Transport Ref EHT 006

Why is it important?

Transport in County Durham’s transport network provides a vital role in terms of linking people to jobs, delivering products to market, providing access to key services and keeping our communities connected. Transport statistics are valuable as they help us to understand where transport investment should be targeted.

Walking and Cycling Network Local travel options will continue to be promoted through ongoing improvements to the existing local cycle and footpath networks as well as the existing National Cycle Network and other promoted routes. Cycling Super Routes, Primary and Secondary routes which connect our major settlements are being identified in the Cycling Strategy and Action Plan 2017-27, as part of a long-term strategy to improve the cycling network. In order to promote sustainable travel, the Cycle Super Routes are a priority for investment, particularly those within 5 miles of Durham City.

Bus Network Buses provide the only form of public transport in most parts of County Durham, with 23.61 million passenger journeys starting at bus stops in County Durham in 2015/16. There is an extensive network of services, with approximately 175 services in the main network plus additional services running only at school times. Over 3,000 bus stops are served.

Most settlements have at least 2 buses per hour during Monday to Saturday daytimes, with much higher frequencies in the main towns and along many of the main inter-urban corridors. In the more rural areas, services run every hour or less often. All but the smallest settlements have regular services. However, the settlement pattern of large towns and 300 smaller settlements leads to dispersed travel patterns which are not always feasible to serve by public transport.

Rail Network County Durham contains nine railway stations across four rail lines:  Durham City and Chester-le-Street railway stations on the East Coast Mainline (ECML)  , Heighington, Shildon and stations on the Line  Seaham on the Durham Coast Line2  Stanhope and Frosterley lying on the Line.

Sea Ports County Durham contains one operational port, located on the North Sea coast at the Port of Seaham. This provides international connectivity, allowing exports and imports of bulk traded goods.

Highways Network The strategic road corridors in the county are the A1(M), A19 and the A66. These provide links to Tyne and Wear (to the north) and the Tees Valley (to the south), as well as providing access to the region’s airports - Newcastle International and Durham Tees Valley. The main links to Cumbria in the west are provided by the A66. The A68 and A1 provide links to the A69 east-west corridor, giving access to Cumbria and Northumberland for the northern part of the county.

Durham data – the local picture and how we compare

Journey To Work Data - Census 2011 Journeys to work form a major proportion of all journeys made in the morning and afternoon peak hours. They are the best indicator for assessing transport flows from Monday to Friday when most people are travelling to work.

1 Figure includes ‘Park and Ride’ boardings 2 A new station at -Horden is proposed

Table 1 - Mode Share Journey to Work (Census 2011)  75% of County Durham residents regularly use the car to travel to work, either as a driver or passenger and car ownership levels are growing (73% of all households in the county now own a car).  As would be expected for a rural county, Durham has lower levels of sustainable transport use than the regional and national average - with 10% walking, 1% cycling, 6% on buses and 1% on rail.

Table 1: Mode Share journey to work, 2011 Census All trips1 Driving On Bus, Passenger Work Metro Cycle Train Taxi Other a car foot minibus in car or mainly light or van or van at rail coach home County Durham 227,894 67.7 10.4 6.1 7.8 4.2 0.1 1.0 0.9 0.7 1.1 Northumberland 146,901 65.4 11.5 5.2 6.5 6.3 0.5 1.5 1.3 0.4 1.5 Tyne and Wear 493,371 55.8 10.2 13.5 6.6 3.0 2.0 2.0 1.2 0.7 1.4 North East 868,166 60.5 10.5 10.2 6.9 3.9 3.3 1.7 1.1 0.7 1.3 Combined Authority (NECA) England 25,162,721 57.0 10.7 7.5 5.0 5.4 4.1 3.0 5.3 0.5 1.4 Source: Office of National Statistics (Nomis) 1All usual residents aged 16 to 74 and in employment

Table 2 - Distance Travelled to Work (Census 2011)  46.7% of all residents travel less than 10km to work in County Durham compared to over 65% in Tyne and Wear. This reflects the rural nature of the County, with residents having to travel further to access job opportunities.  Relative to regional and national figures, a higher proportion of residents in County Durham travel distances greater than 20km and 30km. The majority of employed residents within NECA and England as a whole travel less than 10km to work.  Within Tyne and Wear, residents have better access to a more comprehensive public transport system. In addition, parking will be less plentiful / more expensive in parts of Tyne and Wear.

