Plymouth Sound and Estuaries Water
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Foreword As partners of the Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum (TECF) we acknowledge the recommendations outlined in the Plymouth Sound and Estuaries Water Transportation Study in principal, and are prepared to broadly support these recommendations through the work of each of our individual organisations. It is recognised that there are a number of water transportation related projects currently being investigated. Feasibility studies and other information searches being undertaken as part of these projects will contribute to further clarify, the viability and sustainability of a water transportation network, and the options for integrating water transportation with other transportation systems. These studies will also contribute to providing a more focused assessment of the shore-based infrastructure and service requirements and an overview of the potential employment opportunities that would be generated. Relying on the Water Transportation Study as a basis for information, additional, more detailed information, especially that generated from primary data collection and analysis, will be integrated, in order to support and inform decision makers in the wider strategic debate on the future integrated transport proposals for Plymouth and the Tamar Estuaries. It is noted that all initiatives contributing to the development of water transportation in the estuary and sound, place primary importance on reducing environmental risk. Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum MFZSP Plymouth Sound and Estuaries Water Transportation Study Issue 06, March 2004 Page 2 of 104 EXCALIBUR_PL\D:\REPORTANDPHOTOS.DOC\060503\? TAMAR ESTUARIES CONSULTATIVE FORUM PLYMOUTH SOUND AND ESTUARIES WATER TRANSPORTATION STUDY Report compiled by: N. Rugg Record of revisions Issue Date By Details 01 26.7.02 NR First draft for comment 02 7.10.02 NR Revised draft incorporating responses to Client comments raised at the meeting on 1 August 2002. 03 18.10.02 NR Revised draft following tour of the Cattewater and analysis of Tamar crossing survey data. 04 26.11.02 CJT Revised text relating to development on The Embankment, Phoenix Wharf and Millbay. 05 7.5.03 CJT Revised draft incorporating responses to Client comments submitted on 31 January 2003 06 15.4.04 CJT Final draft incorporating final comments and TECF foreword. Scott Wilson Mayflower House Checked by .................................. Date ......... Armada Way Plymouth Approved for issue .................................. Date ......... Devon PL1 1LD Tel: 01752 672124 Fax: 01752 227627 Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum MFZSP Plymouth Sound and Estuaries Water Transportation Study Issue 06, March 2004 Page 3 of 104 EXCALIBUR_PL\D:\REPORTANDPHOTOS.DOC\060503\? CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .1.0 INTRODUCTION 1. 1.1 Context 2. 1.2 Client 3. 1.3 Study Brief 4. 1.4 Methodology and Report Format .2.0 BACKGROUND 1. 2.1 Historical Context 2. 2.2 Previous Studies 3. 2.3 Planning Context .3.0 EXISTING WATER TRANSPORT SERVICES AND FACILITIES 1. 3.1 Introduction 2. 3.2 Existing Services – Local Ferries 3. 3.3 Existing services – Recreational / Harbour Cruises 4. 3.4 Landing Stages – Existing Provision and Condition 5. 3.5 Car / Coach and Water Transport Interchange Facilities 6. 3.6 Appraisal of Services beyond the Study Area 7. 3.7 Summary .4.0 CONSULTATION 1. 4.1 Approach 2. 4.2 Consultees 3. 4.3 Findings .5.0 FUTURE DEMAND RESULTING FROM EXISTING COMMUNITIES AND DEVELOPMENT AREAS 1. 5.1 Introduction 2. 5.2 Local Ferry Services – Western Sound, Hamoaze, Tamar and Lynher 3. 5.3 Local Ferry Services – Plym and Cattewater 4. 5.4 Summary .6.0 FUTURE DEMAND FROM TOURISM AND RECREATION 1. 6.1 Introduction 2. 6.3 Current Tourism and Recreation Activity 3. 6.4 Events 4. 6.5 Cruise Ships 5. 6.6 Informal Recreation 6. 6.7 Trends and Forecasts 7. 6.8 New Tourism and Leisure Developments 8. 6.9 Water Transport as an Attraction in its Own Right 9. 6.6 Potential Visitor Numbers Using Water Transport 10. 6.7 Summary Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum MFZSP Plymouth Sound and Estuaries Water Transportation Study Issue 06, March 2004 Page 4 of 104 EXCALIBUR_PL\D:\REPORTANDPHOTOS.DOC\060503\? .7.0 PARK AND SAIL 1. 7.1 Introduction 2. 7.2 Appraisal of Potential Sites 3. 7.3 Summary .8.0 PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS 1. 8.1 Landing Facilities – Design Parameters 2. 8.2 Landing Facilities – Specific Improvements 3. 8.3 Vessel Design 4. 8.4 Environmental Impact .9.0 MARKETING INITIATIVES 1. 9.1 Introduction 2. 9.2 Current Marketing Activities 3. 9.3 Future Marketing Initiatives 4. 9.4 Summary .10.0 FUNDING STREAM, POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS, OUTCOMES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. 10.1 Funding Streams 2. 10.2 Potential Partnerships 3. 10.3 Employment and Training Opportunities 4. 10.4 Maintenance Responsibilities and Arrangements for Landing Fees 5. 10.5 Summary .11.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 1. 11.1 Conclusions 2. 11.2 Long Term Vision 3. 11.3 Short Term Action Plan 4. 11.4 Medium to Long Term Action Plan 5. 