Extension of St George's Church of England Academy,

TRANSPORT STATEMENT

Report

JMP Consultants Ltd

Extension of St George's Church of England Academy, Middleton St George

TRANSPORT STATEMENT Report

JMP Consultants Ltd Milburn House Dean Street Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 1LE T 0191 260 0135 F 0191 206 4001 E [email protected] www.jmp.co.uk [email protected] facebook.com/jmp.consultants twitter.com/#!/_jmp linkedin.com/company/jmp consulting

Report Record Job No. Report No. Issue No. Prepared Verified Approved Status Date NEA1421 1 1 JQ JQ SP Final 27/04/2016

Contents Amendments Record Issue No. Revision description Approved Status Date

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Contents

1 INTRODUCTION 1 Context of Report ...... 1 Structure of the Report...... 3

2 POLICY BACKGROUND 5 Introduction ...... 5 National Planning Policy ...... 5 Local Planning Policy ...... 6

3 DEVELOPMENT SITE 8 Existing Development ...... 8 Future Development ...... 9

4 REVIEW OF THE EXISTING TRANSPORT NETWORK 11 Highway Network ...... 11 Sustainable Transport Network...... 14

5 TRIP GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION 16 Additional Pupils ...... 16 Additional Staff ...... 18 Additional Trips Summary ...... 19

6 IMPACT ASSESSMENT 20 Network Capacity Assessment ...... 20 Parking Demand Assessment...... 20

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7 MITIGATION 21

8 CONCLUSION 23

Tables and Figures

Figure 1.1 Site Location – Wider Area ...... 2 Figure 1.2 Site Location – Local Area ...... 3 Figure 3.1 Proposed Extension ...... 10 Table 4.1 Existing Two Way Traffic Flows on Road ...... 11 Figure 4.1 Car Park and Drop-off Zone ...... 12 Figure 4.2 On-street Parking (Neasham Road left, Thorntree Gardens right) ...... 12 Figure 4.3 Collision Analysis ...... 13 Table 4.2 Middleton St George Bus Services ...... 14 Figure 4.4 Pedestrian Island opposite pedestrian entrance ...... 15 Table 5.1 Existing Pupils Modal Split (2015/16) ...... 16 Table 5.2 Pupils Modal Split (2011/12 to 2015/16) ...... 16 Figure 5.1 Pupil Postcode Plot ...... 17 Table 5.3 Existing Staff Modal Split (2013/14) ...... 18 Figure 5.2 Staff Postcode Plot ...... 19

Appendices

Appendix A Collision Data Appendix B Traffic Flow Data

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1 Introduction

CONTEXT OF REPORT 1.1 JMP Consultants Ltd has been appointed by Borough Council to prepare a Transport Statement for the proposed extension to St George’s Church of England Academy, Middleton St George. 1.2 The proposed extension is in response to existing demand for additional places at the Academy. The Academy has a capacity for 315 pupils, but as of Spring 2016 has 316 pupils. The proposed extension is also required to facilitate the anticipated increase in demand resulting from two recently consented housing developments within Middleton St George.

1.3 The purpose of this report is to identify the number of trips that will be generated by the proposed extension to the Academy and assess the impact that this may have on the local transport network. 1.4 The extension includes for the provision of three additional classrooms (and ancillary uses) providing additional capacity for 105 pupils. The extension could create up to an additional 6 jobs for staff. 1.5 The works will also include amendments to the existing internal car parking area to provide an additional five car parking spaces and a new cycle storage shelter.

1.6 This Transport Statement is part of the package of documents submitted as part of the planning application.

Site Location

1.7 The proposed development is located at the existing St George’s Church of England Academy in Middleton St George. The Academy in the context of the wider area can be seen on Figure 1.1. The Academy is located centrally to Middleton St George which is located approximately 5km to the southeast of Darlington town centre. Middleton St George is easily accessible from the local and Strategic Road Network via the A66 and A67.

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Figure 1.1 Site Location – Wider Area

1.8 The Academy in the context of the local area can be seen on Figure 1.2. The Academy is located centrally to Middleton St George on Neasham Road.

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Figure 1.2 Site Location – Local Area

STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT 1.9 The Transport Statement’s structure is as follows: !!! Review of national and local policy;

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!!! Review of existing transport conditions; !!! Collision analysis; !!! Trip generation and distribution calculations; !!! Operational impact assessment; and !!! Identification of potential sustainable travel measures.

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2 Policy Background

INTRODUCTION 2.1 Before considering the proposed development, it is important to examine the context of the site and how this relates to relevant planning policies and guidelines. This section of the report sets out these elements, providing an overall spatial and planning context for the proposal. 2.2 The policies reviewed within this section demonstrate the proposed development is consistent with policy objectives at all these levels. Relevant policies identified include the following: !!! National Planning Policy Framework (2012); !!! Department for Transport (DfT) Transport White Paper: Creating Growth, Cutting Carbon – Making Local Sustainable Transport Happen (January 2011); !!! Darlington Borough Council’s Transport Strategy 2006 – 2030; and !!! Darlington’s Third Local Transport Plan 2011-26 (LTP3)

NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2.3 The final version of the NPPF was published on 27 March 2012. It came into effect immediately, superseding all other national planning policy (e.g. PPGs, PPSs) (except on waste). 2.4 The document sets out the Government’s economic, environmental and social planning policies for England and its expectation for their application. It is meant as high level guidance for local councils to use when defining their local and neighbourhood plans. This approach allows the planning system to be tailored to reflect the needs and priorities of individual communities. 2.5 The essence of the document is to support sustainable development, defined as ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. 2.6 The NPPF defines the delivery of sustainable development through three roles, as given below, and notes that to achieve sustainable development, these roles should be sought jointly and simultaneously through the planning system: !!! Planning for prosperity (an economic role); !!! Planning for people (a social role); and !!! Planning for places (an environmental role). 2.7 At the heart of the NPPF is a presumption in favour of sustainable development which ‘should be seen as a golden thread running through both plan making and decision taking’ (Paragraph 14). In Paragraph 15, it goes on to say that ‘Policies in Local Plans should follow the approach of the presumption in favour of sustainable development so that it is clear that development which is sustainable can be approved without delay’.

