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Badingham
Head Office: 7 Little London Court Albert Street
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COPYRIGHT © Badingham Limited This document must not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Badingham Limited
Incorporated in the UK as Badingham Limited No. 6961250
High Heavens Waste, High Wycombe, Bucks. Access Road Road Safety Review (Existing) Client: Buckinghamshire County Council
15th March 2011
DOCUMENT ISSUE
Issue / Revision: Issue 1
Description / Status: Final
Date: 15.03.11
Prepared: A. R. J. Setter
Signature:
Document Check: P. Setter
Signature:
Technical Check: A. R. J. Setter
Signature:
Authorised: A. R. J. Setter
Signature:
File Reference: 0093 High Heavens - RSR
CONTENTS:
TE XT
Page No
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION 1
SECTION 2: VEHICULAR AND HIGHWAY ISSUES 6
SECTION 3: NON-MOTORISED USERS 12
SECTION 4: ROAD MARKINGS AND SIGNAGE 14
SECTION 5: STREET LIGHTING 17
SECTION 6: DRAINAGE 18
SECTION 7: REVIEW STATEMENT 19
F IG UR E S Figure 1 Site Location Plan
Figure 2 Aerial Photo
Figure 3 Review Plan
AP P E NDIC E S Appendix 1 Photographs
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 1 Date: 15th March 2011
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 This Road Safety Review (Existing) report has been undertaken on behalf of
Buckinghamshire County Council in respect of an existing access road serving the
High Heavens Waste Facility at High Wycombe, Bucks.
General
1.2 Unlike a Road Safety Audit, which considers new road schemes or road improvement
schemes, this Road Safety Review (RSR) applies safety audit techniques to existing
roads in order to identify potential collisions and hazards with a view to making
recommendations for improvements.
1.3 The following documents and information has been examined:
Review Brief
SLR Drawing No. P3 Existing Site Layout
SLR Drawing No. P4 Proposed Site Layout
RPS Drawing No. JNY 6580-13B Proposed Access
Buckinghamshire County Council Road Safety Review Area Plan
1.4 This audit is therefore restricted to the supplied information outlined above.
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 2 Date: 15th March 2011
1.5 This Review generally follows, or refers to, the procedures and advice set out in
current guidance including, inter alia:
Guidelines for the Safety Audit of Highways - IHT 2008
Collision Prevention and Reduction - IHT 2007
Reducing Mobility Handicaps - IHT
Guidelines for Cycle Audit and Cycle Review - IHT
Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 5, Section 2, Part 2 HD 19/03
‘Road Safety Audit’ and HD 42/05 ‘Non-Motorised User Audits’ – DfT
Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 5, Section 1, Part 4 TA22/81
Vehicle Speed Measurement on All Purpose Roads – DfT November 1981
Traffic Advisory Leaflet TA 06/62 ‘Inclusive Mobility’, Leaflet TA 91/05
‘Provision for Non-Motorised users’ - DfT
Cycle-England Design Bulletin
Practical Road Safety Auditing- Thomas Telford Ltd 2001
Road Safety Good Practice Guide – DfT
Road Safety Engineering Manual - RoSPA 2007
LTN 02/09 Pedestrian Guardrailing – DfT 04/09
Manual for Streets – DfT March 2007
The Design of Pedestrian Crossings LTN 2/95 – DfT 1995
Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 5 – DfT 2003
LTN 02/08 Cycle Infrastructure Design - DfT 2008
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 3 Date: 15th March 2011
Frequency of Collision
More than 1 per year One every 1-4 years One every 5-10 years
Less than 1 per 10 years
Seve
rity
Fatal Very high High High Medium
Serious High High Medium Medium
Slight High Medium Low
Damage Medium Medium Low
Table 1.1 - Risk Assessment Matrix1
1.6 An assessment of the relative significance of any potential safety problem has been
undertaken in this RSR based upon the Risk Assessment Matrix outline in Table 1.1
above. It is included to help focus on the priority safety issues and assist clients in
making decisions about which problems are most serious.
