Blindwells Plot 11 Residential Development Transport Statement A784-B027633
Issue
Hargreaves Services (Blindwells) 12-04-2021
Prepared on Behalf of Tetra Tech Group Limited. Registered in England number: 6595608
tetratecheurope.com 1 Tetra Tech Edinburgh, The Cube, 45 Leith Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, EH1 3AT Tetra Tech Group Limited. Registered in England number: 6595608 Registered Office: 3 Sovereign Square, Sovereign Street, Leeds, United Kingdom, LS1 4ER
Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
DOCUMENT CONTROL
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
Document: Transport Statement
Project: Blindwells Plot 11 Residential Development
Client: Hargreaves Services (Blindwells)
Job Number: 784-B027633
File Origin:
Revision: - Status: Draft
Date: 03-Mar-21
Prepared by: Checked by Approved By: Nick Garrity Allan Spence Mark Rinkus
Description of revision:
Revision: 1 Status: Issue
Date: 16-Mar-21
Prepared by: Checked by Approved By: Nick Garrity Allan Spence Mark Rinkus
Description of revision:
Revision: 2 Status: Issue
Date: 12-Apr-21
Prepared by: Checked by Approved By: Nick Garrity Allan Spence Mark Rinkus
Description of revision:
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Document control ...... 2 1. Introduction ...... 6 Report Purpose...... 6 Background ...... 7 2. Proposed development – Plot 11 ...... 10 Existing Site ...... 10 Proposed Development – Plot 11 ...... 10 General ...... 10 Internal Site Layout ...... 10 Parking Provision ...... 12 Servicing ...... 12 3. Accessible Transport Network ...... 13 Introduction ...... 13 Walking...... 13 Cycling ...... 15 Public Transport ...... 16 Road Network ...... 17 4. Road Network ...... 19 Introduction ...... 19 Local Road Network ...... 19 Trunk Road Network ...... 19 5. Traffic Impact...... 20 Background ...... 20 6. Residential Travel Plan Framework ...... 21 Introduction ...... 21 Policy Alignment ...... 21 Residential Travel Plan Framework ...... 21
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
7. Summary and Conclusions ...... 23 Summary ...... 23 Appendices ...... 25 Vehicle Swept Path Assessments ...... 25
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
1. INTRODUCTION Report Purpose
1.1 This Transport Statement has been prepared by Tetra Tech to accompany a Detailed Planning Application for 77 residential units on Plot 11 within the Blindwells site.
1.2 The Blindwells site benefits from Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) for remediation of site and creation of a new settlement at Blindwells near Tranent in East Lothian (planning Application Number 20/01030/PM) for the following uses:
• Creation of up to 1,600 residential units and ancillary development;
• Creation of access and egress points and road network through the site;
• Creation of a new school campus;
• Creation of employment land;
• Creation of commercial uses;
• Creation of a park and ride facility; and
• Creation of a green network.
1.3 This proposal for 77 residential units on Plot 11 will not alter the total quantum of consented development of 1,600 dwellings.
1.4 This report therefore addresses the site-specific details related to the proposals, as they will result in no change to strategic operations out with the Blindwells site boundary.
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
Background
1.5 A Transport Assessment was prepared by WYG in Sep 2014 to support the PPP planning application and superseded a previous Transport Assessment for the proposals by Saville Bird & Axom, dated December 2010.
1.6 The WYG report contained an in-depth review of the accessibility of the Masterplan area by active travel and sustainable modes, and also included an assessment of the likely generation and distribution of traffic arising from the proposals, and the resulting traffic impact.
1.7 That study drew the following conclusions:
• The proposed development is located in close proximity to established pedestrian and cycle routes;
• Existing bus stops are located within walking distance of a large section of the development;
• The development proposals contain a number of measures to improve the level of pedestrian and cycling accessibility in and around the site;
• The development proposals contain measures to improve the accessibility of the site, including a new Park & Ride facility, while Travel Plans will be developed to reduce reliance on the private car;
• The development proposals will be designed to provide adequate car parking for each component of the development in accordance with Part V of the East Lothian, Midlothian and Scottish Borders - Transportation Standards for Development Roads;
• The development location and proposals are compliant with relevant local and national policy;
• The microsimulation modelling undertaken indicated that the road network surrounding the development will, for the most part, continue to operate
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
satisfactorily with the addition of the Blindwells settlement and the proposed network improvements; and
• A sensitivity test which assumed that the Park & Ride site is not constructed indicated that in this scenario, the road network would also operate satisfactorily with the development and associated network improvements in place.
