The client was a Civil and Structural Engineering Company, involved in infrastructure design, development planning, geotechnical and surveying work, with a varied and wide client base. They wanted our professional advice regarding road safety around a an open shared space area known as the “The Square” and a pond feature. The Audit Stage was Pre-3, with the scheme nearing completion.

Concerns about road safety were raised by the Client surrounding a pond within the development, which will collect rainwater via an infiltration basin. The pond was larger than normally encountered during safety audits. The development also featured a large open shared space area known as the “The Square.” Concerns were raised here about undisciplined parking, vehicle speeds and navigation by pedestrians and cyclists.

After careful analysis, the Audit Team found the pond did not need any improvements, as the ground profile, distance from the edge of carriageway and anticipated vehicle speeds deemed the risk to be in the low and tolerable region. However, safety improvements for pedestrians were suggested as the pond were more of a risk to them.

At “The Square” a way to slow vehicles was recommended, some suggestions made were landscaping and street furniture. If parking was required, a more formalised and confined arrangement was recommended. Otherwise, the prevention of parking within the shared space area could be considered, with the use of landscaping and suitably positioned street furniture to create a pedestrian only area.

Harminder Aulak who was the Audit Team Leader for the scheme quoted, “It is always pleasing when our clients come to us first to get our expert opinion on road safety matters as they arise during construction. Sometimes these issues are not easily identifiable on drawings during design stages, and instead potential issues become more apparent as construction progresses. With this scheme, we used our skills in road safety engineering, risk assessment and collision analysis to suggest improvements, ensuring scheme was safe for everyone.” Our client valued our input and we received good feedback during discussions at the site visit.

As part of Birmingham City Council’s Cycle Revolution, new Blue Cycle Routes have been provided along the A34 and A38. These are on the A34 New Town Row/High Street and A38 Bristol Road/Bristol Street corridors. The goal is to provide an easy and quick route to Birmingham city centre.

The routes are the first Blue Cycle Routes introduced in Birmingham, which follows a similar design to the London Cycle Superhighways. The schemes are designed to encourage people to switch from cars to bikes. They are mostly separated from traffic and pedestrians allowing cyclists to travel safely and quickly along the corridors. The cycle routes also have priority over vehicles where they cross side roads and have their own traffic signals at junctions and crossings. At some junctions, traffic turning movements have been banned to improve safety for cyclists.

“The only issue I found with the scheme was that the lack of directional signing and continuity of the route through the city centre. It was not easy to find your way through the city centre quickly and efficiently. This issue needs to be addressed by the council so that cyclists can connect more easily between the southern (A38) and northern (A34) routes.”

Having ridden the routes, one of our engineers, Harminder Aulak said:

“I enjoyed cycling the blue routes and they certainly provided a comfortable and safe journey travelling along some of the busiest traffic routes in Birmingham. The priority given to cyclists at junctions and the provision of dedicated signals at busy intersections was welcomed and has elevated the importance of cycling amongst the hierarchy of road users. I would recommend everyone to give them a go, whether you are a novice or experienced cyclist. I believe Birmingham could become a cycling city, as has happened in London since the introduction of the cycle superhighways. To achieve this, the council needs to introduce more blue cycle routes along the other strategic routes radiating from the city centre. The blue routes help to lift some of the barriers to cycling in towns and cities, and once people have tried them, they will probably find cycling a good alternative to the car.”

Our client was a Local Authority for Oxford, for whom TMS had previously carried out Road Safety Audits for. The proposed scheme was to provide a temporary (3 month) public space, which included landscaping, seating, and open areas in what is a heavily vehicular trafficked street. This would provide a place for people to meet and congregate or sit in privacy in an enjoyable space.

The scheme was an interesting one to be involved in, largely due to the significant change in nature and use of what is an important and very historical street within the City Centre. From the Audit Teams observations at the Stage 3 site visit, it was well used by the public for the very activity that it was designed for.

The scheme was an interesting one to be involved in, largely due to the significant change in nature and use of what is an important and very historical street within the City Centre. From the Audit Teams observations at the Stage 3 site visit, it was well used by the public for the very activity that it was designed for.

The scheme which we were instructed to audit is a new two-bore tunnel under the River Thames in London to connect Silvertown on the North and Greenwich on the South side of the River Thames with new junctions at either end. The tunnel section itself will have two lanes in both directions, with one of the lanes being a dedicated Bus/Coach/HGV lane. The purpose of the scheme is to provide an additional river crossing to alleviate current traffic levels and congestion at the nearby Blackwall Tunnel as well as providing an opportunity for regeneration on both sides of the river. For the tunnel section and tie in junctions, TMS carried out Stage 2 Road Safety Audits, but in addition has carried out Stage 1 audits on the proposed Temporary Traffic Management schemes on the A102 and Millennium Way that will be necessary to facilitate the construction works.

The scheme is quite varied in the sense that the two junctions at either end of the tunnel section are different. At the Silvertown Junction a traffic signal junction is proposed and at the northern end (Silvertown), a large traffic signal junction is to be provided to tie into the existing local road network and features facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

A free flow slip-road design is proposed at the Greenwich Junction. At the southern end (Greenwich), entry and exits to and from the tunnel portal will feed as free slip roads into the A102 which will also provide entry and exit to the Blackwall Tunnel.

Darren Newbold, the Audit Team Leader for the scheme, found the project to be of particular interest.  Darren commented:  “It will be the first new Thames River crossing to the east of Tower Bridge in over thirty years (Dartford Crossing being the last)”.

This will also be the first time TMS have been involved in any River Thames crossing infrastructure. The initial site visit was interesting as the audit team were able to take the Emirates Cable Car, from which gave a superb overhead view of the alignment of the new tunnel.  This is a unique scheme for TMS, as a company, to be involved in and for the auditors it will be interesting to see the scheme develop over the next few years, before having a drive through in 2025.