Northampton Multi-Modal Study, Final Report, December 2003
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contents page 0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY i 1 INTRODUCTION 1 2 CONTEXT 5 3 LAND-USE PLANNING AND 9 FUTURE DEVELOPMENT 4 STUDY APPROACH 13 5 PROBLEMS, ISSUES AND 17 OBJECTIVES 6 CONSULTATION AND LIAISON 29 7 QUICK WINS 35 8 DEVELOPMENT AND APPRAISAL 39 OF THEMATIC STRATEGIES 9 DEVELOPMENT AND APPRAISAL 55 OF THE PREFERRED STRATEGY 10 FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION 75 11 NEXT STEPS 81 APPENDICES A REVIEW OF FIXED TRACK OPTIONS B MEASURES/INTERVENTIONS CONSIDERED IN PHASE TWO CONSULTATION Northampton Multi-Modal Study, Final Report, December 2003. Minor revisions March 2004. Set by Arup ICL Graphics. Job number 69276. Ove Arup & Partners Ltd, 13 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 4BQ. Tel +44 (0)20 7636 1531, Fax +44 (0)20 7755 2452, www.arup.com. NORTHAMPTON MULTI-MODAL STUDY NORTHAMPTON MULTI-MODAL STUDY 0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 0.1 Background 0.1.1 The Northamptonshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) - 2001/2 to 2005/6 - identified the need for a study to consider a range of transport measures to realise an integrated vision of the future development of Northampton and its surrounding region. Following further consultations on the scope of the study, Ove Arup and Partners (Arup) were appointed in March 2002 to undertake the Northampton Multi Modal Study (NMMS) on behalf of Northamptonshire County Council (NCC), Northampton Borough Council (NBC) and English Partnerships (EP). 0.1.2 To deliver the vision, the aims of the study focused on: ‘the identification of the most cost effective, affordable, safe and environmentally acceptable measures to reduce the impact of current and future travel demand, particularly by providing real alternatives to car use, given the need to maintain and increase the area’s vitality and competitiveness when compared with its neighbours and taking into account future regional land use development scenarios.’ 0.2 Context 0.2.1 A thorough understanding of the existing transport problems in the study area and their causes was vital to the development of an effective transport strategy. 0.2.2 Between 1981 and 2001 the population of Northampton grew by 25%. Household size declined in that period and the number of households increased by 42%.The percentage of households owning a car increased from 60% to 75%.These demographic changes have placed greater demands on the transport system and particularly on the road network. In addition, the distribution of employment has become more dispersed with the development of business parks such as Brackmills and Moulton Park.Decentralisation of retail activity has also taken place at Riverside and Sixfields. 0.2.3 Land use changes have led to an increased reliance on the car, as access by bus is not always convenient and walking and cycling is often not feasible. Currently 70% of trips are made by car during the ‘peak periods’ and throughout the day, with less than 10% by public transport. In addition nearly 50% of car trips are relatively short distance (less than 4 kilometres), demonstrating the potential for bus, walking and cycling as alternative modes for at least some of these journeys. 0.2.4 Northampton’s bus services, which are largely structured around the main radial corridors, often suffer from the effects of general traffic congestion.There is a lack of orbital bus services, which 4 Northamptonshire County Council • Northampton Borough Council • English Partnerships i NORTHAMPTON MULTI-MODAL STUDY NORTHAMPTON MULTI-MODAL STUDY means that most of the movements between major trip 0.5.2 In addition to establishing the planning background, a Reference generators and attractors require an interchange at Greyfriars Case was developed for the transport networks, to provide a Bus Station in the town centre.The Bus Station does not meet benchmark against which the performance of the Preferred current aspirations and can act as a disincentive to potential bus Transport Strategy would be compared.The Reference Case users, although it is proposed to replace it with a brand new included LTP funded schemes expected to be completed by facility as part of the development of the Grosvenor Centre. 