11.5 Outcomes Bibliography Acknowledgements Appendices A. Planning and Transport Guidance and Policies B. Existing Water Transport Services C. Current Water Traffic Management Arrangements D. Analysis and Interpretation of Tourism and Recreation Statistics E. Summary of Water Transport Landing Points within the Study Area F. Examples of Passenger Ferry Services Outside the Study Area G. Consultation H. Assessment of the Potential of a Water Transport Service for Saltash and Torpoint Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum MFZSP Plymouth Sound and Estuaries Water Transportation Study Issue 06, March 2004 Page 5 of 104 EXCALIBUR_PL\D:\REPORTANDPHOTOS.DOC\060503\? PLANS 1. 1. Location of Waterfront Attractions 2. 2. Location of Informal Recreation Opportunities 3. 3. Location of Informal Recreation Opportunities 4. 4. Location of Regeneration Sites 5. 5. Location of Landing Points 6. 6. Existing Water Transport Services 7. 7. New and Enhanced Water Transport Services Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum MFZSP Plymouth Sound and Estuaries Water Transportation Study Issue 06, March 2004 Page 6 of 104 EXCALIBUR_PL\D:\REPORTANDPHOTOS.DOC\060503\? EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The waterfront is Plymouth's ‘Unique Selling Point’. The City has many problems – deprivation, unemployment, areas of dereliction – but it is located in one of the most spectacular settings in the country. There are many plans to regenerate the City and in particular the waterfront areas, but in order to make these plans happen, Plymouth's profile needs to be raised and investors, occupiers, residents need to be convinced that Plymouth can be transformed. An attractive, good quality water-transport system would provide a significant contribution to that transformation, by changing the emphasis of the City towards the waterfront and making much greater use of areas of the City with a high international recognition factor such as the Hoe. It would also provide much needed sustainable access solutions to major regeneration sites in the City. It is difficult to provide accurate predictions about the future levels of demand, when so much of the waterfront area is still the subject of studies to determine their future. What is clear is that Plymouth needs to make much more of its waterfront and promote the waterfront and the qualities of the City in order to assist in the implementation of its ambitious regeneration proposals. In order to predict the potential demand for new and enhanced services the study has explored two key drivers. Firstly, the demand for water transport by residents of waterfront communities in the study area, including areas subject to regeneration. Secondly, tourism and recreation trends, initiatives and proposals that could significantly increase the demand for water transport to waterfront attractions and areas for recreation within the study area. The review of the potential demand from residential communities has led to the conclusion that a service linking residential areas on the Plym with the Barbican could be viable as could services from Millbay to locations in the Western Sound and Hamoaze and from Mutton Cove and North Corner to Cremyll. The timing of these services will depend upon the progress made on various development projects. Plymouth already serves as a major day visit destination for visitors staying in holiday accommodation outside the City. Forecasts indicate that the main leisure tourism types accommodated by the City (short breaks and trips to friends and relatives) are all set to increase. In addition, the resident market, particularly within Plymouth, offers significant opportunities in the leisure and recreation sector. Against this positive background, Plymouth is a changing City with substantial redevelopment set to give the City’s waterfront a higher profile across a wide spectrum of activity. New capital projects such as the Centre for Marine Excellence, the Naval Base Visitor Centre and Royal William Yard will all generate new visitor activity and change the geographical pattern of visitor use of the City. The study has concluded that future demand will be sufficient for new and enhanced services in the Upper Tamar Valley, from the Barbican to the Upper Tamar, from the Barbican to Mount Edgecumbe and from the Barbican to the Hoe, Millbay, Royal William Yard, the Devonport Flagship Project and the proposed Naval Base Visitors Centre. Tamar Estuaries Consultative Forum MFZSP Plymouth Sound and Estuaries Water Transportation Study Issue 06, March 2004 Page 7 of 104 EXCALIBUR_PL\D:\REPORTANDPHOTOS.DOC\060503\? In addition to the development of new services, the promotion of water transport in Plymouth Sound and Estuaries as an attraction in its own right is seen as an issue of overriding importance. One of the study area’s greatest assets is its water frontage and it is strongly believed that many visitors to the area will expect to have the opportunity to explore the area by boat. If greater numbers of visitors can be attracted onto the water, then the viability of a range of services will be enhanced. This will mean investment across the board in facilities, vessels, support infrastructure and marketing activity.