2.8 NPPF recognises that transport policies have an important role to play in wider sustainability and health objectives as well as their direct influence on development. It seeks to ensure that the transport system is balanced in favour of sustainable transport modes, giving people a real choice about how they travel.

2.9 Paragraph 32 states that developments that generate significant amounts of movement should be supported by a transport statement or Transport Assessment. It goes on to state that plans and decisions should take account of whether:

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!!! ‘The opportunities for sustainable transport modes have been taken up depending on the nature and location of the site, to reduce the need for major transport infrastructure; !!! Safe and sustainable access to the site can be achieved for all people; and !!! Improvements can be undertaken within the transport networks that cost-effectively limit the significant impacts of the development. Development should only be prevented or refused on transport grounds where the residual cumulative impacts of development are severe.

Creating Growth, Cutting Carbon: Making Sustainable Local Transport Happen (2011) 2.10 The most recent Local Transport White Paper sets out the Government's vision for a sustainable local transport system that supports the economy and reduces carbon emissions. It explains how the Government is placing localism at the heart of the transport agenda, taking measures to empower local authorities when it comes to tackling these issues in their areas. The White Paper also underlines Central Government's direct support to local authorities, including through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF).

LOCAL PLANNING POLICY

Darlington’s Transport Strategy 2006-2030 2.11 This overarching Transport Strategy for Darlington seeks to: !!! Improve accessibility to services and opportunities by providing travel options, so that all may participate in the life of their community; !!! Tackle traffic congestion and its associated effects on local communities through a focus on sustainable travel choices, thus contributing to residents’ quality of life; !!! Make the transport network safe and secure for all; and !!! Deliver solutions to travel needs in partnership with local people, businesses and other providers.

Darlington’s Third Local Transport Plan 2011-26 (LTP3) 2.12 LTP3 is a detailed plan for tackling transport issues and highways maintenance schemes over a fifteen year period across the borough. The plan integrates with the Local Development Framework Core Strategy and the Sustainable Community Strategy in pursuing the following key strategies: !!! grow the local economy and increase the prosperity of local people; !!! reduce inequalities, in particular for health outcomes; !!! improve the quality of the Place and the physical environment, thus improving the quality of people’s lives; and !!! develop a lower carbon transport system. 2.13 The Plan sets out the context both in terms of Darlington’s position as the Gateway to the , as well as through its significant economic relationships with North Yorkshire and . The Plan sets out a number of key outcomes that it seeks to achieve, namely that !!! Everybody is able to enjoy the Borough’s prosperity by providing and maintaining a reliable, predictable, efficient and affordable transport network; !!! Everyone can play their part in reducing the impact of transport on the environment and its contribution to climate change; !!! People live long, healthy and active lives, travelling safely and making active travel choices;

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!!! Everyone in Darlington can maximise their life chances by being able to access services, activities and facilities; and !!! People in Darlington enjoy a positive journey experience on an attractive, clean, green and sustainable transport system.

Local Development Framework

2.14 Darlington Council is currently in the process of replacing the Unitary Development Plan in accordance with the Governments new planning system the Local Development Framework (LDF). The LDF is a new type of borough-wide spatial development plan which will gradually replace the existing UDP. The LDF will guide the future development of the Borough over the next 10-15 years and will include policies to encourage the social, environmental and economic development of the borough. A core aim within the strategy is the regeneration of Darlington with particular emphasis on the Town Centre area.

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3 Development Site

EXISTING DEVELOPMENT 3.1 The following information has been acquired from the St George’s Church of England Academy Prospectus available on the Academy’s website (http://www.stgeorges-darlington.co.uk). 3.2 St George’s Church of England Academy provides education for children from the age of three to eleven. The Academy is a modern purpose built building officially opened in 2006 following a fire in the original school building located on the same site.

Pupil and Staff Numbers 3.3 Children are admitted into the Nursery class in the term after their third birthday. It is intended that the number of pupils in the Nursery does not exceed 26(FTE) i.e. 26 children at a morning session and 26 children at an afternoon session.

3.4 Children are admitted into the Academy reception class in the September of each academic year. It is intended that the number of pupils admitted to the Academy should not exceed 45. However, it is also the intention of the governors that strenuous efforts should be made to accommodate all children from the immediate area. If there are more applications for admission than places on roll, applications will be considered in line with the Admissions Policy discussed further below. The Academy has capacity for 315 pupils, but currently has 316 pupils. 3.5 Class organisation has to reflect a variety of circumstances and needs. These include both the limitations of the building, the varying number of children in each year group and the needs of individual children. As such it is a necessity to have mixed age classes. 3.6 The Academy has a Foundation Stage Unit and a further 9 classes; three Key Stage 1 (infant) and six Key Stage 2 (junior) classes. 3.7 The Academy currently has 26 full and 22 part time staff consisting of the below designations: : !!! Pastoral staff; !!! Teachers; !!! Teaching assistants; !!! Classroom assistants; !!! Cleaners/caretakers; !!! Administration and IT staff !!! Cooks; and !!! Supervisory assistants. 3.8 The Academy also has two peripatetic music teachers. The Academy currently has a vacancy for a School Crossing Patrol that is being advertised in the local area.

