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Home , A48 road, Chepstow, Cinderford, Forest of Dean, Highnam, Lydney railway station

Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 ’s Local Transport Plan Connecting Places Strategy 2015-2031 A resilient transport network that enables sustainable economic CPS 2 – growth by providing door to door travel choices Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 2 – Forest of Dean 1 Connecting Places Strategy CPS 2 – Forest of Dean

Version 1.1 Snapshot of stakeholder views Last Revised June 2016 If you try to get Review Date into from the west Category Transport Planning [Forest of Dean Owner Gloucestershire County Council CPS] timing is Too much traffic Target Audience Anyone wanting to find out about the county council’s diverts onto the key as it gets so transport proposals for Coleford, , and B4215 from the congested and surrounding areas A417 when there are network problems

This strategy acts as guidance for anybody requiring information regarding the county council’s priorities for transport within Coleford, Freight comes Cinderford, Newent and Lydney and surrounding areas. Could the overuse through the Forest of the A48 be offset to avoid Severn The document sets out the aspirations for the Forest of Dean Connecting Places Strategy by the better use Bridge tolls – area up to 2031. of the parallel maybe make the railway line? bridge toll-free at night Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 2 – Forest of Dean 2 Area Summary

Area Summary Places • The Forest of Dean area is a topographically • Coleford diverse predominantly rural area • Cinderford • Approximately 15% of county’s population • Newent live in the area • Lydney • Limited crossings of the result in pinch points on the A40 in Gloucester and the A48 in • AQMAs in Lydney and Chepstow • The M4 / M48 Bridge Tolls impact freight movements in the area (A48) • Chepstow and have an impact on the area • Flooding issues at A417 at and A40 around Gloucester

Transport Links • M50 motorway linking M5 with Monmouth • A40 linking M5 with Ross-on-Wye • A48 linking A40 to M48 in Chepstow • 1 railway station (Lydney) – linking Gloucester to • National cycle routes - 42 & 423 Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 2 – Forest of Dean 3 The Place

The Forest of Dean Connecting Places Strategy The vision for the Forest of Dean is one of supporting Increasing the speed and accessibility of broadband is (CPS) area is located in the west of the county. a thriving sustainable within a high quality crucial for overcoming geographic barriers to economic environment providing a range of employment growth and ensuring Gloucestershire can compete in the Its communities are spread across a large topographically opportunities to reduce commuting and other journeys. 21st century knowledge based economy. diverse area including one of the last surviving ancient The creation of a Growth Zone, as promoted in the For a decade or more, slow broadband speeds and woodlands in the country. As with any predominantly rural SEP, is to ensure the availability of quality employment inconsistent coverage have been a frustration for many area, travel patterns are dominated by the private vehicle. land in proximity to the is attractive to residents and businesses in Gloucestershire particularly in The CPS area encompasses the market towns of Lydney, businesses by ensuring excellent connectivity throughout rural areas. Coleford, Cinderford and Newent which is approximately 15% Gloucestershire and the rest of the UK. As a result of the Fastershire Broadband Infrastructure of Gloucestershire’s total population. The area has a higher The SEP plans for delivery of this employment land around Project, 88% of premises should be provided with Next proportion of over 65s, compared to the county average. the M5 are supported by a number of transport related Generation Access (NGA) broadband, providing download On 23rd February 2012 the proposals across the county which will enable the growth speeds of over 30mbps in the eligible areas. Additionally, Council adopted its Core Strategy. The document sets to be achieved through release of this employment land. every home and business in the eligible area will have the vision, spatial strategy and policies for development in access to the government’s Universal Service Commitment Specific solutions along the M5 corridor relating to the District for the period up to 2026. The main focus of of a minimum of 2mbps. employment land adjacent to the following junctions are: development during the plan period is at Cinderford and Improvements in broadband technology will change the urban extension, Lydney, Coleford, Newent and • A40 Regeneration areas: Cinderford Northern Quarter way services are delivered and for some individuals this smaller villages. Cinderford is also identified for a major and Lydney – Cinderford Northern Quarter Spine Road, may reduce the need or distance they travel. regeneration project which includes a Gloucestershire was awarded £3.8m Growth deal funding, tackles College campus and other residential, leisure and localised deprivation while delivering wider economic The Forest of Dean CPS area is bounded by the M50 to commercial developments. Improved transport access is and social benefits including a new college the north, River Severn to the south, the City of Gloucester to the east and the to the west. Key routes fundamental to enabling this development. • Lydney offers potential for increased employment land converge at where the A40 and A48 meet to and the Transport Strategy for Lydney has secured provide access across the River Severn. £1m of Growth Deal funding Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 2 – Forest of Dean 4

