this section of the A494 would need some form of improvement in the foreseeable future, but the scale of the proposals is greater than would be required to accommodate the forecast traffic in the design year. In particular he did not consider that the scheme requires either a climbing lane or hard shoulders. The resulting scheme would be inappropriate in the landscape and would have some significant impacts on pedestrians, cyclists and community effects.
Links / Cysylltiadau:
Inspector’s report and the decision letter
