Wiltshire Local Transport Plan
Car Parking Strategy Review
Royal Wootton Bassett Town Profile Consultation Draft
October 2014
Contents Contents ...... 2 Introduction ...... 3 Demographic data ...... 4 Current population ...... 4 Future population ...... 4 Age profile ...... 4 Growth data Housing growth...... 5 Employment land growth ...... 6 Jobs growth ...... 7 Economic data ...... 8 Employment profile ...... 8 Employment structure ...... 8 Employment / unemployment ...... 9 Town centre provision and business mix ...... 9 Spend and footfall ...... 10 Vacancy rates ...... 10 Town centre leakage ...... 11 Transport data...... 12 Average travel times to other key settlements ...... 12 Car ownership levels ...... 13 Traffic data ...... 13 Congestion data ...... 15 Bus service availability ...... 16 Bus service usage ...... 17 Walking and cycling ...... 17 Parking data ...... 17 Off street parking ...... 17 Wiltshire Council car park usage levels ...... 18 Parking charges ...... 19 Key competitor towns ...... 19 Off-street parking charges in key competitor towns ...... 20 Parking income and operational costs ...... 21 Environmental data ...... 22 Air quality ...... 22
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Introduction
This Royal Wootton Bassett Town Profile aims to set out the relevant information that will be used alongside the factors identified in Policy PS3 of the Wiltshire Local Transport Plan (LTP) Car Parking Strategy1 to determine car parking charges and management in Royal Wootton Bassett.
Royal Wootton Bassett identified in the emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy as a ‘Market Town’. Royal Wootton Bassett is located in the north east of Wiltshire, close to Swindon. The community area covers 154 square kilometres and has the eighth densest community area population in Wiltshire. The larger settlements act almost as dormitory suburbs of Swindon, which is situated just six miles to the east and is a 15 minute car journey from the main settlements. Royal Wootton Bassett has no rail station but does benefit from the close proximity of the M4 which provides direct links to Bristol and London.
Royal Wootton Bassett Community Area
1 http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/howthecouncilworks/plansstrategiespolicies/transportpoliciesandstr ategies/localtransportplan3.htm
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Demographic data Current population
Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Community Area, at mid-year 2011, had an estimated total population of 28,990 persons making it the sixth most populous community area in Wiltshire. Royal Wootton Bassett town population is estimated at mid-year census 2011 as 11,265.
Over the period Census 2001 to mid-year 20111, Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Community Area’s population growth was 3.2% (890 persons), significantly lower than the Wiltshire average of 9.6% (41,350 persons), and the fourth lowest of all Wiltshire’s community areas. This percentage change figure will have been affected by the closure of Lyneham and the associated loss of armed forces population.
Population growth for the South West region 2001 to 2011 was 372,400 which equates to 7.6%. Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Community Area cover 154 square kilometres, and has a population density of 188 persons per square kilometre, six more persons per square kilometre than in 2001. Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Community Area has the eighth densest community area population in Wiltshire.
Census 2001 and mid-year 2011 population estimates, by five-year age group and sex, Royal Wootton Bassett Community Area
Source: Community Area Joint Strategic Assessment 2013 Future population
Based on the 2011 Census, the total trend-based projected mid-year population for 2026 for the Royal Wootton Bassett Community Area is estimated to be 30,530. Age profile
The 2011 mid-year population figures show how Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Community Area compares to averages in England, the South West and Wiltshire, for
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proportions of total population being under the age of 16 years, of working age and of retirement age and over.
In relation to the other 19 community areas, Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Community Area has the seventh lowest percentage of its total population under the age of 15 years, the fourth highest percentage of its total population being of working age, and the eighth lowest percentage of its total population being of retirement age and over.
