Package 2. M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures SUPPORTING TECHNICAL DOCUMENT - NOVEMBER 2011

Transcription

1 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures SUPPORTING TECHNICAL DOCUMENT - NOVEMBER 2011 Package 2 A package of measures focusing on improving the existing highway infrastructure, primarily through enhancements to the A48 Southern Distributor Road, to improve the capacity, resilience and safety of travel within the M4 Corridor. Measure (Core): At-grade improvements to the SDR Measure 2: Use of the A465 as an alternative route Measure 3: J23a circulatory improvements Measure 4: J28 improvements Measure 5: Removal of east facing slips at J26 Measure 6: High occupancy vehicle lanes Measure 7: Traffic monitoring and queue detection Measure 8: Incident management Measure 9: Event management Measure 10: Encourage use of alternative routes to M4 Measure 11: Introduce greenwave traffic light control Measure 12: Poor weather road management Measure 13: Manage HGV traffic Measure 14: Use of ramp metering Measure 15: Rail electrification of GWML to Swansea Measure 16: Additional rail services north of Cardiff Measure 17: Ebbw Vale rail link to Newport Measure 18: Train lengthening Measure 19: Train frequencies Measure 20: Transfer road freight onto rail Measure 21: Bus priority measures on the local network Measure 22: Improve modal interchange Measure 23: Cycle infrastructure improvements Measure 24: Pedestrian infrastructure improvements Measure 25: Electric vehicles and infrastructure Measure 26: Improve route aesthetics Measure 27: Use of noise reducing innovations Key 30 Phase 1 open 2016 Phase 2 open 2022 A468 To Cardiff I Gaerdydd Risca A48M 29 Castleton Cas-bach A467 Cwmbran Bettws M M4 A A4042 Malpas Brynglas Tunnel A48 25a 25 NEWPORT CASNEWYDD Caerleon Caerllion River Usk Newport Docks Dociau Casnewydd M4 River Usk A48 24 A449 To Monmouth I Drefynwy Main South Wales to London Railway Line Prif Reilffordd De Cymru i Lundain Steelworks Access Road Ffordd Fynediad y Gwaith Dur M4 23a Caldicot Level Gwastadeddau Cil-y-coed A48 Magor 23 To Chepstow M48 Second Severn Crossing Toll Booths Man Talu Ail Groesfan Hafren Cardiff Caerdydd 29a Wentlooge Level Severn Estuary Aber Hafren Scale 0 3km

2 Contents Workbook User Guide 2 Key information and Glossary 3 Package Analysis Key information sheet 4 Appraisal Summary Worksheet 5 Appraisal Summary Table 6 Measure Analysis (Core) Measure 1: Junction improvements to the SDR 7 Measure 2: Use of the A465 as an alternative route 10 Measure 3: J23a circulatory improvements 13 Measure 4: J28 improvements 16 Measure 5: Removal of east facing slips at J26 19 Measure 6: High occupancy vehicle lanes 22 Measure 7: Traffic monitoring and queue detection 24 Measure 8: Incident management 26 Measure 9: Event management 28 Measure 10: Encourage use of alternative routes to M4 30 Measure 11: Introduce greenwave traffic light control 33 Measure 12: Poor weather road management 35 Measure 13: Manage HGV traffic 37 Measure 14: Use of ramp metering 39 Measure 15: Rail electrification of GWML to Swansea 41 Measure 16: Additional rail services north of Cardiff 44 Measure 17: Ebbw Vale rail link to Newport 47 Measure 18: Train lengthening 50 Measure 19: Train frequencies 52 Measure 20: Transfer road freight onto rail 54 Measure 21: Bus priority measures on the local network 56 Measure 22: Improve modal interchange 59 Measure 23: Cycle infrastructure improvements 61 Measure 24: Pedestrian infrastructure improvements 64 Measure 25: Electric vehicles and infrastructure 67 Measure 26: Improve route aesthetics 69 Measure 27: Use of noise reducing innovations 71

3 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures Package 2 Workbook User Guide What is this workbook all about? On 27 July 2011 the M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures Programme initiated detailed work with a specially selected Forum of Stakeholders, representing a breadth of interests from the public, private and third sectors in South Wales. Thirty four members of the Stakeholder Forum convened with representatives of Welsh Government and Arup staff to explore over 100 possible solutions, old and new, to safety, capacity and resilience related problems associated with travel in the M4 corridor between Magor and Castleton. Building on the robust exploration of possible solutions facilitated by the Forum, the WG and Arup team have developed four Packages of measures that work together optimally to address the problems of the M4 Corridor, Magor to Castleton. Package development has involved further research into the feasibility and deliverability into selected measures both on a stand-alone basis, and again in the context of the complete package of complementary measures. The resulting four option Packages, plus a Dominimum scenario, are each presented within a dedicated workbook. Each Package offers a core scheme, comprising one or more measures, supported by a number of supplementary traffic management, public transport and sustainable travel measures. This workbook presents one of the four Packages: Package 1: Major new highway capacity infrastructure development Package 1 focuses on the development of a new dual 2 lane all purpose road to the south of Newport. Package 2: Improvements to the Newport Southern Distributor Road (SDR) The core focus of Package 2 is a programme of at-grade junction improvements to the A48 Southern Distributor Road. Package 3: M4 on-line widening The core focus of Package 3 is a programme of on-line widening to 4 lanes in order to deliver major new capacity on the existing M4 route. Package 4: Public transport improvements Package 4 focuses on investment in public transport facilities and services, aimed at reducing reliance on private vehicle use and encouraging modal shift. What will I find in this workbook? Within a workbook you will find a Package of different measures that aim to address issues of capacity, resilience, safety and sustainability associated with transport along the M4 Corridor, Magor to Castleton. A workbook presents the Package in two sections: Package analysis: a high level overview of what the package comprises, its likely impacts and implementation issues, a summary appraisal worksheet, appraisal table and illustrative drawing (if appropriate). Measure analysis: a detailed view of individual measures, contained in the package, their impacts, implementation issues and compatibility. Each is followed by a summary appraisal worksheet, appraisal table and illustrative drawing (if appropriate). How are the packaged measures appraised? Arup has appraised each measure to identify: what it would entail; what impacts it could have on the economy, society and environment, in the context of M4 CEM Programme Aims, and WelTAG criteria; its compatibility with other measures as part of the package; how well it addresses the goals of the programme; and its acceptability, feasibility, deliverability and risks. At this stage, the appraisal of measures is often still high level. In practice this means traffic modelling work and assessment of traffic flow and accident data is undertaken for comparative purposes. Further technical appraisal is required during project delivery following formal public consultation early next year, when a decision is made with respect to strategy implementation. How should I use this workbook? In order to help make the appraisal information easier to understand, each measure is assessed through appraisal tables using a 7-scale colour coding system: Large Positive Impact (+++) Moderate Positive Impact (++) Slight Positive Impact No (or Minimal) Impact Slight Negative Impact (-) Moderate Negative Impact (--) Large Negative Impact (---) The impacts are appraised in terms of the likely effect each measure would have on the M4 Corridor transport conditions, as defined in Programme Goals and WelTAG criteria. You will be asked to offer your views on the merits of the Package presented within this workbook. Therefore we would ask that you read through this workbook to develop a basic understanding of what the Package would help to achieve. Acknowledging that there are four Package Workbooks in total, we wouldn t expect you to develop a comprehensive understanding of every measure presented. Rather, we would suggest that you consider the overall strategy of a Package and raise any issues you may have about its approach, proposed measures or gaps in the evidence base. There will be an opportunity at the workshop to put these forward. Please bring this workbook with you to the workshop on 15 November! This copy is now your property and we would encourage you to make annotations that may prompt any discussion on the day. 2

4 Key information and Glossary Key information sheets A key information sheet is provided at the beginning of this workbook to offer a summary description of the Package. It identifies a number of core measures and supporting measures that comprise the Package. Core measure a measure that is central to the strategic approach developed within the Package to address the issues of capacity, safety and resilience on the M4 corridor. Supporting measure a measure that can be delivered independently, and as part of the Package in support of the core measure(s), to address the wider goals of the M4 CEM Programme. Within the core measures section of the key information sheet, a summary description of the core measures is provided, including details of phasing and capital costs. Within the supporting measures section, a summary description of each supporting measures is provided, including the measures role in the context of the Package. Phasing a measure is often phased, meaning it will be delivered in sections with works and associated costs spread out over a determined construction period. Phasing may make the difference between a scheme being affordable, or not. Each phase is designed to deliver step change benefits to the highway or rail network over time. Capital costs the total upfront investment cost of a scheme. The main components of capital costs may include, but not necessarily be limited to, construction costs, land and property costs and compensation, preparation and administration costs, and on site supervision and testing. A Package diagram presents the individual measures that are subject to detailed appraisal within the measure appraisal summary worksheets and appraisal summary tables. Appraisal summary worksheets An appraisal summary worksheet sets out details of both Packages and Measures, providing an appraisal at a high level to identify the likely impacts on the economy, society and environment. Where possible, as part of the economic impact appraisal a Benefit to Cost Ratio (BCR) is shown. BCR is the ratio of the benefits of a project or proposal, relative to its costs, (both expressed in monetary terms). Core highway measures have been subject to traffic modelling to better understand the comparative impact of a Package. The potential acceptability, deliverability, feasibility and risk of measures is also considered, including compatibility issues. Terms below are sourced from WelTAG guidance: Economic impact this is a description of the impact of a measure on the economy, at a local, regional and/or national level. Economic outcomes against which a measure is appraised include: Access to employment opportunities; Connectivity within Wales and internationally; Efficient, reliable and sustainable movement of people; Efficient, reliable and sustainable movement of freight; Access to visitor attractions. Social impact the impact of a measure on people and communities. Social outcomes against which a measure is appraised include: Access to healthcare; Access to education, training and lifelong learning; Access to shopping and leisure facilities; Is healthy lifestyle encouraged; Safety of travel. Environmental impact the impact of a measure on the environment. Environmental outcomes against which a measure is appraised include: Use of sustainable materials; Contribution to greenhouse gas emissions; Impact on climate change Contribution to air pollution; Impact on the local environment; Impact on heritage; Impact on biodiversity. Appraisal summary tables An appraisal summary table sheet is used to assess both the Package and its Measures against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance (WelTAG) criteria, and the goals of the M4 CEM programme. Assessment is undertaken both qualitatively and using the 7-scale grading of significance (see workbook user guide). WelTAG a system of appraisal that clearly identifies the benefits, costs and impacts of schemes and identifies their contribution to the core objectives for transport. Appraisal criteria are focused on overarching impact areas relevant to Wales and include: Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) the impact of a proposal on the economic efficiency of the transport system. Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) the impact of a proposal on the economy beyond the transport sector. Environment Noise the impact of noise nuisance from transport on local communities. Local Air Quality the impact of exhaust emissions from transport affecting local air quality. Greenhouse Gas Emissions the impact of transport options on climate change. Landscape and townscape the character of a place. Biodiversity impact on ecosystems and habitats. Heritage impact on sites of historic importance. Water environment changes likely to occur to existing water courses. Soils impact on and the condition of the soil of an area. Social Safety freedom from risk of transport accident. Personal security risk to the transport user. Permeability ease of movement by non-motorised modes (also referred to as severance ). Physical fitness contribution to health and wellbeing. Social inclusion the degree to which members of society are able to lead a full life. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights ensuring all citizens can take advantage of transport services. 3

5 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Key Information Sheet Focus of Package 2 Package 2 is a programme of at-grade improvements to the SDR, complemented by a number of other highway infrastructure improvements, traffic management, public transport and sustainable development solutions that aim to address the problems on the M4 Corridor. Package 2 focuses on the enhancement of the existing highway network to improve safety and traffic flow conditions. Core measures Package 2 focuses on delivering a phased infrastructure upgrade project, which would see a series of atgrade improvements to the SDR over a 10 year period, in order to make it an attractive alternative route to the M4 for east-west traffic. Through delivering an improved alternative route to the M4, traffic congestion problems would be relieved to the benefit of resilience, safety and the environment. Phase 1 would involve at-grade improvements to the SDR east of the River Usk by 2016 (at a cost of 15m); and Phase 2 would involve at-grade improvements to the SDR west of the River Usk by 2022 (at a cost of 30m). The total capital cost of the core measure to Package 2 over a 10 year expenditure period, is estimated at 45m (Q prices). Supporting measures Whilst the primary focus of Package 2 is enhancement of the existing highway network through at grade improvements to the SDR, a series of junction enhancements would support the delivery of a safer and more resilient M4 Corridor. A number of traffic management measures would also aim to reduce potential safety and congestion problems, through better traffic monitoring and management particularly during incidents and events. The introduction of high occupancy vehicle lanes along some highway sections would prioritise sustainable private vehicle travel, whilst HGV management measures would help relieve the conflict between car users and HGVs. Investment in public transport improvements would complement the highway infrastructure works in order to encourage less reliance on the private car. A phased programme of rail schemes would see new and improved stations, park and ride/share facilities, and better services. Bus based measures would include upgraded facilities and local bus priority schemes that would aim to reduce the number of local trips travelled on the M4 route. Investments in walking and cycling infrastructure would also be made. In order to meet the future demands of a sustainable highway network, a phased approach to promoting the use of electric vehicles would be coordinated, including investment in electric vehicle infrastructure. Finally, the package would aim to improve travel conditions and reduce the impact of travel on communities by improving the aesthetics of routes through delivering biodiversity benefits; in addition to the use of low noise surfacing, noise barriers and noise proofing of homes along the existing M4 Corridor. 4

6 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Package Appraisal Summary Worksheet Phasing Appraisal Key Measure At-grade improvement to A48 SDR A465 alternative route J23A circulatory improvements J28 improvements Removal of east facing slips at J26 HOV lanes Traffic monitoring Incident management Event management Encourage use of alternative routes Introduce traffic signal lights coordination Poor weather management Manage HGV traffic Use of ramp metering Rail electrification Additional train services north of Cardiff Ebbw Vale rail link to Newport Train lengthening Train frequencies Road freight onto rail Local bus priority Modal integration Cycle infrastructure Walking infrastructure Electric vehicles Aesthetics Noise reduction AP Scheme opening year Scheme in place for subsequent years Open 2016 Phase 1 Open 2022 Phase 2 Open 2026 Open 2031 Economic Impact This package aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve journey time reliability along the M4 corridor through improvements to the SDR, supported by a range of other highway, traffic management and public transport measures. The core measure aims to attract traffic from the M4 by prioritising east-west traffic movements on the SDR, thus improving operating conditions on the motorway. However, in practice it is likely that only traffic with an origin or destination in Newport is likely to divert onto the SDR under normal operating conditions. The prioritisation of east-west movements along the SDR may cause additional congestion on the side road approaches and as such the core measure is unlikely to deliver positive economic benefits, although the SDR as an improved alternative will assist in easing congestion problems in the event of an incident on the M4. Much of the upgrade work would entail on-line construction that would be disruptive to the operation of the SDR and would have an adverse impact on local businesses. The proposed introduction of a HGV management programme and plan to shift road freight onto rail where possible will further help improve freight travel and associated journey times. Social Impact Package 2 will deliver upgrades to the SDR and bring M4 junction enhancements. Investment in public transport and traffic management will also aid traffic flows and bring safety improvements. In particular, a HGV traffic management programme and bus priority/high vehicle occupancy lanes aim to reduce conflict between car users and larger vehicles to the benefit of road user safety. Public transport improvements and investment in non-motorised user facilities aims to benefit social mobility. Environmental Impact Package 2 aims to improve the existing highway network and thus limit the impact of development on the environment. By encouraging some M4 traffic to use the SDR, the Package would help reduce the air and noise pollution effects caused by traffic congestion along the M4 corridor; however pollution levels along the SDR would be expected to increase. Sustainable travel measures within this Package also aim to encourage modal shift through investment in local public transport services and the introduction of traffic management approaches to limit growth in car use. It is envisaged that this Package would also help reduce the longer term impact of travel on the environment through investment in electric vehicle infrastructure and the introduction of biodiversity focused aesthetical improvements. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk The core scheme would provide an alternative route to the M4, albeit with limited capacity. Its phased construction sequence would enhance the deliverability of the programme of works required by distributing the total capital cost of 45m over two phases. This would make the Package both feasible and politically attractive. Package 2 would also deliver a number of short and medium term benefits through the implementation of minor but effective junction enhancements, traffic management measures and public transport projects. The core measure, involving the upgrade of Newport SDR would be an on-line scheme, thus causing disruption to road users. The operation and maintenance of the SDR is currently under the control of a private company under the terms of a concession agreement. Any changes to operating conditions on the SDR will be subject to the terms and restrictions of the extant agreement. Environmental, land and access issues would also need to be addressed. It is anticipated that the SDR upgrade works would involve a 30mph speed limit imposed on the affected sections of road with Phase 1 taking around 1 year and Phase 2 taking around 9 months to complete. This disruption to traffic along the SDR during construction could attract community opposition, although the environmental impact of on-line works would be lower compared to off-line development. Compatibility of Measures: Summary of Key Issues Whilst the core measure would see the upgrade in the SDR and its junctions; it would be dependent on M4 junction enhancements, traffic management and public transport improvements to help relieve traffic congestion along the existing M4. Prioritisation of east-west movements along the SDR could result in higher congestion levels for local traffic on the side roads accessing the route. Signalisation of the SDR junctions will facilitate the introduction of better traffic management along this route through the implementation of green wave technology. This would offer improved network resilience by being able to respond to changes in traffic conditions on the ground in the event of an incident on the M4. The core measure of the Package is unlikely to reduce the problems of the M4 if delivered in isolation, and it relies upon the proposed supporting measures to help holistically tackle traffic congestion on the M4 corridor. The role of the A465 as a directed alternative east-west long distance journey route will be important to reducing traffic demand on the M4. Overall, the measures proposed within this Package are largely dependent on each other and aim to address the problems of the M4 in a phased and integrated approach. 5

7 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Package Appraisal Summary Table Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Whilst the core measure could attract some traffic from the M4 to improve operating conditions along the Efficiency (TEE) motorway, the prioritisation of east-west movements along the SDR could penalise side road traffic. The SDR alternative route would provide improved network resilience in the event of incidents on the M4. Online Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and townscape Biodiversity Heritage Water environment Soils Social Transport safety improvements to the SDR would lead to disruption during construction. Relieving congestion on the M4 will benefit the movement of people and freight, although the improvements to the SDR could hinder local accessibility to businesses located off existing junctions. Noise pollution would be alleviated along the M4 route, which is in close vicinity to residential properties. Levels would be expected to increase along the SDR. However, this package promotes lower noise intense forms of transport, including electric vehicles, walking and cycling; and promotes noise reducing solutions. Alternative use of the SDR by local traffic would alleviate air pollution along the route of the current M4, which should lead to less intensity of air pollution in the Air Quality Management Areas. Levels may increase along the SDR. However, more sustainable forms of transport are promoted, which will help to improve local air quality. This package promotes more sustainable forms of transport, to help reduce emissions. The Llanwern Steelworks Access Road adjoins an historic landscape area. This package would have an adverse visual impact on local receptors. Measures would impact on a Historic Landscape Area, Green Wedge and the Tredegar House Historic Park and Garden. This package is situated within the Gwent Levels SSSI. This measure which involves realignment of the SDR at Church Street crosses the River Usk SAC mudflats, an ecologically sensitive area, which may require mitigation. Biodiversity impacts would be subject to the detailed design of measures and ecological surveys. This package could have an adverse impact on the Tredegar House Historic Park and Garden, Grade 1 Listed Building and Conservation Area. This measure could also affect Grade II Listed Buildings. The Magor park and ride scheme would be situated in Gwent Levels Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest and an archaeologically sensitive area This package would require drainage measures and is also situated within TAN15 Flood Zones. The core measure also runs close to the Ebbw River and would need to accommodate flood mitigation works. Some additional land will be required with a risk of contaminated land at Llanwern Steelworks access road and new the site for the Llanwern Park and Ride. Generally there would be a negligible impact. Package 2 will help improve road safety through improving traffic management on the SDR; enhancing motorway junctions; and improving traffic management and response to incidents/events. Personal security Investment in walking and cycling facilities would improve safety for non-motorised users. There would be no adverse impact on personal security as result of other measures in this Package. Permeability Package 2 includes investments in walking and cycling to assist permeability. Physical fitness Improvements to walking and cycling facilities will encourage local trips to be made by such modes of transport and will promote healthy lifestyles. Social inclusion Local rail and bus services will be improved, benefiting those unable to afford, or without access to a vehicle. Equality, Diversity The measures proposed as part of Package 2 would aim to meet the needs of all groups of people when & Human Rights progressed to project stage. Public transport and non-motorised user modes would be improved. Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: Encouraging local traffic to use the SDR to secure the M4 as a long distance east-west route will attract support from businesses and safety groups. However, there may be some opposition from communities in the south of Newport who would anticipate additional traffic levels using the SDR. Acceptability to other stakeholders: The Package would help address many of the problems on the M4 using the existing highway infrastructure. This is likely to attract political support and be acceptable to other stakeholders particularly environmental groups. Technical and operational feasibility: There are no serious barriers to implementation of the measures proposed as part of this Package. Financial affordability and deliverability: The phased approach to delivery of the core scheme would mean it is affordable over a 10 year period. Risks: Deliverability would require political commitment to the core scheme and will require contractual negotiations with the SDR concessionaire. (--) (-) (--) Qualitative assessment Improvements to the SDR could reduce traffic congestion along the M4 corridor by helping remove local traffic from the motorway and securing the route for long distance journeys. This will make it easier and safer to travel east-west in South Wales and beyond. However, communities and commercial centres in the south of Newport could experience reduced accessibility due to increased traffic volumes on the SDR. Whilst Package 2 could help improve traffic flows on the M4 and offer improved traffic management along the SDR, thus improving network resilience and journey time reliability in the medium term, it is unlikely to deliver positive economic benefits due to additional congestion arising on the SDR side roads. There is concern that should longer term trends see additional capacity demands placed on the highway network, congestion problems could materialise and offset the benefits of Package 2. However, investment in more sustainable modes of transport including bus, rail, electric vehicles, walking and cycling will help encourage modal shift in the longer term and benefit environmental and social conditions. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. (++) Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. (++) 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport (++) networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic (++) use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. (++) 6

