Local Transport Plan (2001-2006)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN (2001-2006) Isle of Wight Council Directorate of Environment Services David Jaggar LLB Director of Environment Services County Hall NEWPORT Isle of Wight PO30 1UD For further details or a copy in large print contact Tel (01983) 823640 Fax (01983) 823545 email: [email protected] CONTENTS Page No Executive Summary 1 Introduction 4 A ISSUES, PROBLEMS AND POLICIES 8 A.1 Transport Issues and Problems 8 A.1.1 Regional Perspective 8 A.1.2 Island Perspective 9 A.2 Policies and Objectives 14 A.2.1 The Government White Paper on Transport 14 A.2.2 Government Guidance 15 A.2.3 Regional Planning Guidance - RPG 9 17 A.2.4 Local Planning Policy Guidance 18 A.2.5 Road Traffic Reduction Act 1997 20 A.2.6 Local Agenda 21 20 A.2.7 Island Plan for Health and Well Being 21 B CONSULTATION PROCESS B.1 Consultation and Public Participation 23 B.2 Quality Transport Partnership 28 B.3 Local Agenda 21 Process - Island Voices 29 B.4 Best Value 32 C DEVELOPING A TRANSPORT STRATEGY C.1 Population 35 C.2 Transport Accessibility 36 C.3 Public Transport Information 57 C.4 Island Environment 61 C.5 Rural Transport 64 C.6 Economy and Employment 66 C.7 Health 68 C.8 Tourism 72 C.9 Education 75 C.10 Road Safety 77 i C.11 Social Exclusion 81 C.12 Crime and Disorder 82 C.13 Cross-Solent Links 84 C.14 Movement of Freight 91 C.15 Air Quality and Climate Change 94 D A TRANSPORT STRATEGY FOR THE ISLAND Introduction 101 D.1 Demand Management 101 D.2 Road Traffic Reduction Report 105 D.3 Road Safety 119 D.4 Walking 122 D.5 Cycling 124 D.6 Passenger Transport 128 D.7 Public Transport Information 135 D.8 Freight 136 D.9 Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles 139 D.10 Powered Two Wheelers 139 D.11 Road Maintenance 141 D.12 Mobility Impairment 142 D.13 Air Quality and Climate Change 145 D.14 Noise Pollution 147 D.15 Green Travel Plans 148 D.16 Social Exclusion 148 D.17 Rural Traffic Management 150 D.18 Transport Strategy - Summary of Targets and Measures 152 E DELIVERING THE STRATEGY Introduction 157 E.1 North East Triangle 160 E.2 Coastal Resorts 176 E.3 The Rural Areas 183 ii F FIVE YEAR PROGRAMME Introduction 187 F.1 Revenue Funding 2001/2003 187 F.2 Bridge Assessment and Strengthening 188 F.3 Principal Road Maintenance 196 F.4 Local Safety Schemes 198 F.5 Sustainable Transport 201 F.6 Amendments to the Programme 203 G MONITORING AND EVALUATION G.1 Appraisal Tables 210 G.2 Performance Indicators 240 H FINANCE FORMS LTP F.1 Table 242 LTP F.2 Table 243 LTP F.3 Table 244 LTP F.4 Table 245 I APPENDICES I.1 Unitary Development Plan - Transport Policies 247 I.2 Island Plan for Health and Well-Being (HImP) 265 I.3 Local Agenda 21 Focus Group Findings 270 I.4 Review and Assessment of Air Quality 273 I.5 Provisional LTP Questionnaire 276 I.6 Employee Travel Survey 279 I.7 List of Consultees 283 iii Isle of Wight Local Transport Plan - Executive Summary EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (i) This Local Transport Plan (LTP) is based upon and develops the Transport Policies and Programme set out in the Provisional Plan (2000-2001). It sets out a five year framework for the development of a sustainable transport strategy specifically tailored to the particular needs of the Isle of Wight and includes the Council s Road Traffic Reduction Report. (ii) The Isle of Wight is predominately a rural area, with the main town of Newport at its centre and a number of smaller peripheral towns. There are some clear distinctions between this environment and that of many other local authorities. The Island has a relatively elderly population and high level of unemployment. The combination of low wage rates, isolation from the mainland and high numbers of part time and seasonal jobs has created a situation where many people find it hard to secure employment opportunities which can bring them above unemployment benefit level. (iii) The 1991 Census showed that the older retirement age groups are more concentrated in towns near the coast, whilst the younger people live nearer the centre of the Island. With a largely dispersed population, transport is inevitably an important issue on the Island. 