Transport assessment for strategic highway infrastructure project

Challenge

SLR prepared the transport assessment for this initial phase of residential and commercial development, including masterplanning and preliminary design for the Land East Hemel Hempstead (LEHH) scheme planning application. SLR was appointed as lead design consultant to deliver the Strategic Access Infrastructure to release the site for development.

Solution

Works included the major remodelling of M1 junction eight and amendments to the existing motorway slips, a new road bridge over the eight lane M1 and adjacent M1 junction 8 north facing slips road, along with associated link roads into the development. Strategic highway works included local A414 highway improvements, a shared cycle/foot bridge over the A414, a new primary spine road through the commercial development north of the A414, development accesses serving the north and south residential zones, detailed earthworks proposals for the commercial site plots and major surface water attenuation facilities to achieve a balanced earthworks cut-fill strategy for the overall development.

Impact

Taking a collaborative approach, we led the design process in an inclusive and coordinated way to ensure the highest quality, optimal solution.

We encouraged early involvement from Hertfordshire Council County and National Highways (Highways England), as the works are to be partially adopted by both authorities. We took the time to collaborate, understand adoption parameters and areas of commonality. Importantly, this enabled us to liaise closely with the specialist teams within the authorities, consulting them early in the process and integrating their requirements and objectives. Design input took place from 2019 to 2022.