8 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal (Core) Measure 1: At-grade junction improvements to the A48 SDR This core measure would see a series of phased at-grade junction improvements to the SDR over a 10 year period, in order to make it an attractive alternative route to the M4 for eastwest traffic. Traffic flows on the SDR are currently lower than were predicted prior to opening. In part, this is due to the number of roundabouts disrupting mainline flows. More efficient control of the entry of traffic from minor routes would reduce this disruption. The roundabouts tend to disrupt main carriageway traffic flows by giving priority to circulating traffic. The SDR would be a more attractive alternative east-west traffic route if the main carriageway flows were given greater priority by signal control at all junctions. Such an arrangement would lend itself to the application of the green wave principle to progress platoons of mainline traffic during peak flows. The phased SDR improvement scheme would involve: Maesglas West roundabout eradicated; Maesglas West roundabout replaced with a traffic signal controlled crossroads; The central reserve crossing at Transporter Bridge junction closed; Church Street roundabout bypassed combined with changes to Usk Way junction to accommodate access to Church Street; Signal timings changed at Corporation Road junction; Nash Road and Lee Way/ Queensway Meadows roundabouts replaced with traffic signal controlled junctions; Balfe Road roundabout eradicated; Hartridge roundabout replaced with a traffic signal controlled crossroads; Beatty Road roundabout replaced with a traffic signal controlled crossroads. Economic Impact Improvement in operating conditions and reduced journey times for east-west traffic along the SDR will aim to encourage a significant proportion of east-west traffic to use the SDR instead of sections of the M4 motorway around Newport, particularly those with an origin and/or destination within Newport. The prioritisation of east-west movements along the SDR may cause additional congestion on the side road approaches and as such the core measure is unlikely to deliver positive economic benefits, although the SDR as an improved alternative will assist in easing congestion problems in the event of an incident on the M4. Much of the work would entail on-line construction that would be disruptive to the operation of the road and would have an adverse impact on local businesses affected along associated sections of the SDR during the construction period. Social Impact The purpose of this measure is to create an alternative route for eastwest traffic to the M4. As such, this new focus for the SDR could make access to local services more difficult in some places, although access into Newport would be enhanced by an improved SDR route. Much of the work would entail phased on-line construction that would entail a lengthy construction period, being disruptive to the operation of the road and adversely affecting communities in the short to medium term. Environmental Impact Whilst the environmental impacts of improvements would vary along different sections of the route, the overall impact would encourage more cars to use the SDR and therefore increase greenhouse gas emissions along the SDR; whilst relieving traffic congestion and improving the environmental implications of traffic along the M4 route. There would also be environmental construction impacts, including dust, noise, waste and transport - that would need consideration and mitigation. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk The operation and maintenance of the SDR is currently under the control of a private company under the terms of a concession agreement. Any changes to operating conditions on the SDR will be subject to the terms and restrictions of the extant agreement. Parts of the online scheme would be difficult to construct and would cause delays during construction. Environmental, land and access issues would need to be addressed. The cost of the measure is estimated at 45m including land, preparation, construction and supervision. This would be split into two phases: Phase 1 involves upgrading the SDR east of the River Usk to improve connectivity with the Steelworks Access Road and promote its use in conjunction with the SDR for traffic accessing southern Newport. The assumed opening year is 2016, at an estimated cost of 15m; and Phase 2 involves upgrading the remaining length of the SDR to the west of the River Usk by 2022, at a cost of 30m. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure forms the core measure for Package 2 aiming to improve the attractiveness of the SDR as an alternative route to the M4. The up-grading of Llanwern Steelworks Access Road (part of the do-minimum scenario) between M4 Junction 23a and the SDR at Queensway Meadows would also offer support for an alternative diversion route for east-west traffic using the SDR. However, controlling the SDR traffic signals to improve throughput of east-west mainline traffic could increase delays to local Newport traffic on side roads accessing the SDR. Although the core scheme, this measure would also rely on other measures to help address the traffic congestion problems on the M4, including promotion of the A465 as another alterative east-west traffic route and a number of public transport measures that could reduce total traffic demand. At-grade improvements to the SDR junctions will not offer significant increases in highway capacity, although the introduction of traffic signals will enable improved traffic management. Major capacity/infrastructure solutions may prove more cost effective in the longer term, for example through grade-separation of key junctions along the SDR (see Alternatives Considered Workbook). 7

9 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table (Core) Measure 1: At-grade junction improvements to the A48 SDR Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) Whilst the core measure could attract some traffic from the M4 to improve operating conditions along the motorway, the prioritisation of east-west movements along the SDR could penalise side road traffic. The SDR alternative route would provide improved network resilience in the event of incidents on the M4. Online Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and townscape Biodiversity Heritage Water environment Soils Social Transport safety improvements to the SDR would lead to disruption during construction. Relieving congestion on the M4 will benefit the movement of people and freight, although the improvements to the SDR could hinder local accessibility to businesses located off existing junctions. Noise pollution would be alleviated along the route of the M4, which is in close vicinity to residential properties. However, levels are likely to rise along the SDR and adversely affect communities to the south of Newport. Redistributing some traffic onto the SDR will help alleviate air pollution along the route of the current M4, which should lead to less intensity of air pollution in the Air Quality Management Areas. However, levels are likely to rise along the SDR and adversely affect communities to the south of Newport. This measure will help to alleviate congestion on the M4, which should have some benefit in reducing vehicle emissions; however this could be offset by emissions generated by congestion on the SDR side roads. The Llanwern Steelworks Access Road adjoins an historic landscape area. This measure would have an adverse visual impact on local receptors. Magor site is situated in an Historic Landscape Area while Coedkernew and Severn Tunnel Junction sites are situated in a Green Wedge designated in Newport UDP and Monmoutshire UDP respectively. This measure would have a potential adverse impact on the Tredegar House Historic Park and Garden and land to the west of the existing M4 that is designated as Environmental Space in the Newport UDP. This measure is situated within the Gwent Levels SSSI. This measure which involves realignment of the SDR at Church Street crosses the River Usk SAC mudflats, an ecologically sensitive area, which may require mitigation. Biodiversity impacts would be subject to the detailed design of measures and ecological surveys. This measure could have an adverse impact on the Tredegar House Historic Park and Garden, Grade 1 Listed Building and Conservation Area. This measure could also affect Grade II Listed Buildings. The Magor park and ride scheme would be situated in Gwent Levels Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest and an archaeologically sensitive area. This measure would require drainage measures and is also situated within TAN15 Flood Zones. This measure would be designed to have no adverse impact on flood risk. This measure also runs close to the Ebbw River and would need to accommodate flood mitigation works. A number of the improvements can be accommodated within the highway boundary. However, some additional land will be required. There is potential for contaminated land along the route of the improved Llanwern Steelworks access road and new the site for the Llanwern Park and Ride. Traffic signal coordination attempts to reduce the number of stops and reduce accident potential, both vehicular and pedestrian. Personal security No impact. Permeability The new route could increase severance to the south of Newport. (-) Physical fitness The package of measures is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes. Social inclusion This measure could make access to local services more difficult in some places. This measure could result in disruption during construction, adversely affecting communities in the short to medium term. No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: Communities in the south of Newport may oppose additional traffic levels using the SDR on environmental grounds. Acceptability to other stakeholders: The measure would predominantly help address the congestion problems on the M4 in a phased and affordable manner, thus is likely to attract political support and be acceptable to other stakeholders. Technical and operational feasibility: The delivery of SDR upgrades would include a number of junction amendments and technical works, but there are no serious barriers to implementation of the measure. Financial affordability and deliverability: The phased approach to delivery of the core scheme would mean it is affordable over a 10 year period. Risks: The operation and maintenance of the SDR is currently under the control of a private company under the terms of a concession agreement. Any changes to operating conditions on the SDR will be subject to the terms and restrictions of the extant agreement. Parts of the online scheme would be difficult to construct and would cause delays during construction. Environmental, land and access issues would need to be addressed. (--) (-) (--) (--) 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic (++) use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 8

10 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Diagram / Plan (Core) Measure 1: At-grade junction improvements to the A48 SDR 9

11 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 2: Dualling of the A465 Heads of the Valleys road (promoting use as alternative route) This section of the A465 is currently being upgraded from Wide Single Carriageway to Dual Carriageway in a phased manner. Sections 1 and 4 (of 7) are complete, with all remaining sections due to be complete by Dualling the 40km stretch of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road from Abergavenny to Hirwaun will help create a strategic corridor capable of carrying traffic between the M50 Midlands link to Swansea and points further west, while bypassing the M4 in the vicinity of Newport and Cardiff. This measure would see the A465 heavily promoted as an alternative route to the M4 for long distance east-west travel. This would be achieved through the proactive use of driver information systems in the form of variable message signing (VMS) on both the M50/A449 corridor to the east of Abergavenny and the M4 corridor in the vicinity of Swansea. In the longer term, should the upgraded A465 route prove successful in relieving M4 traffic there may be an opportunity to investigate the scope for further infrastructure upgrades. Economic Impact This measure could improve journey time reliability on the existing M4 corridor by encouraging east-west traffic to use the alternative route to the M4. It is forecast that, using a traffic model for 2030 with a dualling of the A465 Heads of Valleys, that the journey time between the A465/A40 at Neath and the A449 at Raglan, will be reduced by minutes. Use of the A465 alternative route could also improve journey time reliability during infrequent incident management scenarios where the M4 may be closed or partially restricted due to unforeseen events. Social Impact Reduced traffic flows on the existing M4 corridor would be expected to improve road user safety on the existing corridor and on the local highway network in the immediate vicinity of existing junctions. Improvements to the A465 corridor as a whole would be expected to improve road user safety on this alternative strategic corridor. Environmental Impact Use of the alternative route is unlikely to have an adverse impact on environment. While there may be some minor negative impacts on noise levels, air quality and greenhouse emissions along the A465 should this measure divert traffic along this route, the net impact should be neutral. There would be an equivalent improvement in noise levels, air quality and greenhouse emissions resulting from traffic altering their route away from the M4. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk The dualling of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road is being delivered as part of the Welsh Government Roads Programme. The upgrading of the road is understood to enjoy broad public support in the Heads of the Valley communities that it affects most closely. The measure to promote the A465 as an alternative strategic route to the M4 for long distance traffic travelling east-west is feasible as indicated by previous route studies undertaken by others and presents limited technical risks. It is unlikely that the A465 would attract significant traffic diverted from the M4 in normal conditions however, its value as an alternative route to the M4 corridor could be high should a proactive signing programme prove successful. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure is complementary to the Package in that it will help relieve traffic congestion problems on the M4 corridor by providing a suitable alternative route for long distance east-west traffic that may not need to use the M4 to reach their destination. Improvements to the SDR may not significantly help relieve congestion on the M4, particularly at times of unanticipated events or incidents. Therefore this measure would prove important to further relieving east-west long distance traffic from the M4. Specifically, the introduction of incident and event management programmes would be needed, in addition to the introduction of Variable Message Signs (VMS) at strategic locations on the M4 in order to optimise the use of the A465 as a strategic alternative route to the M4 corridor. 10

12 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 2: Dualling of the A465 Heads of the Valleys road (promoting use as alternative route) Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) Providing an alternative route to the M4, particularly during an event or incident, will help the movement of people and freight to the benefit of the local and regional economy. (++) Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality Greenhouse Gas Emissions Promoting the A465 as a strategic east-west route will enhance employment opportunities to the north of Newport and Cardiff. This measure could help divert traffic away from the M4, particularly during events or incidents, and this could reduce noise pollution caused by traffic congestion on the M4. However, this would be expected to be offset by an increase in noise levels along the A465 rising from an increase in traffic. This measure could help reduce air pollution caused by traffic congestion on the M4, particularly during events or incidents. However, there could be a corresponding reduction in air quality levels along the A465 should a significant proportion of traffic divert along this route. This measure could help reduce emissions as advice on alternative routes may help reduce congestion along the M4, particularly during events or incidents. There could be an increase in greenhouse gas emissions levels along the A465 should a significant proportion of traffic divert along this route. There would be no direct impact on the landscape. Landscape and townscape Biodiversity This measure would have a negligible impact on biodiversity. Heritage This measure would have a negligible impact on heritage. Water environment This measure would have a negligible impact on the water environment. Soils This measure would have a negligible impact on soils. Social Transport safety The use of the A465 as an alternative route will improve traffic safety at times of congestion during an incident or (++) event affecting travel along the M4 corridor. Personal security No impact. Permeability Whilst the dualling of the A465 incorporates elements that will facilitate easier access the road for pedestrians & cyclists, increased traffic flows could impact on permeability, although severance is likely to be negligible. Physical fitness This measure would unlikely lead to change in active travel. Social inclusion The dualling of the A465 would improve accessibility on a national level, to the industrial centres of the Midlands and south west Wales and on a local level, between Abergavenny and Hirwaun. No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: Use of the A465 as an alternative route, particularly during events or incidents affecting the M4 is likely to prove acceptable to the public. There is unlikely to be opposition from communities located in close proximity to the A465. Acceptability to other stakeholders: This measure is likely to attract political support following completion of the dualling of the A465 scheme. Technical and operational feasibility: This measure is both technically and operationally feasible following delivery of improved VMS technology at strategic locations along the M4 and A449 corridor. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is affordable and easily deliverable. Risks: There is a risk of the A465 suffering from traffic congestion during diversions. However, the potential for this taking into account current capacity forecasts is unlikely. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. (++) Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. (++) 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport (++) networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. (++) 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 11

13 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Diagram / Plan Measure 2: Dualling of the A465 Heads of the Valleys road (promoting use as alternative route) 12

14 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Measure 3: J23a circulatory improvements Description Appraisal As a result of the planned measures to connect M4 Junction 23a to the A48 SDR via the Steelworks Access Road (SAR) (part of the do-minimum scenario of the M4 CEM), Junction 23a would benefit from improvements to provide additional capacity. The existing roundabout at Junction 23a currently has spare capacity. However, use of the SDR as an alternative route to the M4, if successful, would see increased traffic flows along the SAR and SDR. In order to meet this additional demand, works would only need to be fairly minor in the short to medium term due to the spare capacity that exists at J23a. As such, this measure would see localised widening at the roundabout entry from the Steelworks Access Road and/or signalisation. In the longer term, should the SDR attract significant traffic volumes, further enhancements to J23a may be required as part of this Package. Economic Impact Improvements to J23a will support the flow of traffic along the SAR and SDR routes helping improve journey time reliability and improving access to employment opportunities in southern Newport. This could also benefit the Wales 1 Business Park which is accessed off J23a. Social Impact The measure would be beneficial in improving accessibility to Newport with improved traffic flow and safety conditions at J23a joining the SAR and SDR routes. It will also present an opportunity to improve existing unsafe public footpaths across the junction thus enhancing permeability and the safety of pedestrians. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk Works would be minor and could be delivered within the highway boundary with little impact. It is therefore deliverable in the short term. This low cost scheme is likely to provide a value for money in reducing likely congestion at the junction arising from an increase in traffic along the Steelworks Access Road and SDR once it is improved and provides a link between Junction 23a and the A48 SDR. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure would be required to support the delivery of at-grade improvements to the SDR in addition to the planned improvements to link Junction 23a to the A48 SDR via the Steelworks Access Road. Environmental Impact The minor nature of the scheme would have a negligible impact on the environment. An improvement in traffic flow and reduction in congestion at J23a would reduce vehicle emissions, noise and air pollution. In the longer term, should traffic volumes increase and offset environmental benefits, further junction improvements may be considered which would involve an assessment of likely significant effects on the environment. 13

15 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 3: J23A circulatory improvements Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) This measure would enhance local accessibility off J23 and improve journey time reliability along the highway network, particularly improving access to employment opportunities in southern Newport. Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Local businesses located in close proximity to Junction 23 and the Wales 1 Business Park would benefit from improved traffic conditions, whilst access to the commercial centre of Newport from the east would be improved through benefits arising from reduced congestion. Environment Noise Improved traffic flows and reduced congestion would improve noise quality within close proximity to J23. Local Air Quality Improved traffic flows and reduced congestion would improve air quality within close proximity to J23. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and townscape Biodiversity Improved traffic flows and reduced congestion would improve vehicle emissions within close proximity to J23. The steelworks access road adjoins an historic landscape area. This measure could increase landscape and visual impact along M4 corridor. This measure is situated within the Gwent Levels SSSI. Potential impact on protected species. Biodiveristy impacts would be subject to the detailed design of measures and ecological surveys. Heritage This measure would impinge on an archaeologically sensitive area. (--) Water environment Drainage measures would be required as part of this measure. Soils There is potential for contaminated land along the route of the improved Llanwern Steelworks Access Road. No significant distributional impacts. Social Transport safety The measure would improve traffic flows and reduce congestion to benefit road safety at J23. Personal security No impact. Permeability Physical fitness Social inclusion This measure will also present an opportunity to improve existing unsafe public footpath pedestrian movements across the junction thus enhancing community safety. The package of measures is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes although journey time reliability may encourage greater use of public transport for local trips. This measure will help to improve journey time reliability and improving access to key services and centres in southern Newport. No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: The scheme is unlikely to attract opposition from any groups. Acceptability to other stakeholders: The scheme is unlikely to attract opposition from any groups. Technical and operational feasibility: Works would be minor and could be delivered within the highway boundary with little impact. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure would be affordable and deliverable in the short term. Risks: There are no foreseen risks associated with this measure. (--) (-) 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 14

16 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Diagram / Plan Measure 3: J23A circulatory improvements 15

17 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 4: J28 improvements This measure would build on the recently planned improvements to Junction 28 (which form part of the do-minimum scenario within the Corridor Enhancement Measures Programme) to further increase capacity when required by future traffic demand. This measure would involve an M4 to A467 connection dedicated to provide a free-flow of eastbound traffic from M4 to Forge Road, constructed to the north-west of the M4. This would be delivered above the improvements planned as part of the do-minimum scenario. [For information, the key features of the planned do-minimum improvements include: An extended gyratory to the south requiring the demolition of the M4 westbound on-slip underbridge, over the A48 eastbound; A dedicated through link for eastbound traffic from M4 and A48 at Cleppa Park to A48 SDR towards Newport; A dedicated link from A467 Forge Road to M4 Eastbound; and All junctions on the gyratory are traffic-signal controlled. In addition capacity improvements are planned at the nearby A467 Bassaleg and A48 Pont Ebbw roundabouts]. Economic Impact Improving access between the M4 west and the A467 through the provision of this dedicated link will enhance accessibility and reduce journey times for traffic making this manoeuvre. However, the improvements to the overall operational performance of the highway network around Junction 28 and Bassaleg roundabout are likely to be marginal with negligible increase in traffic throughput at Junction 28. Social Impact The dedicated connection between the M4 west and the A467 would reduce traffic on the Junction 28 signalised gyratory which would reduce conflicts at this location. However there would be increased conflicts on the northbound A467 where the traffic from the M4 west dedicated link would merge with the traffic from Junction 28. Overall this measure is unlikely to have a significant impact on road safety around Junction 28. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk The M4 to A467 connection would require the take-up of land to north west of the M4 at J28. The total approximate cost for works is estimated at 2.5m. There would also be traffic disruption during construction. The scheme is likely to be supported by business groups located on J28. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues The core measure improvements to the SDR aim to help relieve M4 traffic and as such additional traffic demand would be anticipated at Junction 28. This measure, involving a dedicated link from the M4 west to the A467, is likely to reduce traffic on the Junction 28 signalised gyratory which, could work in conjunction with Urban Traffic Control (UTC) to optimise signal settings to prioritise movements between the M4 and Newport SDR. Environmental Impact This measure may have a potential adverse impact on the Tredegar House Historic Park and Garden, Grade I Listed Building and Conservation Area. A Grade II listed building is also situated along the boundary of the estate. This measure could impact upon the settling of several Grade II listed buildings along Forge Lane. 16

