FRAMEWORK TRAVEL PLAN ECLIPSE PARK Porthaven Care

FRAMEWORK TRAVEL PLAN ECLIPSE PARK

Porthaven Care Homes Group December 2020

ECLIPSE PARK, MAIDSTONE PORTHAVEN CARE HOMES GROUP

December 2020

Prepared for Porthaven Care Homes Group 1 High Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1LD

Prepared by Contact Ridge and Partners LLP Marisa Mullett Partnership House Senior Transport Planner Moorside Road [email protected] Winchester Hampshire SO23 7RX Tel: 01962 834400

Project No. 5013209 1

CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 5 1.1. Overview 5 1.2. Site Location 5 1.3. Purpose of the Report 6 1.4. Development Scheme 6 1.5. Report Structure 6 2. PLANNING POLICY 8 2.1. National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) updated February 2019 8 2.2. Planning Practice Guidance (PPG): Travel Plans (March 2014) 9 2.3. Maidstone Borough Local Plan (2011 – 2031) 9 2.4. Local Transport Plan 4: Delivering Growth without Gridlock 2016 - 2031 10 2.5. The Strategic Road Network – Planning for the Future (2015) 11 2.6. Kent County Council, Guidance on Travel Plans, Kent Connected 12 3. SITE ACCESSIBLITY 13 3.1. Overview 13 3.2. Existing Highway Network 13 3.3. Public Transport – Bus 14 15 3.4. Public Transport – Rail 15 3.5. Access by Walking 16 3.6. Access by Cycling 17 3.7. Sustainability of Site Location 19 4. MODAL TRAVEL SURVEY 21 4.1. Initial Baseline 21 5. AIM AND OBJECTIVES 23 5.1. Aim 23 5.2. Objectives 23 6. TARGETS AND MONITORING 24 6.1. Targets 24 7. TRAVEL PLAN MEASURES 25 7.1. Overview 25 7.2. Travel Plan Co-ordinator (TPC) 25 7.3. Site Location and Design 25 7.4. Marketing and Promotional Strategy 25 7.5. Measures to Reduce the Need to Travel 26

Project No. 5013209 3

7.6. Measures to Promote Cycling 26 7.7. Promoting Public Transport 26 7.8. Promoting Car Sharing 26 8. MONITORING AND REVIEW 27 8.1. Overview 27 8.2. Monitoring and Review Framework 27 8.3. Ownership and duration 28 8.4. Securing the Travel Plan and Enforcement 28 8.5. Travel Plan Funding 28 9. ACTION PLAN 29 9.1. Overview 29 APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE TRAVEL SURVEYS 30

Project No. 5013209 4

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Overview 1.1.1. Ridge and Partners LLP has been commissioned by Porthaven Care Homes Group to provide a Framework Travel Plan to support the submission of a full planning application for the development of a 69 bedroom care home at Eclipse Park, to the north of Maidstone.

1.1.2. This Travel Plan has been prepared in line with National Planning Policy Framework 2019 (NPPF) and travel plan guidance from Kent County Council.

1.2. Site Location 1.2.1. The development site is located on land forming part of Eclipse Park, a business park north of Maidstone. The park supports office and hotel development, as well as a number of retail units, including Next and Marks & Spencer. The site is situated in the north-west corner of the Park directly south of the M20 (Figure 1).

Site

Figure 1: Site Location. (Source: OS Mapping)

Project No. 5013209 5

1.3. Purpose of the Report 1.3.1. A Travel Plan is a package of measures tailored to the individual needs of a site. The key aim of this Travel Plan is to inform employees and visitors to the proposed Care Home about the alternatives to driving their cars to the site; to increase awareness of and promote greener, cleaner modes of travel; to reduce reliance on the private motor car; and create sustainable communities consistent with the overarching aims of the National Planning Policy Framework.

1.3.2. Aside from encouraging more sustainable and healthier travel behaviour, Travel Plans can also assist businesses in terms of recruitment and retention of employees, improving company image, reducing journey times for employees and widening travel choice.

1.3.3. Travel Plans are dynamic documents that evolve over time with changing travel needs. They are not meant to be onerous documents, but rather developed to enhance awareness of alternative modes of travel to the single occupancy private car. This document sets out how a Travel Plan for the site will increase awareness of alternative modes of travel and encourage employees to adjust their travel habits. This Travel Plan sets out a series of measures that will be introduced at the site to encourage travel to and from the site by non-car modes and an Action Plan detailing how and when the measures will be implemented .

1.3.4. The effectiveness of the Travel Plan will be monitored at regular intervals through a series of employee, and visitor travel surveys. The Travel Plan targets will then be reviewed, and any necessary amendments made. This will ensure that the plans can be updated regularly to cater for any change in travel demand.

1.3.5. This framework document provides details of those personnel who need to be involved in the Travel Plan process and their role in formalising and implementing the Travel Plan, including identification of a Travel Plan Co-ordinator. It also provides information regarding current public transport and key facilities in the area.

1.4. Development Scheme 1.4.1. The proposed development consists of a 69 bedroom care home over three storeys with a number of communal facilities including a café, dining rooms, lounges, cinema, and library together with the parking.

1.4.2. It should be noted that given the type of care facility that it is unlikely that there will be much resident travel to and from the site and residents will not be provided with car parking spaces.

