The programme was demanding due to the short time frames and deadlines to produce the audit reports before the “Permits to Use” were issued to the Contractor (as part of the phased opening).  Though challenging, TMS delivered in terms of arranging the audits (with the Contractor, Welsh Government Representatives, South Wales Police and Local Highway Authorities), inspecting the sites in both daylight and night-time conditions and producing the Stage 3 reports.

It was very satisfying to see that the vast majority of our recommendations to improve road safety and reduce the risk of future collisions were carried out promptly by the contractor. Many of the recommendations involved lower cost measures, such as improving roadside protection, ensuring street furniture was forgiving in the event of a collision (passively safe), road signs, markings and reflective studs provided optimum performance and facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians were safe to use.

City Centre North (Charlotte Street and Unicorn Junction)

For this area of the city, a new link was created between Cascades Approach and Unicorn Road, including a two-way bus lane. The junction with the A3 and Unicorn Road was redesigned to include a slip lane from the A3 to Unicorn Road. Charlotte Street was also redesigned to incorporate a one-way bus lane, which connects Cascades Approach to Commercial Road through the existing high street.

Lake Road Corridor

This scheme consisted of widening Lake Road (west) to create a west-bound bus lane and on-carriageway segregated cycleways in both directions. This involved diversion of existing utilities, new drainage and lighting and resurfacing of the entire road. Lake Road / Holbrook Road roundabout was retained with adjustments to the geometry. In Lake Road (east) the scheme included the provision of two on-carriageway cycle lanes, improvement to pedestrian facilities and upgrading the existing pelican crossing to a signalised crossing for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Works

At the time of our commission, the amendments to the internal road and footway network which were constructed included a new realigned spine road accessed from the roundabout with Mytton Oak Road, a new footpath to the east side of spine road and a new, operational, one-way system around part of the site.

In addition to this, a new vehicular exit was created from the hospital (in the late afternoon) via Racecourse Lane, relocated visitor and staff car parking areas and various amendments to the car park accesses and management to suit the new realigned spine road and associated virtual footway separated from traffic by water filled barriers.

The internal hospital roads are privately managed and maintained.  They are street lit and are subject to a signed 20mph zone.  As part of the works the speed limit will be reduced to 10mph on the internal hospital roads.

Stage 3 Road Safety Audit

Assessments

Following completion of the works in December 2024, concerns about road safety were raised by the Trust that some vehicles were travelling the wrong way on the one-way section of road around the site, despite new signage and road markings being introduced.

Recommendation

After a comprehensive walk through of the scheme, the Audit Team recommended that amendments to the location of some signs and the sign faces of some others may encourage greater compliance with the one-way system.

What are the changes?

The changes from Version 2, released in January 2020, are relatively minor, primarily relating to updates to reflect name changes of Overseeing Organisations, updated reference document links and removal of reference to the Trans-European Road Network, alongside some grammatical amendments.

Technically, changes from Version 2 include the following:

• Clarification that a Road Safety Audit (RSA) Response Report is not required for Stage 1, 2 or 3 audits, where the RSA does not raise any problems.
• If the Design Organisation does not accept the RSA problem and recommendation, that undertaking a risk assessment is an appropriate way to inform decision making.
• The Local Authority should be consulted should an RSA problem or recommendation affect the local highway network, with the summary of the consultation documented in the response report.
• Recommendations accepted by the Design Organisation and Overseeing Organisation arising from Stage 1, 2 and 3 Road Safety Audits should be implemented as soon as practicable, ensuring those with the highest risk are implemented first.
• Recommendations accepted by the Overseeing Organisation arising from a Stage 4 Road Safety Audit, should be implemented as soon as practicable.

At TMS, we pride ourselves on our integrity and independence within the RSA process. Our team of safety auditors have extensive knowledge and experience in carrying out Road Safety Audits on all types of highway schemes, on the local, trunk and motorway network throughout the UK. All Road Safety Audits undertaken by TMS fully comply with the requirements stipulated under GG 119.