1.7 The location of the site is shown on Figure 1 Site Location Plan and Figure 2 Aerial
Photo. The area of the review extends solely to the area shown on Figure 3 Review
Plan.
1.8 A daylight site inspection was undertaken on Tuesday 15th March 2011 between
10.00am and 11:00am. The weather was clear and bright and with no adverse traffic
conditions to affect the Review. Refer to Photographs contained in Appendix 1.
1.9 The existing access serving the current waste operations at High Heavens extends
from a simple priority junction with the Clay Lane highway in the north some 633.0m
to the site gates/weighbridge to the south. The access is of variable carriageway
width, of poor surface quality and with no footways or lighting. The access also
serves a private residential dwelling. There is a sharp bend in the access road close
to the junction with Clay Lane. Beyond this western bend is a relatively straight
section with an east/west alignment. Gates are provided on this section of the
access road. The access continues east around a second sharp bend and then
southwards to the waste facility. To the east of this second section of the access is
1 Guidelines for the Safety Audit of Highways - IHT 2008
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 4 Date: 15th March 2011
an area of woodland known as Reading Shaw.
1.10 A bridleway is located adjacent to the northern east/west section of the access. This
crosses the access at its western extent in the vicinity of the sharp bend. A footpath
and bridleway are signed adjacent to the southern radius of the existing site access
junction with Clay Lane.
1.11 Generally, no kerbing is provided over the route for review except some high (and
damaged) Kassel-type kerbing around the two sharp bends and new kerbing
provided along the frontage to the recently opened household waste and recovery
facility (HWRC). The majority of the route is generally bounded by scrub trees and
hedging that directly abut the access.
1.12 It is understood that the access is not public highway and falls within various private
ownerships over which Waste Facility traffic has rights of access. The road also
provides access for agricultural traffic and machinery associated with the
neighbouring land.
1.13 The facility is open to the public and therefore used by private cars as well as
operational traffic and staff vehicles. Operational traffic includes household waste
collection vehicles (refuse lorries) and large bulk articulated vehicles. The northern
section of the access is subject to a signed 20mph limit with a 10mph signed limit at
its southern extent. The gradient of the route is minimal.
1.14 It is understood that there are plans to develop waste operations at the site that will
increase the level of traffic utilising the access as well as the mix of traffic including
large 44-tonne articulated bulk HGVs.
1.15 Where appropriate, identified concerns are cross-referenced to the Figure 3 Review
Plan, for example [1].
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 5 Date: 15th March 2011
1.16 The Review Team has examined only those issues relating to the road safety and
mobility issues associated with the existing road access and have not considered or
verified the design to any other criteria. Issues identified in this report are considered
by the Review Team to require action to improve the safety of the access and to
minimise accident potential for all users.
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 6 Date: 15th March 2011
SECTION 2: VEHICULAR AND HIGHWAY ISSUES
2.1 The access road is not provided to a standard appropriate for a modern waste
disposal complex function. It has clearly evolved over time as the waste facility has
developed. It is sub-standard in terms of highway safety and efficiency by current
design parameters. The access doesn't meet current requirements for a major
industrial access road design, which is considered to be relevant to the type of facility
and mix and frequency of expected traffic. Generally, cul-de-sac accesses are
provided where the access length is no greater than 250m. A secondary point of
access is generally expected to provide for emergency access. Typical major
industrial access road requirements would be a 7.3m minimum width, marginal strips,
facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, minimum horizontal curvature (e.g. 60m radius)
and carriageway widening on bends.
General
2.2 Safety Concern
Carriageway Width
Location: Access Road. Refer to photos 18,20,32,33, 39, 40, & 41.
Summary: The existing carriageway width is inconsistent and fails to
provide sufficient space for two large HGVs to pass safely
leading to potential risk of collisions.