1.5. Report Structure 1.5.1. This Framework Travel Plan will be structured as follows:

. Chapter 2 provides the National and local policy background to Travel Plans. . Chapter 3 describes the site accessibility including access to walking, cycling and public transport routes and services. . Chapter 4 provides the modal baseline used for this report, and how this will be updated once baseline surveys have been undertaken. . Chapter 5 presents the aims and objectives of the Travel Plan. . Chapter 6 presents the interim targets for the Travel Plan and summarises the monitoring process.

Project No. 5013209 6

. Chapter 7 summarises the proposed measures to be implemented for the development. . Chapter 8 details the monitoring and review process of the Travel Plan including ownership, duration, and funding. . Chapter 9 presents the Action Plan for the Travel Plan

Project No. 5013209 7

2. PLANNING POLICY

2.1. National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) updated February 2019 2.1.1. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published February 2019, and superseded the NPPF 2012, setting out the Government’s planning policies for England.

2.1.2. Paragraph 104 of the NPPF states that significant development should be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable through limiting the need to travel and offering a genuine choice of transport modes.

2.1.3. Paragraph 108 of the document outlines that allocated sites should: . Provide appropriate opportunities to promote sustainable transport modes, given the type of development and its location; . provide safe and suitable access to the site can be achieved for all users; and . any significant impacts from the development on the transport network (in terms of capacity and congestion), or on highway safety, can be cost effectively mitigated to an acceptable degree.

2.1.4. Paragraph 109 states that development should only be prevented or refused on transport grounds if there would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or the residual cumulative impacts of development are severe.

2.1.5. Paragraph 110 identifies that within this context applications for development should: . Give priority first to pedestrian and cycle movements, both within the scheme and with neighbouring areas; and second – so far as possible – to facilitating access to high quality public transport, with layouts that maximise the catchment area for bus or other public transport services, and appropriate facilities that encourage public transport use; . Address the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility in relation to all modes of transport; . Create places that are safe, secure, and attractive – which minimise the scope for conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles, avoid unnecessary street clutter, and respond to local character and design standards; . Allow for the efficient delivery of goods, and access by service and emergency vehicles; and

. Be designed to enable charging of plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles in safe, accessible, and convenient locations.

2.1.6. A key tool to assist in facilitating all of the above will be through the provision of a Travel Plan. All developments which generate significant amounts of movement should be required to provide a Travel Plan.

Project No. 5013209 8

2.2. Planning Practice Guidance (PPG): Travel Plans (March 2014) 2.2.1. This guidance supersedes earlier guidance published by the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2009 (‘Good Practice Guidelines: Delivering Travel Plans through the Planning Process’) and has been prepared in consultation with Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), bringing together examples of current practice from around the country. The guidelines cover, in particular:

. When a travel plan is required; . How the need for and scope of a travel plan should be established; . What information should be included in travel plans; and . How Travel Plans should be monitored.

2.2.2. The planning practice guidance provides advice on what information should be included in travel plans and on how it should be monitored. The guidance states that:

2.2.3. “Travel Plans should identify the specific required outcomes, targets and measures, and set out clear future monitoring and management arrangements all of which should be proportionate. They should also consider what additional measures may be required to offset unacceptable impacts if the targets should not be met.

2.2.4. Travel Plans should set explicit outcomes rather than just identify processes to be followed (such as encouraging active travel or supporting the use of low emission vehicles). They should address all journeys resulting from a proposed development by anyone who may need to visit or stay, and they should seek to fit in with wider strategies for transport in the area.”

2.3. Maidstone Borough Local Plan (2011 – 2031) 2.3.1. The Maidstone Borough Local Plan, which outlines the Borough's framework for development until 2031, was adopted in October 2017 .

2.3.2. Policy SS1 sets out the spatial strategy and highlights that ‘an expanded Maidstone urban area will be the principal focus for development in the borough. Best use will be made of available sites within the urban area. The site is located within the Maidstone urban area.

2.3.3. Policy SP1 specifically relates to the Maidstone urban area and highlights that as the largest and most sustainable location, Maidstone urban area will be the focus for new development. It states that ‘within the urban area and outside of the town centre boundary, Maidstone will continue to be a good place to live and work. This will be achieved by, amongst others: • Allocating sites at the edge of the town for housing and business development. • The development and redevelopment or infilling of appropriate urban sites in a way that contributes positively to the locality's distinctive character.

2.3.4. Policy SP19 relates to housing mix and highlights that the council will seek a sustainable range of house sizes, types and tenures that reflect the needs of those living in Maidstone Borough now and in years to come. It also states that the council will work with partners to support the provision of specialist and supported housing for elderly, disabled and vulnerable people.

2.3.5. Paragraph 6.67 identifies that the population of the borough is ageing, and this will result in an increasing demand for elderly accommodation over the time frame of the local plan. Population

Project No. 5013209 9

projections predict that by 2031 18% of the borough’s residents with be over 70 years of age compared with 12% in 2011.

2.3.6. Policy SP23 highlights Maidstone Borough Council's commitment to sustainable transport: "Working in partnership with Kent County Council (the local highway authority), Highways England, infrastructure providers and public transport operators, the Borough Council will manage any negotiations and agreements regarding schemes for mitigating the impact of development where appropriate on the local and strategic road networks and facilitate the delivery of transport improvements to support the growth proposed by the local plan. An Integrated Transport Strategy adopted in September 2016 has the aim of facilitating economic prosperity and improving accessibility and modal shift across the borough and to Maidstone town centre, in order to promote the town as a regionally important transport hub.”