Age profile - based on 2011 Census
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
Population 1,000
500
0
0-4 5-9
100+
60-64 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85-89 90-94 95-99 10-14 Age Group
Source: http://www.intelligencenetwork.org.uk/population-and-census/
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Growth data2
Housing growth
During the plan period (2006 to 2026), at least 1,250 new homes will be provided of which 920 should occur at Royal Wootton Bassett; 330 homes will be provided in the rest of the community area. (Source: Schedule of Proposed Modifications (including Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment updates) April 2014; Inspector’s Proposed Modifications April 2014; and implications of National Planning Practice Guidance)
Potential sub-regional housing growth to 2026
Source: Wiltshire Council 2014
Employment land growth
The following Principal Employment Areas will be supported: Whitehill Industrial Estate, Interface Industrial Estate and Coped Hall Business Park.
Over the plan period (2006 to 2026), 5 ha of new employment land (in addition to that delivered or committed at April 2011) will be provided, including:
Land to the West of Templars Way - 3.7 ha Brickworks, Purton - 1.0 ha remaining
2 The growth data shown here will be updated in light of the outcomes of the current consultation on the Wiltshire Core Strategy (see http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/planningpolicy/ wiltshirecorestrategy/wiltshirecorestrategyexamination.htm).
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Potential sub-regional employment land growth to 2026
Source: Wiltshire Council 2014 Jobs growth
There are approximately 195,000 jobs in Wiltshire. Most of these are located in the main settlements but a significant share is ‘pepper-potted’ in rural areas and along strategic roads. Over the period 1998-2008, employment grew by 11% in Wiltshire which, whilst a strong rate of growth in a buoyant economic period, was below the national growth of 15%. There were strong gains in employment in and around Chippenham; little change in and around Trowbridge; and a small gain in and around Salisbury (Source: Wiltshire Core Strategy, Economic Topic Paper, 2012).
The latest projection from Cambridge Econometrics indicates a growth of 27,570 jobs between 2006 and 2026 in Wiltshire (see table below).
Area 2006 2026 Growth over period South 61,020 71,450 10,430 East 33,690 37,270 3,580 North 61,250 69,690 8,440 West 59,130 64,250 5,120 Total 215,090 242,660 27,570 Source: Wiltshire Core Strategy, April 2011
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Economic data Employment profile
There are 9,600 people employed in the Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Community Area which represents 5.1% of total employment in Wiltshire.
The employment structure of the area has shifted somewhat since the last assessment with the construction sector being that largest source of employment compared to its ranking of fourth previously (based on 2009 data). Unfortunately, since the release of this employment data in 2011, Black Horse Contractors, which was a large local employer based in Cricklade with a number of other local depots, went into administration and staff were made redundant. The actual employment profile in 2013 is, therefore, expected to be different from the table above which reflects the latest data available.
Employment in business administration and support services remains high at approximately twice the average for Wiltshire. It is expected that, in reality, this sector remains the largest sector for employment in this community area as it was in the 2011 assessment.
Some of the larger employers in the area are Railston Design Ltd; Plantronics Ltd; Dolby Laboratories Inc; Cooks Delights Ltd; and Glevum Transport Ltd (Source: Royal Wootton Bassett CAJSA 2014). Employment structure
The area has a broad employment structure which is not overly dominated by any single sector. The area benefits from good motorway accessibility which adds to its attractiveness as a business location and, as a result, employment in the area is expected to remain stable.
% Total Employment RWB Community Area 14 12 10
8 6 4
2 %Employment 0
Source: http://www.intelligencenetwork.org.uk/population-and-census
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Employment / unemployment
The overall employment figures in Royal Wootton Bassett are on a par with the rest of Wiltshire and the South West as can be seen in the table below.