Operating Times 3.9 Operating times are as follows: !!! Nursery - Morning session 8.45am – 11.45am & Afternoon session 12.30pm – 3.30pm; and !!! Academy - 8.55am - 3.20pm.

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Out of School Provision 3.10 There is an on-site facility offering care for children from 7.30am until the start of the school day and then after school until 6.00pm. 3.11 This includes a Breakfast club, After School club, Holiday club and wrap around care for Lower Foundation children.

Admissions Policy 3.12 The Nursery attempts to accommodate requests for places. However, it may not be possible to offer a place if the nursery receives more applications than it has places. A series of criteria are established in the event of over-subscription, however journey distance is only identified as the fifth priority criteria after looked after children, children in need, medical, age and family links. 3.13 The Academy attempts to accommodate requests for places. However, it may not be possible to offer a place if the Academy receives more applications than it has places. A series of criteria are established in the event of over-subscription, with children living within the parish boundaries identified as the third priority criteria after looked after children, and medical and social criteria. The parish boundaries consist of St Laurence’s (Middleton St George) and St Andrew’s (). 3.14 The admissions policy therefore has a strong impetus on local pupils attending the Academy.

Car Park Operation

3.15 The prospectus contains the following code of conduct for use of the car park to allow safe access to emergency vehicles and to ensure the safety of pedestrians: !!! The car park is for the use of staff and official visitors to the site. (Official visitors to the site are those who report to the office and sign in.) !!! Parents may only park their cars in the allotted bays if they have been issued with a parking permit. !!! A one way system is in operation as highlighted by the arrows painted on the road and appropriate signage. !!! Children may be dropped off by car using the drive through system; however cars must not wait and should not form a stationary queue. Children should vacate cars by the paved area in front of the Foundation Stage play area and cars should then move away promptly. The drop off facility is only available at the beginning of the day and should not be used for collecting children. !!! All cars entering the car park should ensure their speed does not exceed 5mph. !!! No cars should enter the car park, without agreed permission, at the end of the school day. !!! Parking outside the gates is strongly discouraged and the ‘No Parking’ zone is clearly marked. Congestion caused by parents’ parked cars presents some danger to children as they leave the premises and it also has caused complaint from people living nearby. !!! To help improve safety margins parents are requested to leave the car at home when collecting children if this is at all feasible. 3.16 Until recently there has been a School Crossing Patrol located at the junction of Neasham Road and Middleton Lane at the beginning and end of the school day. This post is currently advertised.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT 3.17 The proposed extension can be seen on Figure 3.1 below.

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Figure 3.1 Proposed Extension

3.18 The development consists of an additional 3 classrooms located to the east of the existing building. The proposal includes the provision or extension of ancillary services such as an extended staff room, extended kitchen and additional toilets. 3.19 The development also includes the provision of an additional five car parking spaces located in association with the existing car park and drop off area and provision of covered cycle storage. 3.20 The development will facilitate additional capacity for 105 pupils. The extension could create up to an additional 6 jobs for staff.

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4 Review of the Existing Transport Network

4.1 An audit of the existing transport network was undertaken on the 22nd April 2016, at both the beginning and end of the school day. The audit covered the Academy car park and the surrounding roads including Neasham Road, Thorntree Gardens, Thorntree Villas, Pounteys Close and Middleton Lane.

HIGHWAY NETWORK 4.2 The site is accessed from Neasham Road, which is located to the south of the site. School Keep Clear zig-zag markings are present at the pedestrian and vehicular entrance from the junction with Thorntree Gardens to the Women’s Institute building. Double yellow lines are present on the southern kerbline of Neasham Road, opposite the Academy and speed cushions have been installed along the road as a traffic calming measure. 4.3 Footways are present on both side of Neasham Road, with a pedestrian island located near the junction with Thorntree Gardens in the vicinity of the pedestrian gate to access the Academy.

4.4 A 20mph zone is in operation on the roads surrounding the Academy. This zone is emphasised to be related to the Academy, with an additional sign plate provided showing a drawing designed by the children.

4.5 Darlington Borough Council provided traffic count data for Neasham Road in vicinity of the Academy entrance. This covered a period from the 13th – 19th April 2016. This identified two way peak hour traffic flows as identified in Table 4.1.

Table 4.1 Existing Two Way Traffic Flows on Neasham Road

Day / Time 07:00-08:00 08:00-09:00 09:00-10:00 15:00-16:00 16:00-17:00 17:00-18:00 Tuesday 233 368 157 263 274 347 Wednesday 193 399 152 269 235 266 Thursday 213 346 150 279 245 257

4.6 Table 4.1 demonstrates that traffic flow on Neasham Road is very light. On site observations supported the data that traffic flows were very light and that free flow conditions existed throughout the observation period.

Parking

4.7 There are currently 27 car parking spaces within the site. These include two disabled car parking spaces, three visitor parking spaces and the remainder set aside for staff, with the head teacher and deputy head teacher having reserved parking. During the site audit, it was noted that the staff parking spaces were full by approximately 8.30am.

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Figure 4.1 Car Park and Drop-off Zone

4.8 A drop-off zone is in operation within the car park. During the site audit, this was observed to be well used at the beginning of the school day, with queuing occurring within the car park and a member of staff assisting pupils out of the vehicles. 4.9 At the beginning and end of the day, it was witnessed that people park on-street to drop-off and collect children. In particular, this is evident on Neasham Road and Thorntree Gardens, as shown in Figure 4.2. These roads are lightly trafficked, and the observed on-street parking did not impact upon the flow of traffic.