2.3.7. Policy DM14 in respect of nursing and care homes sets out that within the defined boundaries of the urban area, rural service centres and larger villages, proposals for new nursing and residential care homes through new build, conversion or redevelopment and for extensions to existing nursing and residential care homes which meet the following criteria will be permitted:

• The proposal will not adversely affect the character of the locality or the amenity of neighbouring properties by means of noise disturbance or intensity of use; or by way of size, bulk or overlooking; and • Sufficient visitor and staff vehicle parking is provided in a manner which does not diminish the character of the street scene.

2.3.8. Policy DM21 notes that when assessing the transport impacts of a development, applicants must:

• Demonstrate that the impacts of trips generated to and from the development are accommodated, remedied or mitigated to prevent severe residual impacts, including where necessary an exploration of delivering mitigation measures ahead of the development being occupied; • Provide a satisfactory Transport Assessment for proposals that reach the required threshold and a satisfactory Travel Plan in accordance with the threshold levels set by Kent County Council's Guidance on Transport Assessments and Travel Plans and in Highways England guidance; and • Demonstrate that development complies with the requirements of policy DM6 for air quality.

2.4. Local Transport Plan 4: Delivering Growth without Gridlock 2016 - 2031 2.4.1. The Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) was prepared by Kent County Council (KCC) and runs from 2016 to 2031. The Plan includes details on how KCC will meet its ambition for Kent, which is: 'To deliver safe and effective transport, ensuring that all Kent's communities and businesses benefit, the environment is enhanced and economic growth is supported."

4.2.1 This ambition will be realised through five targeted, overarching policies which will aim to deliver specific outcomes for the county:

Project No. 5013209 10

Outcome 1: Economic growth and minimised congestion Policy: Deliver resilient transport infrastructure and schemes that reduce congestion and Improve journey time reliability to enable economic growth and appropriate development, meeting demand from a growing population. Outcome 2: Affordable and accessible door-to-door journeys Policy: Promote affordable, accessible, and connected transport to enable access for all to jobs, education, health, and other services. Outcome 3: Safer travel Policy: Provide a safer road, footway, and cycleway network to reduce the likelihood of casualties, and encourage other transport providers to improve safety on their networks. Outcome 4: Enhanced environment Policy: Deliver schemes to reduce the environmental footprint of transport, and enhance the historic and natural environment. Outcome 5: Better health and wellbeing Policy: Provide and promote active travel choices for all members of the community to encourage good health and wellbeing, and implement measures to improve local air quality."

4.2.2 Within LTP4, KCC outlines Strategic, Countywide and Local strategies for achieving the above outcomes, whilst continuing to promote and deliver 'Growth without Gridlock'.

2.5. The Strategic Road Network – Planning for the Future (2015) 2.5.1. The Strategic Road Network- Planning for the Future was published by HE in September 2015 and sets out the approach that the Strategic Highway Authority will take in engaging with the planning system and dealing with planning applications.

2.5.2. Under the heading 'Working with us' the following is stated:

8. We will support economic growth, providing the conditions that help businesses to succeed and grow, facilitating new development around the network, and supporting investment and trade. This will take place alongside maintaining a safe and efficient SRN. The document sets out how we, along with those working on our behalf, will work with development promoters to help you to assess and successfully manage the relationship between your proposed development and the SRN.

9. We encourage all parties promoting and preparing plans or planning applications that could have an impact on the SRN to engage with us as early as possible.

10. Engaging with us early helps to ensure that issues that may take time to analyse and resolve are identified as soon as possible. We can then work together to: • consider the most appropriate locations for development; • assess the potential impact of proposed development proposals on the SRN; • progress an appropriate sustainable development (including considering how best to deliver the development, and any associated mitigation works scheme, whilst minimising the adverse impacts that it might give rise to); whilst • maintaining the efficiency and safety of the SRN."

4.2.3 Paragraph 35 then states that: "Our advice to local planning authorities will be to refuse or place conditions on developments only where the residual cumulative impacts of development on the capacity of the SRN (once proposed mitigations are taken into account) are still assessed

Project No. 5013209 11

to be severe. For example if development would lead to operating conditions that significantly erode the safe operation of the SRN."

2.6. Kent County Council, Guidance on Travel Plans, Kent Connected 2.6.1. Guidance on the production of Travel Plans for sustainable new developments is provided by Kent County Council on their Kent Smarter Travel web pages.

2.6.2. Developing Travel Plans for organisations will help promote and deliver sustainable alternatives to single occupancy car journeys. For a Travel Plan to be successful it should include a mix of incentives and disincentives. The appointment of a Travel Plan Co-ordinator is crucial for the successful implementation of a Travel Plan.

Project No. 5013209 12

3. SITE ACCESSIBLITY 3.1. Overview 3.1.1. The site comprises land which forms part of Eclipse Park, to the north of Maidstone. Eclipse Park is a modern office business park but is also home to a number of retail units, including Next and Marks & Spencer. The site is in the north-west corner of Eclipse Park.

3.1.2. Historically the wider site was used as a council depot and Park and Ride site prior to redevelopment.

3.1.3. The proposal site has an extant planning permission for a hotel granted under planning application MA/09/1784. The approved hotel was for 150 bedrooms over 7 storeys. The site plan shows the hotel building in the north-east corner of the site with parking to the south. The site area of the consented hotel extended further east (to the roundabout) than the current site boundary which includes some land which now forms part of the parking area to the Marks & Spencer. The consented application was supported by a Transport Assessment (DHA Transport, April 2018) and Framework Travel Plan (DHA Transport, April 2018).

