Roads that need to be improved

[Zoe]

Before anyone says people should get the train instead, this is not always practical so I'd be interested to know what roads people think could be improved. Here is my list:

A1 Morpeth to Dunbar - This is supposed to be a major trunk route from Newcastle to Edinburgh but for most of this section it is reduced to simply a country lane. Trucks are limited to 40 mph so you can end up stuck behind one for a long time.

A303/A358 Amesbury to Taunton - What a joke this road is again it's supposed to be a major trunk road from London to the Westcountry but upgrades over the years have been piecemeal and some sections are nothing more than a country lane. The worst section is through the Blackdown Hills from Ilminster to Honiton, this even includes a bend with a 20 mph advisory speed limit. This section however is quite environmentally sensitive so it would be better to improve the A358 from Ilminster to the M5 at Taunton so that traffic can avoid this section. Currently best advise is that unless you are going to somewhere specifically on the A303 then avoid it completely and use the M4/M5 route.

A417 Cowley to Brockworth - This is part of the main route from London to Gloucester and all except this short section is of high quality dual carriageway but this dangerous section of single carriageway with a steep hill remains. The area however is environemtally sensitive so ploughing a dual carriageway straight through the hill would quite simply not be acceptable so another route should be used.

 

[HST Power]

Pretty much all the roads need re-surfacing following the heavy snow. It's dodge the pot holes here in Letchworth, you just can't escape them. So many people are seriously damaging their cars from running into them!
The A1(M) needed work done in the Hatfield tunnel, which is almost completed, though I think the motorway could really do with an extra lane near Welwyn Garden City, to stop the big queues that form in the evenings when the three lanes become just two.

 

[mumrar]

All of them need drastic work to surface cracking and potholes. A lot of the roads that they cheaply loose chipped around Redditch are real bone shakers, particular on the exit of roundabouts were the seem to appear in ridges!

As some of you may be aware from a thread I posted, I'm currently cycling everywhere and it is an absolute disgrace the state of the roads, especially the edge where we're meant to be cycling. What you feel as a big bump literally rips my spine out through my arse!

 

[ralphchadkirk]

They seem to be relaying roads round here by putting loose stone on tarmac and letting the cars compact it in. Must be saving money though!

 

[Ivo]

I think the A12 should be upgraded to a motorway south of the A14. But it would need a lot of work, and a new single-carriageway A12 road to run next to it for all the local traffic between the above junction and the A120 (east). Other than that, three lanes as far as the A120 (east) interchange, removal of all the little junctions such as Rivenhall, and that's about it. A new M12 would be possible. Seen as the road is under development anyway, why not go all the way?

 

[Zoe]

The A12 though once inside the M25 is of quite poor standard. Wouldn't it be better to just send traffic to London via the A130 and A13?

 

[HST Power]

They seem to be relaying roads round here by putting loose stone on tarmac and letting the cars compact it in. Must be saving money though!

That's probably all they can afford to do!

 

[Ivo]

The A12 though once inside the M25 is of quite poor standard. Wouldn't it be better to just send traffic to London via the A130 and A13?

Until the new interchange at Sadlers Farm is completed (it is currently a Magic Roundabout) this is the worst option out there. If this was pursued the A13 would need to be at least three lanes and probably four (it struggles with two as it is; west of Tilbury it is a trunk 3-lane road). If this happened, the A13 would probably become a motorway instead. Although... I'm not quite sure how they would get around Pitsea flyover, which is dangerous in wet - never mind foggy or icy - conditions and has recently been the subject of renovation. The A130 is probably suitable already, although using the above idea a third lane would be necessary.

Some improvements would be needed, and then the A13 could be upgraded as well, with junctions from Dagenham to Felixstowe extended over A14 stretch [*!* indicates junctions likely to be busy; some (especially on the A12 stretch) have been improved or removed and one has been introduced]:

