Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan Connecting Places Strategy 2015-2031 A resilient transport network that enables sustainable economic CPS 4 – South Cotswold growth by providing door to door travel choices Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 4 – South Cotswold 1 Connecting Places Strategy CPS 4 – South Cotswold

Version 1.1 Snapshot of stakeholder views Last Revised June 2016 I just don’t Review Date understand why Category Transport Planning buses are so big. Owner Gloucestershire County Council Why not provide smaller village Target Audience Anyone wanting to find out about the county council’s transport hopper buses? proposals for Cirencester, Tetbury, Fairford, Lechlade-on-Thames and surrounding areas We need more intelligent use of weight restrictions to protect the character of town centres This strategy acts as guidance for anybody requiring information regarding the county council’s priorities for transport within Cirencester, Tetbury, Fairford and Lechlade-on-Thames and surrounding areas. Some rural Why is the areas allow lorry parking The document sets out the aspirations for the South Cotswold Connecting bikes on buses area closed Places Strategy area up to 2031. – and that down? would help here Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 4 – South Cotswold 2 Area Summary

Area Summary Places • The South Cotswold area is semi-rural • Cirencester dominated by Cirencester • Tetbury • Much of the area falls within the Cotswolds AONB • Fairford • Approximately 10% of county’s population live • Lechlade-on-Thames in the area • Many people live in the area and work in locations outside the county including Swindon, London and Bristol • Swindon has a significant impact on the area

Transport Links • A417 – linking M4 to M5 • A429 – Fosse Way – linking Cirencester (A417) with M40 • A433 – linking West of England • 1 railway station (Kemble) linking Gloucester, Swindon, Reading and London • Limited bus access • National cycle routes - 45, 48 & 57 Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 4 – South Cotswold 3 The Place

The South Cotswold Connecting Places Strategy In addition to this there are sites which have already been The creation of a Growth Zone, as promoted in the (CPS) area is located in the south-east of the built or have extant planning permission this includes: Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), is to ensure the availability county. With a population of 50,000, the area is Cirencester (1000 dwellings), Fairford (440 dwellings) and of quality employment land in proximity to the M5 motorway characterised as semi-rural and the majority of the Tetbury (740 dwellings). is attractive to businesses and with excellent connectivity throughout Gloucestershire and the rest of the UK. CPS area is designated as part of the Cotswold The vision for the Cotswolds is one of enabling a strong, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). competitive and innovative local economy which capitalises Increasing the speed and accessibility of broadband is on the area’s key strengths, notably its high quality historic crucial for overcoming geographic barriers to economic The CPS encompass the affluent market towns of and natural environment. Cirencester will continue to be the growth and ensuring Gloucestershire can compete in the Cirencester, Tetbury, Fairford and Lechlade-on-Thames. main focus for growth, while its function as the dominant 21st century knowledge based economy. Due to its sustainable location and good transport links business location, service and cultural centre for much of For a decade or more, slow broadband speeds and there are significant growth proposals for the CPS area the Cotswold District will have been enhanced. inconsistent coverage have been a frustration for many for Cirencester. There are also notable future development Development outside Cirencester will occur in the most residents and businesses in Gloucestershire, particularly proposals in Swindon which are likely to have an impact on sustainable towns and larger villages so the majority more acute in rural areas. transport demand in this area. of services and facilities will be met from within those As a result of the Fastershire Broadband Infrastructure The emerging Cotswold District Council Local Plan (2011 settlements reducing the need to travel longer distances. Project, 88% of premises should be provided with Next to 2031) outlines the spatial strategy for the district. During The CPS area is bounded by the North Cotswold CPS to Generation Access (NGA) broadband, providing download the plan period (at the time of writing), provision will be the north, Wiltshire to the South, Oxfordshire to the east speeds of over 30mbps in the eligible areas. Additionally, made to meet the need for about 7,700 new homes and and the Stroud and Central Severn Vale CPS areas to the every home and business in the eligible area will have land to support about 28 Ha of B-class employment. Of west. Key routes in the area converge in Cirencester where access to the government’s Universal Service Commitment the new homes over 60% has either been built or have the A417/419, A429 and A433 meet. Travel to work data of a minimum of 2mbps. extant planning permissions. indicates that most trips are to destinations outside of the Improvements in broadband technology will change the The South Cotswold CPS area contains the proposed CPS area, 68% remain within Gloucestershire and 32% way services are delivered and for some individuals this may strategic development site south of Chesterton in Cirencester travel to Swindon, the South- East and the South-West. reduce the need or distance they travel. for 2,350 dwellings. Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 4 – South Cotswold 4