Area: Royal Wootton Bassett Wiltshire South West & Cricklade Economic Activity Number % Number % Number % Total people 16 to 74 21,118 100 339,595 100 3,856,715 100 Economically active 16 to 74 15,565 73.7 250,792 73.9 2,710,787 70.3 Employees full time 9,086 43 143,218 42.2 1,442,959 37.4 Employees part time 3,110 14.7 50,806 15 583,936 15.1 Self-employed 2,237 10.6 38,102 11.2 433,236 11.2 Unemployed 591 2.8 9,999 2.9 126,208 3.3 Full time student 541 2.6 8,667 2.6 124,448 3.2 Economically inactive 16 to 74 5,553 26.3 88,803 26.1 1,145,928 29.7 Retired 3,316 15.7 49,893 14.7 611,204 15.8 Student 634 3 11,119 3.3 188,809 4.9 Looking after home or family 800 3.8 13,554 4 143,005 3.7 Long-term sick or disabled 526 2.5 9,102 2.7 138,532 3.6 Other 277 1.3 5,135 1.5 64,378 1.7 Unemployment Number Number Number Total Unemployed 16 to 74 591 100 9,999 100 126,208 100 aged 16 to 24 192 32.5 2,877 28.8 36,019 28.5 aged 50 to 74 127 21.5 2,256 22.6 27,358 21.7 who have never worked 73 12.4 1,037 10.4 13,971 11.1 who are long term unemployed 188 31.8 3,666 36.7 46,559 36.9 Source: http://www.intelligencenetwork.org.uk/population-and-census/
Town centre provision and business mix
The table below provides detailed analysis of the commercial offering in the town centre by Use Class. The figures are presented as a percentage of the 131 occupied units recorded.
Use Class Royal South West Wootton Small Towns National Small Bassett % % Towns % Shops (A1) 52 54 53 Financial and professional services (A2) 13 14 14 Restaurants and cafes (A3) 7 8 8 Drinking establishments (A4) 7 4 4 Hot food takeaways (A5) 3 4 5 Business (B1) 4 2 3 General industrial (B2) 1 1 0 Storage and distribution (B8) 0 0 0 Hotels (C1) 0 1 1
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Residential (C2) 1 0 0 Secure residential institution (C2A) 0 0 0 Non-residential institution (D1) 8 8 6 Assembly and leisure (D2) 0 1 1 Sui generis (SG) 4 4 5 Source: AMT Benchmarking Report 2013
There is also a slightly below average proportion (68%) of comparison stores (e.g. selling books, clothing, furniture, white goods, etc) in Royal Wootton Bassett, many of which are counted as ‘key attractors’.
Royal Wootton South West Small Towns National Small Towns Bassett % % % Comparison 67 79 79 Convenience 33 21 21 Source: AMT Benchmarking Report 2013
Spend and footfall
A survey undertaken in early 2013 indicates a lower footfall rate in Royal Wootton Bassett town centre than other benchmarked towns both regionally and nationally. The survey was based upon the average number of people per 10 minutes between 10am and 1pm from the busiest footfall location in the town.
Royal Wootton South West Small National Small Bassett Towns Towns Market/ Busy Day 101 112 122 Non Market/ Quiet Day 99 84 90 Source: AMT Benchmarking Report 2013
Vacancy rates
Vacant units are an important indicator of the vitality and viability of a town centre. The presence of vacant units over a period of time can identify potential weaknesses in a town centre, whether due to locational criteria, high rent levels or strong competition from other centres.
Royal South West Small Towns Wootton National Small Towns % % Bassett % Vacant 4 7 8 Units Source: AMT Benchmarking Report 2013
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Town centre leakage
County-wide Swindon, Bath and Southampton are considered to be largest competing centres to Wiltshire’s main centres, and combined they draw 25.5% of expenditure. The top three Wiltshire centres of Chippenham, Trowbridge and Salisbury draw 14.7% of expenditure, indicating there is significant leakage out of Wiltshire. The main destination for expenditure leakage out of Royal Wootton Bassett is predominantly Swindon. (Source: GVA Town Centre and Retail Study, March 2011).