1.8 Given the above, this report addresses the site-specific details related to the proposals, as they will result in no change to strategic operations out with the Blindwells site boundary.
1.9 The location of the Masterplan site is indicated in Figure 1.1.
Figure 1-1: Blindwells Masterplan Area Site Location (Copyright EMA Architects)
1.10 The location of Plot 11 within the Masterplan area is indicated in Figure 1-2.
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
Figure 1-2: Plot 11 Site Location (Copyright EMA Architects)
1.11 As shown in Figure 1-2, the site of Plot 11 is located towards the north west corner of the Masterplan area.
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
2. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT – PLOT 11 Existing Site
2.1 Preparatory ground and infrastructure works are currently taking place on the Masterplan area, which includes Plot 11.
Proposed Development – Plot 11
General
2.2 The proposal for 77 residential units on Plot 11 will not alter the total quantum of consented development of 1,600 dwellings. It therefore does not result in any increase in housing numbers across the entire Masterplan area. Further details can be found in the Planning Statement.
Internal Site Layout
2.3 The proposed site layout is shown in Figure 2-1 below.
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
Figure 2-1: Blindwells Masterplan Residential Proposals – Plot 11 (Copyright EMA Architects)
2.4 The proposed layout includes access for active travel only (walking and cycling) at two locations on the western boundary. These provide links to the housing plot to the west and also connections to the north and south to tie into active travel corridors across the Masterplan area.
2.5 There are two vehicular accesses, one to the north and one to the east, which also have shared footway/cycleway provision on either side of the streets.
2.6 These vehicular accesses provide connections to the wider internal street layout that will be delivered throughout the Masterplan area which also act as the principal routes for vehicular traffic to the A198.
2.7 The internal layout takes into account Design Streets guidance, with no long, unbroken straight sections of carriageway and passive surveillance throughout.
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
2.8 The internal streets will largely comprise of shared surfaces or narrow streets which will act to keep vehicle speeds down.
Parking Provision
2.9 It is expected that residents would make arrangements for cycling parking within the curtilage of their properties, while on street provision will be made for visitor cycle parking.
2.10 A mixture of in curtilage and on street car parking for residents and visitors is provided throughout the development to East Lothian Council (ELC) standards, with appropriate provision made for passive and active Electric Vehicle charging points.
Servicing
2.11 All servicing will take place on street within the development. Swept paths for a refuse vehicle is provided in Appendix A.
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
3. ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT NETWORK
Introduction
3.1 This section of the report examines the existing accessible transport network surrounding the Blindwells Masterplan area and considers the accessibility of Plot 11 once the development proposals are in place.
3.2 In line with current best practice, the accessibility of the site has been considered using the following hierarchical approach:
• Walking;
• Cycling; and
• Public transport.
Walking
3.3 As set out in Chapter 2, the proposals will be developed with a high level of pedestrian permeability, ensuring safe, convenient, and direct pedestrian links are provided throughout the residential area and the Blindwells Masterplan itself. These will deliver active travel routes to neighbouring residential areas and local amenities. The entire active travel network within the Masterplan area will be designed to provide “Safer Routes to School” and in line with the guidance contained within Designing Streets.
3.4 On the east side of the Masterplan area, shared cycle / footpaths will be provided to connect with the existing Core Paths (132 and 270) that run along the eastern boundary. The Core Path 270 provides access to the north joining Core Paths 391 and 285, while Core Path 132 heads south by way of an underpass of the A1 towards Macmerry. Within the Masterplan area, these connections will form part of a network providing full permeability. The East Lothian Core Path map for the area is provided below in Figure 3-1 for reference.
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Figure 3-1: East Lothian Council Core Path Map
3.5 These Core Paths may not be suitable for all types of journey or all capabilities, having a mixture of surfaces and restricted lighting in places. Nevertheless, they are designated Core Paths within the ELC area and are available should individuals chose to use them as active travel routes.
3.6 The Masterplan proposals will deliver continuous footways along the site frontage on both sides of the A198.
3.7 Various junction improvements will be made to the existing road network as part of the Masterplan proposals, and signalised pedestrian crossings will be incorporated at the following locations:
• Full signalised crossing facilities will be provided at the junction of the A198 / B1361 (Meadowmill) which it is proposed will be converted from a roundabout to a signalised crossroads; and
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
• Signalised pedestrian crossings will also be provided across all arms at the proposed signalised crossroads incorporating the Masterplan access and St Joseph’s School access.
