Transport Technical Note
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TRANSPORT TECHNICAL NOTE November 2011 TRANSPORT TECHNICAL NOTE November 2011 Version 3.0 Version Date Description Comment 0.1 to 04/11 to 06/11 Pre draft versions for discussion with Confidential / limited 0.4 SESplan, SEStran and Transport Scotland circulation 1.0 03/06/11 First draft Joint Committee Paper (13/06/11) 2.0 23/06/11 Incorporates amendments following Joint Committee Paper technical notes member authority (26/07/11) workshop session (21/06/11) 2.1 11/07/11 Further amendment following Board Joint Committee Paper Meeting 01/07/11_ (26/07/11) 3.0 27/09/11 Accommodating Editorial Changes Editorial change version 1 CONTENTS LIST OF APPENDICES 3 LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES 4 1 INTRODUCTION 5 Context to the TTN considering transport within the wider strategic framework of the SDP. 5 2 BACKGROUND 7 Main issues Report (May 2010) 7 Transport Technical Note (May 2010) 7 Transport Scotland’s Consultation Response to MIR (27 August 2010) 8 3 ACCESSIBILITY ANALYSIS AND STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN ASSESSMENT 10 Stage 1: Accessibility Analysis 10 Stage 2: Strategic Development Plan Assessment (accounting for committed transport 11 schemes) Stage 3: Analysis of SDP, committed transport schemes and a set of complementary transport 26 schemes 4 IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SDP 30 Transport within the context of the wider SDP 30 Growth aspirations result in network deterioration 31 SDP and Action programme 32 5 APPENDICES 33 2 APPENDICES Appendix 1: MVA Consultancy Note 2 Version 4: Accessibility Analysis. Appendix 2: MVA Consultancy Note 6 Version 6.2: SESplan Strategic Development Plan Assessment Appendix 3: MVA Consultancy Note 7 Version 1.4: Transport Measures for SDP Appendix 4: MVA Consultancy Note 8 Version 8.0: SESplan SDP assessment Appendix 5: SESplan response to Transport Scotland’s MIR representations (extract from MIR responses) 3 LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figure 1 Time Lost Due to Congestion Local Authorities and Edinburgh (hours, annual) 13 Table 1 Constraints from a regional perspective – 2032 reference case forecast with SDP 14 Table 2 Corridors and Measures 17 Table 3 The ‘Do something’ test 27 4 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 This Transport Technical Note (TTN) has been prepared to inform the development of the SESplan Strategic Development Plan (SDP). The TTN is informed by the SESplan Main Issues Report and the associated Technical Note (May 2010) and presents the findings of the MVA Consultancy (MVA) studies, a process managed by SEStran on behalf of SESplan. The TTN provides a summary overview of the findings of the MVA study per stage. The complete Information Notes produced by MVA associated with each stage are contained within Appendices 1 – 4. The TTN provides the basis for the SDP policy in relation to transportation. 1.2 The TTN contains: The findings of an Accessibility Analysis of settlements within the SESplan area; The findings of analysis of the impact of the SDP and committed transport schemes using established network based key performance indicators; The findings of analysis of the impact of the implementation of a set of complementary schemes to accompany the SDP on these key performance indicators; and, The implications of the MVA modelling work for the Strategic Development Plan. 1.3 The TTN should be read in conjunction with other background documents including: Housing Technical Note; Spatial Strategy Assessment Technical Note; Economy Technical Note; Green Belt Technical Note; Green Network Technical Note; Strategic Environmental Assessment; The TTN has informed the SDP. The SDP and the TTN inform the Action Programme. Context to the TTN, considering transport within the wider strategic framework of the SDP 1.4 The TTN is set within the context of the wider strategy for the SDP. The SDP supports sustainable economic growth within the SESplan area. The SDP identifies three main drivers of sustainable economic growth: Climate Change; Demographic Change; and, The Economy. 1.5 In terms of climate change, the SDP seeks to set the spatial framework to support the achievement of the Scottish Government Target to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% by 2020 and 5 by reducing CO2 emissions by 80% by 2030. Reducing the need to travel and promoting the use of sustainable modes of transport will contribute to this aim. 1.6 Demographic change is a key driver for the plan. Over the period 2006 – 2031, the population of the SESplan area is projected to increase by 16%1 and the number of households is expected to increase by 28.2% (during the plan period)2. The SESplan HNDA identified 18,950 households as currently being in housing need. This requirement will be met through the SDP, which has an obligation to ensure that sufficient developable and marketable housing land is available throughout the period. 