Key findings from the Rural Roads at Risk Report
The research examined a number of case study routes in Cumbria involving:
- A cross-section of different classes of rural road.
- A geographical spread across the County.
- Different key Cumbrian landscapes (e.g. upland National Park to coastal plain).
- Roads with different historical development patterns.
The study found that there has been considerable change in road character over the last three decades:
Signs
Signs have become larger, more numerous and more varied, with many described as "confusing" and "intrusive".
Road markings
These are now designed to be prominent. Red, white and yellow lines and markings are intended to stand out against the colours and shapes of the typical surrounding landscape, and so consequently are aesthetically detrimental.
Kerbing
This has increased and become unnatural. The use of concrete blocks for kerbing is particularly intrusive.
Lighting
Lighting is intrusive night and day. Lighting has often introduced or increased on 'safety grounds'.
Utilities infrastructure
This has become ubiquitous and varied in state of repair and intrusiveness. Utility companies regard the area inside the highway boundary as a 'free for all', where the placing of equipment is largely uncontrolled.
Upgraded road design
This often fails to work with the landscape, but 'cuts across the grain'. Older roads, following traditional routes tend to fit well with the surrounding landscape, following contours or rising and falling over the relief, and having a close relationship with field boundaries and roadside settlements. Newer roads make more extensive use of earthworks and follow modern standards of corner radii and visibility splays. These enable higher speeds, which in turn can require visually intrusive speed reduction measures at certain locations, e.g. Road widening on the A591 at Grasmere, has led to more white lines and large speed restriction signs.
Verges
Erosion and lack of management is a problem on some verges. Cumbria County Council has identified 'special verges' which have high botanical value and operates management regimes to conserve biodiversity.
Safety barriers
The commonly used Armco barrier is visually intrusive. Wire rope barriers on the Dunmail Raise section of the A591 are less visually intrusive.
Boundary features
These are poorly maintained in places. Walls and hedges 'define' a road's boundary. Lack of boundary features gives can give 'wide open space' feeling. Hedge flailing has often replaced laying. Overgrown hedges and crumbling walls are an issue. Historic features are also disappearing or damaged. Historic features, such as milestones, are attractive and evocative elements of the historic road landscape.
Bus stops
These vary greatly, with examples of good and bad design.
