CHAPTER 6:

TRANSPORTATION

Policies

TRANS 1A Road Schemes

TRANS.1 Meeting The Transport Needs Of New Development

TRANS.2 Enhancement of Transportation Facilities and Network

TRANS.3 A34/M4 Junction 13 - Chieveley

TRANS.4 Cycling

TRANS.5 Pedestrians

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CHAPTER SIX:

TRANSPORTATION

6.1 INTRODUCTION

6.1.1 To a degree, transportation issues require a different approach to those described in other chapters of this Local Plan, for the following reasons:

•  traffic congestion is of great concern to all the residents of West Berkshire, and indeed travellers through West Berkshire, because of its economic and environmental consequences;
• transportation is the essential connection between other land uses described in this Plan, and the location and nature of other land uses affects the amount and method of travel;

6.1.2 The policies in this chapter reflect the advice contained in PPG13: Transport, with the overall objectives of reducing the need to travel, encouraging use of the means of transport other than the car, especially public transport, walking and cycling and discouraging reliance on the car where there are effective alternatives.

6.1.3 The Council is committed to achieving an appropriate balance between directing new development to the most sustainable locations and to sustain balanced rural communities. This is consistent with the strategies of the Structure Plan and Policy OVS.1 of this Plan. The Council will not support proposals for major development in unsustainable locations and will expect all proposed development to demonstrate how it will minimise the need for parking, maximise the opportunity to use alternative modes of travel and provide appropriate access to public transport facilities and other community facilities.

6.2 POLICY BACKGROUND

6.2.1 West Berkshire Council welcomes the integrated approach to transport set out in the Berkshire Structure Plan. The plan proposes a balance between all modes of transport and recognises that, particularly in urban areas, it is not practical, environmentally acceptable or economically feasible to cater for unrestrained private car use. The integrated approach was incorporated in the draft Newbury Access Package and was carried forward into the West Berkshire Local Transport Plan 2001/2 to 2005/6 and is reflected in this policy guidance.

6.2.2 In summary, the Structure Plan proposes:

T1: an integrated approach to transportation.
T2 & T3: provision for pedestrians and cyclists - encouragement of walking and cycling by improvements to accessibility, security, safety and environment.
T4: encouraging the increased use of public transport, including making provision in new development and encouragement of new services and/or facilities.
T5: maintenance and improvement of standards for transport by private car; in urban areas, especially at peak times, car usage will be restrained.
T6: control of parking, including particular measures in town centres, integrating car parking provision with other transportation policies.
T7: traffic management measures and road safety.
T8: encouragement of transfer of freight from road transport to other modes.
T9 - T14: national, county and minor road proposals and implementation programme.

ROAD SCHEMES

6.2.3 Policies T12 and T13 were included in the Structure Plan on the advice given in PPG12. These policies list the DTLR'S proposed motorway and trunk road schemes and schemes included in the former County Council's Transport Programme. The schemes in West Berkshire are set out in the table below, together with their status as at October 2000.

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6.2.4 West Berkshire Council is supportive of the principle of Park and Ride to serve both Newbury and the West Reading A4 corridor and is committed to working jointly with adjacent authorities to provide appropriate facilities. A joint study with Reading Borough Council has been commissioned to investigate and to prepare proposals for possible park and ride facilities in the area together with a further study to propose a park and ride strategy for Newbury.

6.3 WEST BERKSHIRE LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN

6.3.1 The Council's Local Transport Plan 2001/2 - 2005/6 sets out the broad transport policy framework for West Berkshire, together with a five year capital bid for implementing a range of strategies included in the plan. The plan recognises and addresses the individual transport needs of the different areas within West Berkshire as well as identifying issues of common concern such as road safety.

6.3.2 The Council is working with Reading Borough Council and Wokingham District Council in developing and implementing the Reading Urban Area Package. Proposals in the package relating to West Berkshire, including improvements to the A4 east of M4 junction 12, are contained in the financial bid in Reading Borough's Local Transport Plan.

6.3.3 For the Newbury and Thatcham area, the Local Transport Plan builds on the policy framework established in the draft Newbury Access Package, which in turn drew on the statement known as “Head and Heart” published by the former Newbury District Council in 1996. The access package outlined key proposals which aimed to

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improve accessibility, quality of life and reduce accidents in Newbury and Thatcham. These proposals were based on the establishment of pedestrian priority areas and the identification of key safe and attractive pedestrian routes into the town centres of Newbury and Thatcham, and between residential areas and schools.