Recommendation: That the access be widened to provided a continuous width to
enable two vehicles of the largest expected type to visit the site
to pass safely (including wing mirrors). That adequate
carriageway widening be provided around the two sharp
bends.
High
Medium
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 7 Date: 15th March 2011
Evidence shows that there is currently insufficient width and
that vehicles over-run the verge in order to pass each other,
and in some places have created unofficial passing places. [4]
A kerbed edge will provide drivers with a necessary visual cue
to follow, discourage over-running and assist with drainage.
Refer to photos 9,10,17, 43, 52, 70, 71, & 75.
2.3 Safety Concern
Visibility
Location: Bends on Access Road. [1] & [3]
Summary: Insufficient forward visibility is provided around the two sharp
bends leading to potential risk of collision.
Recommendation: That suitable unobstructed forward visibility is provided along
the access road appropriate the intended design speed
currently signed as 20mph.
2.4 Safety Concern
Overhanging Vegetation
Location: Access Road. Refer to photos 25, 27, 28, 29, & 30.
Summary: There is evidence of vehicle strike to trees directly abutting the
carriageway indicating that there is insufficient vehicle width for
vehicles to pass. The proximity of substantial trees directly
abutting the carriageway presents a potential hazard to road
users.
High
Medium
Low
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 8 Date: 15th March 2011
Overhanging and low branches present a hazard to traffic
particularly vehicles following high sided HGVs that may
dislodge branches and cause secondary accidents.
Recommendation: That the adjacent vegetation is cut back and removed and that
a regular system and programme of management and
maintenance be implemented to ensure that vegetation does
not obstruct the highway.
2.5 Safety Concern
Access for Powered Two-Wheelers
Location: Access Road.
Summary: Staff associated with the facility may choose to travel to and
from work by powered two-wheeler. The lack of adequate
highway drainage (and potential for ponding and risk of ice
during cold weather) and the potential for mud and leaf detritus
could give rise for potential slip/skid and loss of control type
accidents. Similarly, the poor quality of the current road
surface may lead to loss of control type accidents.
Recommendation: That the access be improved to provide: adequate width (to
avoid over-running of the verge and migration of mud on the
carriageway); suitable surfacing; and removal of leaf litter.
Low
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 9 Date: 15th March 2011
2.6 Safety Concern
No Turning Head at Gates
Location: Site Gates on Access Road. [2] Refer to photos 24 & 26.
Summary: If a vehicle encounters closed gates there is no facility to turn
and leave the site access in a forward gear. Instead, drivers
are required to reverse a considerable distance and around a
blind bend and across a bridleway crossing to achieve suitable
turning space.
Recommendation: That adequate turning space is provided.
2.7 Safety Concern
Queuing on Access
Location: Approach to Weighbridge. Refer to Photo 65.
Summary: Vehicles are signed to wait prior to being called onto the
weighbridge at the southern end of the access. There is
potential for vehicles to queue and block back across the
Household Waste and Recycling access. Similarly, drivers
may queue on the access road at peak times (such as 'catch-
up Saturday after a bank holiday). This may lead to drivers of
large vehicles attempting to overtake a queue of traffic and
encounter vehicles travelling in the opposite direction with
potential for risk of collision.
Low
Low
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 10 Date: 15th March 2011
Recommendation: That a suitable programme of management be implemented at
peak times to avoid vehicles queues and widening of the
carriageway in this location to enable large vehicles to pass
each other should a vehicle be stored waiting to access the
weighbridge.
2.8 Safety Concern
Visibility at Barn Access
Location: Access to agricultural barn west of HWRC. [5] Refer to Photo
51.
Summary: The high earth bunds located immediately on the boundary to
the access road inhibits driver visibility in this location. Equally,
it potentially obstructs inter-visibility with traffic using the
access leading to potential risk of collisions.
Recommendation: That the bunds be lowered or suitably set back accordingly.