Locally Royal Wootton Bassett Town Centre has a turnover of £11.9m which is below company average sales turnover estimated at £17.3m. The convenience offer in Royal Wootton Bassett consists of a Sainsbury’s (1,079 sq m net), Iceland (605 sq m net) and a Somerfield (428 sq m net). However, there is no single dominant anchor store in the centre which results in a high number of main food shopping trips leaving the centre’s location zone (Zone 23). The Sainsbury’s store in the centre does capture some main food shopping trips (10.5%); however, the majority are going to Calne, Swindon and out of centre provision in Chippenham. This suggests a deficiency in Royal Wootton Bassett’s convenience offer. (Source: GVA Town Centre and Retail Study, March 2011).
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Transport data
Primary transport corridors
Source: Chippenham Masterplan, 2013
Average travel times to other key settlements
Destination Distance from Approx Time Approx Time Approx time by Royal Wootton by road (mins) by rail (mins) bus/coach Bassett (miles) (mins) Bath 35 58 N/A 131 Swindon 6 19 N/A 29 Bristol 39 59 N/A 155 Trowbridge 33 64 N/A 106 Salisbury 47 91 N/A 168 London 85 129 N/A 223 Note: PT times include walk times to central town position
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Car ownership levels
Car ownership is generally high in Wiltshire reflecting the rural nature and general affluence of the county. The 2011 Census indicates that only 14.8% of households in Wiltshire did not have access to a car. Royal Wootton Bassett Community Area is slightly below this percentage (12.2%) compared to the national average of 26%.
Percentage of households without access to a car - 2011
30.00
25.00
20.00 15.00
10.00 Percentage 5.00 0.00
Source: Census 2011
Traffic data
The following graphs demonstrate the Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT), which is the total volume of vehicle traffic of a road for a year divided by 365 days. The sharp ‘peaks’ and ‘troughs’ in the data typically represent changes on the road network that can be attributed to direct road closures, maintenance and diversions on the specified road or the effect of such events on other roads. The more subtle rises and falls typically represent the trend in road traffic affected by economic or social changes.
Traffic data collected from the Royal Wootton Bassett Community Area indicates that in general, traffic levels have risen since 1991.
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Royal Wootton Bassett Community Area: trunk routes 90000
80000
70000
60000
50000 HA4031_4032: M4 West of Junction 16 (4031/4032) AADT 40000 HA4618_4619: A419(T) Seven Bridges 30000
20000
10000
Royal Wootton Bassett Community Area: south of M4 20000 18000 16000 E2: A3102 East of Coped Hall 14000 Roundabout G7: A3102 Tockenham Corner
12000
10000 E8: C46 Noremarsh Road Wootton
AADT Bassett 8000 E3: C414 South of Hook 6000 G8: B4069 West of Lyneham 4000 2000 E4: C415 Marlborough Rd Wootton Bassett
Note: AADT (Annual Average Daily Traffic)
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Congestion data
The table below demonstrates the average speed in each town. The data is calculated in the AM peak (07:00-08:59) for Monday-Friday during school term time. All classes of vehicle are included within the data.
Town mph Amesbury 22.2 Bradford on Avon 16.8 Calne 21.1 Chippenham 20.3 Corsham 23.6 Devizes 21.2 Malmesbury 21.9 Marlborough 23.2 Melksham 23.9 Royal Wootton Bassett 22.4 Salisbury 18.0 Trowbridge 21.0 Warminster 21.4 Westbury 23.9
Source: Trafficmaster GPS data
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The map below shows the recorded difference (in Seconds/Km) between night time free flow traffic and AM peak traffic.
Bus service availability
Residential addresses within 200 metres of bus stops with at least 16 daily services serving Royal Wootton Bassett town centre Royal Royal Wootton Wootton Royal Wootton Bassett Bassett Bassett and Cricklade Community 10km Urban Area Area radius 5544 13275 13296 Residential addresses ...within 200m of >=16 buses per 2996 3446 3576 weekday 54% 26% 27% Proportion with this level of service Residential addresses in all Wiltshire Principal and Market Towns within 200 metres of bus stops with at least 16 daily services serving local centre All Urban All Community Areas Areas All 10km radius Proportion with this level of service 60% 45% 28%
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Bus service usage
Location Average passengers per Average passengers per hour (total of board & bus (total of board & alight) alight) High Street 55 4 Source: LTP Bus Monitoring 2009-10
Walking and cycling
Screenline surveys by Wiltshire Council in Royal Wootton Bassett between 2001 and 2010 show:
a decrease of 1.2% per annum in walking levels; and an increase of 2.3% per annum in cycling levels.
