Information Paper 8 - Transportation of and Minerals 1 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals 1 Introduction

1.1 This Information Paper on the 'Transportation of Waste and Minerals', is one in a series that support the preparation of the Waste and Minerals Local Plan and the subsequent Sites Plan. The series provide evidence for their development and support consultation and discussion with members of the public and other stakeholders who are concerned with waste and minerals in East Sussex and Brighton & Hove.

1.2 The Papers are 'living drafts' which present the evidence as it currently stands, and are updated and republished at each stage of plan making. This ensures the Authorities’ knowledge and understanding of waste and minerals remains robust and the evidence base for the Local Plan is ‘sound’.

1.3 The Information Papers were first published in July 2007, and have been updated at regular intervals to coincide with public consultations on the Waste & Minerals Plan and subsequently the Waste & Minerals Sites Plan. This is the eighth version of this Paper and accompanies publication of the Proposed Submission Waste and Minerals Sites Plan.

1.4 Details of the other Information Papers are included in Appendix 1.

1.5 If you would like to comment on, or add to the evidence base that is presented in this Information Paper, or want further information on the Waste and Minerals Sites Plan, please visit the consultation website http://consult.eastsussex.gov.uk. Alternatively you can e-mail [email protected] or write to: Planning Policy and Development Management East Sussex County Council Communities, Economy and Transport Waste & Minerals Planning Policy County Hall Lewes, BN7 1UE

1.6 Please make sure that you refer to the section and paragraph numbers that your comments relate to. 2 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals 2 Transportation of Waste and Minerals

2.1 Transport of waste and minerals makes up a small proportion of overall traffic flow in the Plan Area but can still be a significant issue due to the potential for environmental, amenity and health impacts.

2.2 The majority of waste and minerals in the Plan Area are transported by road, but there are also some movements by rail ( for example, bottom ash exported from the Newhaven Energy Recovery Facility, crushed rock imports at Newhaven and gypsum imports at Roberstsbridge), and by sea (aggregates/crushed rock and some secondary & recycled material). National figures show that in 2013, 9.5% of aggregates were transported by rail and 12% by water and the average distance aggregates are transported was 49.8km(1)

2.3 Some degree of transport of waste and minerals by road is inevitable due to the need to move aggregates onto construction sites and to local builders merchants, and to collect waste from households and businesses.

2.4 Further information about the movement of waste and minerals by rail and water within the Plan Area can be found in the background study 'Waste & Minerals Sustainable Transport Feasibility Study'.

Road Transport in the Plan Area

Overview of the Existing Road Network

2.5 Road is the predominant mode of transporting freight. The Plan Area has an extensive highway network comprising over 3,400 km of road. There is a ‘road hierarchy’ in place with emphasis given to distributing traffic in the most efficient way throughout the network. Long distance traffic is encouraged to use the trunk road ‘box’ surrounding East Sussex (2). See Figure 1 - Trunk road box.

2.6 Highways England has responsibilities for motorways and trunk roads. There are no motorways in the Plan Area and the trunk roads are the A23, A27/A259, A26 (south of Beddingham), and the A21. The A23/M23 links Brighton with Gatwick Airport, Crawley, the M25 and South London (See map in Appendix 2). The South Coast Trunk Road within Brighton & Hove covers just over 5 miles of dual carriageway and there are only 7 miles of dual carriageway from the Brighton & Hove boundary to Bexhill/Hastings in East Sussex.

2.7 Transport of freight by road within the Plan Area is not ideal due to the inconsistent quality of the existing road network. Several sections of the trunk roads within East Sussex are of sub-standard design (i.e. single carriageway of

1 Mineral Products Association 2 East Sussex Road Hierarchy Review 2004 and 2006 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals 3 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals variable width and poor alignment) resulting in a reduction of capacity when coping with traffic at peak times . However, transport to/from waste facilities can be outside peak times. For further information see Road Transport Implications of Strategic Locations for Waste Facilities (JMP, 2009).

2.8 Some waste handling and disposal sites in the Plan Area, for example in Newhaven, Pebsham and Hastings, are restricted by the use of the A259 which is of sub-standard design.