2006 such as: 0.2.5 Greater car usage and an increasingly dispersed pattern of travel •bus enhancements to radial routes into the town centre; have resulted in considerable traffic growth on radial routes •the implementation of bus real time information systems; nearer the edge of town and on orbital routes such as Nene • Lumbertubs Way safety improvements; Valley Way, Lumbertubs Way, Danes Camp Way and Upton Way. •conversion of the Gas Street roundabout to signal control; and Significant congestion ‘hot spots’ were also identified at a number • Sandy Lane improvements. of important junctions within the town, with adverse impacts on 0.5.3 Also included in the Reference Case were the following all road users including buses, heavy goods vehicles, pedestrians developer funded schemes: and cyclists. •Brackmills Link Rd (now completed); 0.3 Public Consultation and Participation •Tesco Weston Favell road improvements (now completed); 0.3.1 Involvement of stakeholders, the general public and other •Upton Way Phase 1 signalisation (now completed); interested parties was of fundamental importance in developing •bus enhancements along London Rd (due to start in 2004); the individual measures and overall strategy to address many of •park and ride sites at Grange Park (A508) and on Weedon Rd these issues and problems.The approach adopted was inclusive, (A45, Upton); •St Crispin’s junction improvements; and building upon the high quality of consultations undertaken •road improvements associated with redevelopment of the previously by the NCC and NBC on related issues, and seeking Grosvenor Centre. to maximise ownership of the study outcomes.The consultation and participation process throughout the study included: 0.5.4 Based on the Reference Case it was predicted that traffic in Northampton would grow by some 31% between 2002 and • public exhibitions; 2016, resulting in a general deterioration in traffic conditions, •workshops with a wide variety of groups; •the establishment of a citizens panel with participants particularly on the inner ring road. Some increase in bus usage representing a diverse range of age groups and backgrounds; was also forecast as a result of the Park and Ride sites proposed • newsletters to provide information on the development of the at Upton and Grange Park which were programmed to be emerging strategy; operational by 2006. •the participation of elected members and business interests; 0.6 Quick Wins •the establishment of excellent contacts and communications 0.6.1 In this context, it was recognised that significant impetus could be with the media; and •the development of a study website. given to the development of the NMMS transport strategy by the implementation of ‘quick wins’ which might realistically be 0.4 Methodology implemented within the timescale of the current LTP up to 2006. 0.4.1 The approach used in developing the transport strategy as well The measures recommended include: as in assessing its effectiveness, was based on the advice •the appointment of a Travel Plan Coordinator to further contained in the Government’s ‘Guidance on the Methodology develop the links established with developers and to monitor for Multi-Modal Studies (GOMMMS)’. By following this guidance the impacts of Section 106 Agreements, Green Travel Plans and the strategy focused on meeting national objectives relating to other initiatives; environment, safety, economy, accessibility and integration as well •improved signing for pedestrians within the town centre; as on regional and local objectives. •improved crossing facilities for cyclists relating to the inner ring 0.5 Forecasting Assumptions road and the town centre; •establishment of regular liaison and operational meetings 0.5.1 The planning forecasts for Northampton and Northamptonshire, between NCC, NBC, Bus and Rail Operators; in terms of population and employment growth, were based on •establishment of a Taxi Quality Partnership; Government projections combined with information from NBC’s •review of Northampton’s Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system; Urban Capacity Study (UCS), relating to specific ‘brownfield’ •parking improvements (e.g. introduction of Pay on Foot systems); residential and commercial sites. • possible short term improvements to Greyfriars Bus Station; and •establishment of a Freight Quality Partnership. ii Northamptonshire County Council • Northampton Borough Council • English Partnerships iii NORTHAMPTON MULTI-MODAL STUDY NORTHAMPTON MULTI-MODAL STUDY 0.7 Preferred Transport Strategy the difficulties of getting shift workers to employment areas on 0.7.1 The Preferred Transport Strategy itself represents a balanced the edge of the town and by improving transport provision for package of measures to meet both local and national policy rural communities in the Northampton hinterland. objectives including many aimed at encouraging the use of Road Improvements alternative modes to the car. 0.7.8 With regard to road improvements emphasis was given to Pedestrians schemes which would facilitate the development of regeneration 0.7.2 A significant proportion of trips are made on foot in the study sites at Sixfields and Nunn Mills. Schemes recommended for area. Measures recommended to further encourage walking inclusion in the strategy were a link between Sixfields and St include improved pedestrian linkages with employment and retail James Mill Rd with a further extension between St James Mill Rd centres such as: the Town Centre, the