3.2. Existing Highway Network 3.2.1. The site has good connections to the strategic road network.

3.2.2. Eclipse Park can be accessed through two junctions with the A249, Bearsted Road . The western access junction is a left in left out priority junction adjacent to the A249/ Penenden Heath Road roundabout.

3.2.3. The eastern access is a traffic signal-controlled T junction with all movements allowed. Both the access leads to Sittingbourne Road which is a circular internal access road for the park.

3.2.4. The western access is the Bearsted Road roundabout (Chiltern Hundreds roundabout) with Penenden Heath Road. The link westwards to the Chiltern Hundreds roundabout is dual carriageway. Chiltern Hundreds roundabout junction is a three-arm arrangement, with a signal pedestrian crossing on the southern arm which flares to two lanes in both directions. The Eclipse Park arm of the junction is offset as a left-in-left-out arm to the east of the roundabout, with a bus-only exit onto the roundabout formerly used by the Park and Ride service.

3.2.5. Bearsted Road broadly runs Northwest / Southeast linking Bearsted and Weavering. To the east of the site it links with M20 link Road at the Bearsted Road roundabout. The A249 is a principal route into Maidstone Town centre to the south.

3.2.6. The link with the M20 is via a dual carriageway road. M20 Junction 7 is currently a grade separated interchange between the M20 and A249. The junction is formed of four main arms. 'Free flow left' slips are provided to the London bound on slip and M20 EB off slip. Three lanes are provided to the east side of the circulatory gyratory, with two lanes to the west. The approach from the A249 on the north side of the junction is three lanes wide at the give way.

3.2.7. The link between the Bearsted Road/M20 Link roundabout and New Cut Road is single carriageway with a continuous footway on the northern side. A southern footway is provided

Project No. 5013209 13

between the Crematorium and the Bearsted Road roundabout. A signalised Pelican crossing is installed to the west of the Crematorium access. 3.3. Public Transport – Bus 3.3.1. The nearest bus stops to the development are located approximately 500m from the Site on A249 Sittingbourne Road south of the site (Chiltern Hundreds). Further bus services can be accessed at the bus stops by the Hilton Hotel approximately 600m from the Site. The Bus services from both these stops are as detailed in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Public Bus Services in the vicinity of the site

STOP SERVICE ROUTE APPROXIMATE BUS OPERATOR FREQUENCY

Chiltern Half hour on Arriva Hundreds/ Weekdays, Hilton Hotel Maidstone – Detling- Reduced service 334 Sheerness on weekends

4 Interpeak Detling Detling – Grove Green - service on Compaid Trust Shopper Maidstone Weekdays

Larkin – West Malling – School Service Nu -Venture 55X Kings Hill – Maidstone Grammar School

Larkin – West Malling – Hilton Hotel 54X Kings Hill – Valley Park School Service Nu-Venture Schools

3.3.2. These bus services provide access to a range of destinations including Maidstone Town Centre (Chequers bus station) which allows onward connections to most of the bus services in the area as illustrated in Figure 2.

Project No. 5013209 14

Figure 2: Bus Services around Maidstone (Arriva Bus)

3.4. Public Transport – Rail 3.4.1. The application Site is located approximately 2.7 km west of Bearsted railway station and 3.2km north east of Maidstone East railway station, both stations are on the Maidstone East line. Maidstone East is one of the three stations in the central area of Maidstone. The other two Maidstone West and Maidstone Barracks are on Medway Valley line. All the local stations are operated by Southeastern.

3.4.2. In the case of Maidstone East and Bearsted, Southeastern operates half hourly service to London Victoria and every hour to Ashford International and Canterbury West from Maidstone East.

3.4.3. Bearsted railway station, which is the closest to the development Site, has a car parking facility with 524 spaces and with 40 secured cycle parking spaces. Several bus routes serve the station to various destinations within Maidstone and to outlying areas, however there is no direct bus connect to the site. It is however within cycling distance.

3.4.4. Maidstone East within the centre of Maidstone, has a car parking facility with 49 spaces and 22 secured cycle parking spaces. Again, a number of bus routes serve the station and a connection can be made between the Site and the station by bus, with a change at the bus station or a short walk through the town centre.

3.4.5. Maidstone West has car parking facilities for 56 cars including to disabled spaces and 44 secure cycle parking spaces on Platform 2. The station has a booking office open Monday to Saturday in

Project No. 5013209 15

morning and ticket machines for out of hours ticket purchases and collection. Several local bus services connect to the station via the bus stops at the top of the Station Approach on Broadway (A20). A connection by bus to the station is available at the bus station.

3.4.6. Maidstone Barracks station has limited facilities with no car or formal cycle parking. The station does have ticket machines but does not have step free access. However, if offers an alternative station to access Medway Valley train services if required.

3.4.7. All the railway stations within Maidstone are accessible by the 334 bus from the Site, with a change at the Chequers Bus Station.

3.5. Access by Walking 3.5.1. The Institution of Highways and Transport (IHT) guidance document ‘Planning for Walking’ (April 2015) states that 80% of journeys shorter than 1.6km are made wholly on foot with 26% for journeys that are 1.6km to 3.2km long also being undertaken on foot.

3.5.2. The National Travel Survey (NTS) 2015 (September 2016) identifies that walking is a favourable option for short trips, with the average person willing to walk for an average time of 18 minutes. Given the IHT guidance that pedestrians travel at a speed of 1.4m/s, pedestrians are therefore likely to walk to areas within approximately 1.5km of their origin.