2.9 Congestion on the strategic trunk road network in East Sussex and Brighton & Hove may lead to some freight traffic finding alternative routes. These routes tend to be minor or even unclassified roads which may be unsuitable for heavy vehicles.

2.10 The following table gives details of traffic flow in East Sussex for the period 2008 to 2013.

Table 1 East Sussex Road Traffic Flows/ million vehicle kilometres

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 4,274 4,208 4,135 4,125 4,100 4,102

2.11 Air quality is linked to road congestion. There are five Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA) in the Plan Area. Within East Sussex there are AQMAs at Glyne Gap on the A259 (in Hastings Borough), in Lewes and Newhaven Town Centres.

2.12 In Brighton & Hove road traffic is the major polluting source in the city. The City Council declared a new Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) on 30 August 2013, which is a quarter the size of the previous one(3). There are two further AQMAs just outside the Plan Area in Adur District, one at Southwick and one in Shoreham-by-Sea town centre.

2.13 The “trunk road box” (A23/M23, M25, A21, A27/A259) is shown in Figure 1. The A22, A26 and A272 (west of Maresfield) are primary routes, providing important connections between the geographical centre of the Plan area and the surrounding trunk roads and primary roads.

3 www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/environment/air-quality-and-pollution/air-quality-management-city 4 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals

Figure 1 Trunk Road Box

2.14 The A26 (from Newhaven to Crowborough) has two roles. South of Lewes to Newhaven, the A26 is designated as a trunk road forming part of the ‘strategic trunk road freight network’. The primary route section of the A26 (North of Lewes) is part of the ‘strategic county freight network’ with the other primary roads. The other roads make up the ‘local freight network’.

Recent and Future Developments of the Road Network in the Plan Area

2.15 A scheme to improve traffic safety and traffic flow on the A27 between Southerham and Beddingham was completed in 2008. A road bridge over the railway at Beddingham replaced the level crossing with improvements to both Southerham and Beddingham roundabouts as well as an extension to the westbound climbing lane up to Southerham roundabout’

2.16 Construction of the 5 km long Bexhill-Hastings Link Road (BHLR) from the junction with the A259 in Bexhill to the junction with the B2092 Queensway in Hastings is expected to be completed in late 2015. It is designed to alleviate congestion on the A259 between Bexhill and Hastings and help unlock new housing and employment development in the towns.

2.17 In addition to the BHLR, the County Council's priorities for strategic road network improvements, some of which are outside the Plan area, include improvements to:

the A21 at Flimwell to Robertsbridge, Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst and Tonbridge to Pembury as well as locally with a new link between the A21 and B2092 Queensway in Hastings,

the A27 between Lewes and Polegate, and the A23 between Handcross and Warninglid Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals 5 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals

The Tonbridge to Pembury scheme is currently being constructed and is programmed to open in Spring 2017, there are proposals for the Queensway Gateway Road between the A21 and Queensway; to open in late 2016. The improvements between Flimwell and Robertsbridge as well as Kippings Cross to Lamberhurst were cancelled as part of the Government’s 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review but remain County Council aspirations. The improvements to the A23 between Handcross and Warninglid were completed in Spring 2015. The Government has announced in the Roads Investment Strategy, published in April 2015, that £75m has been allocated for small scale improvements to the A27 between Lewes and Polegate, albeit there remain aspirations for more comprehensive improvements to the road.

2.18 The Newhaven Port Access Road would provide a new link from the A26 to Newhaven Port to improve the opportunities of port regeneration and provide access for a major business land allocation and housing development. The East Sussex LTP3 has the aim of promoting development to fund the construction of the Newhaven Port Access Road as appropriate to enable expansion of the port area and development of the Eastside facilitating growth in the town. A business case is expected to be submitted to Government by the end of 2015 and, if approved, construction should start by 2017.

2.19 The Plan Area is severely constrained in its scope for major improvements to the strategic transport links, as a significant area is covered by various environmental designations and the South Downs National Park. Government funding for new infrastructure is also likely to be limited.