Keep the quiet lanes quiet between Chesterton and Approximately 25% of work based trips are less than 5km, indicating there is potential for increased cycling, West park to Do we have however the average distance travelled to work from the encourage routing area is 16.7km per resident, the highest of all the CPS active travel agreements areas. This is possibly due to the good rail services from It may with freight Kemble to Swindon and onto London. be unrealistic to operators? Kemble Station provides a good service to Gloucester, re-open the Kemble- Stroud, Swindon and London. Recent re-doubling of the Cirencester former line and long-term plans for electrification of the western rail line but why main line provide the possibility of improved rail service can’t it be turned frequency and significant potential for the station to into a cycle grow in line with the expected increase demand. route? A consequence of the semi-rural nature of the area Everything must is the limited availability of connected cycle routes be done to make sure between Market Towns. Busy roads are a safety The area new development is cut through concern and barriers to active travel (cycling and around Cirencester walking) within this area. Initiatives to improve active reinforces sustainable with heavily travel in the area include personalised travel planning trafficked A-roads in new developments, low cost schemes to fill gaps in transport patterns the cycle network and a dedicated cycle link between and no parallel Cirencester and Kemble railway station. quiet lan Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 4 – South Cotswold 5

The to Burford 11a A40 Issues A417 eley A46 B4073 A40 Brockworth A435 to Burford and Oxford 12 A4173 • A417 Missing Link causes congestion and road A417 A429 safety concerns A38 • A417 / A419 noise concerns caused by concrete highway surface

• Vehicles rat running to avoid delays on A417 / A419 e Chalford • Capacity issues on the Cirencester Ring road

• Freight Routing especially for HGVs using A417 A419 through Fairford, Lechlade-on-Thames and in B4066 A417 Cirencester town centre • Lack of lay-bys and resting points for HGV’s and for B4014 A419 buses when stopping to pick up / drop off passengers B4058 A429 A433 • Excessive vehicle speeds on some roads. • Limited car parking A4135 District boundaries and • Lack of pedestrian access within Cirencester the CPS strategy area town centre • Inadequate access to Kemble Station from Cirencester • Limited bus services and inappropriate size of buses A46 in some villages • Lack of connectivity between Tetbury, Fairford and South Cerney in relation to Cirencester • Busy roads acting as barriers to cycling • Inadequate cycle facilities Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 4 – South Cotswold 6 The Priorities to Burford and Oxford Gloucestershire’s vision for transport The priorities identified for this CPS have been divided is to deliver: between capital and revenue schemes and separated into two delivery phases. The priorities identified should ‘A resilient transport network that enables not be considered a definitive list as it will be subject to sustainable economic growth by providing periodic reviews as new evidence emerges through the door to door travel choices’ District led Local Planning process. To address the issues raised during our conversation • Short-term capital priorities 2015 to 2021 with local stakeholders and support the delivery of the • Long-term capital priorities 2021 to 2031 outcomes identified in the LTP Overarching Strategy, a range of scheme priorities have been identified. • Revenue priorities 2015 to 2031 The scheme appraisal process used to inform these The delivery phases are indicative only and schemes may priorities is based on the same process promoted be delivered in a different phase to that suggested here. through the European Union project Boosting Urban Mobility Plans (BUMP). Every scheme identified has been included on the basis of need and compliance with delivering the LTP outcomes and does not reflect a commitment by the county council for funding. They will provide the basis for future funding bids, as opportunities arise, and discussions with third parties where funding may be provided such as by transport operators, providers and developers. Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 4 – South Cotswold 7

Short-term capital priorities The identification of priorities does not reflect a commitment by the county (2015 to 2021) council for funding.