3.5.3. The NTS 2015 also identifies that 80% of all trips under 1.6km are made on foot, 31% for trips that are 1.6 to 3.2km in distance. These proportions are broadly similar to those put forward in the IHT ‘Planning for Walking’ document thereby verifying the results. Within a 1.6km walk, bus stops and retail facilities within Eclipse Park and in Newnham Shopping village can be accessed.

3.5.4. The existing walking infrastructure in the area is of a very good standard. A plan showing the local Public Rights of Way is detailed on Figure 3 overleaf.

Figure 3 Public Rights of Way (Source KCC)

Project No. 5013209 16

3.5.5. The circular Sittingbourne Road adjacent to the site has footways on both side with lighting. The dual carriageway Bearsted Road also has footways on both side with lighting. A signal-controlled pedestrian crossing phase is integrated with the traffic signal junction serving Eclipse Park off this road. A further pelican crossing is provided on Bearsted Road to the west in the vicinity of the Hilton Hotel for ease of access to the bus stops.

3.6. Access by Cycling 3.6.1. The Institution of Highways and Transport (IHT) guidance document ‘Planning for Cycling’ (October 2015) states the majority of cycling trips are for short distances, with 80% being less than 8km and with 40% being less than 3.2km. However, the majority of trips by all modes are also short distances (67% are less than 8km, and 38% are less than 3.2). The bicycle is therefore a potential mode for many of these trips.

3.6.2. The NTS 2016 identifies that cycling is a favourable option for short trips, with the average person willing to cycle for an average time of 24 minutes. Local Transport Note 2/08 ‘Cycle Infrastructure Design’ (2008) states that cyclists usually want to be able to travel at speeds of 19kph, which is the average speed of a cyclist on a level surface.

3.6.3. It is therefore considered that 16kph is an appropriate average travel speed, given the time spent negotiating the urban realm (e.g. manoeuvring through junctions). It is therefore considered that the average person is willing to cycle an average of 6.4km (24 minutes).

3.6.4. The NTS 2016 identifies that 79% of all cycle trips are up to 8km in distance, which is broadly similar with the IHT recommendation that 80% of all cycle trips are less than 8km. It is therefore considered that since 6.4km is the average, it is reasonable to consider that some future site users may cycle up to 8km with travelling to and from the site. Therefore, cycling offers the potential to substitute for short car trips, particularly those less than 6.4km in length, or to form part of a longer journey when combined with public transport modes.

Project No. 5013209 17

3.6.5. The centre of Maidstone, Maidstone East railway station and Bearsted railway station can all be accessed within an acceptable cycling distance.

3.6.6. Maidstone borough’s existing cycle network links the town centre to most suburban areas and community facilities, including several schools, Maidstone East railway station and Mote Park as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4: Cycle Routes in Maidstone (Source: Visitmaidstone.com)

Project No. 5013209 18

3.6.7. Regional Route 19 (RR19) (Refer Figures 4 and 5) connects the A249 Bearsted Road (in the vicinity of the Hilton Hotel) to the town centre via Hampton Road and Snowdon Avenue/Vinters Road along Union Street to Week Street.

3.6.8. National Cycle Network route 17 (NCR17 – Refer Figure 4) off Sittingbourne Road lies approximately 2.5 km north east of the site providing an 11mile leisure/commuter link (approximately half off-carriageway) between Maidstone and Rochester, via Mote Park, Weavering Street and Hockers Lane. NCR17 connects to the Pilgrims Cycle Trail at Detling in the North Downs. At present, NCR17 connects with NCR1 (Inverness to Dover) in Rochester and ends in Ashford, but KCC has plans to extend the network by connecting to NCR2 (Dover to St Austell) on the South Coast.

Figure 5 Cycle Route within the vicinity of site (Source: Cycle Streets)

3.7. Sustainability of Site Location 3.7.1. The application Site is within Eclipse Park at edge of the Maidstone Town east of Penenden Heath and west of Weavering Village with excellent opportunities for walking and cycling to core amenities.

3.7.2. The approximate walking and cycling distances between these amenities and the site are summarised within Table 2. All distances have been calculated from the site access point.

Project No. 5013209 19

Table 2: Distance of amenities from proposed development

NAME DISTANCE (M) 1.6 KM WALKING 1 6. 4KM CYCLING 2 Retail M&S Food 200 ✓ ✓ McColl’s 950 ✓ ✓ Newnham Court Shopping Village 800 ✓ ✓ Peneden Heath Post Office 1280 ✓ ✓ Public Transport Bus Stop (Hilton) 600 ✓ ✓ Bus Stop (Chiltern Hundreds) 500 ✓ ✓ Bearsted Railway Station 2700 ✕ ✓ Maidstone East Railway Station 3400 ✕ ✓ Maidstone West Railway Station 6000 ✕ ✓ Health Cygnet Hospital 1300 ✓ ✓ KIMS Hospital 1300 ✓ ✓ Education Pennies Day Nursery 1200 ✓ ✓ Snowfields Academy 1500 ✓ ✓ Woodlands Pre School 1200 ✓ ✓ Other Tesla Supercharger 150 ✓ ✓ Living Well Gym 600 ✓ ✓ ATM (Hilton Hotel) 300 ✓ ✓ 1National Travel Survey 2015 (Sept 2016); 2LTN 2/08 Policy, Cycle Infrastructure Design

3.7.3. Based upon the data within Table 2 the proposal site is within excellent opportunities for walking and cycling to core amenities including public transport with connections within Maidstone and wider area.

