Solent Gateways Improving Connectivity Between Southampton and the Isle of Wight
This scheme will provide the enabling public infrastructure needed to improve the Red Funnel Ferry terminals on each side of the Solent, including ac- cess roads, cycling and walking routes, town centre public realm in East Cowes, good quality waterfront areas, and a new ‘fl oating bridge’ between East and West Cowes.
The scheme sponsors are the Isle of Wight Council and Southampton City Council, together with the Red Funnel Group.
ROYAL PIER WATER-FRONT DEVELOPMENT SITE
TRAFALGAR DOCK PEDESTRIAN + CYCLE ROUTES / PUBLIC REALM
TRAFALGAR DOCK VEHICULAR ACCESS
Ferry Upgrades NEW FERRY TERMINAL
Ferry Improvements
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Masterplan Approved 2007 Background This exhibition shows initial concepts designed to complete the Masterplan agreed for East Cowes in 2007, following extensive consultation. In 2010 some minor amendments were agreed and a Design Code adopted.
In January 2014 the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (SLEP) published its Strategic Economic Plan, which included the Red Funnel Interchanges Scheme, as part of a package of measures designed to boost growth and jobs in the region. The two authorities, Southampton and the Isle of Wight, are now working to submit a full business case for £15 million of funding from the SLEP. The business case will be delivered in December 2014, and the SLEP have indicated they will make a fi nal decision on allocating the funds in January 2015.
The completion of the stalled East Cowes Masterplan - in particular a range of improvements to the public realm - is one of three elements in the package, the others being the provision of a new fl oating bridge between Cowes and East Cowes, and access to the re-positioned Red Funnel terminal at Trafalgar Dock in Southampton.
Governance A Project Board meet monthly to progress the project, with representation from Southampton City Council, Isle of Wight Council, Red Funnel, Associated British Ports, RPW Ltd, and HCA. A Steering Group with senior politicians and offi cers from both authorities meets quarterly. A Champions Group is being formed over the next few weeks.
Scheme Objectives
General
To complete the Masterplan, the public realm design must:
- Accommodate the Red Funnel marshalling yard - Provide for good quality transport interchange - Ensure the integrity/cohesion of the town centre is improved - Be of high quality in materials and improve the environment - Enhance the place as a ‘gateway to the island’ - Set out a cohesive waterfront - Accommodate a mixed balance of land uses
Transport
- Traffi c model to show layout works including ferry discharge period - Layout re-unites the town centre with strong pedestrian links throughout inc. to the waterfront - Provides quality access for all modes including peds, cycles, buses, & taxis - Access must be maintained to the public slipway and Trinity House depot - Provision of enough parking - Smooth passage for buses - Site management plan needed to demonstrate method of dealing with back-up of ferry traffi c onto the highway - Mitigation of potential confl ict of ferry and Waitrose traffi c - Consider impact on Quality in the Town Centre Solent Gateways Improving Connectivity Between Southampton and the Isle of Wight
Existing Conditions
Potential to improve esplande with views overlooking the River Medina 8
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Arrival to East Cowes potential improve- ments 2 4 Narrowed junction 7 6 Views overlooking 3 5 River Medina
Improvements to Potential public space central square/junc- for footpassengers of tion Chain Ferry
1 2 Key: Start of East Cowes Esplandade
Key pedestrian links of village core
View from the ferry to East Cowes upon Dover Road- Poor quality public realm Potential to enhance views of the River arrival & links Medina 3 4
Potential Public Realm improvements
Chain Ferry loading Castle St active frontage 5768
York Ave/ Ferry Rd Junction Town centre public realm Connection conditions from arrival to Start of the Esplanade Waitrose Solent Gateways Improving Connectivity Between Southampton and the Isle of Wight
Masterplan
1 Bridge Square
2 York Square
3 Trinity Wharf
Red Funnel Ferry 4 Terminal & Marshalling Yard Castle St 5 Improvements
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Key:
Taxi Collection
Taxi Routes
Pick Up/ Drop Of
Ferry Access Routes
Servicing
Bus Route
Bus Stop
Existing Waterfront Access
Potential Waterfron Access
Ferry & Floating Bridge
Replacment Ferry
Public Slip Way
Potential Replacment Slipway Key: Rhyde Boat Club Launch Jetty Pedestrian Routes
Wayfnding Locations Movement and Access Plan Pedestrian Movement
Key:
Public Parking
Private Parking
Temporary Parking
Private Vehicle Routes- Two Way
Private Vehicle Routes- One Way Parking Survey area (to be conducted December 2014) Private Vehicle Movement and Parking Solent Gateways Improving Connectivity Between Southampton and the Isle of Wight
Bridge Square Concept:
Bridge Square is a key arrival point from West Cowes creating an enhanced pedestrian link to Castle Road and York Square. The design offers views at high level over the River Medina and the chain ferry to West Cowes.