18 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 4: J28 improvements Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Overall this measure is unlikely to have a significant impact on the operation of the highway network. Efficiency (TEE) Economic Activity This measure would have a negligible impact on economic activity. and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise This measure would have a negligible impact on noise. Local Air Quality This measure would have a negligible impact on air quality. Greenhouse Gas This measure would have a negligible impact on greenhouse emissions. Emissions Landscape and Road improvements at Junction 28 would have a potential adverse impact on the Tredegar House Historic Park (-) townscape and Garden and land to the west of the existing M4 that is designated as Environmental Space in the Newport Unitary Development Plan. However, considering the urban nature of the adjacent land, this impact is likely to be negligible. Biodiversity The take-up of and development of land to north west of the M4 at J28 would have a minor adverse impact on wildlife located at this location. (-) Heritage This measure may have a potential adverse impact on the Tredegar House Historic Park and Garden, Grade I Listed Building and Conservation Area. A Grade II listed building is also situated along the boundary of the (-) estate. This measure could impact upon the settling of several Grade II listed buildings along Forge Lane. Water environment This measure runs close to the Ebbw River and would need to accommodate flood mitigation works. (-) Soils A number of the improvements can be accommodated within the highway boundary. However, some additional land will be required. Social Transport safety This measure would have a negligible impact on safety. Personal security This measure would have a negligible impact on personal security. Permeability The works are likely to have a minor impact on permeability for non-motorised users. Physical fitness The measure is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes although journey time reliability may encourage greater use of public transport for local trips. Social inclusion This measure would have a negligible impact on social inclusion. Equality, Diversity No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: Traffic disruption during construction could attract public opposition but the benefits of the scheme, particularly for businesses located off the A467, are likely to be supported. Acceptability to other stakeholders: The scheme is likely to be supported by business groups located on J28. The M4 to A467 connection would require the take-up of land to north west of the M4 at J28, which may be opposed by land owners. Technical and operational feasibility: The scheme is both technically and operationally feasible. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure would be affordable in the short term. As long as land to north west of the M4 could be purchased at market value there would be no risk to deliverability. Risks: The M4 to A467 connection would require the take-up of land to north west of the M4 at J28. There would also be traffic disruption during construction, which would require appropriate management. (-) 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 17

19 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Diagram / Plan Measure 4: J28 improvements 18

20 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Measure 5: Removal of east facing slip roads at J26 Description Appraisal The east facing slip roads at Junction 26 are relatively lightly trafficked, but their presence encourages local traffic to use the motorway and to pass through the Brynglas Tunnels. This measure removes the east facing slip roads at Junction 26 in order to reduce turning movements/conflicts and enable bus priority measures to be introduced on the A4051, which is a major bus route carrying buses per hour, two-way during peak periods. Barriers will exist on the closed slips roads in order to facilitate emergency or maintenance access and street lighting removed. Area wide changes to signage will be required. Economic Impact The suggested modification of Junction 26 would be likely to improve operations on the M4 motorway as well as improving regional and local bus services thus improving access to local services and facilities. There is likely to be a slight increase in distance travelled on the network by car users due to traffic re-routeing. This measure has the potential to have a perceived negative impact on local businesses located close to Junction 26 due to reduced accessibility for those wishing to travel east along the M4. Social Impact The A4051 is a major bus route, carrying buses per hour twoway during peak periods. The introduction of bus priority at Junction 26 would significantly improve accessibility whilst a reduction of conflicting movements would be expected to improve road safety at the junction. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk There are aspects of this measure that are likely to be desirable in terms of improving operations on the M4 motorway as well as improving regional and local bus services. Traffic flows in the peak periods are likely to reduce by 5% through Brynglas Tunnels with an associated increase in the use of Junction 25a. The measure would be affordable at an approximate cost of 0.8m. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure removes the east facing slip roads at Junction 26 and will reduce turning movements/conflicts enabling bus priority measures to be introduced. Environmental Impact Removal of the east facing slips will have a positive impact upon the Shaftesbury Crindau Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). Increased travel distances could result in additional emissions; however improved traffic conditions on the M4 in Brynglas Tunnels could offset this. 19

21 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 5: Removal of east facing slip roads at J26 Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) This measure would improve access to local services and facilities by improving operations on the M4 motorway as well as improving regional and local bus services. Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) This measure would improve operating conditions on the M4 through Brynglas tunnels. Local businesses located close to J26 could experience reduced accessibility due to removal of direct link to the M4 east. Environment Noise Whilst noise levels would reduce around J26, there is likely to be an increase in the use of Junction 25a. Local Air Quality Removal of the east facing slips will have a positive impact upon the Shaftesbury Crindau Air Quality Management Area (AQMA). Greenhouse Gas Increased travel distances could be offset by improved operating conditions on the M4 through Brynglas tunnels. Emissions Landscape and Closure of an existing link will reduce the visual impact of traffic and no additional landscape required. townscape Although, the closed slip roads may become derelict. Biodiversity Closure of an existing link could be restored as a compensatory area. Heritage A number of archaeologically sensitive features including listed buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments are found along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal but will not be impacted by this measure. Water environment The scheme could offer opportunities to manage water run-off and improve water quality. Soils An improvement in soils can be accommodated within the highway boundary. Social Transport safety Reduced levels of traffic merging onto the motorway at J26 would help reduce potential for accidents. However, a likely increase in the use of Junction 25a may result in the potential for increased volumes of traffic here to lead to safety issues. This issue would need to be considered further prior to implementation of the scheme. Reduced conflict at Junction 26 would be expected to improve safety at this junction. Personal security No impact Permeability Physical fitness Social inclusion The measure would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. This measure is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes although bus priority measures may encourage greater use of public transport for local trips. Bus priority measures would offer significant opportunities to improve accessibility and journey time reliability to key centres and services by public transport. No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: There may be public opposition to the closure of the east facing slip roads at J26, meaning journeys would potentially have to be diverted to J25a. The potential for improved operating conditions through Brynglas tunnels and the reduction in junctions on the M4 may attract support. Acceptability to other stakeholders: Logistics organisations are likely to support the measure, whilst it may attract opposition from community groups who currently use J26 on a regular basis for local accessibility. Technical and operational feasibility: The measure is technically and operationally feasible. Financial affordability and deliverability: The measure would be affordable in the short term and deliverable. Risks: The primary risk to implementation would be potential opposition from community groups for the closure of east facing slip roads at J26. (++) 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport (++) networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic (++) use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 20

22 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Diagram / Plan Measure 5: Removal of east facing slip roads at J26 21

23 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 6: High occupancy vehicles lanes This measure would involve the introduction of a dynamic High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on the M4 between Magor and Castleton, where there is continuous dual 3 lane running. A HOV would not be introduced until a study assessing traffic volumes and likely effects has been undertaken following the phased delivery of at grade junction improvements to the A48 SDR. This would promote sustainable travel practices and help reduce traffic congestion by promoting a culture change. However, in the event of congestion caused by incident or event, dynamic part time use for all traffic would be signed when certain traffic capacity thresholds are met. The basic principle is that only vehicles carrying two or more people, buses and two wheeled vehicles are permitted to use the lanes during the identified hours of operation. Department for Transport research shows that the potential for carpooling is 'quite respectable'; especially in home to work trips, although up to one fifth may come from public transport users. Economic Impact Whilst car-pooling helps reduce travel costs for those sharing, the primary objective of HOV lanes is to improve the overall journey time by reducing the number of vehicles on the road at peak times. The effects of HOV lanes may be asymmetrical for local traffic depending on their ability to car pool. Dynamic use of the HOV lane when certain traffic capacity thresholds are met will ensure that the potential for traffic congestion and associated costs are minimised whenever possible. Social Impact Car sharing helps reduce costs of transport and gives people more transport options thus promoting social mobility and improved accessibility to those residing in rural areas in particular. Concerns over passenger safety, for women sharing with strangers in particular, are often addressed effectively by policies offered by national car sharing companies. It can also improve driver morale by providing a sociable commute. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk Evidence suggests that HOV lanes have slight impacts on addressing vehicle occupancy and journey times. Prior to the introduction of HOV lanes in South Gloucestershire, 20% of cars carried two or more occupants and this figure increased to 27% after the scheme came into operation. Following introduction of the scheme in Leeds, there was significant driver avoidance of the A647 in the morning peak period and flows fell by 20%. Eighteen months later traffic flows had returned to the pre-scheme levels. Comparing the situation one year before and one year after the introduction of the scheme, the morning peak journey time savings for buses and other HOVs in the HOV lanes was 4 minutes. Over the same period there was a reduction of 1.5 minutes in non- HOV journey times. One issue with car pooling is the variation in working hours across the workforce which is likely to make limit potential car pooling. Also, unlike conventional bus lanes, HOV lanes are not yet suitable for camera enforcement. Using current technology, it is difficult to establish how many occupants there are in a vehicle. Special arrangements between councils and the local police are often required to undertake enforcement. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues The core scheme could relieve traffic congestion along the M4, which would provide scope for the introduction of a HOV lane in the future, should traffic volumes accommodate such an approach to traffic management. HOV lanes are not the automatic solution to any particular type of problem but a HOV lane on the M4 as one of a range of measures could help encourage sustainable practices in the longer term. Environmental Impact Promoting sustainable practices and reducing the number of cars on the road will result in less congestion and less pollution, including air, noise and greenhouse gas emissions. 22

24 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 6: High occupancy vehicles lanes Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) The potential introduction of HOV lanes in the longer term could potentially reduce journey times on the road network, particularly during peak periods, by encouraging drivers to either car share or choose to take public Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality transport. The longer term aspiration of introducing HOV lanes is to promote sustainable travel choices. Public transport operators and car pooling clubs could benefit where job opportunities could be created on a local scale. Reduced traffic volumes would reduce noise pollution levels along the M4 resulting in noise benefits to local receptors adjacent to the existing M4. Reduced traffic volumes would reduce air pollution levels along the M4, particularly benefiting Newport s Air Quality Management Areas within the corridor. Reduced traffic volumes would lead to reduced CO 2 emissions. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and No additional land will be required. There is no impact on landscape and townscape. townscape Biodiversity This measure would not encounter any ecological impacts and thus does not require ecological surveys. Heritage This measure would not impact on any archaeologically sensitive features. Water environment This measure would not impact water environment. Soils Soil improvements could be accommodated within the highway boundary. No additional land will be required Social Transport safety Should HOV lanes help change transport culture in the longer term, reduced traffic volumes would be anticipated and expected to deliver associated safety benefits. It is important that HOV lanes are not introduced until relevant studies demonstrate available capacity if this is not the case, there is a risk of lane movement conflicts. Personal security There is the potential for there to be personal safety issues arising as a result of car pooling. Permeability This measure would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. Physical fitness This measure is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes. Social inclusion This measure would promote car sharing and sustainable transport behaviour thus benefiting social equity. It could provide access to a car for non-car owners, thus increasing travel choices. Concerns over passenger safety, for women sharing with strangers in particular, are often addressed effectively by policies offered by car sharing companies. Equality, Diversity No impact. & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: HOV lanes are often considered as controversial measures in the UK, although international evidence suggests that they can bring benefits where appropriately introduced. Whilst there would be a risk of public opposition, it is important that relevant studies are undertaken to demonstrate available highway capacity on the network prior to their implementation. Acceptability to other stakeholders: HOV lanes would require political support. Therefore a transport planning and business case supported by relevant evidence would need to be presented to appropriate authorities. Environmental and sustainability groups are likely to support the measure in the longer term. Technical and operational feasibility: Further investigation is required to determine whether the scheme would be technically and operationally feasible. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure would be affordable in the short term. However, its deliverability would rely on political support and an evidence base demonstrating a strong transport planning and business case. Risks: The primary risk to delivery is public and political opposition to a HOV lane scheme. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic 2 of Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 23

25 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 7: Improve traffic monitoring, incident management and queue detection This measure involves introducing and improving intelligent transport systems (ITS) to the motorway and regional highway network to assist in improving traffic monitoring, incident management and journey time reliability. The M4 currently benefits from variable speed limit technology and Variable Message Signs (VMS). However this measure would call for improved and earlier use of Variable Message Signing (VMS) including improved advanced communication of problems along the M4 to inform driver s travel choices and promote use of the alternative routes, such as the Newport Southern Distributor Road (SDR); and the A465 in particular. Incident and response management could also benefit from new arrangements or a new facility within Newport for better control of and response to changing traffic conditions. ITS aims to improve highway network management through the use of innovative communications technology. For example, the provision of monitoring and detection on the A48 (SDR) could help to strategically divert traffic if flows breakdown on the M4 by relaying information to the public via VMS, websites, radio and social media. The term intelligent transport systems (ITS) refers to efforts to add information and communications technology to transport infrastructure and vehicles in an effort to improve safety, journey times, and fuel consumption. ITS vary in technologies, from basic management systems; traffic signal control systems; variable message signs; or monitoring CCTV applications; to more advanced applications that integrate live data and feedback. Economic Impact Generally, ITS can improve access to workplaces, facilities and services for all, by making travel more efficient. By helping drivers to find the best route to their destination, and change that route if major incidents occur, travel is made safer and more cost effective. Whilst helping address potential traffic congestion caused by flow breakdowns, ITS helps achieve 'best value' as a result of greater information gathering and improved decision-making. Social Impact ITS aims to reduce the number of accidents by providing drivers with more information about conditions on the roads they are using to improve the safety of motorists. By helping drivers to find the best route to their destination, access to communities, facilities and services is also enhanced. Environmental Impact ITS, when configured and used effectively, is a tool used to help to reduce the effects of pollution from vehicles by better traffic management that aims to minimise traffic congestion and associated pollution. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk The use of ITS generally has successful results where it has been established. The Cleopatra project in London (an information and guidance system) found that 58% of respondents would immediately respond to VMS congestion warnings, of which 83% would reschedule their journey and 6% would change modes. Integrated systems and information sharing give: Better coordination from area-wide strategies; Lower unit equipment and operating costs; and Better communication between authorities and coordination of actions and Partnerships, which can help reduce costs. ITS works best when deployed in an integrated fashion, particularly across geographic and institutional boundaries. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues Improving traffic monitoring, incident management and queue detection aims to help support highway network management initiatives in controlling traffic congestion. The role of ITS initiatives and managing traffic flows already play an important part in preventing traffic congestion along the M4 corridor. However, this measure would see this role enhanced further to better inform drivers of safer and faster routes to their destinations particularly via the SDR and A465 routes. 24

26 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 7: Improve traffic monitoring, incident management and queue detection Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic This measure will help make travel more efficient to reduce journey times and improve journey time reliability. Efficiency (TEE) Economic Activity This measure will benefit the regional economy by helping improve access to workplaces, facilities and services and Location Impact (EALI) for all, by making travel more efficient. Environment Noise This measure will help prevent delays and thus reduce the potential for noise pollution caused by congestion. Local Air Quality This measure will help prevent delays and thus reduce the potential for air pollution caused by congestion. Greenhouse Gas This measure will help prevent delays and thus reduce vehicle emissions caused by congestion. Emissions Landscape and No additional land will be required for this measure. This measure does not impact on landscape or townscape. townscape Biodiversity This measure would not encounter any ecological impacts and thus does not require ecological surveys. Heritage This measure would not impact on any archaeologically sensitive features. Water environment This measure would not impact on the water environment. Soils No additional land would be required for this scheme. Social Transport safety ITS aims to reduce the number of accidents by providing drivers with more information about conditions on the roads they are using to improve the safety of motorists. Personal security No impact Permeability The ITS system is unlikely to have an impact on non-motorised forms of transport. Physical fitness The package of measures is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes. Social inclusion This measure would offer significant opportunities to improve accessibility and journey time reliability to key centres and services by public transport. No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: This measure is likely to attract public support. Acceptability to other stakeholders: This measure is likely to attract political support. Technical and operational feasibility: This measure is technically and operationally feasible. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is affordable in the short term. Risks: This measure would require collaborative working between relevant delivery bodies to oversee the implementation of improved traffic management. (++) (++) 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. (++) Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. (++) Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. (++) 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. (++) 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 25

27 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 8: Improve incident management This measure aims to utilise new technologies to innovatively tackle congestion caused by disruptive incidents. The Traffic Wales traffic management and information service monitor the network and help to manage incidents responsively and effectively. Existing systems use CCTV technology, deploying Traffic Officers to incident scenes and relaying up-to-the-minute information to road users. Further improvements are proposed to include: Active Traffic Management (ATM) - enabling management of the speed of traffic and dynamic use of the hard shoulder where appropriate; Automatic Queue Detection and Signalling; Earlier and better information sharing via Variable Message Signs; Advanced Motorway Indicators (AMI); Privacy screens to prevent rubber necking at accidents; Improved signage for diversion routes; Improved accident investigation techniques, allowing quicker recovery of highway network following accidents; and Development of innovative software methods to improve the dynamic prediction, detection, and verification of incidents. Economic Impact A UK AA/TrafficMaster study in 2009 found that in the first 8 months of ,700 accidents and incidents resulted in over 5,000 hours of motorway closures (73 hours on the M4). This creates a significant cost to the economy accounting for millions of pounds worth of financial cost caused by traffic delays alone. Helping to reduce the impact of incidents on the road network will ultimately reduce congestion, improve journey time reliability and limit cost to the economy. Social Impact Adopting improved incident management systems and practices would help with the detection and responsiveness to incidents better and faster, improving safety and reducing traffic disruption. This will reduce driver stress and improve journey time reliability to important services and facilities. Where diversions are recommended, careful consideration would be given to the impact on local residents on the diversionary route. Environmental Impact Reducing the impact of incidents will help reduce congestion thus reducing associated air and noise pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk Any measure to reduce incidents and manage incidents better is likely to be supported politically. Delivery of further improvements to incident management will require additional resources being provided to Traffic Wales to help implement more effective approaches to incident detection and response. In operational terms, it will be crucial to work with the emergency services both locally and nationally, to agree the protocols that will underpin the arrangements for dealing with incidents on a managed motorway network. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure would do much to reduce the impact of incidents on the movement of traffic and help reduce congestion on such occasions. Should the SDR be required as a diversion route for M4 traffic then signalisation of the SDR junctions would offer improved traffic management along this corridor. Investment in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and Urban Traffic Control (UTC) systems will be required to aid the development of traffic management, incident detection and operation systems. 26

28 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 8: Improve incident management Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) This measure will improve incident management and response in order to help reduce journey times and improve journey time reliability. Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality This measure will benefit the regional economy by helping reduce the impact of incidents and associated traffic congestion on the economy. This measure will help reduce the impact of delays and thus reduce noise levels which would bring benefits to local receptors along the M4. This measure will help reduce the impact of delays and would provide reductions in levels of atmospheric pollution to a large number of local receptors within close proximity to M4. This measure will help reduce the impact of delays and thus reduce additional vehicle emissions. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and No additional land will be required for this measure. This measure does not impact on landscape or townscape. townscape Biodiversity No impact Heritage This measure would not impact on any archaeologically sensitive features. Water environment No impact Soils This measure would not impact on soils. Social Transport safety Improved incident management and response will help enhance road user safety. (++) Personal security No impact Permeability The scheme would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. Physical fitness No impact Social inclusion This measure would detect and respond to incidents better and faster. This measure would reduce driver stress. (++) Equality, Diversity & Human Rights No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: This measure is likely to attract public support. Acceptability to other stakeholders: This measure is likely to attract political support. Technical and operational feasibility: This measure is technically and operationally feasible. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is affordable in the short term. Risks: This measure would require collaborative working between relevant delivery bodies to oversee the implementation of improved incident management. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. (++) 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 27