Project No. 5013209 20

4. MODAL TRAVEL SURVEY 4.1. Initial Baseline 4.1.1. The principle indicator for the development of targets and objectives within a Travel Plan is the modal split of travel patterns. As the site is not yet occupied it is not possible to undertake a baseline survey therefore baseline mode splits have been obtained from 2011 census data.

4.1.2. Method of travel to work (2001 specification) data has been extracted for super output areas E02005069 Maidstone 002 and E02005072 Maidstone 005 for Workplace population (excluding those who mainly work at or from home). Two super output areas were identified as the site lies close to the boundary, and the average figure used. Figure 4 shows the area covered within the super output areas in the context of the wider Maidstone area. This gives an indication as to how employees may travel to and from the site. Population and percentage splits for employees are shown in Table 3.

Site

Super output Areas

Figure 6: Census 2011 Output Areas

Project No. 5013209 21

Table 3 : Mode Splits from 2011 Census Data, workplace population

MODE 2011 CENSUS JOURNEY TO WORK DATA

E0200 5072 E02005069 Average %

Undergroun d, metro, 2 4 3 0 light rail

Train 34 43 38.5 2

Bus, minibus, coach 34 77 55.5 3

Taxi 10 11 10.5 1

Motorcycle, scooter or 12 7 9.5 0 moped

Car or van 1415 1477 1446 75

Passenger in car or 110 103 106.5 6 van

Bicycle 31 11 21 1

Foot 239 234 236.5 12

Other 6 9 7.5 0

Total 1893 1976 1935 100

4.1.3. Whilst the census data provides a useful guide to the likely mode split of employees, it is not considered to be wholly representative of the likely travel characteristics of the care home, which will demonstrate specific travel patterns dependent on shift patterns and staff type. As such the data presented in Table 3 will be updated once a baseline staff survey has been undertaken within 6 months of first occupation.

4.1.4. In addition to employees, visitors will also travel to and from the site, however currently it is not possible to predict what the travel patterns for these users will be until a baseline survey is conducted as census data only refers to residents that travel to work. Post occupation staff and visitor surveys will be undertaken within 6 months of first occupation, which will set the true baseline from which future targets will be measured.

4.1.5. It should be noted that given the type of care facility that it is unlikely that there will be much resident travel to and from the site.

4.1.6. Examples of an employee and visitor survey are presented in Appendix A .

Project No. 5013209 22

5. AIM AND OBJECTIVES 5.1. Aim 5.1.1. The principle aim of this Travel Plan is to minimise single-occupancy employee, and visitor car trips to and from the site by promoting and supporting alternative and more sustainable modes.

5.2. Objectives 5.2.1. The objectives for this Travel Plan to meet the overarching aim have been summarised: • To reduce single occupancy car trips by staff to and from the site; • To reduce single occupancy car trips by visitors to and from the site; • To Increase the modal split of walking and cycling to and from the site; • To increase the modal split of public transport to and from the site; • To promote staff car sharing; • To reduce the need to travel by promoting local shops and facilities; • To continually develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate progress of the travel plan towards achieving its targets.

Project No. 5013209 23

6. TARGETS AND MONITORING 6.1. Targets 6.1.1. Modal travel targets provide the TPC and Kent County Council with a means to measure the performance of the Travel Plan and to adjust the range of initiatives within the Travel Plan accordingly. Targets within the Travel Plan are designed to be appropriate to the development and SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound).

6.1.2. Table 4 below shows the interim baseline modal splits for employees, derived from 2011 census data (Table 3), as well as the mode share targets for years 1, 3 and 5 at the development. It is noted these are interim targets that will be revised and updated after the baseline employee travel surveys have been undertaken. Table 4 shows a decrease in single occupancy car mode share of 12% over 5 years, alongside an increase in public transport, walking and cycling mode share. Visitor targets will be set once the baseline has been established through further surveys.

Table 4: Travel Plan Interim Employee Modal Share Targets.

MODE MODE SPLITS (%)

Interim Baseline Year 1 Year 3 Year 5 (Census)

Underground, 0 0 0 0 metro, light rail

Train 2 3 3 4

Bus, minibus, coach 3 3 4 4

Taxi 1 1 1 1

Motorcycle, scooter 0 0 0 0 or moped

Car or van 75 71 67 63

Passenger in car or 6 7 8 9 van

Bicycle 1 2 3 4

Foot 12 13 14 15

Other 0 0 0 0

Total 100 100 100 100

Project No. 5013209 24

7. TRAVEL PLAN MEASURES 7.1. Overview 7.1.1. This chapter of the Travel Plan outlines the measures and initiatives that will be implemented in order to promote a change within the travel patterns of employees, and visitors. Measures can be categorised as being either ‘hard’, such as physical infrastructure on site, or ‘soft’, such as promotional materials.

7.1.2. The purpose of these measures is to encourage modal shift towards more sustainable travel, specifically car sharing, use of public transport, walking and cycling.

7.1.3. The measures outlined within this Travel Plan will be subject to review at the end of Year 1, 3 and 5 in order to ensure their effectiveness to achieve the aim and objectives of the Travel Plan. The measures will be implemented by the Travel Plan Coordinator as discussed in Chapter 8 of the report.

7.2. Travel Plan Co-ordinator (TPC) 7.2.1. A TPC will be appointed for the care home in order to manage the Travel Plan and oversee the day to day progress. They will also be responsible for the monitoring of the Travel Plan. The named TPC for this site will be provided when the Full Travel Plan is prepared for the site but is likely to be a member of the site management team.