2.9 Safety Concern
Traffic Speeds
Location: Southern section of access road. [4] Refer to Photos 43 & 44.
Low
High
Medium
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 11 Date: 15th March 2011
Summary: The sharp bends on the access road serve to limit traffic
speeds on the northern section of the access road. However,
the southern section has a straight alignment that may
encourage drivers to exceed the 20mph speed limit and enter
the 10mph speed limit also at speed. There is a concern that
speeding traffic in conjunction with the mix and type of traffic
and lack of available road width may lead to collisions.
Recommendation: That a suitable scheme of traffic management be implemented
to ensure low vehicle speeds.
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 12 Date: 15th March 2011
SECTION 3: NON-MOTORISED USERS
3.1 Safety Concern
Bridleway Crossing & Equestrians
Location: Western end of access road. [1] Refer to Photos 14, 73, 74 &
75.
Summary: The bridleway crosses the access at a sharp bend where inter-
visibility is poor and may lead to potential risk if collisions or
result in horses being startled by large vehicles.
Recommendation: That inter-visibility be improved in this location together with
appropriate advance warning signs.
3.2 Safety Concern
Access for Pedestrians
Location: Access Road.
Summary: It is reasonable to assume that staff that live locally may
choose to walk to work. Similarly, the access road is used by
local people for dog walking. There is potential for pedestrians
to be 'squeezed' by passing traffic with risk of collisions,
particularly at night.
Recommendation: That the access road be widened to accommodate
pedestrians, together with appropriate lighting and advance
warning signs.
Low
High
Medium
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 13 Date: 15th March 2011
3.3 Safety Concern
Footpath/Bridleway Links
Location: Footpath/bridleway link at access junction with Clay Lane.
Refer to Photo 82.
Summary: The existing footpath/bridleway provision is unclear in this
location. The sign on the south of the access junction
suggests that the connections are provided but pedestrian
access is inhibited by high Kassel type kerbs. There is a lack
of pedestrian warning signing in this location.
Recommendation: That the footway connections in this location are investigated
and a links suitably provided and signed.
3.4 Safety Concern
Access for Cyclists
Location: Access Road
Summary: It is reasonable to expect that local staff may chose to cycle to
and from their workplace. There is a risk that cyclists may be
'squeezed' by passing traffic owing to the lack of sufficient
carriageway width and proximity to trees leading to collisions.
Recommendation: That suitable provision is provided for cyclists including the
investigation of appropriate lighting and signing.
Low
High
Medium
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 14 Date: 15th March 2011
SECTION 4: ROAD MARKINGS AND SIGNAGE
4.1 Road markings and signage are significant factors in achieving safety objectives in a
design. It is therefore important that the road markings and signage are maintained
or renewed regularly in order to ensure that the designed safety standards are in
place throughout the life of the scheme. In this context, it is particularly important to
ensure that maintenance systems are in place to prevent growing vegetation from
obscuring signs.
General
4.2 Safety Concern
Road Markings
Location: Access Road. Refer to Photo 02.
Summary: Except from worn centre line markings on the western end of
the access road, there are no other road markings along the
length of the access until the 'Keep Clear' markings adjacent to
the HWRC. The lack of sufficient highway width makes the
provision of centre line markings difficult and vehicles over-run
the centre of the carriageway with risk of collision.
Recommendation: That the carriageway width be improved to enable the
provision of centre line markings, particularly around the
bends. In addition, the provision of continuous white edge-of
carriageway markings will assist drivers during low light
conditions as well as providing some protective space for
cyclists or pedestrians (if walking in the carriageway).
High
Medium
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 15 Date: 15th March 2011
4.3 Safety Concern
Signs
Location: Access Road.
Summary: Signing provision along the access road is poor leading to risk
of collisions and to the general detriment of highway safety.
Recommendation: That signing for all users of the access road be investigated
and improved as necessary.
4.4 Safety Concern
No Entry Signs
Location: Exit to HWRC. [5] Refer to Photo 48.