6.4 KEY AIMS OF TRANSPORTATION POLICY

(i)maintain and enhance the economic health of West Berkshire through improvements to accessibility, especially by public transport.
(ii) have particular regard to the transport needs of people with mobility handicaps, and other disadvantaged vulnerable sectors of the population.
(iii) reduce environmental damage from traffic arising from noise, pollution, vibration and visual intrusion and habitat loss.
(iv) reduce energy consumption, especially by private transport.
(v) ensure that future development contributes to and enhances the transportation network and facilities, including the safety of users of the network.
(vi) support appropriate community transport initiatives and appropriate priority use of the public highway by public transport.
(vii) encourage use of rail and waterways for freight haulage.
(viii) improve accessibility, effectiveness and attractiveness of public transport.
(ix) support initiatives for extension and enhancement of pedestrian and cycle routes, including recreational routes in both urban and countryside areas.
(x) support initiatives to encourage by appropriate means walking to work.
(xi) ensure that new development facilitates theopportunity, where practicable, to give priority to access by public transport, walking and cycling.

6.5 MEETING THE TRANSPORT NEEDS OF NEW DEVELOPMENT

6.5.1 Policy TRANS.1 sets out a parking supply and management approach that promotes sustainable transport choices and is consistent with PPG13 and the strategies in the Local Transport Plan. A broad framework of parking standards based on those contained within national and regional guidance will be applied as set out in appendix5. In addition, a more detailed set of standards which expand on the basic framework contained within appendix 5 will be published by the Council as supplementary planning guidance.These standards will be reviewed from time to time in the context of emerging national policy and the Council's Local Transport Plan. The standards are expressed as maximum standards in accordance with national guidance and will be applied with flexibility, to take account of the ability of the site to be accessed by alternative transport modes. A reduction in the standard willbe required in some circumstances, for example, where the site is readily accessible by alternative means of travel to the private motor vehicle and/orhas a good existing public transport service. The standards reflect the range of accessibilityand rural nature of much of West Berkshire. The Council will seek to locate local facilities in local and rural service centres. In some cases, where public transport improvements are being introducedbut are not yet in place, the Council may negotiate a phased reduction in parking provisionfor new development through the adoptionof an appropriate travel plan.

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6.5.2 The move to maximum standards has removed the ability to take contributions in lieu of reduced on-site parking provision. However, contributions from developers will continue to be sought to ensure that any infrastructure relevant to the development is provided (see policy TRANS.2). All applications for development with significant transport implications will be required to be submitted with a full transport assessment which must illustrate accessibility to the site by all modes and the likely modal split of journeys to and from the site, together with details of proposed measures to improve access by public transport, walking and cycling. Where appropriate, the Council will expect applications to be accompanied by a travel plan which should detail the proposed strategy to manage parking demand on the site and provide appropriate provision for alternative modes of travel. Such plans may include phased proposals for reduced parking provision, for example, where improvements to public transport are proposed, or through other strategies that encourage the use of alternative modes of travel.

6.6 Car Parking Strategy and Pricing Policy

6.6.2 Within the Town Centre Commercial Area (TCCA), the Council will seek to ensure that all new parking provision for commercial or retail developmentis made available for public use as shared provision at appropriate times. The design and security of such parking areas should reflect this requirement.

6.7 ENHANCEMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES AND NETWORK

6.7.2 In considering planning applications for new development, the Council will require applications to be accompanied by a Transport Assessment which should fully assess the transport implications of that development in accordance with PPG13. Circular 1/97 states that planning obligations should only be sought where they are necessary to the granting of permission, relevant to planning, and relevant to the development to be permitted. There is scope for negotiations between a developer and the Council as to how objections might be overcome. Policy TRANS.2 sets out the off-site transportation works which might be considered as part of a proposal. The works listed are not in priority order and indeed some or all may not be relevant to the development under consideration; that will need to be established through consideration of a Transport Assessment, as will whether the works are necessary to the granting of permission. This policy will be relevant

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throughout West Berkshire, but especially where there is traffic congestion and conflicts between different highway users.

6.7.3 The Council intend to consult Railtrack and train operating companies as part of any development proposals which in their view would impact on the safe and efficient running of the railway.

6.7.4 While no new rail routes are proposed, the Council recognises the importance of the rail service as a means of high capacity travel, and as a high quality alternative to road travel, and to relieving road congestion on the M4 and A4 corridors.

6.7.5 In Newbury, the rail and bus stations are in close proximity to each other, however, present routes are poorly signed with no direct footpath links between the two stations. The Council considers that at this and at other stations, adequate interchange facilities should be provided, and access to and between train stations, bus stops, taxi ranks and car parks be improved. This can be achieved, for example, by altering:

(a) the layout of the parts of the stations/stops for access;
(b) the highway (by providing adequate pedestrianisation and cycling facilities);
(c) signs indicating directions; and
(d) travel information facilities.