29 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 9: Better event management This measure involves further improving the use of temporary measures to manage public transport, traffic and parking during special events through the preparation and implementation of a new/improved event management plans. The organisers of planned special events can optimise transport operations and influence attendee travel choices, using measures such as traffic control, signage and information, to influence decisions such as route and mode choice to/from the venue. Public transport initiatives such as extended operating times would also help reduce event traffic demand. Certain venue locations, particularly city centre areas, may also attract significant walking or bicycle trips. Encouraging modal shift could be achieved by providing: Attractive walking routes between venues and city centre areas; Reliable and frequent public transport services between venues, hotels and city centre areas; Incentives for attendees such as free public transport for attendees on display of event ticket; and Easily accessible information on what transport modes are available to get them to and from venues through websites and booklets. Economic Impact Reducing the impact of major events on traffic congestion aims to ensure people travel to and from event venues safely, efficiently and in a timely manner - whilst minimising disruption to local residents and businesses. Limiting traffic congestion and delays on the transport network will help prevent costs to the economy. A Welsh Government report estimated the cost of congestion arising from the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor to be of the magnitude of 100k-200k. Social Impact Effective event management will help to reduce the nuisance to local residents caused by the events and will enhance safety for all road users in light of additional demand. Environmental Impact Transport can be one of the most complex aspects of hosting a major event and is often the largest contributor to costs, emissions, and reduced air quality. Encouraging people to use sustainable transport modes to get to and from events will reduce travel time, traffic congestion, exhaust fumes, and parking problems. Reducing the impact of events on traffic congestion will reduce air, noise and emissions pollution. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk Newport has experience in managing major events, most recently with the Ryder Cup, which involved collaborative working between Gwent Police, Newport City Council, The Highways Agency, The Welsh Government, Ryder Cup Wales, The Celtic Manor Resort, local community groups, Emergency Services and other agencies. Therefore Newport has demonstrated a high level of capability in managing and delivering major events demonstrating this measure s feasibility. In order to further improve event management operations, the promotion of sustainable transport modes will be important, which will mean encouraging attendees to travel by bus, train or shuttle bus; car-sharing; cycling or walking. Providing public transport alternatives to the car during events will be the most deliverable way of reducing car use, thus reducing congestion and benefiting the environment. Encouraging people to make these transport choices can require collaboration between venue owners, transport companies, and local councils which requires a level of collaborative working and political commitment. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure would do much to reduce the impact of major events on traffic flows in and around Newport and help reduce traffic congestion on such occasions. Investment in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) will be required to aid the development of traffic management and operation systems. This measure will also rely on investment in public transport services and coordination with park and ride facilities to support the intentions to encourage more people to use public transport instead of the private car when travelling to events. 28

30 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 9: Better event management Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) This measure will improve event management in order to help reduce journey times and improve journey time reliability for both visitors and local businesses and communities. Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality This measure will benefit the regional economy by helping reduce the impact of events and any associated traffic congestion on the economy, whilst also helping to improve the travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. This measure will help reduce the potential impact of traffic congestion and thus reduce the potential for additional noise pollution in and around Newport area. This measure will help reduce the potential impact of traffic congestion and thus reduce the potential for additional air pollution in and around Newport area. This measure will help reduce the potential impact of traffic congestion and thus reduce the potential for additional vehicle emissions caused by traffic delays in and around Newport area. No additional land will be required for this measure. Beneficial to landscape by making walking routes attractive between city centre areas and venues. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and townscape Biodiversity This measure would not encounter any ecological impacts and thus does not require ecological surveys. Heritage This measure would not impact on any archaeologically sensitive features. Water environment This measure would not impact on the water environment. Soils This measure would not impact on soils. Social Transport safety Improved event management will help enhance road user safety. Personal security Event management planning would include measures to maximise personal security for those attending events. Permeability This scheme would be beneficial to pedestrians and cyclists in the Newport area by opening up attractive walking/cycling routes between venues and city centre areas. Physical fitness This measure could lead to a change in travel by encouraging a modal shift to use improved walking/cycling routes and reliable and frequent public transport for attendees on display of event ticket. Social inclusion Event management will promote the use of a range of modes of transport, thus promoting social inclusion. Equality, Diversity No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: This measure is likely to attract public support. Acceptability to other stakeholders: This measure is likely to attract political support. Technical and operational feasibility: This measure is technically and operationally feasible. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is affordable in the short term. Risks: This measure would require collaborative working between relevant delivery bodies to oversee the implementation of improved event management. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 29

31 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 10: Encourage use of alternative routes to M4 and Improve traffic management for diversion routes This measure would see the development and implementation of a traffic management, alternative routes and diversions plan that would actively promote the use of alternative routes to the M4 for east-west traffic. This collaborative plan would be developed to prioritise the use of the A465, A449, A470 and Southern Distributor Road (SDR) as alternative routes to reduce demand on the M4. It would be regularly monitored and updated in order to utilise the phased delivery of additional capacity along the A465, Steel Access Road (SAR) and SDR routes in particular. In practice, this measure would involve the proactive signing of traffic to use alternative routes depending on their end destination - in order to redistribute traffic and relieve the M4 of unnecessary capacity problems. At peak times and in event of incidents, this approach would require the effective management of traffic diversions onto these alternative routes. The provision of effective traffic information to road users not only assists motorists in making better travel decisions, but also enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of highway services. Particularly, in the event of traffic incidents, motorists might avoid traffic congestion and/or delays, through use of highway advisory devices e.g. Variable Message Signs (VMS) or website traffic information. Economic Impact Overall, the benefits of alternative routing include reductions in motorists journey times, vehicle operating costs, and accident costs across the whole highway network. Whilst redistributing traffic from the M4 onto alternative routes could have minor adverse impacts on some communities, generally reduced traffic congestion across the network would benefit accessibility to the urban centres and employment opportunities in Newport, Cardiff and beyond. Social Impact Redistributing M4 traffic onto less congested routes will help reduce driver stress and improve journey time reliability, where the alternative route is not significantly longer than the original route. However, if the redistribution adds congestion onto the local road network, accessibility to local services and facilities may be adversely affected. Environmental Impact The objective of redistributing a proportion of traffic from the M4 onto alternative routes will relieve the M4 corridor area of pollution and emissions. However it is acknowledged that whilst the measure would redistribute traffic pollution and thus reduce its impact, in terms of total pollution/emissions production this measure would not achieve total reductions. However, a benefit would be made considering there are likely to be less receptors and Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) on alternative routes. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk This measure is currently being delivered with added infrastructure (fibre/cctv/vms) being installed on A40/A449/A465/A470 routes known as the South Wales Box. Ultimately the success of promoting alternatives routes will require a committed planning and organisational effort in which several potential barriers must be addressed. These include: Lack of capacity on alternative routes; Potential inadequacy of alternative routes to manage increased demand (i.e. safety); Lack of traffic monitoring equipment and other Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) on the alternative route; Public opposition from existing users of the alternative route to the diversions; Possible loss of credibility in VMS usage should an undesirable level of congestion develop on the alternative route following a diversion. This measure would require better on-line assistance and information in response to traffic incidents. On-line traffic information is one of the crucial components that affect user s travel decisions and this measure would require earlier and more effective communication of alternative routes and incident diversions. The development of a diversion practice includes inherent capital costs, such as the purchase, deployment and management of portable and stationary Variable Message Signs (VMS). The M4 Magor to Castleton currently benefits from good provision of VMS technology, although alternative routes would require upgrades to ITS. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure will play an important role in the success of the core scheme and other traffic management measures in addressing traffic congestion on the M4. The effective transfer of a significant proportion of M4 traffic onto alternative routes with existing/enhanced/new capacity will be important to the success of this Package. At a delivery level, the use of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and Variable Message Signs (VMS) and Urban Traffic Control (UTC) systems will be central to efficient transport communications involved in the delivery of traffic diversions. 30

32 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 10: Encourage use of alternative routes to M4 and Improve traffic management for diversion routes Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) Encouraging the use of alternative routes to the M4, particularly during an event or incident, will help the movement of people and freight to the benefit of the local and regional economy. (++) Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality Promoting the A465, A449, A470 and SDR as strategic east-west alternative routes to the M4 will enhance employment opportunities and economies in communities adjacent to these corridors. This measure will help reduce noise pollution caused by traffic congestion on the M4, particularly during events or incidents. There could be an increase in levels along alternative routes, though this is likely to be negligible. This measure will help reduce air pollution caused by traffic congestion on the M4, particularly during events or incidents. There could be an increase in levels along alternative routes, though this is likely to be negligible. This measure will help reduce emissions caused by traffic congestion on the M4, particularly during events or incidents. There could be an increase in levels along alternative routes, though this is likely to be negligible. There are no negligible impacts on landscape and townscape. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and townscape Biodiversity There are no negligible impacts on biodiversity. Heritage There are no negligible impacts on heritage. Water environment There are no negligible impacts on water environment. Soils There are no negligible impacts on soils. Social Transport safety The use of alternative routes will redistribute traffic across the South Wales road network and improve traffic (++) safety, particularly at times of congestion during an incident or event affecting travel along the M4 corridor. Personal security No impact Permeability The scheme would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. Physical fitness This measure is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes. Social inclusion Redistributing M4 traffic onto less congested routes will help reduce driver stress and improve journey time reliability. However, if the redistribution adds congestion onto the local road network, accessibility to local services and facilities may be adversely affected. Equality, Diversity No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: Use of alternative routes, particularly during events or incidents affecting the M4 is likely to prove acceptable to the public. There is the possibility of opposition from communities located in close proximity to the alternative corridors. Acceptability to other stakeholders: This measure is likely to attract political support. Technical and operational feasibility: This measure is likely to be both technically and operationally feasible. A review of existing and forecast travel demand on alternative route corridors will be required. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is affordable and easily deliverable. Risks: There is a risk of alternative routes suffering from traffic congestion during diversions. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. (++) Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. (++) 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport (++) networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. (++) 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 31

33 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Diagram / Plan Measure 10: Encourage use of alternative routes to M4 and Improve traffic management for diversion routes 32

34 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 11: Introduce traffic signal lights coordination and control systems This measure would see a greenwave or Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system introduced on the Southern Distributor Road (SDR) that would improve traffic flows along the route. This would involve the introduction of traffic signals on a coordinated system so that drivers on the SDR would encounter long strings of green lights. Traffic flows on the SDR are currently lower than were predicted prior to opening. In part, this is due to the number of roundabouts disrupting mainline flows. More efficient control of the entry of traffic from minor routes would reduce this disruption as the roundabouts tend to disrupt main carriageway traffic flows by giving priority to circulating traffic. The SDR would be a more attractive alternative east-west traffic route if the main carriageway flows were given greater priority by signal control at all junctions. Such an arrangement would lend itself to the application of the greenwave principle to progress platoons of mainline traffic during peak periods. Coordinated systems are controlled from a master controller and are set up so lights cascade in sequence so platoons of vehicles can proceed through a continuous series of green lights. Benefits include increased traffic handling capacity of roads and improved journey times. Economic Impact This measure aims to utilise the existing highway infrastructure by ensuring optimum travel speeds while reducing delays thus helping to improve journey times and journey time reliability along the SDR. However, this in turn may cause additional congestion on the side road approaches to the SDR. The implementation of a controlled traffic signal network would provide flexibility to adapt to changes in traffic conditions on the ground, for example in the event of an incident where traffic is forced to divert onto alternative routes. Social Impact Traffic signal coordination attempts to reduce the number of stops and reduce accident potential, both vehicular and pedestrian. Improved traffic management systems are also likely to reduce driver stress. Environmental Impact Traffic signal coordination reduces unnecessary stopping and starting of traffic - this in turn reduces fuel consumption, air pollution, noise, and vehicle wear and tear. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk Some of the risks of traffic signal coordination are: It may attract additional traffic through the corridor; Maintenance and equipment costs may be high, based on the type of hardware and software used; and It requires qualified staff for maintenance and live monitoring of operations. For greenwave systems to effectively operate, traffic control signals should be within 800 metres of one another along a major corridor or in a network. Other factors such as grades, curves, and operating speeds may also need to be considered in conjunction with signal spacing. It should also be noted that coordination does not mean that there will be no delays for traffic, rather that the level of delay to mainline traffic is minimised. The most high-end greenwave systems use many sensors that cost hundreds of thousands of pounds per intersection, but can very finely control traffic levels. This may relieve the need for other high cost measures (like new roads) in the longer term which are even more expensive. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure will help to relieve the need for major capacity/infrastructure solutions if effective enough. When combined with other traffic management or public transport schemes it could help improve the operation of the highway network overall. However, controlling the SDR traffic signals to improve throughput of east-west mainline traffic could increase delays to local Newport traffic on side roads accessing the SDR. This measure will improve traffic management but will not offer significant increases in highway capacity. Major capacity/infrastructure solutions may prove more cost effective in the longer term, for example through grade-separation of key junctions along the SDR (see Alternatives Considered Workbook). 33

35 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 11: Introduce traffic signal lights coordination and control systems Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic This measure will help to improve journey times and journey time reliability to mainline SDR traffic by Efficiency (TEE) improving vehicle flow and reducing congestion. Traffic on SDR side roads may experience increased congestion as a result of this. Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality Anticipated improved journey times along the SDR will help improve accessibility to employment opportunities, services and facilities in the south of Newport. Traffic signal coordination can also reduce unnecessary stopping and starting of traffic, which in turn can reduce fuel consumption and vehicle wear and tear. Regulating vehicle speeds and maintaining traffic flows will help to limit noise levels, although the impact is likely to be negligible. Traffic signal coordination can reduce unnecessary stopping and starting of traffic - this in turn reduces air pollution. Traffic signal coordination can reduce unnecessary stopping and starting of traffic - this in turn reduces vehicle emissions. There are no impacts on landscape and townscape. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and townscape Biodiversity There are no impacts on biodiversity. Heritage There are no impacts on heritage. Water environment There are no impacts on water environment. Soils There are no impacts on soils. Social Transport safety Traffic signal coordination attempts to reduce the number of stops and reduce accident potential, both vehicular and pedestrian. Personal security No impact. Permeability The scheme would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability. Physical fitness This measure is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes although journey time reliability may encourage greater use of public transport for local trips. Social inclusion This measure attempts to reduce the number of stops and reduce accident potential, both vehicular and pedestrian. In addition, improved traffic management is likely to reduce driver stress. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: This measure is unlikely to attract public opposition. Acceptability to other stakeholders: This measure is unlikely to attract opposition from other stakeholders. Technical and operational feasibility: For greenwave systems to effectively operate, traffic control signals should be within 800 metres of one another along a major corridor or in a network. Other factors such as grades, curves, and operating speeds may also need to be considered in conjunction with signal spacing. Financial affordability and deliverability: The most high-end greenwave systems use many sensors that cost hundreds of thousands of pounds per intersection, but can very finely control traffic levels. This may relieve the need for other high cost measures (like new roads) in the longer term which are even more expensive. The measure would be deliverable following the upgrade of the SDR works. Risks: Some of the risks of traffic signal coordination are: It may attract additional traffic through the corridor; Maintenance and equipment costs may be high based on the type of hardware and software used; and It requires qualified staff for maintenance and live monitoring of traffic operations. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. (++) 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 34

36 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 12: Improve road management during times of poor weather Following two challenging winter periods that caused disruption to the UK transport network at a cost to the economy, this measure would see further improvement to winter service management. Newport City Council and the South Wales Trunk Road Agency (SWTRA) currently carry out road gritting and snow removal to minimise delays caused by adverse weather conditions and to aid road safety. Further improvements would see additional funds and resources provided to improve adverse weather planning. Investment would be aimed at further improvements to: Weather Forecasting and Monitoring; Road Condition Sensors (ICELERT); Road Weather Information Bureau Service; Maintenance of Weather Station Equipment; Route Planning; Maintenance of Facilities, Plant, Vehicles and Equipment; and Salt and Other De-icing Materials. Economic Impact Maintaining access for logistics companies, freight carriers and the labour force to employment centres is vital to limiting the impact of poor weather conditions on the economy. The insurance firm RSA estimates that disruption caused by poor weather costs the Welsh economy approximately 25m per day during the adverse climatic conditions with much of this cost arising from issues on the road network. Social Impact The winter service is provided to make journeys as safe as possible for the conditions and keep any delays caused by adverse weather to a minimum. Improving the road conditions for users aims to minimise accidents and maintain accessibility for communities to important services and facilities. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk The motorway and trunk roads are maintained by SWTRA and local roads are serviced by local authorities. Welsh Government funds the M4 winter maintenance service and each year Newport City Council spends approximately 300,000 on Winter Maintenance in the local authority area, salting strategic routes and providing snow clearance during severe weather. However they are only able to act within resource availability. Further improvement would require additional funding to the winter service team, to limit the impact of severe weather conditions affecting the economy. The level of resources required to address poor weather conditions is often difficult to anticipate, when weather patterns during the winter period vary year on year. While there are good prospects for improving seasonal forecasting (which will be valuable for salt supply planning), progress on long term decadal forecasting to inform investment decisions is still some way off. Important to operating an efficient winter service is communication between local authorities, service providers, the highways authority, communities and the emergency services. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure would benefit the tackling of traffic congestion problems during extreme weather events most commonly experienced during the peak winter months. The winter service team would need to focus on the operation of the whole transport network, including any new highway infrastructure. Environmental Impact Unsurprisingly, severe weather conditions actually reduce the number of vehicles travelling on the roads, thus reducing pollution levels directly created by traffic. However, the mass production, demand and distribution of salt/gritting material do come at a cost to the environment. 35

37 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 12: Improve road management during times of poor weather Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) This measure will improve winter management to maintain traffic movements and help prevent traffic incidents, which will reduce the impact of poor weather conditions on travel times and thus on the Welsh economy. Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) This measure will benefit the regional economy by helping reduce the impact of poor weather and potential incidents and associated traffic congestion on the economy. Environment Noise This measure will help reduce the impact of delays and thus reduce the potential for additional noise pollution. Local Air Quality This measure will help reduce the impact of delays and thus reduce the potential for additional air pollution. Greenhouse Gas This measure will help reduce the impact of delays and thus reduce additional vehicle emissions. Emissions Landscape and This measure does not impact on landscape or townscape in the proposed area however additional landscape costs townscape may be associated with the sourcing of grit and salt elsewhere. Biodiversity This measure could cause high salt concentrations which may have an adverse effect on vegetation species. (-) Heritage This measure would not impact on any archaeologically sensitive features. Water environment Salting can change water quality due to increased levels of chloride. (-) Soils This measure would not impact on soils. Social Transport safety Improved winter management will help improve road user safety. Personal security The package is unlikely to have any impact on personal security. Permeability The scheme would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. Physical fitness The package of measures is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes. Social inclusion This measure improves the road conditions for users, aims to minimise accidents and maintain accessibility for communities to important services and facilities. No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: This measure is likely to attract public support. Acceptability to other stakeholders: This measure is likely to attract political support. Technical and operational feasibility: This measure is technically and operationally feasible. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is affordable in the short term. Risks: This measure would require collaborative working between relevant delivery bodies to oversee the implementation of improved highway network management during poor weather conditions. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 36

38 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 13: Manage HGV traffic This measure would see the greater regulation of HGV traffic on the M4 and local road network. In order to reduce delays caused by HGVs on the motorway and to make sure that HGV movement takes place on main roads to reduce the adverse impact of lorries in locations that are inappropriate for them, a phased HGV traffic management plan would be developed and implemented which may include: Distinctive HGV signing to encourage HGV traffic to use suitable alternative routes to the M4, depending on their destination; Development of a Freight Consolidation Centre for Newport to reduce retail deliveries to the city centre; HGV priority on major roads by introducing a vehicle priority lane scheme that allows HGVs the use of bus lanes where appropriate; On the motorway, prohibit certain vehicle types from overtaking; Fuel, parking and overnight stopping in suitable locations to discourage drivers leaving primary routes; and HGV weight or width restrictions to protect sensitive areas, towns and village centres, residential streets and rural lanes from the nuisance and danger caused by lorries, where better alternative routes exist. Slow moving HGV traffic and abnormal loads are often perceived to cause delays and safety concerns to car users on the motorway, as well as local road network. In particular the problems are perceived to be exacerbated when HGV traffic use running lanes to overtake other slow moving vehicles. Economic Impact The prohibiting of certain vehicle types from overtaking on the motorway and priority of HGVs on major roads (such as use of bus lanes), would see reduced congestion and improved journey time reliability for the majority of users. However, many HGVs operate fuel efficiency measures in terms of speed control, which may be adversely impacted by motorway lane restrictions. Social Impact Restricting HGVs to nearside motorway lanes and encouraging the use of priority lanes on the local road network will help reduce safety concerns. Reducing the impact of HGVs on local roads will also improve access to local facilities and services. Environmental Impact Many HGVs operate fuel efficiency practices by maintaining constant speed control. Motorway lane restrictions may hinder these practices and increase fuel consumption. However, by improving vehicle flows on the motorway and local road network overall; this would limit the impact of vehicles on pollution. However, levels would not improve significantly without a reduction in traffic volume, which this measure would not facilitate. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk In 2010 the government considered changing the law to prohibit all HGVs over 3.5 tonnes from using the fast lanes of motorways, and restricting their speed to 60mph. Goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes are already subject to a 60mph limit on motorways, and may not use the outside lane. The government has proposed banning all HGVs from the right-hand lane of motorways before, citing the impact on traffic congestion rather than variations in the road laws. In 2011 the measures were not implemented following a formal consultation with the Department for Transport (DfT) stating that the refusal of proposals for amending motorway speed limits and the extra 3rd lane use prohibitions for certain heavier vehicles is partly because it had not been possible to properly identify sufficient benefits that would outweigh the costs incurred in making such regulatory changes. More established and successful interventions include the Lorry Control Scheme in London, which takes the form of temporary controls on the movement of any heavy goods vehicles over 18 tonnes maximum gross weight at night and at weekends. The restrictions are in place on the use of heavy goods vehicles to help minimise noise pollution in residential areas during unsocial hours through restricted use of these roads. Successful Freight Consolidation Centre schemes have been implemented in the UK and Europe and have been shown to reduce the number of HGVs in city centres. However, effective operation requires support from local retailers and coordination with national supply chains which may be difficult to achieve in the short term. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure would help the Package address safety issues on the M4 and local road network by better managing conflicts between HGV and general traffic. In addition, this measure would help reduce traffic congestion on the M4 by redistributing HGV traffic along alternative routes. The improvements to the SDR and promotion of suitable alternative routes to the M4 will allow for HGV traffic to be signed to use such routes, depending on their destination. This would relieve the M4 of a proportion of HGV traffic, which will help reduce traffic congestion and associated environmental impacts. 37