3.8 An approximate 1,600m (25min) walking catchment from Plot 11 site is shown in Figure 3-2.
Figure 3-2: Blindwells Plot 11, 1,600m Catchment
3.9 Figure 3-2 shows that areas of Tranent, Prestonpans and Cockenzie are within this threshold.
Cycling
3.10 A network of shared cycle / footpaths will be delivered throughout the Masterplan area to ensure full permeability across the site.
3.11 An approximate 5km (25min) cycling catchment from the site is shown in Figure 3-3.
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
Figure 3-3: Blindwells Plot 11 Approximate 5km Cycle Catchment
3.12 This shows that the whole of Tranent, Prestonpans, Port Seton and Cockenzie are within a 25-minute cycle of the site.
Public Transport
Bus Services
3.13 A Park & Ride facility is proposed as part of the wider Masterplan development. It will be located in the north-western corner of the Masterplan area, in close proximity to Plot 11 and adjacent to the A198.
3.14 In addition to the Park & Ride facility, a number of bus stops will be located throughout the Masterplan area, which will serve redirected existing routes and new bus services.
3.15 Currently the Prentice Coaches 110 and Lothian Buses 26 stop on the A198 on the Masterplan area’s western boundary, while East Coast Buses service 124 stops on the
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A198 on the northern boundary. A summary of their routes and timetables is given in Table 3-1 below.
Table 3-1: Blindwells Existing Bus Services
Frequency Operator & Route Summary Route Number Mon-Fri Sat Sun Day Evening Day Evening Day Evening North Berwick - Gullane - Aberlady - 124 East Coast Longniddry - Prestonpans - 30min Hourly 30min Hourly 30min Hourly Buses Musselburgh - Portobello - Edinburgh City Centre Tranent - Prestonpans - 26 Lothian Musselburgh - Portobello - 20min 30min 20min 30min 30min 30min Buses Edinburgh City Centre - Clermiston Haddington/Elphinstone - 110 Prentice 3 / day n/a 3 / day n/a n/a n/a Prestonpans
3.16 Table 3-1 shows the site is well served by regular and frequent services to local towns throughout East Lothian as well as Edinburgh.
Rail Services
3.17 The nearest station is to the west at Prestonpans, approximately 2km from the development site, while Longniddry Station is approximately 4km to the east. These are currently served by trains on the North Berwick to Edinburgh line, with an hourly service throughout the day in each direction.
3.18 The potential for a rail link at Blindwells has been investigated in the past and, although it is not being pursued at this time, sufficient land has been earmarked for a rail halt to be developed in the future.
Road Network
3.19 The Masterplan area will be accessed from the A198 via upgrades to three existing junctions. Internally these new accesses will be linked via the construction of internal development roads.
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
3.20 These improvements will be delivered as a result of the overall development of the Masterplan area and are not specifically related to the residential proposals for Plot 11. The details are presented below to provide context.
3.21 The first upgraded junction is a new two-lane entry arm on the existing north roundabout of the Bankton Interchange. The arm will be located on the north east of the roundabout between the A198 and A1 eastbound on-slip arms and is the southernmost junction of the development. In addition to the new arm, the roundabout would also be signalised, with two lanes at each of the stop lines on the entry arms.
3.22 The second upgraded junction will be located approximately 200m north of the Bankton Interchange north roundabout and will be formed by adding a new approach opposite the existing priority junction access to St Joseph’s School. This will create a new crossroads, which will be signalised. It is intended to provide a single lane at the stop lines of the north, west and east (new) approaches and two lanes on the south approach with pedestrian crossing facilities also included at the junction.
3.23 The third upgraded junction is the existing priority junction located approximately 180m south of the Meadowmill roundabout on the A198. This will be improved and provided with a right turn ghost island.
3.24 The stretch of the A198 that will form the site frontage will also be subject of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) aimed at lowering the speed limit upon development occurring.
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
4. ROAD NETWORK
Introduction
4.1 The section identifies areas where improvements will be made to the road network out with the Masterplan area. They are not specifically related to the residential proposals for Plot 11 but are presented below to provide context.
Local Road Network
4.2 As well as the junction upgrades required to create the three access points to the Masterplan area, the proposals incorporate a number of improvements to the existing network in close proximity to the site.
4.3 Two junctions are to be upgraded: the Meadowmill Roundabout located north of the ghost island site access and the south roundabout of the Bankton Interchange. The Meadowmill Roundabout would be converted to a signalised crossroads, with single lane approaches on each arm, while south roundabout would be signalised.