Rail Transport in the Plan Area

Overview of Existing Rail Infrastructure

2.20 There is an extensive network of railways in the Plan Area. Although the existing railway infrastructure is adequate, there is scope to make significant improvements to improve connectivity to other parts of the network. There are no rail depots to handle freight including aggregates in the Plan Area. However, there are facilities for aggregates at Ardingly in West Sussex just outside the Plan area. There are sidings at North Quay where Network Rail has now restored the mainline connection. Incinerator Bottom Ash is now exported by rail from the nearby Energy from Waste facility, and crushed rock imports recently recommenced using this connection. There are seven major freight train operating companies in the UK, of which GB Railfreight has the contract to deliver rail freight to the British Gypsum site and DB Schenker has a lease on the North Quay rail siding at Newhaven (see below). 6 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals

2.21 Rail transport of waste is generally only considered as a viable option with reliable, large quantities of consistent waste arisings. Minerals are generally more suited to transport by rail, for example, the supply of minerals to and from the Plan Area, but this is dependent on the location of quarries and rail infrastructure. Transport of minerals within the Plan Area by rail is not likely to be economic. Diverse delivery destinations often preclude the use of rail. Bricks, for example, are normally delivered direct to building sites, transport by rail would require unloading and final transport by road to site. Bulk deliveries are often not acceptable as building sites may not be able to cope with large volumes at any one time.

2.22 The three recent rail movements of minerals and waste in the Plan Area are:

the import of desulphogypsum (a byproduct of flue gas desulphurisation at fired power stations in the north of England) by a dedicated rail link at Mountfield (the Robertsbridge Works) by British Gypsum, where it was used in plasterboard manufacture. Natural gypsum from mainland Europe has also been imported via rail to the site using this link. Export of bottom ash from the Newhaven ERF to a facility in Brentford. Import of crushed rock aggregate to Newhaven from Somerset to serve the construction of the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road.

Planning Policy for Rail

2.23 National Policy on rail and the planning system is contained within the National Planning Policy Framework, which promotes the use of sustainable modes of transport and the development of infrastructure to encourage sustainable economic development such as rail freight interchanges.

2.24 Policy WMP18 of the Waste and Minerals Plan promotes rail and water as alternatives to road transport and policy WMP 15 safeguards existing, planned and potential railheads.

2.25 The County Council's Rail Strategy (2013) include aspirations for infrastructure improvements which would assist in transportation of freight by rail. Its top priorities are dual tracking and electrification between Ashford and Hastings and reinstatement of the Lewes-Uckfield line, the Government having recently announced a study into its reinstatement as well as extension of the passing loop at Rye towards Winchelsea and reinstatement of the Willingdon Chord.

Recent and Future Developments of Rail Infrastructure

2.26 Freight movements between London and Newhaven may be improved should the former railway lines between Lewes and Uckfield and Eridge and Tunbridge Wells be reinstated; known as the “Central Rail Corridor” (CRC). In 2008 Network Rail carried out a study to identify the technical feasibility and economic viability of reinstating the Lewes-Uckfield railway line. The Study concluded that, although Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals 7 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals technically feasible, there was no economic case for reinstating the Lewes-Uckfield rail line. More recently, in his 2014 Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced a new study which will look at improving rail links between London and the South Coast including reinstatment of the Lewes-Uckfield connection although no timescale has been announced for such a study. The re-instatement of the Lewes to Uckfield line remains an aspiration of the County Council as does electrification and dual tracking of the line between Hastings - Ashford in Kent as well as the Uckfield line

2.27 Rail freight has returned to Newhaven with regular movements of incinerator ash from the reconnected Town Yard sidings, and import of crushed aggregate, with scope for a wider range of traffic types in the future.

Ports and Transport by Water in the Plan Area

Ports in the Plan area

2.28 There are three ports in East Sussex and Brighton & Hove, none are within the South Downs National Park. The Ports are at:

Rye Newhaven; and Shoreham

2.29 The Ports of Shoreham (partial), Newhaven and Rye accommodate various minerals wharves. Details of aggregate imports by all modes of transport are set out in East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Local Aggregate Assessment (LAA). Recent data from the Crown Estate for 2013 indicates that 27,211 tonnes of marine dredged material was imported at Newhaven. Crushed rock imports are also received at Newhaven Port but figures are confidential. Imports are also received at Rye but to date information is unavailable. The LAA also provides details of the current trends and forecasts of aggregate supply and demand, and the modes of transport used.

