Contents
1 Introduction
1.6 Scope
1.8 What is the Scale of the Problem?
1.12 What is on Environmentally Sensitive Area?
2 Classification of Roads and Route Strategy
2.1 The Scottish Road Network
2.2 Central and Local Government's Policies for Roads
2.5 Trunk and Key Principal Road Network Review
2.14 Need for c Rural Road Hierarchy
2.20 Management of the Network
2.21 Traffic Calming
2.24 Towns, Villages and Places of Visitor Interest
3 Lorries
3.2 Lorry Problems
3.4 Changes in Lorry Design
3.6 Lorry Advisory Routes
3.8 Pilot Lorry Route Scheme in Grampian
3.9 Forestry Roads
3.11 Roadside Services for Lorries
3.12 AA Report
3.13 Government Policy
3.14 A9 Policy
3.18 Section 8 (Freight Facilities) Grants
3.19 Buses
4 Environmental Assessments
4.1 Project Briefs
4.3 STEAM
4.5 Heritage and Conservation
4.6 Classification of Monuments
4.8 Consultations with Historic Scotland
4.12 Ecological Factors
4.14 Initial Appraisal
4.19 Detailed Appraisal
4.26 Review Of STEAM
4.35 Local Roads
4.37 Statutory Requirements since 1988
4.42 Presentation of Environmental Statements
4.43 Effect of the New Regulations
4.44 Consultation Arrangements on Environmental Matters
5 The Role of Environmental Consultants
5.1 Past Practice
5.5 The Loch Lomondside Schemes
5.9 Appointment of Environmental Consultants
5.11 Client Reporting Lines
6 Landscaping
6.2 Route Landscape Planning
6.5 Amenity Planning
6.10 Landscape Design
6.12 Detailed Landscape Design
6.15 Soft and Hard Landscaping Details
6.18 Landscape Maintenance
6.20 Borrow, Fill and Tipping Areas
6.28 Road Verge Management
6.30 Road Drainage System
6.31 Objective Of Verge Management
6.32 Potential Benefits to Wildlife
7 Design Standards
7.3 Technical Memoranda
7.4 Highway Link Design
7.7 The Road Network by Road Class
7.8 Drivers Response to Road layout
7.10 Designers Use of HLD in Practice
7.13 The Need to Use HLD's Permitted Departures from Standard
7.16 Safety of HLD Roads
7.20 Relating Road Standards to the Road Hierarchy
7.23 A Review of HLD
7.24 Low Flow Grade Separation
8 Structures
8.2 New Structures
8.5 The Role of RFACS
8.13 Role of Environmental Consultant
8.15 Examples of 'Special Treatment' Structures
8.16 Masonry Arches
8.19 Assessment and Strengthening Programme
8.20 Trunk Roads
8.22 Regional Roads
8.26 Case Studies in Grampian Region
8.31 Bridge of Alford
8.33 Bridge of Dee, Banchory
8.35 Milltown Bridge, Rothiemay
8.38 Suspension Bridge, Balmoral
8.40 Bridge of Avon, Tomintoul
8.43 Waterside Bridge
8.48 Parapets
8.52 Design Competition
8.55 Departures from Standard
9. Materials and Road Furniture
9.1 Recycling Bituminous Materials
9.8 Road Furniture
9.10 Road Lighting
9.11 Reduction in Night Time Accidents
9.12 The Visual Scene by Night
9.16 Trunk Road Lighting
9.21 Product Acceptability
10.1 Fee Competition
10.5 Environmental Costs
11.2 Saltire Awards
11.7 Conference
Recommendations
Annex A Study Plan
Annex B List of Meetings and Written Submissions
Executive Summary
1. This special review was carried out to address conflicting demands on road network managers increasing volumes of traffic are using roads in Scotland's environmentally sensitive and typically tourist oriented leisure areas but there is little technical guidance on how to approach the management of traffic and the assessment, design and procurement of roads and bridges in these special locations.
2. On the one hand, there is the practical need to cope effectively with traffic serving the local economy which leads to pressure for improved access, particularly for the larger vehicle. The larger vehicle is a tool of the national transport distribution system; coaches are a tool of the tourist industry; and there are particular specific requirements for larger vehicles (eg farming and forestry). The presence of these larger vehicles argues for adequate road and bridge geometry, particularly the horizontal curvature and road width to cater for them. The higher traffic volumes argue for alignments and road and bridge widths which permit safe overtaking if congestion and queuing and accidents are to be avoided.
3. On the other hand, there is the need to cherish the special characteristics of these areas. In particular there is a need to be alert to road and bridge improvements which unintentionally change the character of an area and homogenise surroundings for the local community and travelling visitor alike.
4. The objective of this special review was to prepare an action plan to enable improved guidance to be issued.