1.7 The SDP sets an ambitious framework for economic growth within the SESplan area in recognition of the potential contribution of South East Scotland to the national economy. The SDP provides the spatial framework for economic growth and land use requirements of key sectors as set out in the Economy Technical Note. 1.8 Meeting the identified level of housing need and economic growth aspirations, has implications for the transport network within the SESplan area. The network is already heavily constrained and particular stretches and junctions will come under further pressure without any further housing development. It is acknowledged that whilst transport network congestion is a product of increasing travel demands, the location of additional houses can to a greater or lesser extent, exacerbate existing congestion. In addressing improvements to the network it is recognised that the constraints on public sector spending will last for some time and previous levels of developer contributions are unlikely to be obtained. As a result, improvements to the network will inevitably struggle to meet the rate of economic growth. 1 Source: GROS (2009) Population and Household Projections for Scotland’s Strategic Development Planning Areas (2006 – based) Published 14 July 2009. 2 SESplan (2011) Housing Technical Note Table 18: 2006 Based GROS Household Projections 6 2 BACKGROUND 2.1 This TTN builds upon the SESplan MIR and the accompanying Transport Technical Note (May 2010). Main Issues Report (May 2010) 2.2 The preferred approach as set out in the MIR was to guide new development, where possible, to locations that are well served by public transport or accessible by walking or cycling, thereby reducing the need to travel by private car, reducing the impact on CO2 emissions and air quality, and encouraging the use of more sustainable modes of transport. The MIR envisaged that the SDP would improve accessibility and transport choice for all sectors of the community and safeguard land for potential improvements to the transport network. 2.3 The MIR gave a commitment for the SDP to support medium and long term proposals including: the Forth Replacement Crossing with its associated public transport strategy; Edinburgh Airport enhancements; improvements to the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail line; upgrading of Sheriffhall roundabout on the A720 and at Redhouse on the A92; the re-opening of the Airdrie to Bathgate rail line (subsequently opened); the development of the Borders Railway; the construction of the Edinburgh tram network with extensions into West Lothian and Fife; the Edinburgh Orbital Bus scheme; improvements along the M8 and M9; and the completion of Park and Ride sites and public transport priority on strategic corridors. 2.4 The MIR sets out SESplan’s commitment to work collaboratively with Transport Scotland, SEStran and other partners to encourage the use of public transport, walking and cycling and to ultimately achieve a more sustainable community which will contribute to achieving the 40% reduction target of CO2 emissions by 2020 set by the Scottish Government. This joint work included further appraisal of the transport implications of the proposals for growth in the MIR. This built on work already undertaken in respect of the Edinburgh and the Lothians Structure Plan and the Accessibility modeling work undertaken during the development of the MIR and in support of the appraisal of the SDP itself. 2.5 New development that generates significant volumes of goods movement will be guided to locations well served by rail or sea. Where movement by lorry is inevitable, development will be guided to locations close to the motorway or trunk road network. In this context the SDP will support improvement of ports on the Forth and access to them by rail and road as necessary and appropriate. Transport Technical Note (May 2010) 2.6 The Transport Technical Note (May 2010), set out an overview of transport issues for the SESPlan area. It is noted that traffic volumes have been growing rapidly, on average around 1.5% per annum. This trend is expected to continue potentially exacerbating existing congestion hotspots particularly the A720 City Bypass, the A701 and A7 in Midlothian, the western 7 approaches into Edinburgh, the A92 corridor through Fife and the approaches to the Forth Bridgehead on the M90 / A90 corridor. 2.7 As detailed within the MIR Monitoring Statement Appendix C, improvements to transport infrastructure are set out within the Local Transport Strategy and the Strategic Transport Projects Review. There has been progress in delivering transport projects within the SESplan area including the M9 Spur, A68 Dalkeith Bypass and the strategic ring of park and ride facilities at Hermiston, Ingliston, Straiton and Sheriffhall and planning consent for Lothianburn but schemes such as the Borders Rail Line, Gogar Interchange and the completion of Phase 1A of the tram are still to be implemented. 2.8 The TTN (2010) provided an overview of the Stage 1: Accessibility Analysis undertaken by MVA consultancy. An updated version of this analysis is contained within this TTN and located at Appendix 1.