Figure 4.2 On-street Parking (Neasham Road left, Thorntree Gardens right)

4.10 As would be expected the on street parking nearest to the site filled up first and parking stacked up from these points. 4.11 Parking was considered to cover a greater extent at school closing time as the arrival and departure period was very focused around the time children came out. However parking began to start from

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around 15:00, was at its peak at 15:15 when the children came out and all parking was gone by 15:20. It is therefore typical of school operation across Darlington and the UK.

4.12 Nonetheless even at school closing time additional on street parking was considered to be available at greater distances from the school in particular on Neasham Road to the south of the Academy. 4.13 The zig-zag markings (supported by traffic regulation signage) in front of the Academy were observed throughout the site visits. Whilst some vehicles were witnessed parking with two wheels on the footway they were not considered to impede safe pedestrian movement.

Collision Analysis

4.14 Collision data for a five year period covering the highway network around the Academy has been acquired from Darlington Borough Council. The data can be seen on Figure 4.3. The Academy is highlighted in red.

4.15 This identifies that only one collision, which was slight in nature, occurred some distance from the Academy entrance and was in September 2012. The collision occurred at 19:00 between a cyclist (aged 13) and a parked car. The collision is therefore not considered to be attributable to the Academy

4.16 The road safety record around the Academy is considered to be good and it is not perceived that the additional number of trips associated with the proposed development will exacerbate the situation. 4.17 The collision data output can be seen in Appendix A.

Figure 4.3 Collision Analysis

Committed Developments

4.18 There are two committed developments that require consideration associated with the development. They are as follows:

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!!! 15/00976/OUT – 200 dwellings – Accessed via High Stell; and !!! 14/00880/OUT & 14/00012/APPREF – 250 dwellings – Accessed via Sadberge Road. 4.19 The Transport Assessments produced for both applications have been scrutinised and the developments are considered to generate a nominal number of additional trips in the network peak hours on the southern section of Middleton Lane on the approach to Neasham Road. They are therefore not considered further in terms of their impact upon capacity. 4.20 However both of these developments are likely to result in increased demand for school places at St George’s Academy. Both committed developments are located within a 1.5km of the Academy and therefore travel by sustainable modes of transport is considered feasible. This is particularly relevant to the development accessed of High Stell which has an approximate walking distance of 600ms and therefore is anticipated to be the main mode of choice.

SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT NETWORK

Buses 4.21 The closest bus stops to the Academy are located on Middleton Lane, approximately 250m from the entrance gates. The stops are used by the service outlined in Table 4.2. As the table shows, there are buses arriving to Middleton St George in association with the opening and closing times of the Academy. Trips to access the Academy by bus for pupils and staff is considered to be feasible.

Table 4.2 Middleton St George Bus Services

Route Destination Beginning of School Day End of School Day Towards Durham/Tees Valley 0940 1440 1540 1645 Airport via Middleton-St-George 12 / 12a Towards Hurworth via Middleton St 0747 0817 0847 0927 1427 1527 1632 George

www.arrivabus.co.uk

Train

4.22 Dinsdale Railway Station is located on Middleton Lane, approximately 250m from the Academy. The station is part of the Bishop Auckland and Darlington to Middlesbrough and Saltburn railway line. Two trains an hour in both directions stop at Dinsdale station.

4.23 Trips to access the Academy by train for pupils, but particularly for staff, is considered to be feasible.

Pedestrian Infrastructure 4.24 There are footways located on both sides of Neasham Road, with a pedestrian island including dropped kerbs and tactile paving located at the main pedestrian entrance to the Academy, as shown in Figure 4.4. There is also a dropped crossing with tactile paving located at the junction of Neasham Road and Middleton Lane. Speed cushions are installed along Neasham Road as a traffic calming measure. There is school warning signage with flasher units located on Neasham Road. 4.25 The pedestrian routes were observed to be well used with lots of parents and children using the footways and crossing. The majority of pedestrians were seen witnessed approaching from the east from the direction of Middleton Lane.

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4.26 The Academy has an existing vacancy for a School Crossing Patrol and the post is currently being advertised on site. The previous Crossing Patrol operated approximately 100m east of the pedestrian access gate on Neasham Road. 4.27 Trips to access the Academy on foot for pupils and staff is considered to be feasible.

Figure 4.4 Pedestrian Island opposite pedestrian entrance

Cycle Infrastructure

4.28 There are a number of cycle parking facilities located within the grounds. These include two covered Sheffield stands, and six cycle pods, with enough spaces for 40 pupil cycles, 4 staff cycles and 10 scooters. There are two showers available on site for staff use.

4.29 Whilst no dedicated cycle routes exist, the Darlington Cycle Map identifies the roads around the school, in fact the whole of Middleton St George, as being quiet roads and therefore suitable for on road cycling. 4.30 Site observations identified a number of pupils travelling to the Academy via bikes and scooters, however understandably they were using the pedestrian network.

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5 Trip Generation and Distribution

5.1 The extension includes for the provision of three additional classrooms (and ancillary uses) providing additional capacity for 105 pupils. The extension could create up to an additional 6 jobs for staff.

5.2 The works will also include amendments to the existing internal car parking area to provide an additional five car parking spaces and a new cycle storage shelter.