39 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 13: Manage HGV traffic Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) Managing HGV traffic on the motorway and local highway network will see improved journey time reliability for the majority of users. Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Many HGVs operate fuel efficiency measures in terms of speed control, which may be adversely impacted by motorway lane restrictions in particular. However, HGV use of bus lanes where appropriate on the local road network would help improve local accessibility and movement of freight. Environment Noise Any impact on noise levels is anticipated to be negligible. Local Air Quality Any impact on air pollution levels is anticipated to be negligible. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Any impact on vehicle emissions is anticipated to be negligible. Landscape and This measure would protect sensitive areas, towns and village centres, residential streets and rural lanes from the townscape nuisance and danger caused by HGV weight or width. Biodiversity There would be no impacts on biodiversity thus no ecological surveys need to be conducted. Heritage This measure would not impact on heritage. Water environment This measure would not impact on water environment. Soils This measure would not impact on soils. Social Transport safety Reducing HGV and general traffic conflict will help improve road safety conditions. Personal security There would be no significant personal security impacts. Permeability The scheme would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. Physical fitness This measure is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes. Social inclusion This measure improves the road conditions for users, aims to minimise accidents and maintain accessibility for communities to important services and facilities. No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: The general public are likely to support this measure which will help reduce HGV and general traffic conflict on the road network. Acceptability to other stakeholders: Many HGVs operate fuel efficiency practices by maintaining constant speed control. Motorway lane restrictions may hinder these practices and increase fuel consumption this may attract opposition from logistics companies. Technical and operational feasibility: The provision of HGV management measures is unlikely to pose any technical or operational challenges. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure would be affordable and deliverable following the phased upgrade of the SDR, which would provide additional road capacity to the benefit of accommodating traffic management measures. Risks: Regulatory changes will require commitment from Welsh Government. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 38

40 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 14: Use of ramp metering Subject to further assessment this measure would potentially see ramp metering at one or more of the following motorway entry slip roads (ramps): at J24; eastbound at J25; at J26; at J27; eastbound at J25a; at J28; westbound at Junction 29a (A48M). The present criteria for assessing the suitability of a site relates to both the traffic and physical characteristics of the site. It is anticipated that not all the sites listed would be suitable in the current state without modification to the physical site or without changes in traffic characteristics over time. Ramp metering is a method by which traffic seeking to gain access to a busy highway is controlled at the access (merge) point via traffic signals. This control aims to maximise the capacity of the highway and prevent traffic flow breakdown and the onset of congestion. The key features that would be introduced are: Economic Impact Perhaps the most comprehensive international study of the effectiveness of ramp metering as a traffic management tool was carried out by Minnesota Department of Transport in In response to a small number of local groups opposed to the use of ramp metering the Department of Transport turned off all 430 ramp metering sites in the Minneapolis/St Paul metropolitan area for six weeks to carry out an evaluation exercise. The results showed that highway speeds decreased by 14% (7.4mph), overall journey times increased compared with the ramp metering in operation, and journey travel was nearly twice as unreliable, whilst collisions increased by 26%. Therefore it is considered that ramp metering, where suitable along the M4 and A48M, would clearly bring journey time benefits and accident savings. Social Impact The controlled access of vehicles onto the motorway helps improve safety conditions. As demonstrated in Minnesota, collisions increased by 26% when ramp metering was discontinued for a 6 week period. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk Managing access to the motorway network can have a knock-on effect on the neighbouring local road network, which needs to be taken into account in the design of a specific scheme. Ramp metering is already established and a proven benefit in the UK, where it has been successfully used on motorways at 30 sites, including the M42, in parts of the Midlands and the North, where it has been shown to reduce congestion and improve journey times on the motorway. It is also widely used in the United States, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure would help to improve travel conditions on the M4 and SDR by controlling access to the motorway. Traffic light signals on the entry slip road; Vehicle detection on the motorway main line and entry slip road to monitor congestion; Control equipment with control algorithms, which can adjust the timing of the lights based on traffic detected to help prevent queues from forming on the main carriageway; and Warning signs on the slip road. Environmental Impact Helping maintain the flow of traffic and reducing congestion on the motorway will ultimately limit the impact of vehicles on pollution. However, levels would not improve significantly without a reduction in traffic volume, which this measure would not facilitate. 39

41 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 14: Use of ramp metering Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic It is anticipated that ramp metering, where appropriate, would bring journey time benefits and accident savings. Efficiency (TEE) Economic Activity Journey time savings through ramp metering would represent an economic benefit. There is also the potential for and Location Impact there to be localised queuing though, given that further study would be required before implementing ramp metering, the economic impact would be expected to be negligible. (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality Greenhouse Gas Emissions This measure will help maintain the flow of traffic and reduce congestion on the motorway and thus reduce the potential for additional noise pollution. However, levels would not improve significantly without a reduction in traffic volume, which this measure would not facilitate. This measure will help maintain the flow of traffic and reduce congestion on the motorway and thus reduce the potential for additional air pollution. However, levels would not improve significantly without a reduction in traffic volume, which this measure would not facilitate. This measure will help to reduce congestion and maintain the flow of traffic. This will enable motorway traffic to operate more efficiently with consequent reduction in emissions. However, levels would not improve significantly without a reduction in traffic volume, which this measure would not facilitate. This measure would not impact on landscape and townscape. Landscape and townscape Biodiversity This measure would not encounter any ecological impacts and thus does not require ecological surveys. Heritage This measure would not impact on any archaeologically sensitive features. Water environment This measure would not impact on water environment. Soils This measure would not impact on soils. Social Transport safety The controlled access of vehicles onto the motorway will help improve safety conditions. Personal security No impact. Permeability This measure would not affect a number of existing public rights of way and local routes and thus not affecting pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians. Physical fitness This measure is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes. Social inclusion Local accessibility may be affected by ramp metering. Any potentially negative effects would be mitigated prior to implementing ramp metering. This measure could encourage people to find alternative routes for local journeys. Equality, Diversity No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: The general public are likely to support this measure which will improve traffic flows on the motorway network. Where ramp metering may cause queuing and impact on the local road network there may be opposition from some local communities. Acceptability to other stakeholders: This measure is likely to improve traffic flows on the motorway network and therefore is likely to attract support from logistics companies who use the M4 to transport freight. Technical and operational feasibility: This measure is likely to be feasible following the completed upgrading of the SDR to help lock in added capacity. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure would to be deliverable following the completed upgrading of the SDR. Risks: Managing access to the motorway network can have a knock-on effect on the neighbouring local road network, which needs to be taken into account in the design of a specific scheme. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 40

42 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 15: Electrification of Great Western Main Line (GWML) from London to Swansea This measure would see the Welsh Government support electrification of the Great Western Main Line (GWML) from London to Swansea. At present, the only electrified portion of the Great Western is between London Paddington and Airport Junction (west of Hayes and Harlington), equipped with a 25 kv AC overhead system, which was implemented for the Heathrow Express service. The electrification will be extended from Airport Junction to Maidenhead under the Crossrail scheme. Transport Secretary Philip Hammond announced on 1 March 2011 that electrification would go ahead between London and Cardiff but that the business case for electrification to Swansea had not been made. Trains will switch to diesel power as they leave Cardiff. Compared to diesel, electrified trains are faster, quieter and greener. They are also more reliable and cause less wear on the track, saving maintenance costs. In the longer term, electrification could be implemented on the South Wales Valley lines further enhancing rail services and encouraging modal shift from the car. The Department for Transport and Network Rail will work closely with the Welsh Government to develop a business case for the scheme and to ensure that plans for electrifying the GWML are coordinated with the Assembly s own plans for rail rolling stock in the future Wales and Borders franchise. Economic Impact Journey time savings on the rail network can be made due to the superior performance of electric traction. Journey time savings of up to 15% have been achieved elsewhere by electrification. Time savings of around 20 minutes could be expected on journeys between Cardiff and London Paddington, compared with current journey times. Electrified track is more cost effective for carrying freight loads, whilst electric trains are lighter, faster and do less damage to the track helping create a more reliable railway for passengers. Electrification between Swansea and Cardiff would also enhance access to South Wales markets from Newport and beyond. It is envisaged that electrification would help encourage modal change and reduce the reliance on the private vehicle. This would aim to reduce traffic volumes and relieve congestion problems along the M4 corridor. Social Impact Electric trains have more capacity in terms of seating compared to diesel trains of the same length. More seats Electric trains can offer improved journey ambiance and faster journey times which could have a positive impact in providing a safe, comfortable and efficient alternative to the car. Improving access to important UK cities and the Valleys network by public transport will both improve accessibility to communities, facilities and services, and promote social equity. Environmental Impact Electric trains perform better than diesel trains, with electric trains emitting 20-35% less carbon per passenger than a diesel train. There are zero emissions at the point of use, helping improve air quality in pollution hot spots such as city centres and main line stations. Electric trains are also quieter than diesel trains and are virtually silent when waiting at stations, reducing noise pollution particularly at train stations. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk To date, a 1bn electrification of the GWML between London and Cardiff has been confirmed to take place. In November 2010, the Transport Secretary gave the go-ahead for the line from Oxford via Didcot and Newbury to London to be electrified in the next six years. On 1 st March 2011, it was announced that rail electrification from Didcot Parkway to Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central would go ahead, due to be completed during The section linking Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads would also be electrified. The Department for Transport (DfT) is currently considering the case for extending electrification to Swansea. The benefits of electrification are high, with electric trains being less costly to buy, operate and maintain than diesels, requiring less servicing and having lower energy costs. Electrification can lead to a reduction of operating and maintenance costs of 20-30% per annum compared to the existing situation. To deliver GWML electrification, Network Rail would use modern construction techniques to minimise the inconvenience to passengers through utilising high-tech factory of trains and extensively using overnight closures of less than eight hours. The electrification of the Severn Tunnel will be technically complex. Line-side assets will also require greater maintenance. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure aims to support Package 2 in helping to reduce traffic volumes in the longer term by encouraging modal shift for long distance journeys onto rail. The possible future electrification to Swansea would also benefit the transfer of road freight onto rail, through improving the efficiency of long distance journeys, providing signalling and rolling stock are provided to meet the anticipated service frequencies and patronage demands. There may be scope for the possible future electrification of the South Wales Valleys following delivery of this measure which could also help encourage modal shift for shorter journeys too. In the longer term, should the benefits of highway improvement measures that form Package 2 be outweighed by traffic volume increases investment in public transport improvements could prove important to helping tackle traffic congestion in a sustainable manner. 41

43 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 15: Electrification of Great Western Main Line (GWML) from London to Swansea Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) Journey time savings of up to 15% have been achieved on the rail network elsewhere by electrification. It is envisaged that modal change would reduce the reliance on the private vehicle, reduce traffic volumes and Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise improve journey time reliability on the M4 corridor. Electrification would reduce barriers to economic activity and employment in South East Wales, particularly for areas of the South Wales Valleys where access to employment can be time consuming and public transport timetables do not fit well with working hours. Electric trains are quieter than diesel trains and are virtually silent when waiting at stations. The direct impact on the M4 corridor would be negligible, although should modal change reduce traffic volumes, there would also be benefits to noise reduction. Local Air Quality Electrification would help improve air quality in pollution hot spots such as city centres and main line stations. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and townscape Electric trains perform better than diesel trains, with electric trains emitting 20-30% less carbon per passenger than a diesel train. Electrification would require infrastructure works to upgrade the GWML and Valley Lines. There is likely to be a need to alter or replace some bridges and other structures to accommodate gauge clearance. However, the impact on the landscape is likely to be negligible. Biodiversity Works would take place on the existing network. As such the impact of electrification would be negligible. Heritage Works would take place on the existing network. As such the impact of electrification would be negligible. Water environment Works would take place on the existing network. As such the impact of electrification would be negligible. Soils There are no impacts on soils. Social Transport safety This measure provides a safe alternative to the car. Personal security This measure does not impact on personal security. Permeability Physical fitness Social inclusion This scheme would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. Encouraging people to use trains as an alternative mode of transport to the private vehicle may encourage people to walk short distances between a station and end destination which would improve health and wellbeing. This measure could have a major impact through the M4 corridor in providing a comfortable and efficient alternative to the car. Improving access to important UK cities and the Valleys network by public transport will both improve accessibility to communities, facilities and services, and promote social equity. Equality, Diversity This could offer great opportunities for non-motorists. & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: Electrification brings large benefits and is likely to be supported by the public. Acceptability to other stakeholders: Electrification is supported by the Welsh Government and environmental groups, whilst this measure is currently being considered by the DfT. Technical and operational feasibility: The delivery of GWML electrification to Swansea is feasible, although the electrification of the Severn Tunnel will be technically complex. Financial affordability and deliverability: The delivery of GWML electrification will need to demonstrate a business case. It is likely that delivery could be achieved in the medium term. Risks: There are unlikely to be any major barriers to implementation, although political support and government finance would be required. (++) (++) 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. (++) Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of (++) 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport (++) 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. (++) 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. (++) 42

44 Measure 15: Electrification of Great Western Main Line (GWML) from London to Swansea Committed and Potential Electrification M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Diagram / Plan 43

45 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 16: Provide additional train services to the north of Cardiff This measure would see an increase of services to the north of Cardiff and the South Wales Cardiff Valleys. This would be achieved through a variety of works throughout the Cardiff Valleys network. This measure is likely to reduce congestion travelling into Cardiff and the Valleys. An existing proposal by the Department for Transport (DfT) is for the provision of an extra 600 seats per hour into Cardiff through the high morning peak-hour, by This would be attained by lengthening trains and achieving an increase to 16 trains per hour from the current 12 trains per hour cap, through the Queen Street north to Cogan Junction central corridor. Cardiff Area Signal Renewal (CASR) plans to improve and upgrade the standard of services available on the Valleys lines, through station upgrades at Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Barry. This would support an improvement in services to the north of Cardiff. In addition, further expansion of the network in the future may include a passenger service extension from Aberdare to Hirwaun, and potentially a large Park & Ride at Abercynon station. In addition to central corridor works (between Queen Street and Cogan Junction), the introduction of south facing bay platforms will be necessary at Pontypridd and Caerphilly in order to deliver service enhancements. Self-containment of Cardiff Bay shuttle services at Cardiff Queen Street, by means of an east-side bay platform, will also be necessary. Double tracking of the Treforest curve at Canton will be required, and also a depot enlargement to cater for stabling of a significantly larger fleet in the long-term. At Cardiff Central an additional platform will be needed for Valleys use, in order to accommodate increased operating services. Some measures have already been successfully implemented, such as the additional half hourly service from Merthyr Tydfil to Cardiff. Economic Impact Increased capacity, frequency and reliability of services will encourage more commuters to travel into Cardiff via the train network. It should also ease congestion into Cardiff city centre, benefiting commuters and businesses alike. This measure would specifically benefit local accessibility. More services may also encourage commuters that travel further afield, beyond Newport, to switch to train travel should it be more frequent and reliable with better train connections. Social Impact This measure aims to provide more frequent services, targeted at the northern side of the Cardiff city region, and taking in the biggest population areas in the Valleys themselves at Pontypridd and Caerphilly. This will directly benefit people living in these communities by increasing transport mode choice and providing a quality public transport alternative for those without access to a car. Environmental Impact This measure would encourage modal shift of commuters from cars to trains, which will help reduce private vehicle use on Valleys roads into Cardiff and the associated pollution and emissions. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk Provision for long-term Valleys growth has been anticipated by means of a suite of major joint DfT/Welsh Government funded enhancements to the Cardiff Area Signal Renewal programme. The draft determination by the Office of Rail Regulation in July 2008 confirmed the 19 million capital funding allocation for this objective. It is recommended that these continue in development in order to synchronise with the signals renewals programme - which is unlikely to be revised again until The cost of the South Wales Resignalling programme is being met by Network Rail at an estimated 400m. Within that, the Cardiff Area Resignalling is estimated to cost some 200m. The cost of the additional enhancement programme for Queen Street-Cardiff Central-Cogan Junction is over 30m. The Welsh Assembly Government will meet the 7m costs of the works at Caerphilly, Pontypridd and Barry. Further work by the key rail delivery bodies to confirm infrastructure costing continues. Providing additional train services to the north of Cardiff will require expansion of the network including station upgrades, which will demand feasibility and risk studies at an individual project delivery level. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues Delivered in isolation, improving services to the north of Cardiff would improve accessibility to a large population into Cardiff and on to Newport and beyond; but would do little to reduce traffic congestion problems on the M4 alone. Although this measure would encourage modal shift from car to rail in communities to the north of Cardiff, this measure would rely heavily upon highway schemes including alternative route promotion and delivery of additional highway capacity along the SDR to reduce traffic congestion along the M4 corridor as part of this Package. 44

46 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 16: Provide additional train services to the north of Cardiff Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) Improving rail services north of Cardiff will benefit journey time reliability and accessibility to strategic locations from communities in the northern Cardiff and Valleys areas. Should this measure encourage modal shift, Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise improved congestion and journey time reliability would also be expected on the M4 network. Operating additional services north of Cardiff will help improve accessibility to employment opportunities and labour forces in the South Wales Valleys. Improving accessibility between the Valleys and Cardiff will help boost the local and regional economy. Whilst running additional services would increase noise pollution, this measure will aim to encourage car users to shift their journeys onto rail. The use of electric trains in the longer term would help reduce noise pollution. Local Air Quality Whilst running additional services would increase air pollution, this measure will aim to encourage car users to shift their journeys onto rail. The use of electric trains in the longer term would help reduce air pollution. Greenhouse Gas Whilst running additional services would increase train vehicle emissions, this measure will aim to encourage car Emissions users to shift their journeys onto rail. The use of electric trains in the longer term would help reduce emissions. Landscape and No additional land will be required for this measure. There will be no impacts on landscape and townscape. townscape Biodiversity This measure would not encounter any ecological impacts and thus does not require ecological surveys. Heritage This measure would not impact on any archaeologically sensitive features. Water environment This measure would not impact on the water environment. This measure would be designed to have no adverse impact on flood risk. Soils This measure would not impact on soils. Social Transport safety This measure is likely to reduce the congestion travelling to Cardiff and the Valleys which will help enhance road user safety. Personal security No impact. Permeability The scheme would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. Physical fitness This measure is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active mode. Social inclusion This measure will directly benefit communities living in the Valleys in Pontypridd and Caerphilly and northern side of Cardiff by improving transport mode choice and local accessibility and thus benefit social equity. Nonmotorists in the Valley areas and northern Cardiff will have better access to public transport services. Equality, Diversity No impact. & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: This measure is likely to attract public support. Acceptability to other stakeholders: This measure is likely to attract political support. Technical and operational feasibility: This measure would require a comprehensive series of network enhancements to accommodate additional capacity. A number of station upgrades and corridor works will be required, although such individual projects are likely to be feasible. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is affordable in the short to medium term. Risks: This measure would require collaborative working with train operators and Network Rail. (++) 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. (++) 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 45

47 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Diagram / Plan Package 2: At-grade improvements to the Newport Southern Distributor Road (SDR) Measure 16: Provide additional train services to the north of Cardiff 46