Table 2: Distance travelled to Work, 2011 Census All Less Less Less 10km to 20km to 30km Work Other Categories1 than than 5km than less than less than and mainly at (%) 2km (%) (%) 10km 20km (%) 30km (%) over home (%) (%) (%) County Durham 227,894 16.1 30.0 46.7 22.5 8.7 6.5 9.1 6.6 Northumberland 146,901 17.7 27.5 40.8 20.6 8.8 10.5 12.2 7.1 Tyne and Wear 493,371 17.6 42.5 65.1 14.5 2.3 4.2 6.8 7.1 NECA 868,166 17.2 36.7 56.2 17.6 5.1 5.9 8.3 6.9 England 25,162,721 16.6 35.0 52.3 15.3 5.7 8.0 10.3 8.5 Source: Office of National Statistics (Nomis) 1All usual residents aged 16 to 74 and in employment

Table 3 – Bus Patronage  Nationally and locally, the number of passenger journeys on local bus services has been in long term decline since bus de-regulation in the 1980’s.  Data below show a steady decline in bus patronage in all parts of the North East and England.

Table 3: Passenger journeys on local bus services from 2009/10 (millions) 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 County Durham3 26.3 25.9 24.7 23.1 23.2 22.8 22.1 Tyne and Wear 129.9 129.3 127.6 123.5 121.8 120.1 116.9 North East 207.2 205.6 198.6 190.4 188.3 184.9 180.1 England 4,635.1 4,641.1 4,661.8 4,590.0 4,674.1 4,647.4 4529.6 Source: Table BUS0109a, DfT, Bus Local bus passenger journeys, 2016

3 Excludes approximately 1.1 to 1.2 million ‘Park and Ride’ journeys

Table 4 - Bus Punctuality  In terms of punctuality, in 2015/16, 89% of all bus journeys in County Durham are no more than 1 minute early or 5 minutes late. This compares well with regional and national figures, although there has been a decline in punctuality since 2009.

Table 4: - Non-frequent bus services running on time4 by local authority: England, annual from 2004/05 – Bus 0902 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 County 95.0 95.3 - 88.0 89.0 86.0 88.0 89.0 Durham5 Tyne and 83.6 - 76.0 91.0 87.0 87.0 89.0 88.0 Wear North East 83.3 80.6 79.8 86.2 83.8 83.7 85.6 87.2 England 79.4 79.8 79.8 81.4 82.8 83.1 83.1 82.9 Source: Department of Transport (DfT), Proportion of bus services running on time – Table BUS0902

Table 5 – Concessionary Bus Travel  Overall numbers travelling using concessionary fares have reduced but, in terms of percentage, when compared to passengers paying full fares there has been an increase in County Durham in 2015/16 – 43% of all passenger journeys were concessionary journeys compared to 40% in 2009/10.  When compared with figures for England, County Durham has almost double the percentage of concessionary passengers.

Table 5: Elderly and disabled concessionary passengers on local bus journeys from 2009/10 (millions) and % in brackets 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 County Durham 10.5 (40) 10.2 (39) 10.4 (42) 9.9 (43) 10.0 (43) 9.9 (43) 9.5 (43) Tyne and Wear 43.5 (33) 43.3 (33) 43.2 (34) 41.2 (33) 41.2 (34) 40.1 (33) 38.3 (33) North East 75.2 (36) 74.3 (36) 73.5 (37) 69.5 (36) 69.9 (37) 67.8 (37) 65.6 (36) England 1,053 (23) 1,051 (23) 1,065 (23) 1,026 (22) 1,045 (22 1,037 (22) 1,005 (22) Source: Table BUS0113, DfT, Bus Local bus passenger journeys, 2016

 Council spending on public transport in recent years has been significant. In 2013/14, over £25 million was spent on concessionary fares, subsidised fares or school transport.

Table 6 - Rail Passenger Numbers boarding at Stations  Table 5 provides time series data to show a general growth in passenger numbers between 2010-11 and 2015- 16. To show long-term growth trends, data for 2000-2001 are also provided.  The data show the importance of and the and how passenger journeys have more than doubled in numbers since 2000-01.  Passenger numbers have also grown significantly at Seaham and Chester-le-Street in the last year.