Bridge Square Scale 1:200 @ A1 Solent Gateways Improving Connectivity Between Southampton and the Isle of Wight
Concept:
York Square is the one of the main hubs in East Cowes connecting the chain ferry, Waitrose town square, Trinity wharf & Castle Street to the Town Hall.
The design provides further opportunities for cafe spill out as well as creating a high quality pedestrian focused space.
Further design development will explore the intervention of a series of art elements in the ground surface.
York Square Scale 1:250 @ A1 Solent Gateways Improving Connectivity Between Southampton and the Isle of Wight
Concept:
Trinity Wharf, part of the new mix used development, provides an enhanced link between the Red Funnel terminal and town centre.
A material palette of natural stone and timber relate to the edge of water location. A series of bespoke items of furniture would see seating wrapping up out of the ground surface to create a distinctive space overlooking the water.
A series of public art interventions drawing on the industrial heritage adds a further level of detail and interest.
Trinity Wharf Scale 1:250 @ A1 Solent Gateways Improving Connectivity Between Southampton and the Isle of Wight
Materials Palette Solent Gateways Improving Connectivity Between Southampton and the Isle of Wight
Public Realm Indicative Phasing Plan
SHELTER
WA
entrance ITROSE
EXIT
Cars
EXIT servecies only servecies
Coaches
HGV's
0m 25m 50m 75m 100m Solent Gateways Improving Connectivity Between Southampton and the Isle of Wight
T ese designs are concepts only. We now want to f nd out what people think of the plans. We have set down here some of the questions asked so far, and the designers have given our initial responses. If you would like to add comments of your own please email Andrea Jenkins at [email protected] or write to her at County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD.
1 How will you know that the new traf c layout for the area works? Designers response: A traf c simulation model has been made for the area. T e new arrangements will be fed into the model, including some assumptions about future growth. When these are ready, they will be made public. T e model has to show the new arrangements work for it to go ahead.
2a Will there be any loss of on-street parking under this plan – e.g. the 6 x spaces on Ferry Road? Designers response: We will carry out a full parking study for the area looking at all aspects including current capacity, future possible needs, and how the new scheme will provide for parking in the future.
2b How will the egress from the Marshalling Yard to Castle Street work? Designers response: T is will be controlled using traf c signals
3 Won’t there be a conf ict with Waitrose traf c at the junction of Castle Street? Designers response: T e potential conf ict at this junction will be minimised due to the traf c signal controls
4 What will happen to Old Road? Designers response: T is will be assesed using the moddeling tools developed by Peter Brett Associates
5 Can Lower York Avenue be for pedestrians only? Designers response: Lower York Avenue will be designed to allow traf c to enter but at very low speeds 20mph max and will be a more pedestrian priority environment with low kerbs, tree planting, seating and similar paving materials used across the street. T is will deter most through traf c but still allow local traf c especially those wanting to access properties and businesses in Lower York Avenue.
6 Can Link Road be widened? Designers response: Yes Link Road could be widened subject to further design consideration, this could provide additional on-street parking.
7 Is there an option for Ferry Road to be 2-way? Designers response: We currently propose that Ferry Road is one-way west bound starting at the GNK entrance. T is is to retain on street parking spaces servicing the business in this area.