ADDITIONAL PUPILS

Trip Generation 5.3 The following information is taken from the www.modeshiftstars.org website. 5.4 Hands up surveys were undertaken between 5th October 2015 and 5th November 2015. The survey recorded a response rate of 96.2% with the remaining pupils being absent on the day of the survey. 5.5 The resultant modal split is shown in Table 5.1.

Table 5.1 Existing Pupils Modal Split (2015/16)

Mode Percentage Walk 41.6% Cycle 6.0% Public Bus 2.4% Dedicated Bus 0.0% Park & Stride 8.1% Train/Tube 0.9% Car Share 3.3% Car 28.3% Scooting 9.3%

5.6 The percentage of travel by car for the last five years (2011/12 – 2015/16) has been summarised in Table 5.2. Whilst it can be seen that there is some variation in the percentage across the five year period, the five year average is almost identical to the 2015/16 survey. This provides a high degree of confidence in the data.

Table 5.2 Pupils Modal Split (2011/12 to 2015/16)

Year 5 Year Mode 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 Average Car 39.6% 31.6% 20.9% 21.6% 28.3% 28.4%

5.7 This demonstrates a high percentage of travel to the site by sustainable modes of transport. This is supported by anecdotal evidence provided by the Academy and contained within the Travel Plan and by onsite observations by JMP Consultants.

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5.8 105 additional pupils will attend the Academy. Using the absence percentage identified above (96.2%), it is anticipated that an additional 101 pupils will attend the Academy on a daily basis.

5.9 Using the identified modal split for 2015/16 (or the 5 year average), this results in an additional number of pupils transferred to the Academy by car as 29.

Trip Distribution

5.10 A postcode plot for the existing Nursery and Academy pupils can be seen on Figure 5.1. This demonstrates that 89.6% of pupils live within a one mile radius of the Academy, with the vast majority of these pupils within a 750 metre radius. The two committed developments identified in Section 4 are located within these radii. 5.11 Travel by sustainable transport modes is therefore considered possible for the vast majority of pupils that currently attend and are also considered to be feasible for the vast majority of additional pupils that will attend. 5.12 The vast majority of additional trips via all modes are anticipated to approach from the north. This is to be expected given the existing pupil plot map, the location of committed developments and the layout of the highway and its connection to the wider network.

Figure 5.1 Pupil Postcode Plot

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ADDITIONAL STAFF

Trip Generation

5.13 The following information is taken from the www.modeshiftstars.org website. 5.14 Staff surveys were undertaken between 7th October 2015 and 7th November 2015. However only 15 responses were received. It is therefore intended to use the previous year of data (2013/14) when 43 responses were received. 5.15 The resultant modal split is shown in Table 5.3.

Table 5.3 Existing Staff Modal Split (2013/14)

Mode Percentage Walk 41.9% Cycle 0.0% Public Bus 0.0% Park & Stride 11.6% Train/Tube 2.3% Car Share 0.0% Car 44.2%

5.16 This demonstrates a high percentage of travel to the site by sustainable modes of transport. This is supported by evidence contained within the Travel Plan, by anecdotal evidence provided by the Academy and by onsite observations by JMP Consultants.

5.17 Six additional staff will be generated by the extension to the Academy. Using the identified modal split, this results in an additional number of staff travelling to the Academy by car as three.

Trip Distribution

5.18 A postcode plot for the existing staff can be seen on Figure 5.2. This demonstrates that 42% of staff live within a one mile radius of the Academy, with the majority of those within a 750 metre radius. This appears to closely reflect the modal split identified in Table 5.3

5.19 Travel by sustainable transport modes is therefore considered possible for a large proportion of staff that are currently employed and is also considered to be feasible for a large proportion of the additional staff that will be employed.

5.20 As with the distribution for pupils, the vast majority of additional trips via all modes are anticipated to approach from the north. This is to be expected given the existing postcode plot map and the layout of the highway and its connection to the wider network.

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Figure 5.2 Staff Postcode Plot

ADDITIONAL TRIPS SUMMARY 5.21 It is anticipated that the additional number of pupils transferred to the Academy by car will be 29. 5.22 It is anticipated that the additional number of staff travelling to the Academy by car will be three.

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6 Impact Assessment

NETWORK CAPACITY ASSESSMENT 6.1 As was demonstrated by Table 4.1, traffic flow on Neasham Road is very light. On site observations identified that traffic flows were very light, supporting the existing survey data, and that free flow conditions existed throughout the observation period. This continued to be the case when on-street parking associated with the school was prevalent as the low traffic flow allowed for opportunities for vehicles to pass parked vehicles. 6.2 Capacity issues at the site access or at any junction were not identified. 6.3 The addition of 32 vehicles associated with the extension of the school will therefore not result in capacity issues on the network.

PARKING DEMAND ASSESSMENT 6.4 The works will also include amendments to the existing internal car parking area to provide an additional five car parking spaces and a new cycle storage shelter. This additional parking capacity is considered to address the three additional staff vehicles identified in the above assessment. 6.5 Given the additional 29 cars associated with the pupils, some additional parking demand is expected.

6.6 However it is unlikely that all the additional vehicles will be on site simultaneously. It is anticipated that arrival/departure times will be staggered; that some of the additional attendees will use the before or after school activities; and that some of the additional attendees will use the drop off area which is available at school opening time. 6.7 For these reasons there is anticipated to be a small increase in parking at school opening times. 6.8 Allowing for some peak spreading associated with before and after school activities, a realistic increase in parking during school closing times is anticipated to be somewhere in the region of 140 metres. There is considered to be capacity for this, but it will be more remote from the school for example further south on Neasham Road. This is in itself a demand management disincentive to travel by car.