4.4 It is also proposed to improve the A198 to the south-west of the site. Between the north roundabout of Bankton Interchange and the new signalised site access the A198 would be widened to three lanes, with the carriageway being widened on its east side into the site. The additional lane would provide two lane entries to the junctions to the north and south.
4.5 The A198 / B6363 priority junction is also to be upgraded to a signalized junction.
Trunk Road Network
4.6 The merge and diverge to / from the A1 west at the Bankton Interchange will be upgraded to achieve parallel merge and diverge provision in order to increase the efficiency of these sections of the road from that currently provided by the existing direct merge and diverge tapers.
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5. TRAFFIC IMPACT Background
5.1 The WYG TA that accompanied the PPP application in 2014 (14/00768/PPM) included a comprehensive analysis of vehicle trip generation, distribution and traffic impact.
5.2 These proposals will not add any additional houses over and above the maximum 1,600 houses permitted with the PPP consent. Consequently, the proposals will not add any additional vehicle trips above the level that was included in the traffic modelling exercise associated with the PPP.
5.3 For these reasons, no assessment is required of the traffic impact of the proposals, both on the internal network of streets within the Masterplan area, or external local and strategic road network.
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6. RESIDENTIAL TRAVEL PLAN FRAMEWORK
Introduction
6.1 A Travel Plan is considered to be the first step in demonstrating a developer’s commitment to promoting sustainable modes of transport as part of its implementation strategy. This commitment is secured through planning obligations in support of a planning application for development.
Policy Alignment
6.2 The Travel Plan will take cognisance of the aims and objectives of national and local planning policies in providing a framework around which the Travel Plan can be used to support the development proposals. These include:
• Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 2020;
• Designing Streets – A Policy Statement for Scotland 2010; and
• Planning Advice Note (Pan) 75 – Planning for Transport 2005
Residential Travel Plan Framework
6.3 A Residential Travel Plan is a package of measures designed to reduce the number and length of car trips generated by a residential development, and supports more sustainable forms of travel. It is proposed that a Travel Plan will be delivered through a Residential Travel Pack, to be issued as part of the welcome package for each household within the development.
6.4 The key role of Residential Travel Packs is to ensure that during the marketing of the development, new householders are made aware of sustainable travel opportunities and are provided with accurate information to enable them to make an informed decision as to their choice of travel mode.
6.5 A number of potential strategies are set out below:
• Provide sustainable travel information during the marketing of the site;
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• Raise the awareness of new residents to the availability of sustainable travel within their welcome pack and offer the opportunity to have a personal Travel Pack developed to answer their travel needs; and
• Provide an accessible site with good connectivity for those travelling by active modes or by public transport.
6.6 The above strategies comply with the following extract from PAN 75, “For residential land use, travel plans may set out measures which will be used as an incentive to house purchasers to use non-car travel modes, but setting targets is generally not particle for this land use. Sustainability in housing should come through design in relation to walking, cycling and public transport networks.”
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
7. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Summary
7.1 This Transport Statement has been prepared by Tetra Tech to accompany a Detailed Planning Application for 77 residential units on Plot 11 within the Blindwells site.
7.2 The Blindwells site benefits from Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) for remediation of site and creation of a new settlement at Blindwells near Tranent in East Lothian (planning Application Number 20/01030/PM) which included the creation of up to 1,600 residential units and ancillary development.
7.3 This proposal for 77 residential units on Plot 11 will not alter the total quantum of consented development of 1,600 dwellings.
7.4 This report therefore addresses the site-specific details related to the proposals, as they will result in no change to strategic operations out with the Blindwells site boundary.
7.5 The proposed layout includes access for active travel (walking and cycling) throughout the development site while also providing connections into active travel corridors across the Masterplan area.
7.6 The two vehicular accesses to the site provide connections to the wider internal street layout that will be delivered throughout the Masterplan area and which also act as the principal routes for vehicular traffic to the A198.
7.7 A mixture of in curtilage and on street car parking for residents and visitors is provided throughout the development to ELC standards, with appropriate provision made for passive and active Electric Vehicle charging points.
7.8 The internal streets will largely comprise of shared surfaces or narrow streets which will act to keep vehicle speeds down.
7.9 As these proposals will not add any additional houses over and above the maximum 1,600 houses permitted with the PPP consent, they will not add any additional vehicle trips above the level that was included in the traffic modelling exercise associated with
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
the PPP. For these reasons, no traffic impact assessment is required on the internal network of streets within the Masterplan area, or external local and strategic road network.