Parking data
Royal Wootton Bassett contains a mixture of on-street and off-street parking.
Off street parking
Source: www.parkopedia.co.uk
Spaces Usage Peak Average Borough Fields 255 116% 78% Wood Street 30 61% 49% Source: Wiltshire Council; AMT benchmarking data, 2013. Usage: Based on ticket sales and allocated permits on three survey days
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Wiltshire Council car park usage levels To understand the usage of car parks in Wiltshire, the Parking Services team surveyed car park usage over three periods in 2012/13. Three dates were selected for their usage being low, average or high. Although most car parks usage mirrored these usage states some did not, ie on the low usage date a car park showed average or high usage. Nonetheless, the dates selected are broadly representative of these usage states. The dates selected are shown alongside the charts below. The data used came from pay and display machines sited in each car park; these record each transaction made by a user and was compiled to show usage by car park, time and tariff purchased as well as calculating the overall usage across the dates selected.
Boroughfields 140% 120% 100% 80% 60% 21/12/2012 40% 21/09/2012 20% 25/01/2013 0%
Wood Street 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 21/12/2012 30% 21/09/2012 20% 10% 25/01/2013 0%
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Parking charges
Royal Wootton Bassett is designated as a Band 3 town in the current Wiltshire LTP Car Parking Strategy. The current Wiltshire Council car parking charges in Royal Wootton Bassett are as follows (£):
<1hr <2hrs <3hrs <4hrs <5hrs <8hrs All day Long stay 0.30 1.10 2.00 2.40 3.20 5.20 5.60
Further information on Wiltshire Council car parks, including the current level of charges, is available from: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/parkingtransportandstreets/carparking/findacarpark.htm
Charges for all car parks can be found via Parkopedia: http://en.parkopedia.co.uk/
Key competitor towns
The following towns/cities have been identified as Royal Wootton Bassett’s key sub-regional competitors: Cirencester and Swindon.
Some of the key relevant circumstances in each of these settlements are set out in the following table.
Cirencester Swindon Population 16,325 182,441 Housing growth 3,360 (2011-2031) 22,000 (2011-2026) Venuescore rank 249 (2010) 65 (2010) P&R site(s) 0 1 Air Quality Management 0 0 Area(s) Notes: Population figures from Census 2011. Housing growth figures taken from relevant core strategies/local plans. Javelin Group’s Venuescore evaluates shopping destinations in terms of the provision of multiple retailers – including anchor stores, fashion operators and non-fashion multiples. Royal Wootton Bassett did not participate in the Venuescore evaluation.
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Off-street parking charges in key competitor towns
Local authority car parks – short stay (£)
Town <½hr <1hr <2hrs <3hrs <4hrs Cirencester 0.50 1.30 2.30 3.00 N/A
Swindon N/A 1.20 2.00 – 2.40 2.00 – 3.60 2.00 – 4.80
Notes: • Cirencester: range of charges relate to Brewery and Forum car parks. Charges apply 8am to 6pm (Mon- Sun (Brewery) and Mon-Sat (Forum)). Sunday charges at Beeches are All day = £1.50 1/2 hr = 50p 1 hr = £1.30. • Swindon: range of charges relate to ‘Premium Short Stay’ and ‘Town Centre Short Stay’ car parks. Charges apply 6am to 6pm (Mon-Sun).