2.30 Crown Estate data indicates that the amount of marine dredged material imported into Shoreham Port as a whole increased between 2009 and 2011. For 2012, the total of marine dredged primary aggregates imported at Shoreham was 1 052 976 tonnes, representing a small decrease on the previous year. In 2013 imports of aggregates to the Port were down 6% on the 2012 figures (at 1 029 108 tonnes).

2.31 Substantial deposits of sand and gravel exist on the seabed of the East England Channel (EEC) region and to a lesser extent the the South Coast region. The EEC has 6 production licences and dredging activity in these areas began in Autumn 2006. Material from the EEC is often destined for wharves on the River Thames, but some material is landed on the South Coast including at Newhaven. Material from South coast licences is often landed at Shoreham Harbour(4).

4 The Crown Estates Licences Summary of Statistics 2013 8 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals

Rye Port

2.32 There are two wharves at Rye Harbour. Rastrum’s wharf is active and Rye Wharf is dormant but capable of being brought back into use. The Port currently has adequate capacity for a considerable increase in the tonnage handled.

Newhaven Port

2.33 Newhaven Port covers some 122 ha. Newhaven Port & Properties Ltd. (a UK registered company) is the Statutory Harbour Authority. There are currently ongoing discussions on the possibility of using Newhaven Port land for the construction of the Rampion off-shore wind farm situated off the coast between Brighton and Worthing. There would be a need for around 20-25ha of Port land for this. NPP are keen to keep a working Port at Newhaven.

2.34 A 20 year vision for the future of the town of Newhaven and Harbour has been developed by the Newhaven Strategic Network (NSN). The NSN Masterplan identifies that “one of the Port’s assets is that the infrastructure is still in place to transport freight by rail…”. As to the feasibility of opening up a rail freight link at Newhaven, the County Council stated within its Rail Development Strategy that in conjunction with rail freight companies, Railtrack and haulers, the Council will evaluate the need for freight links (5). In parallel with the NSN Masterplan the Port has developed its own Port Masterplan which was published in January 2012. One of the Masterplan's five strategic objectives is international trade and the Masterplan notes that the Port currently trades in a number of cargoes, with a principal focus on recycled metals and aggregates. Elsewhere, the Masterplan says that the existence of the new Energy Recovery Facility adjacent to North Quay offers some potentially interesting opportunities in the emerging energy and environmental sectors. The Masterplan also expects to see aggregate imports to continue at North Quay over the short to medium term, and will encourage use of the wharves for aggregates.

2.35 Aggregate wharves at Newhaven have in the past been used for importing sand & gravel and crushed rock, and a small amount of recycled materials. Another wharf exports metal. Road transport from wharves to processing sites is often required. However, marine dredged aggregate imports ceased at the Port in May 2013 due to the closure of import facilities at Newhaven. Imports are therefore now restricted to crushed rock from quarries in Cornwall, Wales, Ireland and France(6).

2.36 At Newhaven, the sidings at North Quay have recently been reconnected to the main line. Bottom ash produced by the Newhaven Energy Recovery Facility is exported by rail to a processing facility outside the County. Rail imports of crushed rock commenced in 2014 initially to serve the Bexhill-Hastings Link Road

5 East Sussex County Council Rail Development Strategy, 2004 6 Newhaven Port Authority Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals 9 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals construction project. These rail facilities provide an important function in sustainable delivery of minerals and will be safeguarded from alternative development.

Shoreham Port

2.37 Approximately one third of Shoreham port lies within Brighton & Hove City and the other two thirds is within West Sussex. The Port is a Trust Port managed by Shoreham Port Authority, an independent statutory body controlled by a board and governed by its own unique legislation. There are no shareholders and all financial surpluses are re-invested back into the Port.

2.38 There are three aggregate wharves at Shoreham which fall within Brighton and Hove’s boundary, Halls Aggregate Wharf, Britannia Wharf and Halls Ferry Wharf. At present, Halls Aggregate Wharf (partly in Brighton & Hove) run by CEMEX, is the only active wharf.