7.3. Site Location and Design 7.3.1. The site is located in an area with excellent pedestrian and cycling access. Bus stops are located within 500m of the site, where a number of services can be accessed. There are a number of retail areas, services and facilities located within acceptable walking and cycling distance of the site, with many facilities being available within Eclipse Park in the immediate surrounds.

7.3.2. Secure and covered cycle parking, as well as changing and showering facilities and lockers will be provided for employees to encourage cycling with further short stay spaces provided for visitors.

7.4. Marketing and Promotional Strategy 7.4.1. The TPC will be responsible for the marketing and publicity of all travel information within the site for the lifetime of the Plan. A number of measures can be introduced to ensure that Travel Plan information is readily available to employees and visitors. A New Starter Travel Information Pack will be given to each employee when they begin employment which will include the following:

. Public transport timetable information and maps showing bus stops and rail stations; . Cycling maps showing most practical cycle routes (and cycle parking) both on and off-site showing key routes and journey times to local facilities; . Promotion of Kent Connected Website including journey planner; . Information on the benefits of car sharing; . Information on the health benefits of walking and cycling

7.4.2. A noticeboard provided within the staff area of the development will have information and news relating to the Travel Plan, public transport information and maps as well as the TPC contact details. This noticeboard will be updated regularly by the TPC.

Project No. 5013209 25

7.4.3. Visitors will also be encouraged, as much as possible, to travel to the site by sustainable modes. Details on how to access the site via public transport will be made available on the care home website.

7.5. Measures to Reduce the Need to Travel 7.5.1. The manager of the new development will be encouraged to target staff recruitment, as far as is possible, from the local area. This will encourage a reduction in the number of staff travelling longer distances to work by single occupancy car trips and have the potential to increase the number of journeys to the site via walking, cycling and public transport.

7.6. Measures to Promote Cycling 7.6.1. Cycling to work (either from home or as a connection from Bearsted Station or the railway stations in Maidstone) will be promoted within the workplace through the provision of secure cycle parking on site, and information on cycling including maps and routes given to all existing and new employees. In addition, showering, changing and locker facilities will be provided on site for employees. Short stay cycle parking will also be provided for visitors to the site.

7.6.2. The government backed Cycle to Work Scheme will be promoted to all employees via the TPC which allows savings of up to 48% to be made on the purchase of bikes and bike accessories for travel to work.

7.7. Promoting Public Transport 7.7.1. Encouraging the use of public transport is an effective means of reducing car dependency, especially for those who do not wish to walk or cycle and/or those who need to travel relatively long distances.

7.7.2. The site is located within a three minute walk to bus stops outside the Hilton Hotel in Eclipse Park and a short cycle to East Maidstone Train Station. Cycling will be promoted through the TPC within new starter information packs and on the staff noticeboard.

7.7.3. The TPC will promote the Kent Connected website, produced by Kent County Council, where public transport information, timetables and journey planner can be found. The TPC will also investigate the opportunity to assist employees in the purchase of discounted public transport passes / season tickets.

7.8. Promoting Car Sharing 7.8.1. A car sharing scheme for employees will be established if demand exists, which will be promoted and managed by the appointed TPC. The scheme will seek to match employees that travel from similar places at similar times. The TPC will also promote Enterprise Car Share and Zip Car, both of which have cars for short trip hire within Maidstone.

Project No. 5013209 26

8. MONITORING AND REVIEW 8.1. Overview 8.1.1. The developer will have overall responsibility for this Framework Travel Plan and the relevant obligations, including the appointment of the Travel Plan Coordinator (TPC), who will be responsible for the travel plan’s ongoing implementation and review.

8.1.2. The TPC role will be funded by the developer. The TPC role will be confirmed when the Full Travel Plan is produced, but it is likely to be the Manager of the new care home.

8.1.3. The name and contact details of the TPC will be notified to the Travel Plan Advisor at KCC upon appointment. The role will terminate upon completion of the five-year review and submission of the final Year Monitoring Report to KCC. It is envisaged that the TPC will dedicate 2-3 hours a month to Travel Plan duties however there will be a higher level of input at review times when surveys are being carried out.

8.1.4. The role and responsibilities envisaged for the TPC are set out as follows and will be kept under review, in keeping with the evolving nature of the travel plan:

. Promoting the Travel Plan to employees and visitors to the care home including disseminating information on the Travel Plan, travel surveys, measures, and incentives to staff on a regular basis; . Establishing contacts within the local community including public transport operators, cycle shop owners, local planning, and highway authorities; . Leading on the implementation of all travel plan measures; . Communicating information to employees regarding relevant national, regional, and local initiatives related to the promotion of sustainable travel; . Conducting Staff and visitor Travel Surveys at or around the end of Years 1, 3 and 5 and submitting Travel Plan Monitoring Reports to KCC.

8.1.5. The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will actively engage with the Travel Plan Officer at KCC to discuss the progress of the Travel Plan including the addition, variation or removal of any measures as the plan progresses and evolves.

8.2. Monitoring and Review Framework 8.2.1. A programme of monitoring and review will be implemented by the TPC to evaluate the effectiveness of the Travel Plan measures. This will include:

. Baseline Travel Surveys: 6 months after initial occupation of the site, to obtain a range of qualitative and quantitative information, including current mode of travel data and gathering feedback on travel plan measures. These surveys will cover staff and visitors. . Years 1, 3 and 5 Travel Surveys. This will be a repeat of the baseline travel surveys to understand how employee and visitor travel patterns have changed over time and which measures have been successful in relation to mode shift. . Travel Plan Monitoring Report: this will be compiled by the TPC after each travel survey to summarise results, report on the implementation status of the travel plan measures and performance of the travel plan in relation to the mode shift targets. A copy of this monitoring report will be submitted to the Travel Plan Officer at KCC. . Monitoring will be undertaken during neutral months where possible and will be carried out at the same time of year on each occasion.