Highways • Capital maintenance programme • Highway safety improvement programme • 20 mph zones

Rail • Kemble railway station enhancements

Bus • Local Park and Ride facilities

Cycle • Access improvements for Tetbury Road and London Road corridors, Cirencester • Cycle infrastructure improvements Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 4 – South Cotswold 8

Long-term capital priorities The identification of priorities does not reflect a commitment by the county (2021 to 2031) council for funding.

Highways Rail • Highway improvement Thames Street / High Street, • Electrification of Great Western Main Line Lechlade on Thames including Kemble Link extension • Highway improvements Cirencester Town Centre Bus • Highways improvement for Tetbury Town Centre • Local Park and Ride facilities • Implementation of A429 and A433 (east and west of Cirencester) feasibility study Cycle • Junction improvement Allotment Corner, Kempsford • Access improvement reuse of old railway line • Junction improvement A417 / Whelford Road junction, between Tetbury and Kemble Fairford • Access improvements between South Cerney • Junction improvement A429 / A433 junction, Kemble and Cirencester • Junction improvement A429 Cherry Tree junction, • Access improvements for Cotswold Water Park, Fairford Cirencester • Access improvements linking Cirencester to Kemble • Junction improvement Five Ways junction including Railway Station crossing facilities, Cirencester • Access improvement Multi-Use Track – A417 • 20 mph zones between Fairford and Lechlade-on-Thames • Capital maintenance programme • Cycle infrastructure improvements (countywide) • Highway safety improvement programme Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 4 – South Cotswold 9

Revenue projects priorities The identification of priorities does not reflect a commitment by the county (2015 to 2031) council for funding.

Highways • The development of advisory guidance on Thinktravel Construction Management Plans • Working with Highways England to progress • Ongoing support for Thinktravel branding • The development of advisory guidance on Last Mile A417 Missing Link Scheme • Bikeability training in schools Delivery Policy and route identification as part of the • Fosse Way Highway Improvement Feasibility Study Neighbourhood Development Plan / Local Plans • Ongoing installation of electric cars and bikes (A429 and A433 east and west of Cirencester) process charging points • Cirencester Transport Study • The development of advisory guidance of voluntary • Personalised Travel Plans for new developments • Maintenance programme Quiet Delivery Service scheme as part of the • Personalised Travel Plans for key corridors • Highway safety programme Neighbourhood/Local Plans process. • Workplace Travel Plans • Freight Gateway management system Rail • On street parking management schemes • Highway Safety promotions • Railway Station Travel Plans and investment strategies • Civil Parking and bus lane enforcement • Provide rail service enhancements from Kemble to • Deployment of non enforceable average speed Swindon and London cameras (subject to operation by Road Safety Partnership) Bus • Feasibility Study to consider the role of Intelligent • Ongoing bus stop improvement programme Transport Systems • Continued roll out of multi operator bus Smartcard • Freight information feasibility strategy including the ticket role of Vehicle Messaging Systems and future lay-by information provision • Local Park and Ride feasibility study Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 4 – South Cotswold 10 The Outcomes

By delivering the priorities outlined in Conserve the environment this strategy they will assist delivering • With delivery partners providing improved broadband the LTP objectives by: connectivity to increase awareness of Thinktravel initiatives, travel information and service delivery

Support sustainable economic growth Improve community health and well being • A highly accessible area with reliable efficient • More people cycling and walking across all age transport linkages to the Central Severn Vale, groups for shorter distance trips and leisure Swindon, Thames Valley and London • The delivery of passenger transport in partnership • An increase in rail demand delivered through with local communities to enable a quality of service the expansion of rail facilities at Kemble station which maintains community’s’ quality of life and improved highway linkages from Cirencester and Tetbury • A common approach to managing freight demands with neighbouring authorities

Enable community connectivity • A town wide transport package to enable sustainable growth in Cirencester • Improved ease of access between Market Towns reducing barriers of travel by all modes within and between centres Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 4 – South Cotswold Connecting Places Strategy

For more information on local transport within Gloucestershire visit:

www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ltp3 Transport Planning Team Strategic Infrastructure Shire Hall Westgate Street Gloucester GL1 2TH [email protected] 8.15

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