Overcoming challenges facing the completion of the Avon Ring Road

There have been proposals for a new road around the eastern fringe of Bristol and Kingswood since the 1930s. The completed scheme has long been seen as an essential means of providing improved transportation links to Kingswood and a route for the movement of heavy goods vehicles. The last section, stage II, is finally under construction following a delay of about three years as a result of several legal actions in the High Court by two objectors to the scheme. The paper refers briefly to the whole scheme and then describes the implementation of stage II with particular reference to the statutory procedures, the challenges in the High Court and lessons to be learnt from the management of these processes. The paper also refers to other aspects of the project management including scheme procurement in relation to environmental issues, threats of direct protest action and partnership arrangements in respect of the main works contract. The project acts as an interesting case study to illustrate the challenges faced in implementing traditional road schemes in the context of an increased awareness of the means of objecting to highway construction schemes.