Trunk road junction modelling and analysis: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/17/01940
Date received: 20 August 2017
Date responded: 11 September 2017

Information requested

The following information in relation to a planning application near the A96 trunk road:

Under the freedom of information act could you please advise what modelling and analysis has been used to provide the evidence on which your decisions have been made and was a site visit undertaken and if so when did this occur?

Response

Transport Scotland endeavours to be consistent in its responses and places road safety at the top of its concerns when making responses to Planning Authorities on planning applications that may affect the trunk road network.

The access point to this development is via an existing historical access and is approximately 150 metres from the signalised junction with the A939. The Design Manual for Road and Bridges (DMRB) recommends that junctions should be no closer than the required visibility distance required for the signed speed limit of the section of road in question. This is 70 metres at this location.

There was no traffic modelling undertaken but the following indicates the planning history of this site and Transport Scotland's (TS) recommendations in each case.

• Feb. 2010 – Pre-application correspondence for a residential development – TS recommended access upgrade to DMRB standards.

• Oct. 2010 – 5 dwelling houses – TS ref NE/169/2010, HC ref 10/03432/PIP – TS recommended access improvements.

• Jan. 2017 – Industrial use – TS ref NE/11/2017, HC Ref 16/05512/PIP – Submitted plans indicated access via adjacent industrial estate. TS recommended permanent closure of existing access to trunk road. An Engineer from our Operating Company visited site on 19 January 2017.

• May 2017 – Pre-application correspondence for either residential or industrial use – TS recommended that access to industrial site should be made via the adjacent industrial estate while residential use could have direct access to the A96 via an upgraded junction.

• Aug. 2017 – 31 residential houses – TS ref NE/128/2017, HC ref 17/03538/FUL – Submitted plans showed improved trunk road junction to DMRB standards. TS offered no objections. Engineer from our Operating Company visited site on 9 August 2017.

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