6.9 This increased parking demand could potentially lead to abuse of the school zig-zag marking and indiscriminate parking on other waiting restrictions in the area. This was not observed as currently happening and it is imperative that the good work the Academy currently does to discourage this continues. 6.10 In summary whilst it is acknowledged that demand for on-street parking will increase as a result of the extension, there is existing on street car parking capacity more remote from the school, the increased parking will only be for very short periods associated with the opening and closing times and the road is currently very lightly trafficked allowing for ample opportunities to pass parked vehicles.

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7 Mitigation

7.1 The following measures should be considered to reduce the impact of the development on the surrounding highway network:

General !!! St George’s Academy has an approved and well established School Travel Plan formulated and developed with input from parents, teachers, pupils, governors and officers of Darlington Borough Council. The Travel Plan needs to continue to revisited by a committed working group that has the support of the Head Teacher and the Board of Governors; !!! The site is located centrally to its catchment area and sustainable transport options are available to many of the pupils. The proposed development needs to maximise accessibility to the existing transportation network; and !!! The site is located within a developed residential area and, as such, is surrounded by an extensive pedestrian network. The layout of the proposed extension should enhance the pedestrian and cycle environment within the area.

Road Safety and Parking !!! Investigate potential for additional capacity within the car park/drop off area. It is considered that approximately eight additional bays could be accommodated if the existing parking bays were rotated so they were at a 90 degree angle to the kerbline; !!! Investigate potential for additional zigzag markings or waiting restrictions at key pressure/conflict points at access points to the Academy; !!! The working group needs to engage with the Police and Community Support Officers to ensure there is a presence at regular intervals. In the first instance, it is advised that the motorists should be given advice or verbal warnings about parking and also have their vehicle registration numbers noted and entered into a database. As long as the vehicles are not recorded as parking illegally again then no formal action should take place. However, should the same vehicle be found committing an offence for a second time then a warning letter or a Fixed Penalty Notice could be issued; !!! Review effectiveness of 20mph zone and existing traffic calming arrangement and work with the local authority to provide additional measures if required.

Promotion & Education !!! Continue to issue regular newsletters to parents reminding them to drive safely, park properly and have respect for residents; !!! Continue to hold education campaigns at the Academy. There are many curriculum-linked resources to help embed walking into learning. This could include Road Safety Education, Walk Once a Week (WoW), Walk the World etc.; !!! Establishment of Walking Zones - a Walking Zone sets a clearly defined area around the Academy inside which walking is encouraged. The aim is to involve children so they are able to explore issues around congestion, pollution, climate change and healthy living. It gives children the opportunity to examine how they are able to influence their environment, both individually and as a group; !!! Website – to provide information to staff, students and visitors concerning sustainable travel to the site;

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!!! New staff and students welcome pack to provide information about sustainable travel to the site; !!! Displaying information regarding sustainable travel or new travel plan initiatives in prominent locations; !!! Planning and undertaking at least one focused travel awareness event at the site per year which may be linked with national events such as Bike Week, Walk to School Week; and !!! Review and extend breakfast clubs & after school clubs to spread the impact of arrivals and departures.

Public Transport !!! Investigate discounted travel tickets for staff with public transport operators e.g. free month of travel on public transport for new employees; and !!! Investigate use of mini-bus route to collect children who live further afield, potentially in rural areas, and have no alternative to the private car.

Pedestrian and Cycling !!! Continue with established initiatives – child pedestrian training, cycle proficiency etc; !!! Investigate establishment of a Walking Bus; !!! Appointment of a School Crossing Patrol; !!! Use of existing cycle stands to be monitored and further provided if appropriate; !!! Establishment of a Bike to Work Scheme for staff including investigations into salary sacrifice scheme; and !!! Investigate, in unison with the Council, upgrades to pedestrian and cycle routes within the vicinity of the site.

Staff Car Travel !!! Membership of a national car sharing scheme for staff e.g. liftshare.com; and !!! Investigate the provision of car sharing bays at the site.

Servicing Arrangements !!! Encourage delivery and servicing outside opening and closing hours and the network peak periods; !!! Attempt to use local suppliers where possible and practicable; !!! When considering contracts with new suppliers, endeavour to choose suppliers who operate in accordance with the Government’s sustainable freight policies; and !!! Investigate the rationalisation of deliveries from the same supplier to reduce trips.

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8 Conclusion

8.1 JMP Consultants Ltd has been appointed by Darlington Borough Council to prepare a Transport Statement for the proposed extension to St George’s Church of England Academy, Middleton St George, Darlington. 8.2 The proposed extension is in response to existing demand for additional places at the Academy. The Academy has a capacity for 315 pupils, but as of Spring 2016 has 316 pupils.

8.3 The purpose of the report was to identify the number of additional trips generated by the proposed extension to the Academy and assess the impact that this may have on the local transport network. 8.4 The extension includes for the provision of three additional classrooms (and ancillary uses) providing additional capacity for 105 pupils. The extension could create up to an additional 6 jobs for staff. 8.5 The works will also include amendments to the existing internal car parking area to provide an additional five car parking spaces and a new cycle storage shelter.

8.6 The site audit identified that travel to the Academy by sustainable modes of transport is a realistic option. This is demonstrated by the existing travel patterns to the school that have relatively high proportions of trips by sustainable modes for both pupils and staff.