Table 6: Train Stations all entries and exits in County Durham and Newcastle Comparator Station Line 2000-01 2010-11 2011- 2012- 2013- 2014-15 2015-16 +/- last 2012 2013 2014 year Durham ECML 1,202,471 2,180,044 2,284,490 2,273,710 2,415,400 2,522,124 2,595,016 +72,892 Chester-le- ECML 85,172 205,572 189,460 174,968 199,131 200,844 223,326 +22,482 Street Seaham Durham 81,885 121,702 121,840 123,440 120,119 124,252 137,948 +13,696 Coast Bishop Weardale 62,740 94,732 110,810 101,974 109,335 107,966 110,060 +2,094 Auckland Newton Weardale 26,309 59,636 63,592 67,286 68,935 67,332 60,584 -6,784 Aycliffe Shildon Weardale 35,756 48,442 58,478 56,128 62,270 50,696 45,816 -4,880 Heighington Weardale 10,805 9,472 11,458 12,938 15,606 19,750 18,286 -1,140 Newcastle ECML 4,933,177 7,500,228 7,723,832 7,808,258 8,025,155 8,053,112 8,189,528 +136,416 Source: Office of Rail and Road: Estimates of Station Use 2015-2016

4 'On time' is defined as between 1.00 minute early and 5.59 minutes late 5 Excludes approximately 1.1 to 1.2 million ‘Park and Ride’ journeys

Table 7 and 8 - Active Travel (Walking and Cycling)

Utility trips are those which people make for everyday journeys, such as going to work or school.  Long-term growth in car use and centralisation of jobs and services to large urban centres has resulted in an increase in average distances travelled and reduced walking levels.  Between 2012/13 and 2013/14 there has been an increase in the proportion of residents who walk any distance for utility purposes at least five times a week within both the North East of England and England as a whole.  Within County Durham, there has been a decline in the proportion of residents who walk (any length) for utility purposes at least five times a week, from 15.9% to 15.2%.

Table 7: Proportion of residents who walk (any length) for utility purposes at least five times a week 2012/13 (%) 2013/14 (%)

County Durham 15.9 15.2 Tyne and Wear 21.1 22.5 North East 18.7 19.8 England 20.2 22.3 Source: Walking and Cycling Statistics, table CW0331, DfT

 The proportion of residents who cycle (any length) for utility purposes at least once a week within County Durham marginally increased between 2012/13 and 2013/14 but is still below both the North East and England average as a whole.

Table 8: Proportion of residents who cycle (any length) for utility purposes at least once a week 2012/13 (%) 2013/14 (%) County Durham 1.9 2.0 Tyne and Wear 2.7 3.4 North East 2.9 2.5 England 4.5 4.5 Source: Walking and Cycling Statistics, table CW0321b, DfT

 As described in Table 1, the percentage of people who use Active Travel for everyday journeys (compared to other modes) is lower in County Durham when compared to figures for the North East, Tyne and Wear and England.

Table 9 – Traffic Levels for the County  The Department for Transport (DfT) data are the latest annual estimates of traffic on Great Britain’s roads. The DfT looks at recent and long-term trends in traffic, in the context of related statistics. Traffic is presented in units of vehicle miles, which combines the number of vehicles on the road and how far they drive.  The data show long-term traffic growth from 1993 across the UK. After some reduction and levelling out post- recession (2007), traffic has begun to grow in all areas over the last 3 years.  Traffic growth has been significant in the last year across the UK, the North East and County Durham.

Table 9: Motor vehicle traffic (million vehicle miles) by local authority in Great Britain, annual from 1993 - Table TRA8901 Local 1993 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 +/- last Authority year England 220,777 263,711 259,588 260,271 259,144 259,891 266,660 271,092 +4,432 North East 10,262 11,487 11,306 11,377 11,398 11,412 11,667 11,805 +138 Durham 1,933 2,401 2,369 2,371 2,381 2,388 2,444 2,497 +53 Source: DFT - Motor vehicle traffic (million vehicle miles) by local authority, annual from 1993 - Table TRA8901

Table 10 – Traffic Levels for the County (Indexed at 100)  The figures above have been indexed at 100 to allow for a better relative assessment of traffic growth in County Durham when compared with the rest of England and the North East.  The indexed figures below demonstrate that, long-term and short-term, traffic growth has been relatively higher in County Durham than elsewhere in England and in the North East.  This growth is particularly prominent compared with the North East figures. The growth is not due to increased miles on the Strategic Road Network6, so the growth is relevant to local journeys.