6.7.6 The Council will seek planning obligations in order to deal with the transport impacts of development and will look to secure improvements particularly at locations where interchange takes place, as outlined in TRANS.2(j).

Any such off-site works must be determined to be relevant to the development under consideration and necessary to the granting of permission.

6.8 THE A34/M4 JUNCTION 13 - CHIEVELEY

6.8.1 The strategic location of the A34/M4 interchange (Junction 13) has resulted in continuing pressure for further development. The Council has supported the provision of appropriate facilities at this location to meet the needs of highway users.

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6.8.3 The Junction lies in a sensitive area of open downland landscape within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. To the north-west lies the village of Chieveley and there is concern that further development at Junction 13 could have a harmful effect on the character and setting of the village and the amenities of local residents. To the north east, the Newbury and District Agricultural Showground has a limited impact on the landscape because of its undeveloped nature.

6.8.4 The M4/A34 Junction 13 is of regional significance and therefore some development for highway users has been justified. The development that has been allowed should not be regarded as a precedent for further development, given the situation of the Junction in the North Wessex Downs AONB, where the general policy is one of restraining development, to protect the landscape quality of the area. Development has been concentrated on a limited area of land to the south of the M4 and its embankment and contained with landscape features of mounding and planting. Provision for other services has been and will continue to be located in Newbury.

6.8.5 Provision is made at this location for lorry parking and overnight facilities. This provision significantly reduces pressure for such facilities in sensitive town centre and residential areas.

6.9 CYCLING

6.9.1 Considerable attention has been given over recent years to the need to secure safer conditions for cyclists and to the desirability of promoting cycling. Cycling is identified in PPG13 as one of the three priority alternative transport modes. Specific commitment is given in the Local Transport Plan to making central areas more attractive and safe for cycling. A number of agencies, principally the local authorities throughout Berkshire, are drawing up a Cycling Strategy to achieve these objectives including the promotion of cycling routes. The Council support the provision of improved facilities for cycling and in particular seeks the implementation of such schemes in the following areas:

• generally in the vicinity of comprehensive schools, particularly between residential areas and such schools.
  
• in the vicinity of Newbury College.
  
• between Newbury and Thatcham.
  
• within Newbury urban area, between the town centre, employment areas and the residential areas of Greenham, Wash Common, Speen, Donnington and Shaw.
  
• within Thatcham urban area between the town centre, employment areas at Colthrop, the railway station and residential areas both north and south of the A4.
  
• Tilehurst, Calcot and Theale area.

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6.9.2 A cycling network is in preparation to incorporate such schemes which is supported by the Local Transport Plan.

6.9.3 Proposals for traffic restrictions should consider the needs of cyclists, e.g. road closures should maintain access for cyclists. In addition further cycle parking facilities need to be provided at appropriate destinations, e.g. shopping and town centres, railway stations, schools and other meeting places. All applications for commercial development should be accompanied by a cycle audit to demonstrate that cycling considerations have been adequately addressed. All non-residential development should provide adequate facilities for cyclists in terms of storage and changing facilities (showers, lockers etc). Residential development should incorporate facilities for cycle parking and storage.

6.9.4 The Council will continue to develop and implement prioritised programmes for the provision of cycle routes and convenient and secure cycle parking at key destinations in accordance with the cycling strategy set out In the Local Transport Plan.”

6.10 PEDESTRIANS

6.10.1 Walking is identified in PPG13 as one of the three priority alternative transport modes. The Council supports the provision of improved facilities for pedestrians across West Berkshire and particularly in commercial areas. Such provision should include increased width of pavements and improved surfacing, lighting, signing and removal of obstructions.

6.10.2 All applications for commercial development should be accompanied by a pedestrian audit to demonstrate that walking considerations have been adequately addressed. When considering development proposals, the Council will seek to secure effective pedestrian access, safety, security, convenience and comfort for all short trips, with particular regard to the requirements of people with disabilities. The Council will rely on Structure Plan policy T2 and the West Berkshire Local Transport Plan as the basis for this approach.

6.10.3 A key feature of the “Newbury Access Package” was the establishment of a pedestrian priority area in the centre of Newbury and the creation of a “park and walk” cordon close to the edge of the central area. Northbrook Street and Market Place have now become pedestrian priority areas and have been closed to car traffic during core shopping times since the opening of the bypass. A further stage of pedestrianisation is proposed involving the removal of other vehicles from Northbrook Street. This proposal will be subject to consultation with local traders, bus operators and the general public.

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