1 Dagenham, Barking, Central London A13, A1306 (A1240) *!*
2 Rainham, Romford B1355 (A125)
3 Purfleet, Aveley A1306 (A1090)
4 M25, Dartford Crossing A1306 (A282) *!*
4A Lakeside, Grays (W), South Ockendon, Upminster A126 (B186) *!*
5 Grays (C, E) A1012
6 Tilbury, Chadwell St Mary A1306
6A Brentwood, Orsett A128, A1013
7 Thames Haven, Stanford-le-Hope, Corringham A1013, B1007 *!*
8 Basildon (W, C), Billericay A176, B1420, B1464
9 Basildon (E), Wickford A132, B1464
10 Southend (W), Canvey Island A13, A130, B1464 *!*
11 Southend (C, E), Southend Airport, Rayleigh, Rochford, MOD Shoeburyness A127, A1245 (A129) (A1159) *!*
12 Wickford, South Woodham Ferrers, Billericay, Burnham-on-Crouch A132 (A129) (B1012)
13 Chelmsford (S, C) A1114 *!*
13A Maldon, Danbury A414
14 Chelmsford (N), Stansted Airport, Braintree, Sudbury, Great Leighs Racecourse A130, A138, B1137 *!*
15 Hatfield Peveral, Maldon B1137 (B1019)
16 Witham B1018 (B1389)
17 Kelvedon B1024 (B1023)
18 Marks Tey, Coggeshall, Stanway A120, B1408
19 Lexden, Halstead A1124
19A Colchester (W, C), MOD Colchester A133 *!*
20 Colchester (N), Sudbury A134
21 Colchester (E), Harwich, Clacton, Walton A120, A1232 (A133) *!*
22 East Bergholt, Stratford St Mary, Manningtree B1070 (A137)
23 Ipswich (W), Norwich, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Hadleigh A14 *!*
24 Ipswich (S, C) A137
25 Ipswich (E) A1189
26 Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Woodbridge A12 *!*
27 Felixstowe (N), Trimley St Martin, Trimley St Mary A154
28 Felixstowe (S), Felixstowe Port A154 *!*

EDITED to include Chantry to Felixstowe stretch; see Posts 14/15 below.

 

[HST Power]

You could go into road improvements! That's one massive list!

 

[mumrar]

They seem to be relaying roads round here by putting loose stone on tarmac and letting the cars compact it in. Must be saving money though!

This is the biggest problem for me on my bike. Whilst the road beds in, I get pelted with stones by cars unwilling to do the advised speed limit. Then when it's finished and settled they send a roadsweeper along that cleans up the loose bits, but degrades the very inside by the kerb slightly. If there are any trees overhanging the roadside, these cause the surface stones to loosen quickly, thus degrading the area by the kerb faster, alongside the wear that occurs here from buses, HGVs and all other road vehicles.

The noise and juddering my bike makes on these roads is both painful for my arms and 'seat' and also means I'm being slowed down and the bike shaken and jolted so it's structure suffers. As we all know from the scientific principles, energy cannot be created from nothing or destroyed. So whilst my bike shudders, and rattles and makes more tyre noise, that's energy I'm putting in to forward motion being 'stolen' for other purposes by the poor road surface.

Compare that to a run along a fresh, smooth properly layed section of HRA (Hot rolled asphalt) and it is chalk and cheese. I'm more confortable and faster due to the smoothness. But then some bus or truck comes along and puts a crater by a speed bump or a drainage/utility cover.

 

[142094]

I've been on the A1 as far as Berwick driving myself, and to Edinburgh on a coach. I've never noticed the fact that trucks are limited to 40 mph.

 

[Liam]

A1 Morpeth to Dunbar - This is supposed to be a major trunk route from Newcastle to Edinburgh but for most of this section it was reduced to simply a country lane.

It wasn't reduced. It has always been single carriageway, but in the last couple of decades, some sections have been improved to dual cariageway and some sections of single carriageway now have overtaking lanes.

 

[Zoe]

It wasn't reduced. It has always been single carriageway, but in the last couple of decades, some sections have been improved to dual cariageway and some sections of single carriageway now have overtaking lanes.

Sorry my wording was incorrect, I was not trying to say that the road had actually be physically reduced. What I am saying is that what is supposed to be a major trunk road linking Edinburgh is little more than a country lane in some sections. It should all be dual.

 

[LE Greys]

The Great North Road Project
Convert the entire length of the A1 from Apex Corner to the Tyne Tunnel to motorway, while reconnecting the original single carriageway. North of the junction with the M1, renumber the road so that the new one is the M1 and the old one is the A1, south of there, the new one would be the A1(M) and the old one would be the A1000. Finally, dual the whole road between Cramlington and the Edinburgh Bypass.

The Eastern Motorways Project
Upgrade the A12 from the M25 to Ipswich to full motorway standard (the M12), while reconnecting the old single carriageway sections to form a continuous road (the A12). Divert the M12 over the Orwell Bridge, then upgrade what is currently the A14 to become a longer M12. Upgrade the Girton-Huntingdon section of the A14 to full motorway and renumber as the M11. Finally, upgrade the bit between Girton and Ipswich to full motorway, and renumber as A45(M). Oh yes, and return the A14 number to Ermine Street.

Pothole fixing on country roads in North Herts
Please.

 

[Ivo]

Divert the M12 over the Orwell Bridge, then upgrade what is currently the A14 to become a longer M12

Why didn't I think of that? :?

I'm going to amend my M13 post.

Sorry if you disapprove of this

 

[LE Greys]

Why didn't I think of that? :?

I'm going to amend my M13 post.

Sorry if you disapprove of this

Go right ahead.

