Local Plan Strategy
Highway Settlement Summaries
June 2016 CREWE
Highway/Transport impact of proposed residential local plan allocations.
Crewe’s highway network is constrained, a function of the limited number of railway crossings. Tests by way of VISSIM modelling were undertaken to understand the level of existing traffic delay compared with the level of delay expected in the future with development in place. This was then used to shape the level and location of development and any necessary mitigation measures.
Further, updated modelling work has been carried out using the North Crewe VISSIM model. This has tested committed developments along with the proposed strategic sites from the proposed changes to the Local Plan Strategy (2016). A note of the findings of this work has been prepared, Cheshire East Local Plan: Indicative Modelling outputs February 2016, which has been published alongside this town report.
The note concludes:
• Additional developments may experience delays associated with congestion that is currently predicted within the North Crewe network.
• A number of sensitive areas in the North Crewe network may be affected by flows associated with the development.
• However, these areas would have also experienced delays and queues without the site allocations in place.
However there is no accounting for behavioural changes such as reassignment of vehicle movements (which would take place during congestion), home working and modal shift changes (transfer of trips to public transport/walking/cycling). To provide more informed modelling results of how a future transport network would operate and the required mitigation more dynamic modelling would need to developed.
In general, the analysis shows more and larger delays in the morning and afternoon peaks as would be expected, with lesser delays in the inter-peak. However the modelling undertaken as expected indicates delay increases at junctions along the North Crewe corridor where new developments are in close proximity.
In order to minimise the level of delay a complimentary list of mitigation schemes have been developed to help manage the level of impact on the highway network.
The residual impact on the highway network with the mitigation in place is considered to be broadly acceptable. Furthermore, targeted mitigation on key growth corridors, such as the Sydney Road / A500 / A530 corridor will ensure that the impact of development on the key transport arteries of the town are prioritised informed by additional modelling reported in a Technical Note.
Mitigation measures required to address these impacts
Committed Highway Schemes, including:
Sydney Road Rail Bridge – signals removed and bridge widened to accommodate 2 lanes of traffic operating free-flow; Crewe Green roundabout junction improvements
Future Deliverable Mitigation Schemes include:
A500 corridor improvements Nantwich Road at Gresty Road / South Street improvements Realignment of Smithy Lane and new roundabout junction on A530 A500 Nantwich by-pass / A530 roundabout capacity improvements.* (Alvaston Roundabout) New Link road to open up development land at Leighton West via new roundabout on Smithy Lane; Smithy Lane/Flowers Lane and Parkers Road/Bradfield Road junction improvements. Replace signals at junction of Eardswick Lane and Flowers Lane with a new roundabout. A500 Nantwich Bypass / A534 roundabout capacity improvements * (Peacock Roundabout) A500 Nantwich Bypass / A51 roundabout capacity improvements * (Cheerbrook Roundabout) Flag Lane Link – linking Flag Lane and Dunwoody Way via Harrison Drive. A532 Earle Street / Macon Way roundabout junction improvement
*Also included in the Nantwich highway mitigation package
How mitigation would be planned/resourced;
The schemes above are included in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan and will be part funded through the future CIL charging regime/s106 contributions. Larger, more strategic schemes will also be the subject of funding bids for central government funding.
Targeted travel planning and investment in Local Public Transport, (including access to the railway station) to achieve a reduction in the number of new vehicle trips on the highway network. A replacement Bus Station is also required. Promoting cycling and walking by developing pedestrian/bike infrastructure.