8.7 It is anticipated that the additional 105 pupils generated by the extension to the Academy will result in an increase in car trips of 29. 8.8 It is anticipated that the additional six employees generated by the extension to the Academy will result in an increase in car trips of three. 8.9 Existing traffic flow on Neasham Road is very light. On site observations supported the evidence that traffic flows were very light and that free flow conditions existed throughout the observation period. This continued to be the case when on-street parking associated with the school was prevalent as the low traffic flow allowed for opportunities for vehicles to pass parked vehicles. 8.10 Capacity issues at the site access or at any junction were not identified.

8.11 The addition of 32 vehicles associated with the extension of the school will therefore not result in capacity issues on the network. 8.12 It is acknowledged that an increase in parking will occur as a result of the extension, this is anticipated to be somewhere in the region of an additional 140 metres of demand during school closing time. 8.13 However there is considered to be additional on street car parking capacity more remote from the school, which in itself acts as a demand management tool likely to discourage travel by car, the increased parking will only be for very short periods associated with the opening and closing times, and the road is currently very lightly trafficked allowing for opportunities to pass parked vehicles. 8.14 The Academy already has a comprehensive and successful Travel Plan that encourages travel by sustainable modes of transport. This Transport Statement has identified a number of additional measures that could be considered by the Academy, in partnership with the Council, to further encourage travel by sustainable modes.

8.15 In conclusion it is considered that there is no justifiable reason to refuse the application on traffic and transport grounds.

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Appendix A

COLLISION DATA

Extension of St George's Church of England Academy, Middleton St George : NEA1421-1/1

Full Details Report Summary -

Accidents Found Date Range: 26/09/2012 - 26/09/2012 Grid Coordinate Range: 434524, 513327 - 434524, 513327

Accident Severity

2012 Total

Slight 1 1

Total 1 1

Casualty Severity

2012 Total

Slight 1 1

Total 1 1

Casualty KSI

2012 Total

Slight 1 1

Total 1 1 1.3 Accident Reference:SJ237212 Slight SALISBURY PLACE, MIDDLETON ST GEORGE Accident 1 of 1

1.7 Date & 1.9 Time...... Wednesday 26/09/2012 19:00 1.15 Speed limit...... 30 Mph 1.11 Grid co-ordinates...... 434524/513327 1.14 Road type...... Single c'way 1.10 Local Authority...... Darlington 1.16 Junction detail...... Not at or within 20m of junction 1.12/1.13 1st road identity..C38 1.17 Junction control..... 1.18/1.19 2nd road identity.. 1.24 Special conditions...None 1.22 Weather...... Fine 1.25 Carriageway hazards..None 1.21 Light conditions...... Daylight 1.5 Number of vehicles...2 1.20a Crossing(human)...... No Human control within 50m 1.6 Number of casualties.1 1.20b Crossing(physical).....No crossing facility within 5 1.23 Surface...... Dry

Did a police officer attend? No - reported over the counter

Accident Description V1 HAS PULLED UP OUTSIDE OF SHOP AND DRIVER HAS OPENED CAR DOOR AS V2 (CYCLIST) HAS BEEN RIDING BY. CYCLIST HAS BEEN KNOCKED OFF CYCLE 2 Vehicles 2.4 Veh ref no...... 1 2.17 Other vehicle...... 0 2.16 First impact...... Offside 2.5 Vehicle class...... Car 2.12 Hit object in c'way..None 2.10 Junction location...Not at junction 2.14 Hit object off c'way.None 2.9 Restricted location.On main carriageway 2.18 Parts damaged...... / / 2.8 Movement from/to....Parked Parked 2.21 Driver gender...... Female 2.7 Manoeuvres...... Parked 2.22 Driver age...... 43 2.11 Skidding...... No 2.13 Left c'way...... Did not leave c'way 2.24 Hit and Run...... No 2.6 Towing...... No 2.23 Breath test...... Not requested 2.28 Foreign vehicle.....Not foreign 2.29 Journey purpose...... Other

2.4 Veh ref no...... 2 2.17 Other vehicle...... 0 2.16 First impact...... Front 2.5 Vehicle class...... Pedal Cycle 2.12 Hit object in c'way..None 2.10 Junction location...Not at junction 2.14 Hit object off c'way.None 2.9 Restricted location.Footway 2.18 Parts damaged...... / / 2.8 Movement from/to....South North 2.21 Driver gender...... Male 2.7 Manoeuvres...... Going ahead other 2.22 Driver age...... 13 2.11 Skidding...... No 2.13 Left c'way...... Did not leave c'way 2.24 Hit and Run...... No 2.6 Towing...... No 2.23 Breath test...... Not applicable 2.28 Foreign vehicle.....Not foreign 2.29 Journey purpose...... Unknown

1 Casualty

3.5 Cas ref no...... 1 3.15 Car passenger...... No 3.6 Casualty class...... Driver or Rider 3.16 PSV passenger...... No 3.7 Gender...... Male 3.14 Seat belt usage...... Not applicable 3.8 Age...... 13 3.13 School pupil...... Other (3.19 School ...... ) 3.9 Severity...... Slight 3.10 Pedestrian location..Not a pedestrian 3.4 Vehicle no...... 2 3.11 Pedestrian movement..Not a pedestrian 3.12 Ped Direction...... Not a pedestrian 3.19 Roadworker injured...No

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Appendix B

TRAFFIC FLOW DATA

Extension of St George's Church of England Academy, Middleton St George : NEA1421-1/1