 

[142094]

The Great North Road Project
Convert the entire length of the A1 from Apex Corner to the Tyne Tunnel to motorway, while reconnecting the original single carriageway. North of the junction with the M1, renumber the road so that the new one is the M1 and the old one is the A1, south of there, the new one would be the A1(M) and the old one would be the A1000. Finally, dual the whole road between Cramlington and the Edinburgh Bypass.

A1 doesn't run through the Tyne Tunnel, that is the A19. You'd need a lot of work to get the A19 up to motorway standard from Seaton Burn to Washington.

 

[LE Greys]

A1 doesn't run through the Tyne Tunnel, that is the A19. You'd need a lot of work to get the A19 up to motorway standard from Seaton Burn to Washington.

The A1 doesn't, but this would be the top of the M1, an extension from the current junction at Aberford to the Tyne Tunnel using various bits of A1(M), A194(M) and upgraded current A1. The A1 itself would return to its old course (the A168 from Weatherby to Dishforth, the original carriageway of the current road from Dishforth to Darlington and the A167 from Darlington to Washington) before rejoining its current route.

Oh yes, and every sign along both the old and new routes would be labelled "Great North Road", just so that everyone knows that to get to the North, it's best to stay East.

 

[Zoe]

The Great North Road Project
Convert the entire length of the A1 from Apex Corner to the Tyne Tunnel to motorway, while reconnecting the original single carriageway. North of the junction with the M1, renumber the road so that the new one is the M1 and the old one is the A1, south of there, the new one would be the A1(M) and the old one would be the A1000. Finally, dual the whole road between Cramlington and the Edinburgh Bypass.

Would the entire route south of Newcastle be three lanes or would there sitll be some two lane motorway sections? Instead of having A1(M) you could give the entire A1 south of Newcastle the M1 designation with the M1 from London to Catthorpe becoming M6. From Catthorpe to Leeds, M10 could be used. It will be quite a challenge upgrading the A1 through Bedfordshire though, I expect a new road would be needed not just an upgrade of the existing road.

 

[starrymarkb]

Would the entire route south of Newcastle be three lanes or would there sitll be some two lane motorway sections? Instead of having A1(M) you could give the entire A1 south of Newcastle the M1 designation with the M1 from London to Catthorpe becoming M6. From Catthorpe to Leeds, M10 could be used. It will be quite a challenge upgrading the A1 through Bedfordshire though, I expect a new road would be needed not just an upgrade of the existing road.

TBH you might as well give the M10 name to the A1M as renumbering the M1 then immediatly re-using the number for another road has the potential for mass confusion. Especially with those using paper atlases

 

[Zoe]

It would just be good to have a single number from London to Glasgow and M6 would be the obvious choice for this.

 

[HST Power]

If I was to do one thing to the motorways, I would build two separate lanes strictly for HGV's only on the A1(M) and M25. HGV's would have to stay in them at all times unless there was an accident or the lanes were blocked/closed.

 

[starrymarkb]

HGVs arn't usually a problem though. I find Middle Lane hoggers a much bigger issue, especially if they are doing a constant 60mph. Overtaking trucks will pull over when past (usually rapidly)

 

[Zoe]

The issue with the trucks is the calibration of the speed limiters. Having one truck at 56 mph overtaking another at 55 mph on a two lane dual carriageway is not good.

 

[HST Power]

Middle lane hoggers are very annoying, but it's also extremely annoying (if not worse) when two trucks are trying to overtake each other at 52mph.

 

[starrymarkb]

The issue with the trucks is the calibration of the speed limiters. Having one truck at 56 mph overtaking another at 55 mph on a two lane dual carriageway is not good.

Which is why on the continent's 2 lane Autoroutes/bahns there are overtaking bans on trucks during daylight hours. I understand they are trialing something on the A42 - though the signs are very verborse compared to the continent.

 

[Zoe]

I would like to see overtaking on single carriageway roads banned. This is a very dangerous practice and is not needed. Instead I think there should be a rule where trucks would have to pull over at the next layby if there is more than a certain number of cars stuck behind them.

 

[HST Power]

I would like to see overtaking on single carriageway roads banned. This is a very dangerous practice and is not needed. Instead I think there should be a rule where trucks would have to pull over at the next layby if there is more than a certain number of cars stuck behind them.

They wouldn't do it, and to be honest, whilst being stuck behind a truck is a real pain, I do sympathise with lorry drivers as a lot of them have very difficult working conditions.

 

[Zoe]

Is the 40 mph limit for trucks on single carriageways really needed? If not then it wouldn't be too bad to limit them to 50 mph and introduce an overtaking ban.

 

[HST Power]

Is the 40 mph limit for trucks on single carriageways really needed? If not then it wouldn't be too bad to limit them to 50 mph and introduce an overtaking ban.

I think the 40mph limit is law, due to safety.