The Highways Agency is putting together what it calls an "innovative" 10-year plan to solve problems on the A13 and the Dock Approach Road (A1089).

The Route Management Strategy (RMS) aims "to identify problems along the route and help find practical problems," says an agency statement. It will take in the A13 from the London boundary to its junction with the A1089.

Other key elements include:

improving road safety, reducing congestion and increasing the reliability of journey times

making better use of the existing road and "finding ways to use the available money more effectively"

working with road users and other groups to allow local people to have their say

making sure any decisions on roads take into account other planning and transportation implications.

Highways Agency network manager Eric Cooper said: "RMS plans ensure that individual trunk routes are managed in a consistent and efficient way and help to deliver the Government's policies for an integrated transport system."

Councils, the Government and the public will be involved in consultations which will look at maintenance and development priorities over the coming ten years.

Thurrock Council's plans for a relief road in West Thurrock and the proposed billion-pound development at Shell Haven, which will considerably increase A13 traffic towards London, are bound to play an important role in the consultations.

A seminar is planned for April when representatives of interested groups will be invited to put forward their views.

Once the draft strategy is put together, consultations will be held in the autumn, with the final plan expected to be published early next year.

Anybody who is interested in contributing to the development of the strategy can contact Mr Cooper at The Highways Agency, Heron House, 49-53 Goldington Road, Bedford MK40 3LL or e-mail eric.cooper@highways.gsi.gov.uk

Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002