7.10 To provide context only, it should be noted that the wider Masterplan proposals will deliver three access points to the Masterplan onto the A198 along with a number of improvements to the existing network in close proximity to the site, including:
• the Meadowmill Roundabout - converted to a signalised crossroads;
• Bankton Interchange south roundabout - signalised;
• Widening the A198 between the north roundabout of Bankton Interchange and the new signalised site access; and
• Upgrading the A198 / B6363 priority junction to signal control.
7.11 A Residential Travel Plan framework has been provided that could be used as a basis for developing Travel Plan proposals prior to the development being occupied.
7.12 The information presented in this report confirms there is no transport-based reason for refusal of the development proposals.
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Blindwells, Plot 11 Residential Development
APPENDICES
Vehicle Swept Path Assessments
tetratecheurope.com 25 This drawing should not be scaled. Dimensions to be verified on site. Any discrepancies should be referred to the Engineer prior to work being put in hand.
This drawing is the property of Waterman Infrastructure & Environment Limited, and the drawing is issued on the condition that it is not copied reproduced, retained or disclosed to any unauthorised person, either wholly or in part without the consent in writing of Waterman Infrastructure & Environment Limited Pickfords Wharf, Clink Street, London SE1 9DG t 020 7928 7888 f 03333 444 501 GENERAL NOTES
1. THIS DRAWING IS TO BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH ALL ENGINEER'S, ARCHITECT'S OR OTHER RELEVANT DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS.
2. ALL DIMENSIONS AND LEVELS ARE TO BE CHECKED ON SITE BY THE CONTRACTOR PRIOR TO PREPARING ANY WORKING DRAWINGS OR COMMENCING ON SITE.
REALIGNED DITCH 3. THE CONTRACTOR MUST ENSURE AND WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OVERALL STABILITY OF THE BUILDING/STRUCTURE/EXCAVATION AT ALL STAGES OF THE PROPOSED BASIN WORK. (SEE DRAWING 'WIE-11853-SA-92-0130' FOR DETAILS') 4. ALL WORK BY THE CONTRACTOR MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN SUCH A WAY THAT ALL REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ACT ARE SATISFIED.
5. ALL WORK IS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RELEVANT STATUTORY AUTHORITIES PUMP AND REGULATIONS. STATION
DB32 Refuse Vehicle LEGEND
DENOTES PLANNING BOUNDARY REALIGNED DITCH
DENOTES PROPOSED CARRIAGEWAY 01 02 03 DENOTES PROPOSED FOOTPATH 04 05
06 DENOTES PROPOSED BLOCK PAVING SHARED SURFACE
07 DENOTES PROPOSED POROUS 08 PAVING PARKING BAYS 09 10 11 7.9 12 13 14 15 16 77 17 76 75 72 74 1.45 4
56 DB32 Refuse Vehicle 73 71 Overall Length 7.900m
DB32DB32 Refuse Refuse Vehicle Vehicle 55 Overall Width 2.400m Overall Body Height 3.183m Min Body Ground Clearance 0.388m 18 54 Max Track Width 2.400m 57 Lock to lock time 6.00s 70 Kerb to Kerb Turning Radius 9.625m 53 19
69 52 SEE DRAWING '17684-WIE-98-DR-C-00201' FOR DB32 Refuse Vehicle CONSTRUCTION DETAILS 58 20 PLOT 11 51 68
50 59 21 67 REV P03 06.04.21 LAYOUT AMENDED KK PM 60 REV P02 08.03.21 AMENDED AS PER REVISED ARCH LAYOUT PM BG 22 66 DB32 Refuse Vehicle REV P01 26.02.21 ISSUED FOR PLANNING AG BG 49 Status Date Description By Chk 61
23 DB32 Refuse Vehicle Amendments 48 Project
65 62 47 BLINDWELLS 24 46 64 Title
63 25 45 PLOT 11 PROPOSED 26 REFUSE VEHICLE TRACKING
Client HARGREAVES SERVICES (BLINDWELLS) LTD 43 44 41 42 40 38 39 36 37 34 35 32 33 30 31 29 27 28 aterman
S.S South Suite 8 Nelson Mandela Place Glasgow G2 1BT t 0141 418 1900 [email protected] www.watermangroup.com
Status PLANNING
Designed By Director Waterman Ref BG TH WIE17684 Drawn By Date Scales @ A1 GAS GOVERNOR 1:500 0 10m 20m 30m 40m 50m AG FEB'21 1:500 Project - Originator - Volume - Level - Type - Role - Number Revision 1:1 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 17684-WIE-05-ZZ-DR-C-0201 P03