Summary: The 'No Entry' signs either side of the exit road are placed at
too oblique an angle to be useful for drivers who may enter the
exit lane with subsequent risk of collision.
Recommendation: The signs would be better placed further from the edge of
carriageway to improve their conspicuousness.
High
Medium
Low
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 16 Date: 15th March 2011
4.5 Safety Concern
No Parking and Overhead Cable Warning Sign
Location: Opposite operational access to HWRC. [6] Refer to Photo 58.
Summary: The overhead cables warning sign is positioned incorrectly to
be effective. The 'no parking' and 'no loading' sign is obscured
by vegetation to the general detriment of highway safety.
Recommendation: That sign provision be investigated and improved as
appropriate including the implementation of road marking
restrictions to match the sign as necessary.
Low
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 17 Date: 15th March 2011
SECTION 5: STREET LIGHTING
5.1 A single lighting column is located on the west side of the junction access with Clay
Lane some distance from the access and unlikely to provide sufficient illumination of
the access road junction with Clay Lane. Refer to Photo 07.
General
5.2 Safety Concern
New Lighting Columns
Location: Access Road
Summary: No lighting is provided along the length of the access road.
This could lead to the potential risk of collisions with
pedestrians walking in the road, cyclists or other road users
during the hours of darkness, particularly given the lack of
available carriageway width available for large HGVs to pass
and compounded by the tree canopy.
Recommendation: That street lighting be provided along the length of the access
road with columns suitably placed outside of any potential
vehicle strike zone.
High
Medium
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 18 Date: 15th March 2011
SECTION 6: DRAINAGE
6.1 No drainage measures are evident on the access road except for occasional verge
scrapings to allow water to drain to the adjacent field. The site inspection was
undertaken during dry conditions although the over-run verges comprised of damp
mud.
General
6.2 Safety Concern
Drainage
Location: Access Road. Refer to Photos 43 & 46.
Summary: Without adequate drainage there is a risk of ponding that may
lead to icing during cold conditions, wet mud on the highway
and wet leaves, all of which can lead to skid and loss of control
type accidents.
Recommendation: That appropriate highway drainage be provided.
High
Medium
HIGH HEAVENS WASTE FACILITY, HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS.. ROAD SAFETY REVIEW (EXISTING)
Ref: AS/0093 Page 19 Date: 15th March 2011
SECTION 7: REVIEW STATEMENT
7.1 We certify that the documents and information listed in the Review Brief have been
examined. Site inspections have been undertaken to identify any features of the
existing highway could be revised to improve safety.
7.2 Issues identified have been noted in this Review together with any associated safety
recommendations. We confirm that we have not been involved with the design of any
proposed improvements.
7.3 This Review has been undertaken generally in accordance with the principles and
guidance contained in HD19/03.
Review Team Leader
A. R. J. Setter
BA (Hons) MSc CMILT MIHT
Signed: Date: 15th March 2011
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Site Location Plan
High Heavens, High Wycombe
15/03/2011
A3
AS AS
Badingham
Status
FINAL
AmendmentsInitials
© This drawing must not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of Badingham Ltd.Notes:
1. Do not scale from this drawing.2. All dimensions must be checked on site.
Job No.
0093 -FIGURE 1Ordnance Survey © Crown CopyrightAll Rights Reserved. Licence No. LIG0736
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Badingham
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© This drawing must not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of Badingham Ltd.Notes:
1. Do not scale from this drawing.2. All dimensions must be checked on site.
Job No.
0093 -FIGURE 2Ordnance Survey © Crown CopyrightAll Rights Reserved. Licence No. LIG0736Reproduced from bing GetMapping Plc 2011
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Badingham
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FINAL
AmendmentsInitials
© This drawing must not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of Badingham Ltd.Notes:
1. Do not scale from this drawing.2. All dimensions must be checked on site.3. Drawing extracts taken from BCC drawings submitted as part of Audit Brief
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