MACCLESFIELD
Highway/Transport impacts of proposed residential local plan allocations
Updated traffic modelling shows that areas of the existing highway network will operate over capacity during the peak hours. Significant infrastructure improvements are required to avoid significant impacts on the highway network. The following key locations have been identified from the modelling work that would benefit from a mitigation strategy: A537 Chester Road corridor, from the Broken Cross junction to Fieldbank Road; A537 Cumberland Street corridor, from the Prestbury Road roundabout to Churchill Way; The A523 Silk Road / Hibel Road junction; A536 Congleton Road / B5088 Oxford Road ‘Flowerpot’ junction; A538 Churchill Way / A536 Park Road roundabout; A523 Silk Road, between Buxton Road and Brook Street; A523 Mill Lane, between the Silk Road and Windmill Street;
A range of mitigation measures were tested to mitigate the proposed Local Plan development. In Macclesfield, the focus has been on improvements to the existing highway network rather than extensive new highway infrastructure. This has been shaped by a review of the outputs of detailed highway modelling. With the proposed mitigation strategy in place it is considered that an acceptable level of mitigation can be achieved and delivered incrementally without the need for significant large scale new road building.
Mitigation measures required to address these impacts;
These include: Link Road from A536 Congleton Road to A523 London Road Silk Road / Hibel Road roundabout – proposed signals Hibel Road junction improvements and signal coordination Broken Cross modified existing roundabout Flowerpot junction – capacity improvements Mill Lane – increase in northbound capacity Silk Road / Windmill Street – ghost island provision Town Centre Movement Strategy A537 Chester Road / Ivy Road junction improvements A537 Chester Road / Fieldbank Road provision for right turn storage Park Lane / Churchill Way / Park Street – junction improvements
How mitigation would be planned/resourced;
The schemes above are included in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan and will be part funded through a future CIL charging regime and s106 contributions. Larger, more strategic schemes will also be the subject of funding bids for central government funding. Schemes will be prioritised for incremental delivery aligned to the pace and location of development. There will also be targeted travel planning and investment in Local Public Transport, (including access to the railway station) to achieve a reduction in the number of new vehicle trips on the highway network.
CONGLETON
Highway/Transport impact of proposed residential local plan allocations
Congleton’s highway network is congested at peak times, a function of the limited number of river crossings and the convergence of several main roads in the town; this has resulted in the declaration of several Air Quality Management Areas. Traffic modelling has been undertaken to understand the level of existing traffic delay compared with the level of delay expected in the future (2030) with development detailed in the emerging Local Plan. This modelling has then informed the necessary mitigation measures.
In general, the analysis shows more and larger delays in the morning and afternoon peaks as would be expected, with lesser delays in the inter-peak. As expected, junction delay also increases where new developments are in close proximity. Key junctions that suffer congestion and where development traffic increases the scale and duration of queuing include: A34 Rood Hill / A54 Rood Hill / A34 Clayton By-pass (signalised junction) A34 Clayton By-pass / Barn Road / A34 Clayton By –pass (roundabout junction) A34 West Road / West Street / A34 Clayton By-pass (roundabout junction) A34 West Road / A54 Holmes Chapel Road / A34 Newcastle Road / A534 Sandbach Road (roundabout junction / gyratory)
In order to fully accommodate the development proposed in the LPS for Congleton it is considered essential that a new link road between the A534 and A536 is provided which recently gained planning permission. This new strategic link also(Congleton Link Road) has wider benefits over and above the base mitigation strategy, including improving access to employment, addressing Air Quality management areas, reducing community severance on existing routes and improving strategic highway links across the Borough.
The scheme is included in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan and will be part funded through allocated central Government funding, developer contributions and CEC capital funding. The nature of the existing observed movements in the Congleton area is such that public transport has limited viability as an alternative to the private car for most local trips. Investment will be made in a series of town centre public realm schemes to enhance the attractiveness of the town centre and provide opportunity to retain retail spend locally; reducing the need to travel.
Various network models have been engaged to assess the highway impact of the additional housing sites proposed to be allocated within the Local Plan Period (2030). It is considered that these represent a conservative position as traffic conditions are assessed at a fixed period in time e.g. 0800-0900 and simply load traffic on to the existing network and assess the operation of individual junctions. There is no accounting for behavioural changes such as reassignment of vehicle movements (which would take place during congestion), home working and modal shift changes (transfer of trips to public transport/walking/cycling).
