Local Transport Plan 3 Strategy and Implementation Plan for Southampton Setting out the city’s future transport policy and implementation programme CONTENTS Section 1: Foreword Page 3 Section 2: Summary Page 6 Section 3: Background to LTP3 Page 11 Section 4: Overview of the City of Southampton Page 16 Section 5: South Hampshire Joint Transport Strategy Page 20 Section 6: Introduction to the Southampton LTP3 Implementation Plan Page 44 Section 7: Road Safety Page 50 Section 8: Public Transport Page 63 Section 9: Network Management, ITS and Enforcement Page 78 Section 10: Smarter Choices Page 91 Section 11: Active Travel Page 104 Section 12: Asset Management Page 118 Section 13: Public Realm Page 124 Section 14: Data Collection and Monitoring Page 134 Section 15: List of Schemes and Locations Page 144 SECTION 1 FOREWORD: WHY TRANSPORT IS IMPORTANT Transport touches our lives every day. The ease by which we can get around can have a major impact on all aspects of people’s lives. Transport is something that when done well, can provide many positive benefits for society, the economy, the environment and the individual. It is an enabler of activity. It allows people to access a wealth of opportunities for work and leisure. Sustainable and efficient movement of people and goods is critical to the economic success of the city. It also links to a wider range of local and national objectives, such as improvements in health, quality of life, equality of opportunity, safety and security. This strategy sets out the city of Southampton’s strategy and policies to improve transport in the city over the next twenty years and identifies what we intend to do over the coming four years to deliver this strategy and these policies. 3 An “urban beach” event at Mayflower Park marks the arrival of the cruise ship Independence of the Seas in 2008. Southampton is the UK’s number one cruise port. Whilst the fast-growing industry raises the profile of the city and generates revenue and employment, it also presents us with new challenges on how to ensure large numbers of visitors can smoothly and efficiently access the port. SECTION 2 SUMMARY: SOUTHAMPTON- A BETTER CONNECTED CITY What is LTP3? Since 2000, all local authorities have been required by the Government to produce Local Transport Plans (LTPs) which set out the transport challenges faced by the local area together with proposals that will resolve these issues. This document outlines Southampton’s third local transport plan. It will show what changes are planned for the City’s transport network over the next four years and how they will benefit residents, visitors & businesses. What are the challenges? Congestion Although the volume of traffic passing through the city has not increased over the last 5 years, it is recognised that congestion does occur at peak times at key points in the network. This delays journeys to work (and journeys home), restricts the flow of goods & services and subsequently impacts on economic productivity. Pollution Congestion creates higher levels of air pollution as queuing traffic in restricted and confined spaces generates higher concentrations of vehicle emissions. Where the level of pollution exceeds thresholds recommend by the government, the local authority has to identify the location as an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and take steps to reduce the level of emissions. Southampton currently has 9 AQMAs and there is a pressing need to implement solutions at these locations. Traffic is also a significant contributor of greenhouse gases. There is real potential for Southampton to reduce CO2 emissions by changing to more sustainable transport modes. Road Safety The City has seen a significant reduction in road casualties over the last decade, but around 100 people are still killed or seriously injured on our roads every year. Whilst the key priority in promoting safer roads is the prevention of serious injury or loss of life, reducing accidents also eases pressure on emergency services and limits delays on the road network benefiting the local economy. Public Health A growing reliance on the car has encouraged more sedentary lifestyles. People frequently drive short distances for everyday journeys such commuting to work or taking children to school. An unwillingness to use more active modes (such as walking or cycling) for these trips has contributed to health problems such as obesity across the wider population. How will we overcome these challenges? We Will Manage And Maintain The Road Network Many congestion problems occur at junctions where the amount of traffic arriving at the junction simply exceeds the volume able to pass through the traffic signals. Southampton has developed intelligent traffic control systems to manage this problem. This uses techniques such as allowing long queues of traffic greater priority and linking several sets of lights so that traffic can pass through a set of junctions without stopping and starting. This system also enables the road network to respond to incidents such as accidents, which can quickly lead to congestion if the traffic is not re-directed. We will develop this intelligent traffic control system further to ensure that the road network is used efficiently and that existing capacity is optimised. There is also some limited scope for junction improvement works where the original road layout is no longer suitable for the volume of traffic that passes through it. We will identify these locations and maximise funding from external sources to ensure the best possible solution is delivered. We will also continue to maintain the road network and associated infrastructure to a high standard, prioritising repairs and maintenance to key transport corridors. We Will Improve Public Transport For many people, public transport is vital to provide access to employment, education, healthcare and other services. It is often an excellent alternative for people used to travelling by car, particularly in an urban environment like Southampton, avoiding the cost and inconvenience of parking. 6 We will make public transport more attractive by working with operators to provide more frequent direct services to the locations people want to go and ensuring greater priority for buses at road junctions. We will invest in bus stops to create a more attractive waiting environment and expand the Real Time Information system so that more passengers know when their bus will arrive. Public transport interchanges will be improved to enable smooth changes between different modes. Local authorities and public transport operators will work together to provide clear information on routes and timetables, helping passengers find the service they need. By implementing these improvements, we will encourage people to switch from the private car to public transport, easing congestion at peak times and reducing emissions from traffic. We Will Encourage People To Change Their Travel Habits Many journeys undertaken within Southampton can be comfortably walked or cycled. Many people would cycle and walk more if they felt it was safer. We will help people to cycle by expanding our network of cycle routes, including off-road paths and crossing. We will provide safer cycling training for both children and adults. The pedestrian environment will also be improved with wider footways in key locations and greater priority at crossings. People will be encouraged to use the enhanced public transport network through the introduction of a regional Smart Card (similar to London’s Oyster Card). These will enable passengers to buy tickets in advance making boarding hassle free. The Smart Card will be developed to be compatible with buses, trains and ferries enabling people to move between modes with ease. Whilst road safety can be improved by enforcing the law (via speed cameras) there is also scope to educate road users through promotional campaigns and introduce traffic calming measures such as 20mph zones outside schools. How will people benefit? Commuters Commuters will be offered a real opportunity to be free from the burden of rising fuel costs and parking charges. Easy access to internet based journey planners will show users the safest and quickest routes to walk or cycle to work. Reliable and frequent public transport services will offer a more direct journey to work and Smart Cards will offer the best ticket prices. Southampton City Council will work with employers to provide facilities for cyclists to shower and change as well negotiating discount public transport season tickets for their employees. Shoppers With road space reallocated to footways, the City Centre will become a safer and more attractive environment for people to enjoy themselves whether they are shopping or meeting friends. The “Legible Cities” network of signs will make it easier than ever for people unfamiliar with the City Centre to find the destinations and attractions they’re looking for. Additionally, frequent, high quality bus services will take people direct to key locations in the City Centre offering a more attractive alternative than using the car. Young People School children will have access to specially designed safe routes to school with new pedestrian crossings provided where busy roads can’t be avoided. The local authority will also provide free cycle training through schools so children can learn how to cycle safely. Where appropriate, we will also work with schools and bus operators to provide free bus travel. Senior Citizens Free concessionary travel on public transport for older people will be maintained and we will continue to fund specialist bus services (e.g. Dial-a-ride) for people unable to access bus routes easily. New public realm schemes will aim to improve access for those with mobility problems including raised kerbs at bus stops and accessible pedestrian crossings. Accessible low floor buses will be provided on all main bus routes, allowing the less mobile easy access to bus services.