Lydney station should offer better services with a direct rail link to This known congestion point was improved with national In addition GCC will consider lobbying the Department of pinch point funding in 2014. Transport to reduce the toll fees on the Severn Crossings in line with other river crossings, and to introduce two way Congestion within Lydney has resulted in an Air Quality There is no traffic tolls using modern technology to reduce the impact Management Zone (AQMA) being declared within the appreciation of effects of the crossings on the local highway network. town centre. and needs of migrant 50% of work trips originating in the area are to destinations Many residents of the district are drawn to other competing workers in the Forest; beyond the CPS, with 75% of these travelling to other retail destinations outside the Forest of Dean including; Ross-on- they are very public parts of the county via the A40 at Highnam and the Wye, , , Gloucester and Cardiff. transport dependent and remainder to , or Bristol. need more provision Highway access to Wales and Bristol is via the M48 at An hourly bus service provides access between the Market Chepstow in . There is an issue of vehicles Towns and Gloucester. There is one rail station in the diverting to avoid the westbound bridge Forest CPS, located in the town of Lydney. Direct trains tolls which places extra demand on the A48. An outcome access Cardiff and Newport in the west and Gloucester of this extra traffic within Chepstow is the declaration and Cheltenham in the east. of AQMA in the town and journey time uncertainty. Cycling is brilliant in Monmouthshire County Council and the Welsh Assembly Almost half of work trips in the area are less than 5km, the Forest – but the are seeking funding for a Chepstow bypass which would highlighting the opportunities to increase active travel, small and large roads improve access from the A48. Any scheme to improve but the rural character of the strategy area means there in between the Forest journey time reliability and accessibility to the Forest of are limited opportunity to provide dedicated cycle routes. tracks are not suitable Dean CPS is to be encouraged. There is significant potential to provide leisure routes in for cycling on association with tourist trails such as the Gloucestershire GCC will liaise closely with the Welsh Assembly and Way, Walk and those within the Forest of Dean. Monmouthshire Council to support proposals for the development of the Chepstow Outer Bypass. Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 2 – Forest of Dean 5

to Wor The B4215 2 Issues B4216

A417 B4221 • Limited access across the River Severn • A40 heavily congested during peak periods and when is closed B4215 B4216 • Enforcement of highway speed limits A40

• safety concerns A40 A4136 • Condition of highway network B4234 • The need for joined up freight routing strategy with neighbouring authorities A48 • Flooding issues on the A417 at Maisemore A4136 B4226 and A40 to the west of Gloucester 12 A41 • Poor rail station facilities and inconveniently A48 located rail station B4234 A38 B4228 • Lack of direct rail link to Bristol 13 District Boundaries and • Many of the roads lack footpaths B4231 the CPS strategy area Stonehouse • Limited public transport access into Gloucester/Cheltenham B4228 B4066 • Off peak bus services are very limited B4066

A48 B4058 A38

to Bristol B4060 to South West M4 and M32 Bristol A46

to M4 and Bath Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 2 – Forest of Dean 6 The Priorities