MIDDLEWICH
Development detailed in the Local Plan is expected to impact upon the operation of the highway network in two locations in particular: Leadsmithy Street / A54 traffic signal junction Croxton Lane / A54 mini roundabout junction
These junctions currently experience congestion during the peak periods and traffic modelling has been undertaken to understand the impact of background traffic growth and traffic growth as a result of the development sites in the Local Plan. This modelling has then been used to develop schemes to mitigate against the impact of the additional traffic, improvement schemes have been identified at both the junctions above and are detailed in the Infrastructure Plan.
The proposed Middlewich Eastern Bypass, which is an important part of the mitigation strategy, will also alleviate existing and predicted congestion in the town centre by removing traffic using the route between the A54 and A533 through the Leadsmithy Street / A54 traffic signal junction.
Several route options are being considered for the future Middlewich bypass and these are being worked up in to greater detail to establish the preferred routeing. When the preferred route is established a funding package will be devised involving developer and external funding enabling the route to be brought forward.
The Leadsmithy Street / A54 traffic signal junction improvement scheme is already secured as part of the planning permission granted on the housing sites on Warmingham Lane southeast of the town centre.
To ensure good pedestrian and cycle access to Sandbach Station from Middlewich, towpath improvements are proposed along the Trent and Mersey Canal adjacent to the A533 Booth Lane. Also, as part of the Middlewich Eastern Bypass scheme complementary measures to improve access to the town centre for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as the environment within the town centre and Leadsmithy Street are proposed.
SANDBACH
Development proposed in the Local Plan is focused on the area of land close to Junction 17 of the M6. The corridor on the A534 from the M6 in to Sandbach suffers from congestion, particularly at the following locations: M6 Junction J17 A534 / Congleton Road priority junction A534 / The Hill traffic signal junction A534 Wheelock Bypass / A533 Old Mill Road roundabout
Allocated and permitted development located on this corridor is expected to exacerbate the existing issues and as a result mitigation schemes have been identified in the Infrastructure Plan and developed using local traffic modelling.
A Highways Agency scheme to improve M6 Junction 17 has recently been implemented and a further improvement will come forward as part of the Capricorn mixed use development.
In order to mitigate the impact on the rest of the A534/A533 corridor a scheme has been developed to improve the A534 / The Hill traffic signal junction and the A534 Wheelock Bypass / A533 Old Mill Road roundabout , including the link between the two junctions. This scheme is included in the Infrastructure Plan and will be implemented by S278 agreement and also from funding through S106 contributions.
Sustainable access to both the town centre and Sandbach railway station for pedestrians and cyclists must be delivered as part of the development proposals for the town.
NANTWICH
The majority of the development expected in Nantwich is to the northwest of the town centre located on the Kingsley Fields site. This site will have direct access on to the A51 Nantwich Bypass and also on to Waterlode in the town centre. It is expected that traffic generated by the development will have its most significant impact on the following junctions on the A51 corridor: A51/A500 Cheerbrook Roundabout A500/A534 Peacock Roundabout A500/A530 Alvaston Roundabout A51/A534 Burford Crossroads
As a result mitigation schemes have been identified in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan at all these junctions and funding for these improvements is being secured from development that will affect this corridor through S106 contributions. Traffic management schemes have also been identified in the villages such as Wardle and Acton likely to be affected by the traffic increases in the area to mitigate any potential adverse impacts. Improvements to sustainable travel links along the River Weaver and Shropshire Union Canal are also proposed which will ensure good linkages to the town centre and local amenities.
Funding has been provided fom the Queen’s Drive residential development site to allow for the completion of the Taylor Drive / Edmund Wright Way link. This is expected to offer some relief to congestion on the Welsh Row corridor in the town centre.
Junction improvements in the south of Nantwich on Peter de Stapleigh Way and Newcastle Road have also been identified as a result of traffic generated by development in the Stapeley area. These improvements will be funded through S106 contributions.
ALSAGER
The key constraint on the highway network is the town centre junction of Sandbach Road and Crewe Road. Traffic from both committed development and proposed development in the Local Plan is expected to result in increased levels of congestion in the vicinity outlined in the Alsager Traffic Study resulting in a junction improvement scheme proposed as part of the Infrastructure Plan. Junction improvements in the town centre also have to ensure that pedestrian and cycle movements are maintained and improved.
