Options fact sheets / Key findings
Fact Sheets
In addition to the assessment of the shortlisted options described in section 7, it was recognised that any preferred option recommendation should also consider the operational benefits that are achieved and whether those benefits are significant enough to justify the cost, time and impacts of the recommended option.
Option fact sheets were produced which included more detail on operational benefits, costs and timescales associated with each option.
In addition to the three final shortlisted MTS options, the fact sheets also include combination options. These considered a range of interactions with potential LTS solutions based on the Green Route, looking at the costs, timing and operational impacts of converting an MTS option into a LTS.
The 11 options considered were:
- 01 – OMR Interventions
- 02 – Single Lane Lower Forestry Track Upgrade
- 03 – Offline MTS Option (Reduced Cross Section)
- 04 – Offline MTS Option (Wider Cross Section)
- 05 – Long-term Scheme with Debris Flow Shelter
- 06 – Long-term Scheme with Debris Flow Shelter and Short Viaduct
- 07 – Long-term Scheme with Viaduct
- 08 – Converted Reduced Cross Section Offline MTS Option to LTS Debris Flow Shelter
- 09 – Converted Wider Cross Section Offline MTS to LTS Debris Flow Shelter
- 10 – Phased Approach (Debris Flow Shelter)
- 11 – Phased Approach (Debris Flow Shelter and Short Viaduct)
The fact sheets for each of these options are included as Appendix E of this report.
Key findings from the Assessment Summary Tables and fact sheets relevant to the three final shortlisted MTS options are set out below.
Journey Time Comparison
Existing OMR versus Single Lane Forestry Track Upgrade under convoy
Journey times for the single lane forestry track operating in convoy is estimated to be up to 49 minutes: approximately 15 minutes in the convoy plus up to approximately 34 minutes waiting time.
The journey time for the current OMR diversion route is estimated to be up to 32 minutes: approximately 10 minutes (westbound) in convoy plus up to approximately 22 minutes waiting time.
The longer journey time for the single lane forestry track reflects the longer length of the track over which a convoy would be required compared to the current OMR diversion route.
The journey times comparison between the Existing OMR and the Single Lane Forestry Track Upgrade is summarised in Table 8.1.
| Route | Journey Time (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Existing OMR Diversion Route | 32 minutes |
| Single Lane Forestry Track under convoy | 49 minutes |
Existing OMR versus Single Lane Forestry Track Upgrade in loop with OMR
Journey times for the single lane forestry track operating in a loop with the OMR are estimated to be up to 25 minutes eastbound (on OMR) and 32 minutes westbound (on single lane forestry track), made up of 8 minutes (eastbound) in convoy plus up to 17 minutes waiting time eastbound, and 15 minutes in convoy and up to 17 minutes waiting time westbound.
Whilst this dual operation would offer a reduced journey time for eastbound traffic, compared to the existing OMR arrangement, there is no benefit for traffic travelling westbound.
The journey times comparison between the Existing OMR and the Single Lane Forestry Track Upgrade in loop with OMR is summarised in Table 8.2.
| Route | Journey Time (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Existing OMR Diversion Route | 32 minutes |
| Forestry Track in loop with OMR |
25 minutes eastbound 32 minutes westbound |
For a loop operation, two convoy vehicles and associated resources would be required, which would incur additional costs.
Existing OMR versus OMR Interventions
Due to the shorter length of convoy as a result of lengthening the section of two-way traffic, this option would result in an improvement to journey times compared to the existing OMR arrangement.
The journey times comparison between the existing OMR diversion route and the OMR Interventions is summarised in Table 8.3.
| Route | Journey Time (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Existing OMR Diversion Route | 32 minutes |
| OMR Interventions | 22 minutes |
Existing OMR versus Offline MTS Option
This option would not require a convoy operation and would operate under 30mph free flow conditions. This results in an improvement in journey times compared to the existing OMR arrangement.
The journey times comparison between the Existing OMR and the Offline MTS Option is summarised in Table 8.4.
| Route | Journey Time (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Existing OMR Diversion Route | 32 minutes |
| Offline MTS Two-way Route | 5 - 8 minutes |
Cost Estimates
Cost estimates were produced for each of the 11 options presented in the fact sheets.
The cost estimates for the three MTS options are presented in Table 8.5.
| Route | Cost |
|---|---|
| OMR Interventions | £24M - £32M |
| Offline MTS Option | £85M - £113M |
| Single Lane Forestry Track | £21M - £28M |
Construction Programme Estimates
The construction programme estimates for the MTS are presented in Table 8.6.
| Route | Outline Construction Programme |
|---|---|
| OMR Interventions | Up to 1 year |
| Offline MTS Option | 24 - 30 months |
| Single Lane Forestry Track | 13 - 19 months |