Project No. 5013209 27

8.3. Ownership and duration 8.3.1. The ownership of the travel plan and TPC role will be maintained by the developer throughout the lifetime of the travel plan.

8.3.2. Following submission of the Year 5 Travel Plan Monitoring report to KCC, and assuming the Travel Plan targets have been met, through travel patterns and behaviour being well established, the requirements for a sustainable development will have been achieved. Whilst the Local Authority will not continue to review the Travel Plan, the TPC will continue to promote sustainable travel in the workplace.

8.3.3. If mode share targets are not met within 5 years of completion it would be necessary to implement remedial measures, and if this is the case the occupier will support a three-year extension of the TPC role.

8.4. Securing the Travel Plan and Enforcement 8.4.1. The TPC will seek support and guidance as necessary from KCC Travel Plan Advisor, in addition to reporting on the travel plan monitoring reviews, to ensure that the plan is effective in meeting its objectives.

8.4.2. If the proposed fifth year review targets are not achieved, remedial or fall-back measures may be required.

8.4.3. These measures would be targeted towards specific modes where the targets are not being met and will be implemented by the TPC and may include:

. Provision of further cycle parking; or . Increased travel behaviour, change initiatives such as travel awareness campaigns; or . Additional promotional actions (i.e. free public transport tickets) to encourage sustainable travel.

8.4.4. The TPC will review the measures proposed and make recommendations to KCC, who will help make the decision as to which contingency measures should be pursued.

8.5. Travel Plan Funding 8.5.1. It will be the responsibility of the developer/end user to commit the necessary funding to meet the schedule of fees set out by KCC. The commitment to this funding would be secured as part of a S106 Agreement with the Council.

Project No. 5013209 28

9. ACTION PLAN 9.1. Overview 9.1.1. Table 5 below provides an indication of the timescale and responsibility for the Travel Plan measures outlined in Chapter 7. The Action Plan is not intended to be an exhaustive list but aims to provide an overview of the type and scale of measures to be included within the implementation of the Travel Plan. Table 5: Action Plan

TRAVEL PLAN ACTION DESCRIPTION SHORT/MEDIUM/LONG TIME SCALE RESPONSIBILITY TERM

Submitting Full Travel Submit Full Travel Plan Plan with named TPC to Short Term Pre-Occupation Developer for written approval KCC for comments

Appointment of a TPC to Appoint a Travel Plan manage the Travel Plan Short Term Pre-occupation Developer Co-Ordinator and its monitoring process.

Ensuring the provision of Ensure secure cycle facilities to support parking is provided Short Term Construction Developer inclusive and sustainable within the development travel

Information pack incl. information on Travel Provide employees with Plan, cycle route maps, a New Starter Travel Plan Short Term On Occupation TPC public transport route Pack maps and timetables and info on car sharing

Promotion of local and Promoting sustainable National sustainable travel to employees Medium/Long Term Post Occupation TPC transport events e.g. through TPC and on-site Walk to Work week noticeboards

Set up car share TPC to encourage staff After appointment of Medium/Long Term TPC database for employees members to car share TPC and ongoing

To promote the Travel Staff Noticeboard in staff After appointment of the Plan and measures to Medium Term TPC area TPC staff

To encourage uptake of Promotion of the scheme and enable After appointment of the government backed Medium Term TPC staff discount on bike TPC Cycle to Work Scheme purchase

To understand current Undertaking Baseline travel patterns of 3 months from first Employee and Visitor Medium Term TPC employees occupation Travel Surveys and visitors

Undertaking Year 1,3 and To monitor progress Medium/long term Years 1, 3 and 5 TPC 5 travel surveys against targets

To update targets and Production of year 1, 3 inform KCC on mode Long Term Annually TPC and 5 monitoring reports shift and success of measures

Project No. 5013209 29

APPENDIX A: EXAMPLE TRAVEL SURVEYS

Project No. 5013209 30

Example Employee Travel Survey

This survey is being undertaken to gain an understanding of staff travel trends. Please complete this survey based on your travel to work for a typical working day.

What is your home postcode?

Please tick the box which represents your current employment status.

Full time Part time

What time do you normally arrive and depart from work?

Please tick in the box to show your existing and preferred mode of travel to work (please tick only ONCE in each column).

Mode of Travel Existing Mode of Travel to work Preferred Mode of Travel to work Train

Bus, minibus, coach

Taxi

Motorcycle, scooter or moped

Car or Van

Passenger in a car or van

Bicycle

Foot

Other (Please State)

Thank you for your help, these results will contribute to the development of your workplace Travel Plan. Please return this form to………………………

Project No. 5013209 31

Example Visitors Travel Survey

As part of the monitoring process for the Travel Plan, we are currently conducting a Travel Survey. We would be grateful if you could complete this brief survey to help us understand how you travel to the site and how we may be able to assist with your travel requirements.

If you have any queries about the survey, or for guidance on how to complete it please do not hesitate to contact me at the contact details below:

(Enter TPC details)

How have you travelled to the site today?

Mode of Travel Journey Today Preferred Mode of Travel (if available) Train