8 What would happen if Red Funnel want to introduce a Red Jet to East Cowes – what would be the impact on parking? Would park and ride be an option? Designers response: We will carry out a full parking study for the area looking at all aspects including current capacity, future possible needs, and how the new scheme will provide for parking in the future.
9 An Archway is being constructed outside the Co-op. Can you please make sure this is incorporated into the scheme Designers response: Yes we welcome the chance to include local history and interest into the public realm and will ensure any proposals are accommodated within the f nal design layouts.
10 T e new design shows a ‘shared space’ style layout. Can you please explain how this will work in practice? For example, who has priority at junctions, how you stop people driving onto the walkways. Designers response: T is Shared space a street or space designed to improve pedestrian movement and comfort by reducing the dominance of motor vehicles and enabling all users to share the space rather than follow the clearly def ned rules implied by more conventional designs (ref. df ltn1\11). T is technique of en changes driver behaviour resulting in lowering vehicle speeds and fewer occurrences of road traf c accidents. T is technique originated from Northern Europe with great success in improving towns and cities public spaces and is now used across the UK. An example of this technique can be seen in Southampton at Holy Rood on the QE2 Mile and at Oxford Street.
11 Can the new treatment for the walkways also be used in-front of the Town Hall? Designers response: Yes this would then integrate this space into the new proposals giving continuity to the scheme. T is is dependent on the available budget for the scheme.
12 T ere is an old highway in part of the area proposed for the Red Funnel marshalling Yard. What will happen to it? Designers response: It is likely a land swap will be used for this stretch. Solent Gateways Improving Connectivity Between Southampton and the Isle of Wight
13 We want to make sure we get our Town Centre back. How will you make sure that’s what happens? Designers response: T e proposed scheme focuses on improving the quality of the streets and public spaces in the town centre. T is will be achieved by designing spaces that balances the needs of all residents/visitors/business owners and improves the access and movement requirements of traf c and pedestrians. T e scheme will provide quality paving, lighting, seating and tree planting to create a town centre that people will want to spend time in and enjoy what East Cowes has to of er.
14 What will happen to the public slipways access at T e Grid Iron building, next to the Red Funnel jetty, and opposite Albany Green? Designers response: T e slipway by the Gridiron building will stay the same. One proposal is that the slipway next to the Red Funnel jetty be taken out of use (as its not at all convenient as it stands) to be replaced by an upgraded public slipway opposite Albany Green.
15 Is it possible for there to be public access the whole length of the waterfront? Designers response: Venture Quays is in private hands and it is therefore not something IoW Council can insist on. It will depend on the uses the new owners want to put into the waterfront. T ese may include marine uses that will restrict public access for safety reasons.
16 Can there be seating for passengers waiting for the Floating Bridge? Designers response: Yes – the intention is to have seating both for waiting passengers and people ‘passing the time’.
17 Is anything going to be done about f ood protection? Designers response: IoW Council are taking advice from the Environment Agency about the whether f ood alleviation measures need to be introduced.
18 Will future plans show f ood tide/dead tracking of the Floating Bridge? Designers response: Yes.
19 Is it possible to move the Floating Bridge slightly to the north to create a better space at Bridge Square? Designers response: T e current position was established over 150 years ago- it would be unwise to tamper with such a long standing arrangement.
20 Is there likely to be any intervention by artists? (Trinity House may be able to help with some local artefacts.) Designers response: We hope so. We will be looking at options to involve artists as the scheme evolves.
21 Will the new ferry be able to take buses? Designers response: T is will be investigated.
22 How will you deal with the conf ict between ferry traf c, foot passengers and for promenaders at the point where the Red Funnel Ferry discharges/loads? Designers response: T is area is the most dif cult to resolve on the scheme. We will be working with all the partners in the scheme to get the best option we can. We have recognised this problem from the beginning and understand this will be an area needing compromise.
23 Will there be provision for deep water access at Venture Quays? Designers response: Venture Quays is in private hands and it is therefore not something IoW Council can insist on. It will depend on the uses the new owners want to put into the waterfront. T ese may include marine uses that will restrict public access for safety reasons.
24 How will the quality of any new housing associated with the scheme be tested? Designers response: We will work with IoW planning on this