Site Name Neasham Road MSG Date of survey 13th - 19th April 2016 Tuesday Road Speed Limit 20 MPH Total Bin 1 Bin 2 Bin 3 Bin 4 <5.2 Volume 5.2-<6.5 6.5-<11.5 =>11.5 Metres 00:00 88000 Data is split up in to bins by the traffic 01:00 32100 counter. Each bin refers to a class of 02:00 21100 vehicle ie. 03:00 32010 Bin 1 Cars and Motorcycles 04:00 42200 Bin 2 Larger vans 05:00 13 10 2 1 0 Bin 3 Light Goods, Buses 06:00 45 41 4 0 0 Bin 4 HGV 07:00 233 125 80 28 0 08:00 368 288 55 21 4 09:00 157 126 18 12 1 10:00 143 117 17 7 2 11:00 168 126 31 10 1 12:00 176 143 19 12 2 13:00 143 124 13 5 1 14:00 168 142 23 1 2 Channel 1 15:00 263 225 24 11 3 16:00 274 242 23 9 0 17:00 347 305 32 10 0 Channel 2 18:00 204 160 36 7 1 19:00 138 115 20 3 0 20:00 104 95 8 1 0 All 21:00 55 52 2 1 0 Channels 22:00 48 43 5 0 0 23:00 22 19 3 0 0 Total Volume Total 400 12H(7- 2644 2123 371 133 17 350 19) 16H(6- 300 2986 2426 405 138 17 22) 250 18H(6- 3056 2488 413 138 17 24) 200 24H(0- 3089 2513 419 140 17 150 24) 100

AM Peak 08:00 08:00 07:00 07:00 08:00 50 368 288 80 28 4 0 00:0001:0002:0003:0004:0005:0006:0007:0008:0009:0010:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:0018:0019:0020:0021:0022:0023:00 PM Peak 17:00 17:00 18:00 12:00 15:00 347 305 36 12 3

Transport policy Chief Executive's (Regeneration) Site Name Neasham Road MSG Date of survey 13th - 19th April 2016 Wednesday Road Speed Limit 20 MPH Total Bin 1 Bin 2 Bin 3 Bin 4 <5.2 Volume 5.2-<6.5 6.5-<11.5 =>11.5 Metres 00:00 76100 Data is split up in to bins by the traffic 01:00 74300 counter. Each bin refers to a class of 02:00 65010 vehicle ie. 03:00 22000 Bin 1 Cars and Motorcycles 04:00 53020 Bin 2 Larger vans 05:00 24 23 1 0 0 Bin 3 Light Goods, Buses 06:00 46 41 4 1 0 Bin 4 HGV 07:00 193 172 17 4 0 08:00 399 358 30 8 3 09:00 152 138 8 5 1 10:00 162 142 11 8 1 11:00 171 144 15 12 0 12:00 183 156 18 7 2 13:00 132 100 25 6 1 14:00 167 142 15 9 1 Channel 1 15:00 269 225 37 4 3 16:00 235 188 31 15 1 17:00 266 235 19 11 1 Channel 2 18:00 136 116 14 5 1 19:00 135 120 13 2 0 20:00 69 59 8 2 0 All 21:00 60 53 7 0 0 Channels 22:00 43 41 2 0 0 23:00 21 21 0 0 0 Total Volume Total 450 12H(7- 2465 2116 240 94 15 400 19) 350 16H(6- 2775 2389 272 99 15 22) 300 18H(6- 250 2839 2451 274 99 15 24) 200 24H(0- 2890 2494 279 102 15 150 24) 100

AM Peak 08:00 08:00 08:00 11:00 08:00 50 399 358 30 12 3 0 00:0001:0002:0003:0004:0005:0006:0007:0008:0009:0010:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:0018:0019:0020:0021:0022:0023:00 PM Peak 15:00 17:00 15:00 16:00 15:00 269 235 37 15 3

Transport policy Site Name Neasham Road MSG Date of survey 13th - 19th April 2016 Thursday Road Speed Limit 20 MPH Total Bin 1 Bin 2 Bin 3 Bin 4 <5.2 Volume 5.2-<6.5 6.5-<11.5 =>11.5 Metres 00:00 55000 Data is split up in to bins by the traffic 01:00 11000 counter. Each bin refers to a class of 02:00 54100 vehicle ie. 03:00 21010 Bin 1 Cars and Motorcycles 04:00 32010 Bin 2 Larger vans 05:00 17 15 0 2 0 Bin 3 Light Goods, Buses 06:00 53 49 3 1 0 Bin 4 HGV 07:00 213 170 33 8 2 08:00 346 302 31 10 3 09:00 150 114 27 8 1 10:00 133 96 27 9 1 11:00 161 130 21 6 4 12:00 169 124 33 11 1 13:00 148 99 37 11 1 14:00 179 137 30 12 0 Channel 1 15:00 279 222 44 9 4 16:00 245 220 19 6 0 17:00 257 238 14 5 0 Channel 2 18:00 192 181 10 1 0 19:00 133 115 17 1 0 20:00 65 56 6 3 0 All 21:00 51 37 14 0 0 Channels 22:00 35 31 4 0 0 23:00 18 15 1 2 0 Total Volume 400 Total 12H(7- 350 2472 2033 326 96 17 19) 300 16H(6- 2774 2290 366 101 17 22) 250 18H(6- 2827 2336 371 103 17 200 24) 24H(0- 150 2860 2364 372 107 17 24) 100

AM Peak 08:00 08:00 07:00 08:00 11:00 50 346 302 33 10 4 0 00:0001:0002:0003:0004:0005:0006:0007:0008:0009:0010:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:0018:0019:0020:0021:0022:0023:00 PM Peak 15:00 17:00 15:00 14:00 15:00 279 238 44 12 4

Transport policy Chief Executive's (Regeneration)