Table 10 - Motor vehicle traffic (million vehicle miles) Indexed at 100 Local 1993 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 +/- last Authority year England 100.0 119.4 117.6 117.9 117.4 117.7 120.8 122.8 +2 North East 100.0 111.9 110.2 110.9 111.1 111.2 113.7 115.0 +1.3 Durham 100.0 124.2 122.6 122.7 123.2 123.5 126.4 129.2 +2.8 Source: Motor vehicle traffic (million vehicle miles) by local authority, annual from 1993 - Table TRA8901

Table 11 - Blue Badge Parking  Disabled parking in County Durham is provided through the established blue badge scheme. This enables drivers or passengers to park close to where they need to go and in places where other drivers are not permitted, to ensure that they have access to public facilities.

Table 11: Blue Badge Scheme Issued in County Durham 2012 2013 2014 2015 Blue Badges Issued 10785 10708 11434 10329 Total number of Blue Badges on issue on 22/07/16 29808

Source: Durham County Council, Locality Administration, 2016

Table 12 - Road Safety  Significant progress has been made in reducing the number of fatal, serious and slight injuries on County Durham’s roads. Work within the established County Durham & Road Casualty Partnership has improved road safety and contributed to a reduction of all types of injuries.  To ensure future progress, ambitious five year casualty reduction targets have been set to further reduce the occurrence of casualties.

Table 12: Summary of Road Casualty Reduction Statistics and Current and Future Casualty Reduction Targets Casualty Type Casualties 1994 - 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Casualty 2020 Casualty 1998 (average) Reduction Target Reduction Target Fatal & Serious All 295 198 200 182 211 180 166 Fatal & Serious Child 53 19 24 23 23 17 13 Slight Injury 2131 1346 1168 1403 1031 1193 953 Source: Durham County Council, Strategic Traffic, 2016

Table 13 - Maritime Trade  There is only one port in County Durham, the Port of Seaham. The table below shows annual freight traffic at the Port of Seaham and at , which is the largest and most successful port in the North East of England.  By way of further comparison, a total of 503.2 million tonnes of trade was handled by all ports in the UK in 2014.

Table 13: Freight Traffic annually at Seaham and Regional Comparator (thousands of tonnes) 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Port of Seaham 499 397 453 451 544 615 572 Teesport 45,436 39,163 35,697 35,198 33,967 37,641 39,537 Source: DfT Port Freight Statistics: 2014 final figures

Table 14 - Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles  There are 1,363 licensed taxi and private hire vehicles operating in County Durham, with almost 8,000 licensed taxi and private hire vehicles operating within the North East Combined Authority area.

6 When figures for the SRN were isolated, there was little relative difference in change between County Durham, England and the North East Table 14: Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles by Authority, 2015 Hackney Carriages Private Hire (WAV)* (NOT WAV) Total County Durham 38 1,026 1,064 299 Northumberland 128 685 813 458 Tyne and Wear 871 905 1,776 3,367 Source: District Licensing Sections *WAV = Wheelchair accessible vehicle

How does this topic link to our strategies and plans?

Evidence on transport is crucial when producing transport strategies such as the North East Transport Plan and the Durham City Sustainable Transport Strategy and links with the council’s existing Local Transport Plan (LTP3). It also provides important information when submitting bids for local, regional, national or European funding.

Transport also helps to deliver economic, social and environmental goals by enabling and improving the way people access work and services. These data also inform economic strategies such as the Strategic Economic Plan and the County Durham Plan and can enable strategies which help to develop sustainable patterns of development.

Author: Approver:

Published: December 2016

Review: December 2017

Data sources:

Office of National Statistic (ONS), Census 2011. https://www.ons.gov.uk/census/2011census/2011censusdata Department of Transport (DfT), Port Freight Statistics: 2014 final figures, August 2015. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/port-freight-statistics-2014-final-figures Department of Transport (DfT), National Travel Survey 2014: Travel to school. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/476635/travel-to-school.pdf Department of Transport (DfT), Local Area Walking and Cycling Statistics: England, 2013/14. Office of Rail and Road (ORR).Estimates of Station Use 2015-2016. http://orr.gov.uk/statistics/published-stats/station-usage-estimates Office of National Statistics (ONS), Annual bus statistics: year ending, March 2015. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-bus-statistics-year-ending-march-2015 Office of National Statistics (ONS), Local Bus Journeys (BUS01) June 2016. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/bus01-local-bus-passenger-journeys Department of Transport (DfT), Proportion of bus services running on time – Table BUS0902 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/proportion-of-bus-services-running-on-time Department of Transport (DfT), Road Traffic Estimates: 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/524261/annual-road-traffic-estimates- 2015.pdf