A number of other local junction improvements will be required associated to development sites including: Crewe Road / Hassall Road Radway Green Road / Crewe Road Site access improvements
These highway improvements are detailed in the Infrastructure Plan and will requiring funding through S106 contributions.
KNUTSFORD
Development detailed in the Local Plan is expected to impact upon the operation of the highway network on the A50 and A537 corridors, and at the following locations in particular: A537 Brook Street /B5085 Hollow Lane signal junction A537 Adams Hill / A50 Toft Road junction Canute Place / A50 Manchester Road / A5033 Northwich Road roundabout
These junctions currently experience congestion during the peak periods and previous traffic modelling is being been undertaken to understand the impact of background traffic growth and develop concept improvement schemes at these locations. This information will be in the form of a technical note to follow.
The impact of the additional proposed housing sites will be included in the traffic model for the detailed design of these schemes to ensure sufficient capacity/mitigation measures are provided. The Infrastructure Plan will also include proposals for public realm enhancements in the town centre, as well as improvements to cycle and walking links to the town centre and station from Local Plan development sites, school and local employment areas.
These highway improvements will be detailed in an updated Infrastructure Plan and will requiring funding through future CIL charging regime /S106 contributions.
HANDFORTH
As part of the Local Plan the North Cheshire Growth Village is proposed east of Handforth to the south of the A555 adjacent to the A34. Currently during the peak periods the A34 suffers from congestion at a number of junctions towards Manchester. The SEMMMS scheme will provide a new east-west link between the A6 and M56 which will alleviate some of the existing congestion issues in the area, as will the proposed Poynton Relief Road, which ties in with the SEMMMS road.
The North Cheshire Growth Village delivers a scale of development that can make most effectively deliver the on site facilities and sustainable infrastructure necessary to reduce vehicular trips. A detailed package of footpath, cycleway and bus links is proposed. Additionally, the site would deliver improvements to the highway network; including:
Improvements to the A34 Coppice Way junction An optional link to the A555 Improvements to the existing dumbbell roundabouts Improvements to the A555/A34 junction Improvements / contribution towards the Stanley Green Roundabout junction Strategic travel plan, which will include: o Improved walking, cycling and bus links to local stations serving Manchester. o Improved bus services to key service centre locations, including Manchester Airport. o Provision of essential services within the site, including shops, education and employment. o Possible Park and ride provision.
These highway improvements will be developed as part of the masterplan for the Handforth site and detailed in the Infrastructure Plan and will requiring funding through future CIL charging regime/S106 contributions.
Additionally, a refresh of the current SEMMMS cross boundary multi modal transport study is planned with CEC as a key partner to ensure that the two way impacts of all developments are properly managed - including the future growth proposals emerging from the Greater Manchester Spatial Plan.
WILMSLOW
Development detailed in the Local Plan is expected to impact upon the operation of the highway network in three locations in particular:
A538/B5166 Manchester Road junction A538 Water Lane/B5086 Alderley Road junction
Junctions on the A34 Wilmslow-Handforth Bypass.
These junctions currently experience congestion during the peak periods and previous junction modelling has been undertaken to understand the impact of background traffic growth and traffic growth as a result of the development sites in the March 2014 Local Plan submission. Concept proposals have been included in the Infrastructure Plan; detailed design work will take account of the final plan proposals. The Infrastructure plan also includes Public realm enhancements in the town centre, as well as improvements to cycle and walking links to the town centre and station from Local Plan development sites, school and local employment areas.
Any highway improvements required will be detailed in the Infrastructure Plan and will require funding through future CIL charging regime /S106 contributions.
POYNTON
Development detailed in the Local Plan is expected to impact upon the operation of the highway network in the following location in particular:
A523 London Road/A5149 Chester Road junction
This junction does experience congestion during the peak period. The proposed Poynton Relief Road is key to the mitigation of these issues which is currently being progressed and a planning application is due to be submitted later in 2016.