48 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 17: Introduce Ebbw Vale rail link to Newport This measure would see the introduction of an hourly Ebbw Vale to Newport train service, in addition to the present Ebbw Vale to Cardiff service. An extension of the line from its current terminus station, Ebbw Vale Parkway, northwards into the town centre of Ebbw Vale is also under consideration. The Newport-Ebbw Vale service will be made possible by the upgrade of the eastern chord between Park Junction and Gaer Junction to passenger-signalled standards, together with the Main Lines facing crossover at Gaer Junction, and a turnback facility to use at or adjacent to Newport station. The longer-term upgrade of the branch on the Great Western Main Line (GWML) between Newport station and Gaer Junction would enable an additional hourly service to operate between Ebbw Vale and Newport. A short extension of the line northwards beyond the initial Ebbw Vale Parkway station into the town centre of Ebbw Vale would also be considered in the longer term. Economic Impact This measure would make Newport more accessible by train to commuters from the Ebbw Valley. This may increase business opportunities in Newport and access to employment within the Ebbw Valley area. Linking Ebbw Vale town centre, through an extension of the existing line at Ebbw Vale Parkway, may enhance this impact further, and furthermore, support regeneration activity in Ebbw Vale and the development of the Enterprise Zone. It is worthy of note that services from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff have attracted high levels of patronage. Social Impact Introducing an Ebbw Vale to Newport service would make services, facilities and employment centres in Newport more accessible to communities in the Ebbw Valley. Park & Ride facilities at stations, such as Ebbw Vale Parkway, will allow for car users, cyclists and bus users to access train services from the local area into Newport. Additional stations that may be opened (e.g. Ebbw Vale town centre station) would improve this further. Environmental Impact This measure would enhance travel choices and encourage modal shift thus relieving congestion and associated environmental impacts along routes between Ebbw Vale and Newport. One such area that may benefit from eased congestion due to an Ebbw Vale Newport train service could be Junction 28 of the M4, where the main road from Ebbw Vale to Newport (A467/A4046) meets the A48 bringing traffic from the West (Cardiff) into Newport, and also the M4 junction to head East (around Newport) or West (towards Cardiff and beyond). This may also serve the wider community in the area, with Park & Ride facilities at stations (such as Rogerstone with car park facilities and cycle storage facilities) encouraging commuters to access the train services to then travel congestion free into Newport. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk February 2008 saw the introduction of new hourly train services running directly between Cardiff Central and six new stations at Rogerstone, Risca, Crosskeys, Newbridge, Llanhilleth and Ebbw Vale Parkway, over a former single-track freight line. The current Ebbw Vale to Cardiff service exceeded passenger demand forecasts when it opened it early 2008 demonstrating the actual commercial viability of this measure. This proposed service would increase frequencies on the branch line and would have a capacity implication on mainline services through Newport, as the GWML would have to additionally accommodate the extra hourly services over the single-track eastern chord between Park Junction and Gaer Junction (currently a freight-only line) and then into Newport station. This measure will rely upon the completion of the Gaer Junction reinstatement scheme. This currently has approval from Welsh Government. The extension of the line into the town centre of Ebbw Vale is currently undergoing feasibility studies independently of the Ebbw Vale to Newport scheme. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues Delivered in isolation, improving services to Newport from the Ebbw Valley would improve accessibility to a large population; and may help reduce traffic levels using Junction 28; but it could have a limited impact on reducing traffic congestion problems on the M4 as a whole. As part of Package 2, delivered with other rail improvements this measure would aim to encourage modal shift from car to rail in communities to the north of Newport. This measure would primarily benefit local accessibility, whilst also increasing and improving opportunities for long distance service interchange from Newport station for communities north of Newport. 47

49 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 17: Introduce Ebbw Vale rail link to Newport Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) Developing rail services between Newport and Ebbw Vale will improve journey time reliability and accessibility to communities north of Newport. Should this measure encourage modal shift, improved congestion and journey Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality time reliability would also be expected on the M4 network. Improving links north of Newport will help improve accessibility to employment opportunities and labour forces in the Ebbw Vale area. Improving accessibility between Ebbw Vale and Newport will help boost the local and regional economy. Whilst running additional services would increase noise pollution, this measure will aim to encourage car users to shift their journeys onto rail. The use of electric trains in the longer term would help reduce noise pollution. Whilst running additional services would increase air pollution, this measure will aim to encourage car users to shift their journeys onto rail. The use of electric trains in the longer term would help reduce air pollution. Whilst running additional services would increase train vehicle emissions, this measure will aim to encourage car users to shift their journeys onto rail. The use of electric trains in the longer term would help reduce emissions. No additional land will be required for this measure. There will be no impacts on landscape and townscape. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and townscape Biodiversity This measure would not encounter any ecological impacts and thus does not require ecological surveys. Heritage This measure would not impact on any archaeologically sensitive features. Water environment This measure would be designed to have no adverse impact on flood risk. Soils This measure will likely cause no impact on the soil environment. Social Transport safety This measure is likely to relieve the congestion along routes between Ebbw Vale and Newport which will help enhance road user safety. In addition, trains are generally considered to be a safer form of transport than road, with fewer accidents per km. It is therefore expected that with the modal shift achieved, this measure will result in a positive impact. Personal security No impact. Permeability Physical fitness Social inclusion The measure would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. A modal shift towards public transport often means that people use active forms of transport at the beginning and/or end of their journey. It is therefore, likely that the modal shift which can be expected from this measure will lead to improvements in physical fitness. This measure would make services, facilities and employment centres in Newport more accessible to communities in the Ebbw Valley which will benefit social equity. No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: This measure is likely to attract public support. Acceptability to other stakeholders: This measure is likely to attract political support. Technical and operational feasibility: This measure is technically and operationally feasible. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is affordable in the short to medium term. Risks: This measure would require collaborative working with train operators and Network Rail. (++) 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. (++) 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 48

50 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Diagram / Plan Package 2: At-grade improvements to the Newport Southern Distributor Road (SDR) Measure 17: Introduce Ebbw Vale rail link to Newport 49

51 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 18: Train lengthening This measure would increase the length of trains that are operating services through South Wales, in order to provide extra capacity on the network and attract greater patronage on targeted rail services. Train lengthening will increase capacity of rail services in peak hours to and from the main commuter centres of Cardiff, Newport and Bristol. Current services between Cardiff and Bristol Temple Meads in particular are overcrowded at peak times and an increase in train length would provide extra capacity for passengers. Network Rail shows demand for rail has increased in Bristol by 90% over the last 10 years, with 11 million passengers travelling to and from the city annually. A significant part of the commuter population into Bristol comes from South Wales Cardiff, Newport and Severn Tunnel Junction with passenger numbers predicted to increase further into the future. Train lengthening would help to cope with this predicted growth, as well as current overcrowding issues, especially if supported by increased train frequencies. The future electrification of the Great Western Main Line to Cardiff will provide more reliable and faster trains, and could improve services between South Wales and Bristol once the route is electrified. This could also act to help ease current overcrowding, making train travel more appealing to commuters who currently use private vehicles along the M4. Economic Impact Increasing the length of trains will provide extra capacity for commuters during peak travel times. This may encourage greater patronage and help train services become more commercially attractive for operators. If capacity improvements facilitate modal shift, this could have economic benefits by reducing the costs of traffic congestion. Social Impact Increased length of trains would provide a greater capacity for passengers on trains and reduce overcrowding. This will make the experience of train travel more appealing helping reduce passenger stress. Reducing overcrowding may also help passengers to feel safer when travelling. Increasing the level of transport choice will also benefit social equity. Environmental Impact This measure may see a shift of commuters from car travel to train travel, helping reduce car use and the associated emissions and pollution along the M4 corridor. Electrification will also help reduce vehicle noise and air pollution, particularly whilst waiting at stations. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk Existing peak hour services between Newport and Bristol are crowded, indicating there is a significant commuter market between the Newport area and Bristol. The measure is also likely to be acceptable - the South West Rail Planning Assessment suggests that lengthening existing crowded trains is recommended to cope with the significant movement of commuters into Bristol by rail and car from South Wales. The Cardiff Area Signalling Renewal investment and platform lengthening programme means that the South Wales Valleys network is currently being prepared to cope with longer trains running into Cardiff from the Valleys. The planned electrification of the Great Western Main Line, due to be completed by 2017, will also include the route from Cardiff to Bristol Temple Meads. This will give opportunity to introduce new electrified trains with higher seating capacity, which will help ease overcrowding and passenger comfort. Consideration of the current franchise arrangement is required for delivery purposes. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues Lengthening trains between Cardiff and Bristol may offer an alternative to increasing train frequency for this route, which could be difficult to deliver should there be feasibility issues with upgrading current infrastructure and signalling. Rolling stock provision and replacement needs to be integrated with plans for electrification and capacity improvement where required. At a higher level, lengthening trains would facilitate and attract greater patronage; but would do little to reduce traffic congestion problems on the M4 if delivered alone. Although this measure would encourage modal shift from car to rail, this measure would still rely heavily upon other investments in rail service quality. Ultimately, this measure relies upon the delivery of major highway projects to enhance capacity and reduce traffic congestion along the M4 corridor as part of this Package. The lengthening of trains could play a more important role in the longer term to address anticipated population and demand growth. 50

52 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 18: Train lengthening Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) Lengthening trains on key services will provide additional capacity, aiming to facilitate additional passengers and make travelling by train a better experience. Whilst this measure will enhance accessibility by rail, it could also Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise encourage modal shift and thus improve congestion and journey time reliability on the M4 network. Providing additional capacity on the rail network would aim to encourage greater patronage levels, thus reducing capacity demand on the highway network and reducing the threat of traffic congestion to the Welsh economy. Increasing carriages on existing rail services can help to reduce car use and thus reduce associated noise pollution along the M4 corridor. Local Air Quality Increasing carriages on existing rail services can help to reduce car use and thus improve local air quality along the M4 corridor. Greenhouse Gas Increasing carriages on existing rail services can help to reduce car use and thus reduce CO² emissions along the Emissions M4 corridor. Landscape and Increasing carriages on existing rail services is likely to have a negligible impact on landscape and townscape. In townscape some locations platform extension at stations will be required to accommodate additional carriages. Biodiversity Increasing carriages on existing rail services is likely to have a negligible impact on biodiversity. Heritage Increasing carriages on existing rail services is likely to have a negligible impact on heritage. Water environment This measure would not impact on the water environment. This measure would be designed to have no adverse impact on flood risk. Soils Increasing carriages on existing rail services is likely to have a negligible impact on soils. Social Transport safety Train is generally considered to be a safer form of transport than road, with fewer accidents per km. It is therefore expected that with the modal shift achieved, this measure will result in a positive impact. Personal security No impact. Permeability Physical fitness Social inclusion The measure would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. This measure could cause a modal shift from car travel to train travel and maybe even encourage people to take the bike on the train. This measure would provide greater capacity for passengers on trains and reduce overcrowding, making the experience of train travel more appealing, helping reduce passenger stress. Increasing the level of transport choice will also benefit social equity. The lengthening of trains would play a more important role in the longer term to address anticipated population and demand growth. There may also be opportunities for the rail companies to reduce individual fares, thus making train travel affordable to more people. Equality, Diversity No impact. & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: This measure is likely to attract public support. Acceptability to other stakeholders: This measure is likely to attract political support. Technical and operational feasibility: The Cardiff Area Signalling Renewal investment and platform lengthening programme means that the South Wales Valleys network is currently being prepared to cope with longer trains running into Cardiff from the Valleys. Additional stability for longer trains is required, in additional to station improvements and staffing requirements where necessary. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is affordable in the short to medium term. Risks: This measure would require collaborative working with train operators and Network Rail. (++) 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 51

53 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 19: Improve train frequencies This measure would see the planning and delivery of a phased programme to improve train frequencies and in the medium to long term, provide faster and greener vehicles as part of this measure. Implementation would also require timetabling strategies and some infrastructure investment in order for the route to accommodate greater capacity and vehicles with increased speeds. The electrification of the Great Western Main Line (GWML) would support the delivery of this measure. Key target corridor areas where train frequency improvements would impact most positively on addressing traffic congestion by achieving sufficient modal shift, would include: Swansea to Newport; Cardiff to London; Cardiff to Bristol; and Cardiff to Birmingham. The future electrification of the Great Western Main Line between London and Cardiff will lead to improved services along the whole route, including journeys from South Wales to Bristol. More seats on trains, quicker journey times, and greater reliability will improve services as well as supporting more frequent services along the electrified routes. Further consideration is needed of planned capacity improvements, including: Cardiff Stations (as part of Cardiff Area Signalling Renewals); Half-hourly services on Valley Lines; Local capacity improvements to junctions and lines on the network; Turnback facilities; Line speed improvements on freight/relief lines. Economic Impact Improving train frequencies will increase accessibility to a range of urban centres and communities, ultimately increasing the level of choice for commuters and other passengers. Where urban centres benefit from higher quality train services, economic growth and economic investment could be enhanced. Faster train journeys will also aid such growth, especially on major routes such as Cardiff to London, or Cardiff to Bristol. Social Impact A higher frequency of trains operating on key routes will benefit commuters and passengers by increasing the level of choice to community services and employment centres. Overall this measure will increase accessibility and promote social equity. More frequent trains would also mean that current overcrowding problems would be eased on the trains used at peak times of day. The overcrowding issues would be greatly reduced by having more available seats on offer from the increased train services available, which would also help future growth and act as an incentive for modal shift from private vehicles to train services. Environmental Impact More frequent train services could attract modal shift and result in reduced traffic levels, reduced congestion on the M4 and within city centres, helping reduce emissions and pollution. Electrified train services will reduce air and noise pollution from vehicles on the track side and particularly when waiting at stations. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk The possible investment in the speed upgrade of the Relief Lines from the Severn Tunnel to Cardiff, and the enhancements to Newport train station would support this measure s implementation. However, more services would require additional signalling and track capacity between Bath, Bristol Temple Meads and through the Severn Tunnel, due to the interaction between the mix of existing services and the route s overall capacity. A further planned enhancement is the reinstatement of the bay platform 2 and an extension of platform 13 at Bristol Temple Meads, which would also provide capacity improvement. However, track, signalling and junction constraints north of Bristol would also have to be improved if this capacity upgrade were to be effective. Recent/current signalling renewals provide significant improvements to the GWML and connections with the Valley Lines. The following Signalling Renewals schemes will help assist improving train frequencies: Port Talbot East (complete); Newport Area (complete); and Cardiff Area (to be completed by 2017). In the longer term, electrification of the GWML between Cardiff and London will allow for new electrified trains to operate between Cardiff and Bristol helping reduce journey times further and potentially providing the infrastructure for increases in rail capacity. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues Improving train frequencies would improve help encourage modal shift from car to rail; but would do little to reduce traffic congestion problems on the M4 alone unless significant investment was made in holistically improving rail services and facilities. As such, this measure would rely heavily upon highway schemes including alternative route promotion and delivery of additional highway capacity along the SDR to reduce traffic congestion along the M4 corridor as part of this Package. Electrification of the GWML to Swansea would do much to support this measure. 52

54 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 19: Improve train frequencies Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) Increasing the frequency of trains on key services will provide additional capacity, aiming to facilitate additional passengers and improve journey time reliability. Whilst this measure will enhance accessibility by rail, it could (++) Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality also encourage modal shift and thus ease congestion and improve journey time reliability on the M4 network. Providing additional services on the rail network would aim to encourage greater patronage levels, thus reducing capacity demand on the highway network and reducing the threat of traffic congestion to the Welsh economy. Whilst running additional services would increase noise pollution, this measure will aim to encourage car users to shift their journeys onto rail. The use of electric trains in the longer term would help reduce noise pollution. Whilst running additional services would increase air pollution, this measure will aim to encourage car users to shift their journeys onto rail. The use of electric trains in the longer term would help reduce air pollution. Whilst running additional services would increase train vehicle emissions, this measure will aim to encourage car users to shift their journeys onto rail. The use of electric trains in the longer term would help reduce emissions. Increasing train frequency on existing rail services is likely to have a negligible impact on landscape and townscape. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and townscape Biodiversity Increasing train frequency on existing rail services is likely to have a negligible impact on biodiversity. Heritage Increasing train frequency on existing rail services is likely to have a negligible impact on archaeological sites. Water environment Increasing train frequency on existing rail services is likely to have a negligible impact on water environment. Soils Increasing train frequency on existing rail services is likely to have a negligible impact on soils. Social Transport safety Train is generally considered to be a safer form of transport than road, with fewer accidents per km. It is therefore expected that with the modal shift achieved, this measure will result in a positive impact. Personal security No impact. Permeability Physical fitness Social inclusion The measure would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. A modal shift towards public transport often means that people use active forms of transport at the beginning and/or end of their journey. It is therefore likely that the modal shift which can be expected from this measure will lead to improvements in physical fitness. This measure will improve transport choice and thus benefit social equity. This measure will lead to reduced congestion and thus improve accessibility and journey time reliability to city centres for motorists on the M4. This measure will benefit non-motorised users through increased choice. Equality, Diversity No impact. & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: This measure is likely to attract public support. Acceptability to other stakeholders: This measure is likely to attract political support. Technical and operational feasibility: This measure is technically and operationally feasible, although infrastructure improvements and timetabling arrangements would need to be subject to feasibility studies at an individual project level. Electrification of the GWML and Valley Lines will assist greater train frequencies on the network. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is affordable in the short to medium term. The electrification of the GWML to Swansea would support the delivery of this measure. Risks: This measure would require collaborative working with train operators and Network Rail. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of (++) 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. (++) 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport (++) 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. (++) 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. (++) 53

55 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 20: Transfer road freight onto rail This measure would see the development and delivery of a phased programme to encourage the logistics industry to transfer a significant proportion of road freight onto rail, where appropriate. Rail freight is a key over-land mover of bulky goods, in particular for the energy and heavy industries. Currently, rail freight delivers 90% of all coal for power generation, 80% of all construction stone for the Greater London area, 25% of all deep-sea containers, and delivers goods such as groceries, furniture, food, and electrical equipment. To encourage rail freight, it is clearly necessary for paths to be available for running freight trains, but in some parts of the rail network capacity pinch points need to be addressed, which currently have an adverse effect on both passenger and freight operations. The available capacity is determined by a combination of signalling and track infrastructure factors. This programme would involve staged plans to increase rail network capacity and incentivise the logistics industry to use rail to transfer bulky goods. This is encouraged and supported by the Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) scheme (formerly the Rail Environmental Benefit Procurement Scheme), which is run by grants from the Department for Transport (DfT). The scheme assists companies with the operating costs associated with running rail freight instead of road (in cases where rail is more expensive than road). It is designed to facilitate and support modal shift, generating environmental and wider social benefits from reduced HGV journeys on the roads. The electrification of the GWML to Swansea will also aid the effective movement of freight by rail, through improving capacity and frequency conditions on the network. Economic Impact In the movement of bulky goods in particular, rail has clear economic advantages over road transport. Making efficient use of the rail network for freight transport could help reduce HGV traffic on the M4 corridor, in addition to improving journey times associated with freight transport operations. This could ultimately lead to reduced congestion on the road network, which would also deliver associated positive economic benefits. Social Impact By reducing the potential for conflicts between large vehicles and car users, road safety would be improved with the transfer of existing road-based movements to rail. There could however be some tension between this measure and desires to develop passenger services on the rail network to assist in meeting social (or economic) outcomes. Environmental Impact There are positive environmental impacts to be realised by transferring goods from road to rail. A typical freight train can remove 50 goods vehicles from the road network. Moreover, although varying by commodity and with load factors, a tonne of freight carried by rail produces at least 80% less carbon dioxide than transport by road. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk Regular interval services which are desirable for passengers can have an impact on the number or timing of freight paths. This can, in turn, impact on freight operators flexibility, though there is usually scope to include paths for freight if timetabling is carefully managed. Another important factor is loading gauge, determining how wide and high the rail vehicles are that can safely travel a route. The loading gauge on key lines in Wales is adequate for the majority of traditional freight; however, there is an increasing use of larger containers by maritime shippers that require a larger loading gauge. Network Rail s Freight RUS includes the longer-term aspiration to provide greater clearance to South Wales which would be required to optimise the impacts of this measure. Rail freight has grown rapidly in the last ten years and the Network Rail Freight Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) forecasts further national growth of up to 30% the equivalent of an extra 240 freight trains per day over the next ten years. For this additional demand to be met by road freight, an extra 1.5 million lorry journeys on the roads would be required each year. By reducing road vehicle conflicts, there would be significant public support for freight traffic being moved by rail through the likely reduction in HGV traffic in particular. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure would be supported by general improvements in rail infrastructure which would not only benefit passenger services but rail freight movement too. For example, there are opportunities for rail freight in resignalling schemes, which could include enhancements to the benefit of both passenger and freight services. At a higher level, this measure would have to be very effective in removing a significant percentage of HGV traffic from road onto rail in order to effectively address the traffic congestion problems on the M4 corridor. Whilst in the long term this may be achievable, in the shorter to medium term, this measure would rely heavily upon highway and traffic management schemes including alternative route promotion and delivery of additional highway capacity along the SDR to reduce traffic congestion and HGV conflict along the M4 corridor as part of this Package. 54