2.39 A rail link to the Port has long since ceased to exist. In the past a new access road had been considered to take road traffic from the Port to more easily reach the A27. However, a new road does not form part of any of the regeneration proposals currently under consideration.

2.40 The Port has also (July 2010) adopted its Port Masterplan (7). The main components of the Masterplan are:

The Port will be an integral part of the wider regeneration and local authority development plans for the area;

Providing capacity for a 25% growth in trade by 2026; and

Vehicular access in the Port (new internal access roads are proposed) will be improved particularly for commercial traffic.

2.41 Adur District Council, Brighton & Hove City Council, West Sussex County Council (WSCC) and Shoreham Port Authority are partners in the preparation of the Shoreham Harbour Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) which sets out a 15 – 20 years plan to guide the regeneration of Shoreham Harbour. The JAAP outlines proposals for housing, employment and economy and environmental improvements. In order to achieve this, some consolidation of operations and redevelopment of mineral wharves (particularly in West Sussex) is proposed. Ferry Wharf (a vacant mineral wharf) on the Brighton & Hove side of the port is proposed for redevelopment. The JAAP was published for public consultation in April 2014. The 'Pre-Submission' version of the JAAP will be published for final comment before the JAAP is submitted to the Secretary of State.

7 http://www.shoreham-port.co.uk/Masterplan 10 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals

2.42 It is recognised that the provision and safeguarding of minerals wharfage is a key issue if the JAAP aims are to be achieved. To this end the JAAP partners, together with South Downs National Park Authority and ESCC, have signed a Statement of Common Ground (SOCG). The purpose of the SOCG is to underpin effective cooperation and collaboration between the partners in addressing strategic cross-boundary issues as they relate to planning for minerals infrastructure and safeguarding in Shoreham Harbour. The WMSP will be the mechanism for assessing the impact on wharf capacity at the Brighton & Hove section of the Port from any development proposals in this area.

2.43 It is hoped that future joint working by authorities will address the safeguarding issues. Any future planning work will need to consider the implications for minerals wharves and processing, and activity that currently happens at the Port. Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals 11 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals 3 Transport Planning Policy

3.1 National planning policies related to sustainable transport are contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.

3.2 The East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Plan (2013), the Brighton & Hove City Council Local Plan (2005) and Local Plans produced by the District and Boroughs in East Sussex provide planning policies at the local level. Local Transport Plans (LTPs), statutory plans setting out proposals for traffic and transport investment, are produced by East Sussex County Council and Brighton & Hove City Council.

3.3 East Sussex County Council's third Local Transport Plan (LTP3) 2011-2026, identifies the potential for the transfer of freight by rail from the Port and Energy Recovery Facility at Newhaven.

3.4 ESCC strategy for freight is incorporated within LTP3. This clearly recognises:

Support for the transfer of freight from road to rail There is potential for the transference of freight by rail from Newhaven port and the ERF There is support for the delivery of freight by rail in providing sustainable travel opportunities and facilitating economic growth That although, ideally, more freight would be moved by sustainable modes, there are certain factors which limit this, including quality of the rail network

3.5 The District and Borough Councils of East Sussex, and Brighton & Hove City Council all have transport strategies in their Local Plans and emerging Core Strategies. These strategies should align with the relevant Local Transport Plan. 12 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals Appendix 1 List of Other Information Papers

1. The Future Need for Waste Management 2. The Future Need for Minerals Production and Management 3. Sustainable Waste Management 4. Waste Management Methods and Technologies 5. Land Disposal 6. Spatial Portrait of East Sussex, Brighton & Hove and the South Downs 7. Hazardous and 8. Transportation of Waste and Minerals 9. Climate Change and Waste and Minerals 10. Waste Water and Sludge 11. Defining the Characteristics of Strategic Waste Management Facilities Appendix 2 Map of Transport Network Across the Plan Information Area P aper of W Information 8 aste - P T aper ransportation 8 and - T r ansportation Minerals of W aste and Miner als 13 14 Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals Information Paper 8 - Transportation of Waste and Minerals