Local authority car parks – long stay (£)
Town All <1hr <2hrs <3hrs <4hrs <5hrs <6hrs <7hrs <8hrs Day Cirencester 0.50 – 2.00 – 2.00 – 2.00 – 2.00 – N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.30 2.30 3.00 3.90 6.50 Swindon 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 N/A 6.50 N/A N/A 8.00
Notes: • Cirencester: range of charges relate to Abbey Grounds, Old Station, Sheep Street, Waterloo and Beeches car parks. Charge of £0.50 relates to <½hr time period. Charges apply 8am to 6pm (Mon-Sat). • Swindon: range of charges relate to ‘Long Stay’ car parks. Charges apply 6am to 6pm (Mon-Sun).
Local authority car parks – evening charges (£)
Town <½hr <1hr <2hrs <3hrs >3hrs Cirencester See note See note See note See note See note
Swindon N/A N/A 1.00 2.00 2.00
Notes: • Cirencester: all car parks are free overnight except for Beeches where a charge of £1.50 applies. • Swindon: range of charges relate to ‘Premium Short Stay’, ‘Town Centre Short Stay’ and ‘Long Stay’ car parks.
On-street parking charges in key competitor towns (£)
Town <10min <20min <30min <40min <1hr <2hrs Evening Swindon 0.30 – 0.60 – 0.90 – N/A N/A N/A Free 0.40 0.80 1.20 Notes: • Cirencester: on-street charges unavailable • Swindon: range of charges relate to ‘Pay on Street’ parking bays. Charges apply 9am to 6pm (Mon to Sat).
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Parking income and operational costs
Overview of Car Parking Finances 2013/14
Operational Car Parking Income £ Notes Actuals Off street Parking - Income
Pay & Display Income -5,372,532 Income from Pay machines and Mi Permit payment for pay & display visits in off street car parks Season Tickets & Permits -419,814 The purchase of season tickets and permits for use in off street parking provision Penalty Charge Notices -190,860 Income from off street parking fines Total -5,983,206
On Street parking Income
Pay & Display Income -555,771 Income from Pay machines and Mi Permit payment for pay & display visits in on street parking bays Season Tickets & Permits -46,144 Purchase of tradesman waivers permits Penalty Charge Notices -636,259 Income from on street parking fines Total -1,238,174
Residents Parking - Income -193,459 Income from residents parking schemes.
TOTAL INCOME -7,414,839 Total income from parking services
Operational Car parking Expenditure £
Car Park Enforcement 996,717 Salaries (and associated on costs) and supporting budgets for Wiltshire Council's team of Civil Enforcement Officers Car Park Management & Administration 323,843 Salaries (and associated on costs) and supporting budgets for Wiltshire Council's back office parking team Car Park Maintenance & Equipment 460,454 Maintenance of the car parking assets and car Maintenance parking equipment Cash Management Costs 192,375 Cash handling costs and administration of MI Permit system/PCN income collection Operational Car Parking Expenditure 1,973,389 Total direct expenditure to provide parking services.
Operational Car parking surplus (as per -5,441,451 cabinet budget monitoring report)
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Car Parking Property related £ Expenditure
Cost of Car Park National Non Domestic 846,895 Business rates applicable to Wiltshire's car parks Rates (NNDR) Car Park Utilities 70,252 Identified utility costs associated with car park assets
Total Car Parking Property related 917,147 Total associated property costs of car parking Expenditure
Car Parking share of Wiltshire Council £ Overheads & Depreciation
Car Parking central Overhead cost 860,080 Car parking allocation of central overheads i.e. car parking share of supporting services such as Finance, ICT, HR, Legal, insurance, building costs. Depreciation of Car Park Assets 911,826 A charge within the accounts to reflect the cost of the use of the car parking assets.
Total Car Parking share of Wiltshire 1,771,906 Council Overheads & Depreciation
Total Surplus -2,752,398
Environmental data
Air quality
The Local Air Quality Management process places an obligation on all local authorities to regularly review and assess air quality in their areas, and to determine whether or not the air quality objectives are likely to be achieved. Where exceedances are considered likely, the local authority must then declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) and prepare an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) setting out the measures it intends to put in place in pursuit of the objectives. No AQMAs are currently designated in Royal Wootton Bassett.
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