56 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 20: Transfer road freight onto rail Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) Encouraging road freight to use rail to transport goods aims to address highway capacity through reduced HGV use of the motorway and local road network. This will help improve traffic flows and associated journey time (++) Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality Greenhouse Gas Emissions reliability. Shifting road freight onto rail will aim to improve the efficient movement of freight. Whilst many goods currently delivered on the road network may be possible to transport via rail, this will depend on the nature and destination of the good being delivered. As such, the implications on trade will need to be considered by appropriate delivery bodies. Whilst running additional services to transport freight by rail would increase noise pollution, this measure will aim to reduce journeys made by HGVs on the road network, which tend to create greater noise levels than standard cars. The use of electric trains in the longer term would help reduce noise pollution. Whilst running additional services to transport freight by rail would increase air pollution, this measure will aim to reduce journeys made by HGVs on the road network, which tend to impact on air pollution to a greater extent than standard cars. The use of electric trains in the longer term would help reduce air pollution. Whilst running additional services to transport freight by rail would increase vehicle emissions, this measure will aim to reduce journeys and associated emissions caused by HGV traffic on the road network, which tend to emit higher vehicle emissions than standard cars. The use of electric trains in the longer term would help reduce emissions. There may be a need for additional railway infrastructure to accommodate freight movement, including depots and track. This need would be explored during project level development. Landscape and townscape Biodiversity There would be negligible impacts on biodiversity. Heritage There would be negligible impacts on heritage. Water environment There would be negligible impacts on water environment. Soils There would be negligible impacts on soils. Social Transport safety Reducing the volume of HGV road traffic will help reduce general traffic and HGV traffic conflict to benefit safety. Personal security No impact. Permeability The measure would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. Physical fitness This measure is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes. Social inclusion There could be conflict between desires to develop passenger services to assist in meeting social (or economic) outcomes on the rail network. Additional freight movements could adversely impact on passenger services if double handling requirements are not addressed. Equality, Diversity No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: The general public are likely to support any measure that results in reduced HGV use of the motorway and local road network. Acceptability to other stakeholders: Shifting road freight onto rail may have implications for businesses and this measure will need commitment from logistics companies and business groups to deliver. Technical and operational feasibility: Increasing demand on the rail network will require capacity pinch points to be addressed. Gauge clearance and timetabling issues with passenger services will also need to be resolved further to increased operations on the rail network. Financial affordability and deliverability: Affordability will rely on a review of works required to address potential capacity demand implications of the measure. Whilst many goods currently delivered on the road network may be possible to transport via rail, this will depend on the nature and destination of the good being delivered. The electrification of the GWML and Valley Lines will aid the effective movement of freight by rail. Risks: Shifting road freight onto rail may have implications for rail capacity and this measure will need commitment from operators and Network Rail in particular to deliver. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. (++) 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 55

57 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 21: Use of systematic and enforced bus priority measures on the local road network This measure would see the preparation and delivery of a comprehensive programme to introduce bus priority measures on the local road network, in order to significantly enhance local accessibility by public transport. A holistic strategy would be adopted and bus priority measures would include bus lanes, bus gates and other priority measures on the local road network, with the aim of minimising delays and improving the reliability of bus services, crucial to encouraging greater use of buses. Bus lanes in particular would also bring benefits to the local road network by prioritising travel for buses, coaches, motorbikes, emergency vehicles and licensed taxis. Of particular focus will be the key radial routes into the City centre. To the east, Corporation Road, Chepstow Road and Caerleon Road Corridors leading to Newport Bridge, to the west Cardiff Road, Kingsway and Stow Hill Corridors, and to the north, Malpas Road corridor. The aim of bus priority measures is to result in time savings for bus users and encourage modal shift to reduce the volume of traffic congestion on the local road network caused by private vehicles. Many motorists cite reliable bus services as a prerequisite for leaving their car at home. Bus priority measures assist buses through traffic, with more consistent journey times helping deliver timetable reliability. Improvements to the local bus network would see the Welsh Government work collaboratively with Newport City Council and bus operators, in order to develop valuable schemes. This partnership would also seek to identify opportunities for investment in wider community transport benefits such as the NewLink Community Transport Scheme. Economic Impact Experience from schemes around the country shows that bus lanes may reduce bus travel times by up to 7 to 9 minutes along a 10 kilometre congested route and also improve their reliability. Reliability means buses operate in accordance with their timetables on every journey which is important to bus users. Measures to assist buses in metropolitan city areas commonly have halved the variation in journey times that operators experienced in that corridor, enabling them to operate their buses more efficiently. By introducing bus priority with other improvements, services can become more attractive to potential passengers. For example, a comprehensive quality corridor initiative in a major conurbation delivered a 75% increase in bus passengers over 5 years, with 20% being new customers. Social Impact Better bus services in our towns and cities contribute towards the regeneration and revitalisation of both the business community and our living areas. An efficient, reliable bus service can be an attractive alternative to those who have access to a vehicle. Furthermore, an efficient bus service ensures social inclusion by providing access to jobs, education, health, social and leisure services to those without access to a vehicle. A wide variety of people use buses but many people, especially older people, children, people with disabilities, women and the less well off, are often dependent upon having a reliable bus service. A bus priority scheme introduced in north and east London in 1991 has also shown a fall in road casualties of some 36%. Environmental Impact Bus priority measures can contribute positively to the environment by directly reducing number of car trips into a town or city centre, thus reducing congestion, noise and vibration and alleviating pollution hotspots. Bus priority measures can also improve the environment for those travelling by bike or foot. However, the implementation of such measures can have adverse impact on general traffic conditions. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk The Government has consistently made it clear that buses have a crucial part to play in present and future transport policy. This approach requires strengthening in order to encourage progression. The potential benefit of the bus can be stifled by traffic congestion. Local authorities and bus operators need to work in partnership to make buses a more attractive alternative to the car by releasing them from the congestion delays experienced by other road users. Other measures are also being used to encourage bus use, including capital funding through the local transport plan process, concessionary fares schemes, the development of Quality Bus Partnerships, real time information and timetable information systems. These approaches should be considered in light of other bus priority measures as a package of improvements. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues Whilst bus priority measures will help improve local accessibility following the phased improvement of the SDR, consideration of other road users, including pedestrians and cyclists in the design of bus priority measures is likely to result in additional cost effective solutions. The phased delivery of additional highway capacity provided by the core scheme in Package 2 will facilitate the delivery of local bus priority measures on the existing road network. 56

58 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 21: Use of systematic and enforced bus priority measures on the local road network Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) The development and enhancement of local bus priority measures will help improve accessibility and journey times to local centres by public transport. Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality Greenhouse Gas Emissions Improving accessibility to local centres by public transport will help attract a greater number of visitors to local shops, facilities and services. This measure will also benefit people who may be disadvantaged from accessing employment opportunities because of a lack of available transport. It is envisaged that this measure will encourage modal shift and thus reduce the number of people using private vehicles to access local centres. This will help reduce total noise levels, whilst the use of electric public transport vehicles in the longer term would further reduce the impact. It is envisaged that this measure will encourage modal shift and thus reduce the number of people using private vehicles to access local centres. This will help reduce total air pollution, whilst the use of electric public transport vehicles in the longer term would further reduce the impact. It is envisaged that this measure will encourage modal shift and thus reduce the number of people using private vehicles to access local centres. This will help reduce total levels, whilst the use of electric public transport vehicles in the longer term would further reduce the impact. This measure would not impact on landscape and townscape. Landscape and townscape Biodiversity This measure would not impact on biodiversity. Heritage This measure would not impact on heritage. Water environment This measure would not impact on water environment. Soils This measure would not impact on soils. Social Transport safety Reducing the volume of general traffic using the local road network will help reduce accident rates. Personal security No impact. Permeability Physical fitness Social inclusion The measure would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. It is envisaged that the level of people walking and cycling short distances would increase for those using public transport, to the benefit of health and wellbeing. This measure ensures social inclusion by providing access to jobs, education, health, social and leisure services to those without access to a car. In addition, bus priority measures can also improve the environment for those travelling by bike or foot. Equality, Diversity This measure will benefit non-motorists, particularly a wide variety of people such as older people, children, & Human Rights people with disabilities, women and the less well off, are often dependent upon having a reliable bus service. Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: The general public are likely to support any measure that enhances public transport services on the local road network. Acceptability to other stakeholders: Bus operation companies and business groups are likely to support any measure that enhances public transport services on the local road network. Technical and operational feasibility: Implementing bus priority measures on the local road network is unlikely to pose any technical or operation challenges. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is likely to be affordable and deliverable in the short to medium term. Risks: Introducing and enhancing bus priority measures may impact on general traffic road capacity, which may attract opposition from some users. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 57

59 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Diagram / Plan Measure 21: Use of systematic and enforced bus priority measures on the local road network Bus Routes Priority Bus Corridors 58

60 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 22: Provide better transport mode integration including revised ticketing system This measure would involve the preparation and delivery of a phased Public Transport Interchange Strategy and Action Plan. This would help to ensure that passengers can interchange onto sustainable transport modes using high-quality facilities and easier processes of travel. This would involve improving integration between different sustainable transport modes through: Improving existing public transport interchange facilities, including enhancements to walking and cycling accessibility at bus and rail stations; Improving integration of bus and rail services; Providing new/improved multi-modal interchange facilities and strengthening links between Newport train and bus stations; Improving the quality of passenger information; and Improving ticketing systems to be used across modes. In order to optimise choice in travel destination and convenient connections, it will be important to improve accessibility between rail and bus travel in particular. Newport train station has been subject to recent redevelopment and Newport City Council plans to redevelop Newport bus station as part of the proposed John Frost Square regeneration. This measure would support this plan but additionally explore the opportunity to develop a supporting bus facility or hub adjacent to Newport train station to aid modal integration. Economic Impact When the schedules and timing of different transportation modes are well-planned and well-integrated; wait times are minimised and mobility and convenience are maximised. This translates to shorter overall journey times. For customers, public transport integration means a more attractive system, which helps raise public transport usage, revenues and encourage modal shift. Ultimately, this reduces the costs of traffic congestion on the economy. Operational costs would arise from maintaining cycle parking and bus waiting facilities, but these should generally be offset by the increase in bus and rail patronage. Social Impact Multi-modal transport integration offers advantages in terms of reduced user travel time and cost whilst enhancements to interchange facilities will result in benefits to passenger safety, comfort, and convenience. Improvements to transport interchange can overcome social inequality and a family travelling together interacts more when using public transport compared to travelling by car. Integration between modes also improves accessibility to facilities, education, services, employment opportunities and communities. Environmental Impact Multi-modal transport integration enhances transport efficiency, which saves energy and reduces emissions. Ultimately, achieving modal shift will help reduce car use, congestion and associated pollution. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk Integration of transport modes involves a complex set of systems that must be planned and dynamically co-ordinated, often requiring the collaborative working of competitive service operators. As such, delivery may be best achieved through formulation and management of a Public Transport Interchange Strategy and Action Plan. The co-operation and interaction of political, legal and financial representatives is crucial, especially in the design and implementation phase but also at the operational stages of an integrated public transport system. The benefits of an integrated public transport system are well established. In Limburg, Netherlands, an integrated network was launched in December 2006 and the results for the first year showed a 29% increase in bus use, and a 43% increase in rail use in the southern section of the province. Passenger satisfaction rates have also risen. Increased efficiency has led to reduced operating costs such as fuel and labour. The UK Government's objective to develop a national strategy for smart and integrated ticketing will support this measure. Devolved government funding has already enabled a number of bus operators to install Smart card readers on all its buses in Wales. Such devolved powers may also benefit the efficient and timely co-ordination of other delivery mechanisms. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues Seamless integration of alternative modes will be needed in order to successfully attract greater use of public transport to the extent that traffic volumes will reduce to relieve congestion problems on the M4. Non-integrated public transport systems tend to neglect the needs of customers, which ultimately hinders potential patronage. Providing better public transport interchange provision will be fundamental in encouraging modal shift onto public transport in the longer term. The development of a phased Public Transport Interchange Strategy and Action Plan should be prepared that identifies improvements to public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure/facilities; as proposed by other measures contributing to Package 2. 59

61 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 22: Provide better transport mode integration including revised ticketing system Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) A well-planned and well-integrated transport system will help minimise wait times and improve mobility and convenience. This translates to less time spent commuting to the benefit of journey times. Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality For customers, public transport integration means a more attractive system which helps raise public transport usage, revenues and encourage modal shift which will ultimately reduce the costs of traffic congestion on the economy. Modal shift onto a more reliable and efficient public transport system will help reduce noise pollution associated with traffic congestion on the road network. Modal shift onto a more reliable and efficient public transport system will help reduce air pollution associated with traffic congestion on the road network. Multi-modal transport integration enhances transport efficiency, which saves energy and reduces emissions. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and This measure will have no impact on landscape and townscape. townscape Biodiversity This measure will have no impact on ecology and thus does not require an ecology survey. Heritage This measure would not impact on any archaeologically sensitive areas. Water environment This measure would not impact on water environment. Soils This measure would not impact on soils. Social Transport safety Modal shift may help reduce traffic volumes, congestion and improve road safety. Personal security Improving modal interchange facilities will benefit user safety and increase personal security. Permeability Enhancing conditions for walking, cycling and use of public transport will benefit permeability. Physical fitness Enhancing conditions for walking and cycling will benefit health and wellbeing. Social inclusion Multi-modal transport integration offers advantages in terms improved passenger safety, comfort and convenience to the benefit of social equity. Improving transport integration should consider the needs of all groups of people and benefit the movement of the mobility impaired in particular, who may rely on public transport services to travel. Equality, Diversity No impact. & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: Improving modal integration facilities is likely to be supported. Acceptability to other stakeholders: Improved modal integration to benefit public transport use is likely to be supported politically. Technical and operational feasibility: There are likely to be a number of operational issues as a result of operational issues as a result of the number of operators involved, however this none of these are insurmountable. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is likely to be affordable and deliverable in the short to medium term. Risks: Delivery will rely on effective collaborative working between a potentially large number of delivery groups and stakeholders, including operators, councils and infrastructure providers. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of (++) 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. (++) 60

62 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 23: Provide cycle friendly infrastructure to help reduce the number of car journeys of less than three miles This measure would target car users undertaking journeys of up to three miles and promote cycling as a real alternative to the car. A programme of cycling infrastructure improvements would be made primarily to deliver safer, traffic-free routes encouraging a modal shift from the private car. Other measures to improve cycling conditions would include the delivery of: Cycle tracks/lanes/contraflows; Advanced stop lines; Toucan crossings; Cycle storage facilities; Shared use footways; Access control exemptions; and Directional signage. There are many benefits to cycling including improved health, cost savings and, in many congested environments, journey time savings. Indirect benefits include reduced congestion, emissions, infrastructure costs and improved social inclusion. Improvements would primarily be focussed on key corridors to destinations including local retail centres, health services, education establishments and public transport services. Economic Impact Whilst the scale of investment made in cycling infrastructure would determine the economic cost and benefit of any package of cycling improvements, the benefit-cost ratio of investment in cycling is consistently high. The benefits of providing new and improved cycle-friendly infrastructure would include improved accessibility to local education, shops, services and employment centres which could facilitate an increase in local economic activity. Modal shift from private vehicular trips could result in reduced local congestion and journey time savings and cost savings to individuals. Indirect economic benefits could include reductions in health and infrastructure expenditure. Social Impact Cycling is a sustainable and healthy form of transport. Improving cycling conditions will encourage people to use their bike for local trips to the benefit of people s health and wellbeing. Cycling can improve social equity by reducing journey costs incurred by the user. It can also contribute to community cohesion and reduce social exclusion by helping to create safer, more pleasant streets for people to meet and socialise and for children to play. Environmental Impact Encouraging the use of sustainable modes such as cycling will help reduce dependence on private vehicles and public transport for short journeys in particular. Overall this will help encourage a reduction in congestion, pollution and emissions. Cycle infrastructure is likely to include off-road paths and trails, which can, if appropriately designed and managed, provide access to green space. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk The benefit-cost ratio of investment in cycling is generally 4:1. The road safety charity Brake published a research paper in 2011 indicating that more people would be persuaded to cycle if there were facilities to enable them to do so safely. Findings suggest that 34% of people who don t currently cycle would cycle between home and local amenities if there were cycle paths and trails connecting them. This means that with investment in safe cycling facilities, a significant number of people could be persuaded to cycle to improve their health, reduce carbon emissions and congestion. Cycling is normally judged to be appropriate to replace journeys of up to three miles; it would therefore directly replace only a small number of trips currently made along the M4 corridor. The trunk road impact of this measure will be enhanced if improvements are focussed at interchanges and on key routes where, to avoid congestion, drivers transfer their journey to the trunk road network. Improvements could also be implemented to improve access to key public transport corridors. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues One of the best ways to improve road conditions for cyclists is to reduce the volume and speed of vehicles. Therefore this measure would best be delivered though complementary traffic reducing and traffic calming measures. The phased delivery of additional highway capacity provided by the core scheme in Package 2 will facilitate the potential introduction of on-road cycling infrastructure improvements on the existing local network, as well as opportunities for better modal integration between cycling and public transport services. It is acknowledged that investments in cycling will help to replace only a small number of trips currently made along the M4 corridor. However, as part of a package focused on public transport enhancements and achieving modal shift to more sustainable modes of travel, this measure could play an important role. 61

63 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 23: Provide cycle friendly infrastructure to help reduce the number of car journeys of less than 2 miles Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) Encouraging people to cycle short distances will help reduce the volume of traffic using the motorway and local road network for local trips. This could help reduce traffic congestion, particularly at peak commuting periods, Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise which would in turn aim to improve journey time reliability. Enhancing cycling infrastructure will help improve accessibility to education, employment opportunities and local services. Cycling has very low noise emissions, so this measure will lead to a reduction in noise pollution. Any local noise pollution during construction of facilities will need to be mitigated against. Local Air Quality Cycling does not produce any emissions, so this measure will lead to an improvement in local air quality. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and townscape Biodiversity Heritage Cycling does not produce any emissions, so this measure will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in operation. There may be opportunities to incorporate improvements to the landscape into improvements to cycle infrastructure; in particular off-road paths may present opportunities to better manage otherwise neglected green space. However, where road widening is required to facilitate new cycle lanes, this could have a negative impact on the landscape. There may be opportunities to incorporate improvements to biodiversity into improvements to cycle infrastructure; in particular off-road paths may present opportunities to better manage otherwise neglected green space. However, where road widening is required to facilitate new cycle lanes, this could have a negative impact on biodiversity. There may be opportunities to improve access to heritage sites through provision of new cycle infrastructure; in particular off- road paths may present opportunities that the existing road network does not. However, where road widening is required to facilitate new cycle lanes, this could have a negative impact on heritage sites. Water environment There would be no impacts on water environment. Soils There would be no impacts on soils. Social Transport safety Reducing the volume of general traffic using the local road network will help reduce accident rates. Managing cyclist and general traffic conflicts on the road network will be important to ensuring transport safety. Personal security This measure can help to create safer streets for people to meet and socialise and for children to play. Permeability This measure will enhance permeability as cycle infrastructure is likely to include new routes which can, if (++) appropriately designed and managed, provide improved permeability for sustainable transport modes. Physical fitness Cycling short distances would benefit people s health and wellbeing. (++) Social inclusion Improving cycling facilities will aid transport choice for local journeys, benefiting social equity. This measure can also contribute to community cohesion, helping to create safer, more pleasant streets for people to meet and socialise and for children to play. This measure can improve social equity, as it is a low cost mode of transport, equally accessible to most groups. Equality, Diversity No impact. & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: The general public are likely to support measures that enhance cycling infrastructure. Acceptability to other stakeholders: Business groups and schools are likely to support any measure that enhances cycling accessibility for employees and pupils respectively. Technical and operational feasibility: Delivering enhanced cycling infrastructure is unlikely to pose any technical or operation challenges. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is likely to be affordable and deliverable in the short to medium term. Risks: Any cycling infrastructure measures should be delivered in partnership with Sustrans and local authority cycling officers. Funding availability will determine the level of improvement potentially delivered. The success of increasing cycling is also related to the availability of cycle parking, improvements in modal interchange and public transport facilities. (++) 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. (++) 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. (++) 62

64 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Diagram / Plan Measure 23: Provide cycle friendly infrastructure to help reduce the number of car journeys of less than 2 miles 63