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. ‘A resilient transport network that enables The priorities identified should not be considered a sustainable economic growth by providing definitive list as it will be subject to periodic reviews as door to door travel choices’ new evidence emerges through the District led Local To address the issues raised during our conversation Planning process. with local stakeholders and support the delivery of the • Short-term capital priorities 2015 to 2021 outcomes identified in the LTP Overarching Strategy, a range of scheme priorities have been identified. • Long-term capital priorities 2021 to 2031 The scheme appraisal process used to inform these • Revenue priorities 2015 to 2031 priorities is based on the same process promoted The delivery phases are indicative only and schemes may through the European Union project Boosting Urban be delivered in a different phase to that suggested here. 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 2 – Forest of Dean 7

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

Highways Cycle • A40 Over Roundabout improvement • Access improvements to (phase 2), Gloucester • Access improvements for Lydney Town centre • Cinderford Northern Quarter Spine Road • Cycle infrastructure improvements • Bream Road junction improvement (phase 1), Lydney • Capital maintenance programme • Highway safety improvement programme • 20 mph zones

Rail • Lydney railway station enhancements

Bus • Local Park and Ride facilities Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 2 – Forest of Dean 8

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

Highways Bus • Highway improvement A4151/A4136 corridor • Bus stop and bus advantage improvements for improvements, Cinderford Gloucester to Lydney / Coleford / Cinderford corridors • Highway improvement A417 replacement of existing • Local Park and Ride facilities highway with elevated section, Maisemore • Strategic Park and Ride scheme for West of • Highway improvement Newerne Link Road, Lydney Severn, Gloucester • Junction improvement A4151 / A4136 junction, Cycle Cinderford • Junction improvement A48 Highfield Road / • Access improvements between Lydney and , Bypass, Lydney Lydney • Junction improvement B4226/B4227 bridge • Cycle infrastructure improvements (countywide) (including new highway), Cinderford • Junction improvement Bream Road junction (phase 2), Lydney • Junction improvement for Highfield Hill including traffic calming, Lydney • 20 mph zones • Capital maintenance programme • Highway safety improvement programme Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 2 – Forest of Dean 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 Last Thinktravel Mile Delivery Policy and route identification as part • Maintenance programme • Ongoing support for Thinktravel branding of the Neighbourhood Development Plan / Local • Highway safety programme Plans process • Bikeability training in schools • Freight Gateway management system • The development of advisory guidance of voluntary • Ongoing installation of electric cars and • On street parking management schemes Quiet Delivery Service scheme as part of the bikes charging points • Highway Safety promotions Neighbourhood/Local Plans process. • Personalised Travel Plans for new developments • Civil Parking and bus lane enforcement • Personalised Travel Plans for key corridors Rail • Deployment of non enforceable average • Workplace Travel Plans speed cameras (subject to operation by • Railway Station Travel Plans and investment Road Safety Partnership) strategies • Feasibility Study to consider the re-designation Bus of the existing eastbound bus lane on the A40 between Highnam to Over to a multi-occupancy • Ongoing bus stop improvement programme (2+people) lane • Continued roll out of multi operator bus • Freight information feasibility strategy including Smartcard ticket the role of Vehicle Messaging Systems and future • Local Park and Ride feasibility study lay-by information provision • The development of advisory guidance on Construction Management Plans Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 2 – Forest of Dean 10 The Outcomes

The priorities outlined in this strategy will Improve community health and well being assist in delivering the LTP objectives by: • More people cycling and walking across all age groups for shorter distance trips and leisure Support sustainable economic growth • The delivery of passenger transport in partnership with local communities to enable a quality of service • Improved highway access and network to the which maintains community’s’ quality of life Central Severn Vale area and Bristol • Improved transport network resilience to extreme weather events

Enable community connectivity • A reliable public transport network which provides a genuine range of travel choices using bus and rail • More employment and education opportunities within Bus passes the Forest CPS reducing the need to travel outside aren’t valid in the CPS area Wales which makes accessing Conserve the environment health care in • With delivery partners providing improved broadband Monmouthshire connectivity to increase awareness of Thinktravel very difficult initiatives, travel information and service delivery Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan 2015-2031 CPS 2 – Forest of Dean 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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