Chapter 3: Borough Policy Statement
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Chapter 3: Borough Policy Statement Contents Page Number Introduction 61 Area Analysis 61 London Riverside 62 Barking Town Centre 62 Rest of the Borough/Residential Neighbourhoods 62 Other 63 Policy Framework 63 National Policies 63 Regional Policies 65 Sub-Regional Policies 67 Local Policies 70 LIP Transport Objectives and Policies 73 Transport Objectives 73 Transport Policies 75 Strategic Transport Schemes 91 Other Local Policies 92 Thames Gateway London Partnership Common Statement 93 London Thames Gateway Development Corporation Regeneration 93 Framework Supporting the Mayor’s Transport Strategy 94 Chapter 3: Borough Policy Statement 59 List of Tables Page Number Table 3.1: Strategic Transport Schemes 91 Chapter 3: Borough Policy Statement 60 Introduction 3.1 The main purpose of this chapter is to describe the local transport policies adopted by the Council which will further the implementation of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS) at the borough level. This includes policies not only encompassed within the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) itself, but also those of relevance to be found in other key Council documents, particularly the Community Strategy and Unitary Development Plan. 3.2 The Chapter also describes major strategic transport schemes necessary to meet local needs and aspirations. Variously these are particularly relevant to meeting regeneration, development and environmental objectives. 3.3 It is a legislative requirement that the environmental effects of the LIP are assessed. This process is called Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The environmental effects of the policies have been assessed and changes have been incorporated into the LIP to ensure that the policies will not have significant adverse effect on the environment. Area Analyses 3.4 In broad terms the Borough can be sub divided into a number of comparatively discrete areas each with their own individual character: • London Riverside – the location for major established industries and other employment as well as the ‘brownfield’ development sites of Barking Riverside, Dagenham Dock and South Dagenham. It lies roughly between the A13 and River Thames; • Barking Town Centre – the main shopping centre in the Borough and location of service employment. Barking is also a centre for civic and cultural functions. It is also a major transport hub serving an extensive catchment area. Barking Town Centre was been attached to the area known as London Riverside for regeneration and planning purposes; • The residential ‘backdrop’ of the remainder of the Borough, consists of a large proportion of social/Council housing. Within these neighbourhoods there are local shopping parades; transport nodes (e.g. individual tube stations) and community facilities such as schools. They are also interspersed with a complex pattern of open spaces/parks of varying size and character. Dagenham has a distinct centre called Dagenham Heathway, which is centred on the Heathway (A1230). 3.5 The Borough is not a homogeneous place. Its character is diverse and changes from one location to another. This diversity will in turn affect the make up of transport packages necessary to meet the needs of any particular part of the Borough. For example, the transport needs of the Barking Riverside development area are likely to be quite different to the needs of established residential neighbourhoods. There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution and transport investment and policy needs to be tailored to specific locations. Chapter 3: Borough Policy Statement 61 3.6 This issue is considered next, with a description of key areas and the transport ‘packages’ that may be most appropriate to them. London Riverside 3.7 Given the nature of this area as described above, its transport needs could be broadly summarised as follows: • New and strengthened public transport services to connect existing and prospective businesses with their employee catchment elsewhere (to the north) in the Borough; • Good sub regional networks to provide for the market and other needs of existing and prospective businesses; • New infrastructure to serve new development and regeneration at the densities envisaged and in an environmentally sustainable way; and to serve the needs of incoming new residents; • Such infrastructure is necessary to provide internal cohesion and connectivity to the area (e.g. through local roads; cycle and foot paths); and to link the area with the rest of the Borough and London/sub region (e.g. through DLR extension, East London/Thames Gateway Transit and Thames Gateway Bridge); • The River itself is also an asset available to be used in a positive and sustainable way. This includes provision for the transport of passengers, freight and waste. The riverbank itself affords opportunities for foot and cycle ways both as a transport resource and to enjoy the amenity of the waterfront. Barking Town Centre 3.8 Barking Town Centre is a major location for shopping, other services and employment. It is a transport hub giving connections onwards to other local areas, London wide and sub regional/national destinations. Transport needs could be summarised thus: • Consolidation and improvement of transport services to its catchment hinterland; • Improved linkages to the rest of London and beyond; • Management of the parking stock to reflect the town centre’s role as a shopping and commercial centre; • Environmental upgrade to the streetscape; • Improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and buses; • Improvements to Barking station as a major interchange. Rest of the Borough/Residential Neighbourhoods 3.9 Access for residents from where they live to Barking Town Centre and other major work/service locations has been considered in the context of previous sections. Within residential neighbourhoods themselves the following transport needs seem most relevant: Chapter 3: Borough Policy Statement 62 • Road safety improvements; Safer Routes to School; and traffic management/calming; • Reduced rat running from through commuting; • Good penetration by bus routes offering services to local as well as more distant facilities and amenities. Some areas are particularly isolated (e.g. the northern part of the Borough around Chadwell Heath) and improved north- south connections/routes are needed; • A comprehensive improvement programme for all local stations, bus stops and interchanges; • Environmental/streetscape improvements; • Provision for car parking commensurate with streetscape enhancements and retaining green spaces such as front gardens; • Improved facilities and safe, well lit routes for pedestrians and cyclists; using the potential offered by open spaces in this respect; • Measures to reduce the severance caused by major roads and railway lines. Other 3.10 The previous sections look at some of the more particular needs of specific areas. However there are also some required transport improvements that are common to all. These include: • Highways maintenance – including bridges/other structures, footpaths and cycle ways; • Good street lighting; • A safe environment, including road safety; • A clean, attractive, well designed and well maintained environment. Policy Framework 3.11 Before setting out the LIP policies, this chapter briefly describes national, regional and local policy documents that set the context for the LIP. National Policies The Future of Transport: a Network for 2030 (DfT, July 2004) 3.12 The White Paper identifies a need for a transport network that can meet the challenges of a growing economy and the increasing demand for travel, but can also achieve environmental objectives. This means coherent transport networks with: • The road network providing a more reliable and freer-flowing service for both personal travel and freight, with people able to make informed choices about how and when they travel; • The rail network providing a fast, reliable and efficient service, particularly for interurban journeys and commuting into large urban areas; • Bus services that are reliable, flexible, convenient and tailored to local needs; • Making walking and cycling a real alternative for local trips; and Chapter 3: Borough Policy Statement 63 • Ports and airports providing improved international and domestic links. Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPG) and Planning Policy Statements (PPS) 3.13 PPG and PPS set out the Government’s national policies and principles on different aspects of planning. They provide guidance at a national level which should be taken into account by local authorities in the formulation of their development plans and when considering applications for new developments. Planning Policy Guidance 3: Housing 3.14 This PPG includes the government’s response to the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee’s report on housing. The PPG includes a statement of the government’s housing objectives based on the “plan, monitor and manage” approach to housing provision. 3.15 Explanations of affordable housing policy and emphasis on re-use of urban land and buildings are included. A substantial section explores the creation of sustainable residential environments, highlighting the role of public transport provision, making the best use of land and planning necessary greenfield development. Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres 3.16 The policies in this statement apply throughout England and focus on a range of issues relating to planning for the future of town centres and the main uses that relate to them. This PPS replaces Revised PPG6: Town Centres and Retail Developments