65 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 24: Provide walking friendly infrastructure to help reduce the number of car journeys of less than 2 miles This measure would provide improvements to pedestrian infrastructure to promote walking as the primary modal choice for short journeys, and is particularly targeted at car users undertaking journeys of up to two miles. The majority of journeys are made over comparatively short distances, with an estimated one third of all trips being less than one mile in length. Data suggests that half of car owners use their vehicle for journeys of less than one mile (Dublin Transport Office). There are many benefits to encouraging modal shift from private transport to walking. For the walker the benefits can include improved health, cost savings and, in congested environments and journey time savings. Indirect benefits include reduced congestion, emissions, infrastructure costs and improved social inclusivity. A programme of pedestrian infrastructure improvements would be implemented along key corridors. Pedestrian improvement measures would include: Street lighting and pedestrian realm measures to improve safety and attractiveness; Accessibility upgrades for the disabled and mobility impaired; Enhancement of pedestrian routes through footway widening, crossing upgrades, urban realm improvements and clear signage; and Offering quality pedestrian amenities, including benches and storage lockers at the workplace. Improvements would be focussed on key corridors to/from destinations including local retail centres, health services, education establishments and public transport services. Economic Impact It is difficult to quantify the cost-benefit of pedestrian infrastructure as benefits can be diverse, indirect and hard to place a monetary value on. Improved walking connections to shops, services and employment centres could facilitate an increase in local economic activity. Modal shift from private vehicular trips could result in reduced local congestion and journey time savings and cost savings to individuals. Indirect economic benefits could include reductions in health and infrastructure expenditure. Social Impact Walking is an enjoyable, sustainable and healthy form of transport. As the lowest cost form of transport, walking is equally accessible to all therefore and improvements to walking infrastructure reduce inequality. Walking encourages interaction within the local population and environment contributing to community cohesion and reduced social exclusion. Pedestrian activity helps create safer, more pleasant streets for people to meet, socialise and for children to play. Through improving local access on foot, investment could result in more sustainable movement of people, ultimately reducing the costs incurred to the user of the private vehicle or public transport for short distance trips. Environmental Impact Encouraging people to walk short distances will help reduce the dependence on the private vehicle and public transport for short journeys in particular. Overall this will help encourage a reduction in congestion, pollution and emissions. Pedestrian infrastructure generally requires less construction material and area than vehicular infrastructure resulting in direct and indirect environmental benefits. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk Walking is generally a low cost transport investment that can help reduce the number of short distance journeys made by private vehicles. Walking improvements are generally considered to be beneficial to the local community with little opposition. Schemes which result in direct reductions in vehicular access, such as the removal of car parking, can be opposed by local businesses. There is already a high level of pedestrian infrastructure in the local area therefore the package of works may focus on barriers or possible points of severance that have previously been difficult to overcome but which increased funding and collaboration would help achieve. An excellent example of this is the Newport footbridge. Walking is normally judged to be appropriate to replace local journeys of up to two miles. The trunk road impact of this measure will be enhanced if pedestrian corridor improvements are focussed at interchanges and on key highway routes where, to avoid congestion, drivers transfer their journey to the trunk road network. Pedestrian improvements could also be implemented to improve access to key public transport corridors. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues It is acknowledged that investments in pedestrian facilities will help to replace only local trips. However, as part of a package focused on public transport enhancements and achieving modal shift to more sustainable modes of travel, this measure will play an important role to enhancing local accessibility. 64

66 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 24: Provide walking friendly infrastructure to help reduce the number of car journeys of less than 2 miles Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) Encouraging people to walk short distances will help reduce the volume of traffic using the local road network for local trips. This will help reduce local traffic congestion, particularly at peak commuting periods, which will in Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality turn aim to improve journey time reliability. Enhancing pedestrian infrastructure will help improve accessibility to local centres, employment opportunities and local services. It is envisaged that this measure will encourage people to walk short distances instead of using private vehicles to access local destinations. This will help reduce vehicle use associated noise levels on the local road network. It is envisaged that this measure will encourage people to walk short distances instead of using private vehicles to access local destinations. This will help reduce vehicle use associated air pollution levels on the local road network. It is envisaged that this measure will encourage people to walk short distances instead of using private vehicles to access local destinations. This will help reduce vehicle use associated vehicle emissions. Increase pedestrian movement is likely to enhance and animate the urban environment and character of urban spaces. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and townscape Biodiversity There would be negligible impacts on biodiversity. Heritage There would be negligible impacts on archaeologically sensitive areas. Water environment There would be negligible impacts on water environment. Soils There would be negligible impacts on soils. Social Transport safety Reducing the volume of general traffic using the local road network will help reduce accident rates. Personal security Improving walking conditions such as better lighting will help enhance the safety of pedestrians. Permeability Improving walking facilities will help enhance local permeability. Physical fitness Walking short distances would benefit people s health and wellbeing. (++) Social inclusion Improving pedestrian facilities will aid transport choice for local journeys, benefiting social equity. This measure can improve equality, as it is the cheapest mode of transport, equally accessible to most, regardless of income or level of health. In addition, improvements to pedestrian infrastructure would also help mobility impaired users and the disabled through methods such as introducing tactile paving. Equality, Diversity No impact. & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: The general public are likely to support any measure that enhances pedestrian infrastructure. Acceptability to other stakeholders: Business groups, disabled groups and schools are likely to support any measure that enhances pedestrian accessibility for employees, the mobility impaired and pupils respectively. Technical and operational feasibility: Delivering improved pedestrian infrastructure is unlikely to pose any technical or operational challenges. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is likely to be affordable and deliverable in the short to medium term. Risks: The success of encouraging people to walk short distances may rely on improvements in modal interchange and public transport facilities. (++) 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. (++) 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. (++) 65

67 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Diagram / Plan Measure 24: Provide walking friendly infrastructure to help reduce the number of car journeys of less than 2 miles KEY Route improvement 66

68 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 25: Promote use of electric vehicles and associated infrastructure This measure would see the long term phased introduction of Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure in Wales, including charging points initially located at strategic points off M4 and SDR junctions. In addition, this measure would see Government incentive schemes introduced to promote the use of electric vehicles and decrease the proportion of petrol and diesel engines in the car fleet. Environmental factors are the primary reason for encouraging the increase of electric vehicles since electric vehicles do not directly rely on fossil fuels and have no emissions at point of use. Electric vehicles are currently significantly more expensive to purchase that standard petrol or diesel fuelled equivalents however it is expected that advances in technology and increased production volumes will reduce the unit purchase price in time. The running costs of electric vehicles are significantly lower than that of diesel or petrol fuelled equivalents but the range is often significantly lower hence the provision of public charging points has been identified as important in order to reduced range anxiety that is the concern owners or potential owners may have about the journeys or destinations that are feasible using electric vehicles. Economic Impact The economic effects of a shift to electric vehicles are not yet entirely clear since this is an emerging technology however it is likely that the running costs will compare favourably with petrol or diesel fuelled vehicles whilst maintaining the convenience of travel associated with private car travel. Social Impact The current high cost of purchase is likely to limit the ownership or electric vehicles in the short to medium term however increasing the proportion of electric vehicles in the vehicle fleet will help create a culture change and aid the widespread use of electric vehicles in the longer term. Environmental Impact Electric vehicles emit no harmful exhaust pollutants at the point of use so in a local context there are benefits for air quality and public health issues in comparison to internal combustion engine powered vehicles. Noise emissions from electric vehicles are significantly reduced in comparison to internal combustion engines; this is most relevant in low speed environments where engine noise dominates. It is anticipated that a significant proportion of charging would occur overnight which is compatible with energy demand and generating capacity. Despite localised environmental benefits the source of electrical power and associated emissions needs to be considered. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk There are significant financial costs involved in establishing a comprehensive network of electric vehicle charging points and funding incentive packages for vehicle purchasing. There are also some residual risks in the technology and format of charging supply/standards. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is already being installed in a number of pilot locations as part of the Office for Low Emission Vehicles Plugged in Places (PiP) initiative. Any subsequent installations would be able to learn from the experiences of these schemes. There are also potential opportunities to partner with utilities companies to offset the installation costs. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues Vehicles which are more economical or environmentally friendly will not address issues of congestion without complementary measures being made in parallel. Whilst this measure will help address goals to reduce environmental impact of travel, this measure will rely solely on highway infrastructure and traffic management measures to reduce congestion problems on the M4. 67

69 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 25: Promote use of electric vehicles and associated infrastructure Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic Efficiency (TEE) In the longer term electric vehicle technology could help improve vehicle reliability and reduce the number of breakdowns and associated traffic delays. Economic Activity and Location Impact (EALI) Environment Noise Local Air Quality Developing and delivering electric vehicle infrastructure on a large scale is likely to generate a number of employment opportunities in South Wales and beyond. The anticipated widespread use of electric vehicles in the longer term will help reduce noise pollution caused by transport. The anticipated widespread use of electric vehicles in the longer term will help reduce air pollution caused by transport. The anticipated widespread use of electric vehicles in the longer term will help reduce vehicle emissions. However, the source of electrical power and associated emissions needs to be considered. No additional land will be required. There would be no impacts on landscape and townscape. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Landscape and townscape Biodiversity There would be no impacts on biodiversity. Heritage There would be no impact on areas of historic interest. Water environment There would be no impact on water environment. Soils There would be no impact on soils. Social Transport safety In the longer term electric vehicle technology could help improve vehicle reliability and reduce the number of breakdowns and associated traffic safety issues. However, this is likely to have a negligible impact on road safety. Personal security This measure will not impact on personal security. Permeability The measure would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. Physical fitness The package of measures is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes. Social inclusion Electric vehicles are currently significantly more expensive to purchase that standard petrol or diesel fuelled equivalents, this measure may affect those who cannot necessarily afford electric vehicles. No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: The use of more sustainable vehicles that reduce the impact on the environment is likely to be supported as a concept by the public. However, the technology and infrastructure will need to rival existing convenience should the use of electric vehicles be embraced. Acceptability to other stakeholders: The use of electric vehicles has been afforded commitment by Welsh Government who is undertaking feasibility studies to deliver electric vehicle infrastructure in the medium to long term. Vehicle manufacturers are likely to support the marketplace with new electric vehicle technology. Technical and operational feasibility: The technical and operational feasibility of delivering this measure will rely upon the advancement of electric vehicle technologies. It is considered that the availability of suitable technologies and infrastructure will be deliverable in the longer term. Financial affordability and deliverability: This measure is likely to be deliverable in the longer term, following the progression of technologies. The use of government incentives may be required to encourage the private sector to deliver technologies and infrastructure in the medium to longer term. Risks: The rolling out of electric vehicles and associated infrastructure will rely on deliver by vehicle manufacturers and private industry. (++) (-) 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic of 2 Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. (++) 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 68

70 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 26: Improve aesthetics of routes within the M4 corridor Making transport routes more aesthetically pleasing through the use of good design and introduction of public art can improve the overall travel experience and can even reduce levels of stress. This measure would see the phased introduction of quality biodiversity and innovative materials to deliver both natural and physical environmental enhancements. Research published in Biological Conservation suggests that strips of land alongside motorways play an important role in maintaining plant and insect/spider diversity within intensive agricultural landscapes. This research is important in that it has shown that the means in which road-side verges are planted and managed can increase plant and insect diversity in different ways. Following construction of future highways, some restoration can be achieved by using hedges and grassland, providing a potential refuge for biodiversity as well as increased ecological connectivity. Along the Westlink M7 motorway in Sydney, the public domain has been greatly improved by innovative use of materials and construction which has earned the project general community approval. Common features of the M7 overbridges include coloured blade walls, with colours selected to represent heritage features of the area; feature paved areas under bridges; landscape designs specifically suited to the colour of the bridge; feature lighting that improves safety; signature LED lights, which assist with night-time legibility and identity of the motorway; and bridge-naming plates at central locations. Noise reduction walls close to the road are also simple in form, and are light coloured to create interest and to catch light and create movement; whilst walls further from the road edge are dark to ensure they do not dominate the landscape. Economic Impact Good design and innovative use of approaches such as planting and artwork can be cost effective ways of making a route or structure more attractive to the potential user. However, this is unlikely to impact on journey time or journey time reliability. Social Impact Innovative use of infrastructure design can earn a project general community approval. Well designed and attractive structures create interest and increase legibility and character of areas to frequent users. Features such as noise reduction walls will also have direct benefits to local communities. Environmental Impact Ultimately, improving the aesthetics of transport routes will reduce their visual impact on the environment and in some case actually enhance the character of the landscape. Innovative use of planting, lighting and colour in particular can create a valued identity and boost local ecology. There are opportunities with aesthetic improvements to create additional environmental benefits with regard to biodiversity and use of local sustainable materials, for example. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk The high-quality aesthetical design of a piece of infrastructure will ultimately require commitment from planning officers and the developer. The use of design features can come at an economic cost to the developer, which may deter good design. Alternatively, the pressure on developers to improve design quality will require commitment from planning policy and those who implement it. Biodiversity enhancement would be acceptable and generate community support. An action plan would require consultation between delivery bodies, ecology experts and environmental stakeholders. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues This measure will do little to address the problems on the M4 but would benefit the environmental goals of the M4 CEM Programme. Good design principles should be integrated with other measures that do more to improve economic, social and environmental conditions along the M4 corridor. The SDR improvement scheme at the core of Package 2 will initially provide the opportunity to make aesthetic enhancements along its associated corridor. 69

71 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 26: Improve aesthetics of routes within the M4 corridor Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic No impact. Efficiency (TEE) Economic Activity This measure has the opportunity to benefit the local the local economy through the procurement of local and Location Impact (EALI) sustainable materials to create aesthetic improvements. Environment Noise The use of landscaping to enhance visual amenity along the M4 corridor will indirectly assist noise reduction. Local Air Quality The use of planting to improve the quality of the landscape will support local air quality. Greenhouse Gas Planting trees can help reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Emissions Landscape and The use of landscaping and planting will improve the quality of the landscape and townscape. (+++) townscape Biodiversity The use of planting and water features could help support local biodiversity. Heritage Improving the quality of the natural environment could benefit the setting of heritage features within the corridor. Water environment The use of water features could help support the local water environment, although the impact is likely to be negligible. Soils The use of landscaping could help support the local environment, although the impact is likely to be negligible. Social Transport safety This measure would involve feature lighting that improves transport safety; signature LED lights, which assist with night-time legibility. Personal security There are no significant impacts on personal security. Permeability The measure would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. Physical fitness The package of measures is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes. Social inclusion This measure will create interest and increase legibility of areas to frequent users. Features such as noise walls will also have direct benefits to local communities. No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: The public are likely to support approaches to improve the aesthetical quality of the M4 environment as long as an economic and environmental case is demonstrated. Acceptability to other stakeholders: Environmental groups are likely to support this measure, as long as the quality of landscaping and planting is high and would support local biodiversity. Technical and operational feasibility: This measure is likely to be technically and operationally feasible. Financial affordability and deliverability: Aesthetic enhancements are likely to be affordable and deliverable in the short term. Risks: The impact of new infrastructure works should be considered as part of aesthetical impact assessment and improvement. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic 2 of Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. (+++) 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 70

72 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Worksheet Description Appraisal Measure 27: Use of low noise surfacing, noise barriers and noise proofing of homes along existing M4 This measure would see the development of a noise pollution reduction programme, aiming to reduce noise pollution within the M4 corridor caused by transport movements. Ultimately in the longer term, reducing vehicle numbers will reduce noise pollution. However, this measure would see a phased approach to introducing noise reducing technology and innovative approaches to address problem areas. Absorptive noise barrier walls are the single most effective mitigation tool for reducing road and traffic noise. While concrete has been the traditional material for highway sound/noise barrier walls, new advanced absorptive materials are being developed that present a much more effective noise reduction option. Furthermore, the selection of surfacing materials can reduce noise levels further. Some asphalt surfaces produce around half the noise generated by a concrete surface, and porous surfaces can reduce this by a further 50%. Other measures to help reduce road noise include: Speed restrictions; Noise reduced modern vehicles (electric cars etc); Landscaping, using cuttings, banks and bunds; and Building glazing. Economic Impact The annual social cost of road traffic noise to the European Union has been estimated as 40bn Euros (based on estimates of impacts on property prices and health) (den Boer & Schroten, 2007). Reducing traffic noise through the use of cost-effective noise reducing measures in road surfacing, barrier and property construction can therefore deliver economic benefits. A clear example of the impacts of noise pollution are the values of noise-blighted properties, which are often subject to a reduced guide price of around 20% lower than that of a similar property in the same location unaffected by noise. Social Impact Traffic noise can have a serious impact on health. In addition to reducing stress caused by high noise levels affecting properties, the use of low noise initiatives can significantly reduce noise both inside and outside the car, helping to prevent accidents by alleviating a source of stress which contributes to driver fatigue. Environmental Impact Reducing traffic noise through the use of innovative approaches to low noise surfacing, noise reduction barriers and home noise proofing can ultimately reduce noise pollution, improve local air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Acceptability, Deliverability, Feasibility and Risk Road traffic is the biggest cause of noise pollution in the UK and although noise mitigation measures will contribute to improving his situation, in order to significantly reduce noise levels traffic volumes and speeds remain key factors in decreasing noise levels. Traffic noise will not fall automatically with a drop in vehicle numbers if it simply allows the residual traffic speeds to increase. Compatibility with Package 2: Summary of Key Issues Noise mitigation measures will help to directly reduce noise pollution. However, in order Noise mitigation measures will directly reduce noise pollution. However, in order to significantly tackle traffic noise, this approach needs to be complemented by additional measures such as vehicle speed controls and an increase in the proportion of electric vehicles. The offline construction and online upgrades involved in the core scheme will form major considerations in the noise pollution reduction programme proposed here. 71

73 M4 Corridor Enhancement Measures: Measure Appraisal Summary Table Measure 27: Use of low noise surfacing, noise barriers and noise proofing of homes along existing M4 Appraisal against Welsh Transport Planning and Appraisal Guidance Criteria Appraisal against Programme Goals (Transport Planning Objectives) Criteria Assessment Significance Economy Transport Economic No impact. Efficiency (TEE) Economic Activity Prices of noise-blighted properties are often subject to reduced guide prices. This measure could offer help noise and Location Impact (EALI) affected properties attain similar property prices to properties in same location unaffected by noise pollution. Environment Noise This measure focuses on reducing the impact of transport on noise. (+++) Local Air Quality Approaches to noise reduction including use of modern vehicles and planting along the highway network will (++) help improve local air quality. Greenhouse Gas Use of noise reduced modern vehicles will also help reduce vehicle emissions. Emissions Landscape and Noise reducing methods could include landscaping, using cuttings, banks and bunds or the installation of a water (++) townscape feature which would enhance the quality of the landscape and townscape. Biodiversity Use of landscaping, planting and installation of a water feature could help support local biodiversity. Heritage There are negligible impacts on heritage. Water environment Use of water features to reduce noise pollution are likely to have a negligible impact. Soils Use of landscaping to reduce noise pollution is likely to have a negligible impact. Social Transport safety Use of speed restrictions to reduce noise levels from general traffic could also help improve road safety. In (++) addition, use of low noise initiatives can significantly reduce noise both inside and outside the car, helping to prevent accidents by alleviating a source of stress which contributes to driver fatigue. Personal security There are no negligible impacts on personal security. Permeability The measure would not introduce any new areas of severance or restrictions to permeability for non-motorised users. Physical fitness The package of measures is unlikely to lead to any changes in travel by active modes. Social inclusion This measure would enhance human health and well-being because traffic noise can have a serious impact on health. No positive or negative discriminatory impact on any individual equality impact group. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Acceptability, Feasibility, Deliverability and Risk Public acceptability: The use of low noise technology and innovations to reduce the impact of transport on the environment is likely to be supported by the public. Acceptability to other stakeholders: The use of low noise technology and innovations to reduce the impact of transport on the environment is likely to be supported by other stakeholders. Technical and operational feasibility: The technical and operational feasibility of delivering noise reducing measures will partly rely upon the advancement of innovations and technologies. However, the use of existing approaches to noise management is feasible in the short term. Financial affordability and deliverability: The majority of noise reducing innovations are affordable and deliverable in the short term. Risks: The delivery of different measures will rely on commitment from a number of delivery bodies. 1 Safer, easier and more reliable travel East-West in South Wales. Improved transport connections within Wales and to England, the Republic 2 of Ireland and the rest of Europe on all modes on the international transport network. 3 More effective and integrated use of alternatives to the M4, including other parts of the transport network and other modes of transport for local and longer distance journeys around Newport. 4 Best possible use of the existing M4, local road network and other transport networks. 5 More reliable journey times along the M4 corridor. Increased level of choice for all people making journeys within the transport 6 corridor by all modes between Magor and Castleton, commensurate with demand for alternatives. 7 Improved safety on the M4 Corridor between Magor and Castleton. 8 Improved air quality in areas next to the M4 around Newport. (++) 9 Reduced disturbance to people from high noise levels, from all transport (+++) modes and traffic within the M4 corridor. 10 Reduced greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle and/or person kilometre. 11 Improved travel experience into South Wales along the M4 Corridor. 12 An M4 attractive for longer distance journeys that discourages local traffic use. 13 Improved traffic management in and around Newport on the M4 Corridor. 14 Easier access to local key services and residential and commercial centres. 15 A cultural shift in travel behaviour towards more sustainable choices. 72