In November 2007 Capita Symonds Ltd conducted a highway operational analysis to supplement a Transport Assessment in support of the outline planning application for the proposed redevelopment of the Smithfield Livestock Market by J Ross Developments. Here the report outlines the reason for the proposed changes:

" The objective of this highway operational analysis has been to assess the benefits of introducing a gyratory system in Welshpool town centre, in conjunction with the proposed development by J Ross Developments to achieve the following:

• Creation of a forecast traffic situation that leaves journey times on the Trunk Road network no worse without the development or gyratory being in place in the year 2025.

• To provide operational and safety benefits to strategic and local traffic through the town centre.

• To provide accessibility and safety benefits to vulnerable road users.

Traffic model outputs showed that there would be operational problems at A458 Salop Road/Mill Lane junction, A458 Salop Road/Red Bank junction and 'The Cross Junction' during the evening peak hour of the year 2025.

Operational problems identified for the A458 Salop Road/Mill Lane junction, were in relation to vehicles emerging from Mill Lane and operational problems at A458 Salop Road/Red Bank junction were in relation to vehicles turning right from the major road.

Operational traffic problems in the Do Nothing scenario are anticipated to be worse than reported by the models due to the greater significance of Welshpool Livestock Market in future years. The Livestock Market is recognised as being the largest in Europe and is expected to assume greater significance within the region.

From analysing the visual performance and evaluating the model output results of the proposed gyratory and associated highway improvements (Do Something Model), the following were observed;

• The proposed highway improvements have the ability to control traffic movements through Welshpool Town Centre due to the intelligent coordination and optimisation of traffic signal controlled junctions at A458 Salop Road/Mill Lane junction, A458 Church Bank/Union Street junction, A458 Church Street/ Link Road, and the 'The Cross Junction'. In reality the control of traffic movements through Welshpool Town Centre could be further enhanced and additional operational benefits shown by the adoption of a SCOOT traffic signal control system.

• The proposed highway improvements enable a higher volume of traffic to pass through Welshpool Town Centre without compromising queues and delays within the town centre highway network.

• The proposed highway improvements remove unacceptable queues on Mill Lane and improve access for traffic to enter and exit from Red Bank.

• The operational performance of the Cross junction was improved.

Other benefits associated with the gyratory system that are not directly evident from the visual performance and model output results are as follows;

• Improved accessibility and safety for pedestrians due to greater provision of pedestrian crossing facilities associated with the signal controlled junctions.

• Potential for accident benefits to be accrued due to the enhanced control of traffic movements through Welshpool and junction improvements at A458 Salop Road/Mill Lane junction, A458 Church Bank/Union Street junction.

A recommendation from this study would be to adopt the change in trunk road designation for east to west movements, with the proposed gyratory system, as this would provide relief on Church Street without compromising traffic conditions on Severn Street to an unsatisfactory level.

To conclude, it can be reiterated that the development as proposed by J Ross Developments would have little additional impact upon the operation of the Welshpool Town Centre highway network, with the gyratory traffic system in place.

The findings of this highway assessment thus support the Planning Application for proposed redevelopment of the Smithfield Livestock Market."

Report written by Capita Symonds Ltd