Initial A38 BREP Phase 3 Public Engagement Exercise 2020
As part of the process of building the business case for the Bromsgrove Route Enhancement Programme (BREP), Worcestershire County Council carried out an engagement exercise to seek feedback from stakeholders and the public on the proposals in early 2020. Please note: that some of these schemes have been amended to reflect the comments received as part of the engagement process, see the latest maps above.
When the engagement exercise took place and who with
The engagement period ran for six weeks until 20 March 2020. The process was promoted via the local press, on social media, and via the County Council’s website.
As part of the engagement exercise, the project team held regular meetings with local members and district councillors.
During this engagement period, five public engagement sessions were held as follows:
- Wednesday 5 February, Finstall First School (5:00pm to 7:00pm)
- Saturday 8 February, Bromsgrove High Street (10:00am to 2:00pm)
- Tuesday 11 February, Catshill First School (6:00pm to 8:00pm)
- Thursday 13 February, Lickey End First School (5:00pm to 7:00pm)
- Friday 21 February, Avoncroft Arts Centre (5:00pm to 7:00pm)
Nearly 1,500 people attended the sessions, which offered the opportunity to review the maps of the 12 proposed schemes and discuss them in more detail with officers.
Three unstaffed displays were also placed in libraries at Alvechurch, Bromsgrove and Catshill all of which showed the objectives and pointed people towards the website for more details. The displays were available for six weeks until 20 March 2020.
How could people give their feedback?
The main method for people to respond was via a closely monitored email address. This was promoted via the signpost cards which directed people to the County Council website. For those without access to the internet, an alternative was provided to manually write comments at the exhibitions.
Summary of the feedback
We received 133 emails in total, which included 246 separate comments on various parts of the proposed scheme, they break down as below:
In relation to |
Number of comments |
---|
Scheme 2 - Charford Road to Harvington Road |
2 |
Scheme 3 - Harvington Road to Old Station Road |
31 |
Scheme 4 - A448 near Blackwood Road |
2 |
Scheme 5 - Fordhouse Road to Carnforth Road |
5 |
Scheme A - A38 Hanbury Road |
1 |
Scheme B1 - A38 Buntsford Drive, Stoke Road and Sherwood Road |
10 |
Scheme C - A38 Stoke Road and Charford Road |
6 |
Scheme D - A38 New Road |
4 |
Scheme E - A38 and A448 |
14 |
Scheme F - A38 Birmingham Road and M42 Junction 1 |
90 |
Scheme G - A38 Golden Cross Lane and Braces Lane |
3 |
General (unspecific) |
36 |
Others (including the development of a Western Bypass) |
24 |
More information required |
5 |
Concerns with engagement process |
13 |
We also received a petition which includes 250 signatures against the proposals on Scheme F to make amends to the junction of School Lane with the A38.
During the course of the engagement period, the County Council had the opportunity to hear from a wide range of people regarding the proposals. All feedback and comments were considered when developing our plans and have fed into the design for the project.
There were a lot of positive comments in recognition of the current issues with congestion on the A38 through Bromsgrove and the Council’s ambition to improve the situation. The Council was also able to pick up awareness of any concerns with any elements of the proposals, these focussed around the plans for School Lane (Scheme F), which raised 12 separate concerns and the new bridge linking Old Station Road with Harvington Road (Scheme 3), which raised 8 separate concerns. The Council was able to get important local knowledge which has helped develop the proposals.
Feedback
The feedback has been used to evolve the proposals and progress the funding bid and business case. Some immediate responses to the feedback can be found in Appendix A.
Download: Comments and responses Appendix A
The council would like to thank those who attended the engagement sessions and those who provided their comments.
Further engagement 2021
Additional Engagement was undertaken in early 2021 to share information on two new schemes that emerged following feedback received from the initial engagement exercise in early 2020. The two new schemes sought to make further improvements to the walking and cycling network (Scheme 1 and Scheme 6). Due to COVID-19, the exercise did not involve community events, but focused instead on media releases directing interested parties to the council webpages and a letter drop to residents and businesses close to the proposed schemes. 10 respondents submitted 17 comments and these have been summarised in the table.
Comments summary |
Number of comments |
---|
Supportive of measures generally
|
6
|
Crossing at Slideslow Drive is not direct enough for cyclists
|
1
|
Unsupportive of the 'cycle path' in Oakalls as not wide enough
|
2
|
Queries on the information (e.g. planting) which were answered directly
|
5
|
Cycling provision should be more extensive and link into other areas of the network
|
3
|
Again, the council would like to thank those who responded to this engagement exercise for providing their comments.