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Badingham

Head Office: 7 Little London Court Albert Street

Swindon SN1 3HY

T. +44(0)1793 651555

[email protected] www.badinghamuk.com

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

mailto:[email protected]�

http://www.badinghamuk.com/�

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.



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



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



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].



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.



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



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



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



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



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



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.



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


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



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



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



4.3 Safety Concern

Signs


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



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



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



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



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

FIGURES

Drawing No.

Drawn Checked

Rev.

Scale Original Size

Date

Title

Project

Client

Rev. Date

Concept | Consult | Construct

T. +44(0)1793 651555 www.badinghamuk.com

Highways | Transport Planning | Traffic Engineering

North

1km GRID(1:25,000)

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

Buckinghamshire County Council

Drawing No.

Drawn Checked

Rev.

Scale Original Size

Date

Title

Project

Client

Rev. Date




North

NTS

Aerial Photo


15/03/2011

A3

AS AS

Badingham

Status

FINAL

AmendmentsInitials


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


Drawing No.

Drawn Checked

Rev.

Scale Original Size

Date

Title

Project

Client

Rev. Date




North

NTS

Review Plan


15/03/2011

A3

AS AS

Badingham

Status

FINAL

AmendmentsInitials


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

Job No.

0093 -FIGURE 3Ordnance Survey © Crown CopyrightAll Rights Reserved. Licence No. LIG0736


2

31

4

5

6

APPENDIX 1

Photographs

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