30% of households do not own a car and many more people within car-owning households do not have access to that car during the working day. (iv) Whilst tourism provides the Island s economy with a much needed boost during the summer period, the influx of tourists brings with it particular pressures on the transport infrastructure. The Council is seeking to address these particular transport issues, whilst at the same time encouraging easy access to and from the Island for those wishing to travel without a car. The Council recognises the importance of promoting sustainable tourism and is actively developing the Island as an all year round holiday destination. Particular emphasis is placed on the development and marketing of edge of season activities based around local walking, cycling and sailing festivals. (v) This Plan builds on the sustainable approach taken in the Council s Unitary Development Plan (UDP) which seeks to locate new development within or close to existing centres and includes a range of measures to reduce travel needs. It is recognised that planning decisions can impact on travel demands and it is vital that the transport strategy contained in this document is considered together with the policies contained in the UDP as part of the planning process. (vi) The Plan seeks to create more transport choice for Island residents and visitors by placing increased emphasis on the provision of quality transport through partnership between the Council, transport providers and those who wish to travel. The main points of the plan are as follows " Consultation - the LTP strategy is based firmly on the policies contained in the UDP for the Island as modified through public participation and tested during the spring of 1999 at a public inquiry. The Provisional Local Transport Plan was based upon the strategy and policies contained in the UDP and the content of this document has been further developed through extensive consultation with a range of groups, individuals and agencies, 1 Isle of Wight Local Transport Plan - Executive Summary including Town and Parish Councils, interest groups, the business sector, the general public and neighbouring authorities. The Plan has been developed in conjunction with the development of the Local Agenda 21 strategy and through the Island s Quality Transport Partnership (QTP). This partnership includes a broad range transport providers, transport users, elected members and relevant Council Officers. It was established by the Council and now meets on regular basis to discuss specific transport issues. An Environment and Transport Select Committee was established on a trial basis by the Council in April 2000, as part of a modernised local government structure. Representatives of the Partnership and other appropriate organisations will be invited to attend meetings of the Select Committee to assist in the formulation and review of policies. The Plan draws upon the conclusions of the report which has been produced following extensive public consultation and development by the LA21 transport focus group. " Island needs - the Plan takes account of the Island s particular demographic make up, problems associated with its severance by sea, high levels of unemployment, rural transport issues, social exclusion, pollution and particular needs placed on the transport infrastructure by tourists, primarily during the summer months. " Working together - the Plan stresses the importance of working together in partnership with all those involved - transport providers, travellers and decision makers. The Council believes that it is essential that a co-ordinated approach is taken to transport. This Plan therefore accords with the policies contained in the UDP, in particular those which relate to transport, encourage sustainability, guide the location of new development and in doing so help reduce the need to travel, particularly by private car. Both documents take account of the most recent national Planning Policy Guidance. They should be considered together and are mutually supportive. " A better deal for all travellers - the Plan seeks to widen transport choice for all sections of the community. It is not the intention to force people out of their cars, but instead help create an integrated and sustainable transport network where transport can be conveniently made by methods other than just the car. The Plan seeks to improve transfer between different transport modes and includes specific proposals to improve transport interchanges. The largest single scheme is for the development of such a new interchange at Ryde Esplanade. " Better protection for the environment - the Island has a richly diverse countryside - half of the Island is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Plan sets out measures necessary to maintain and monitor air quality, targets to increase cycling in line with national policy, address traffic growth and includes a road traffic reduction report. The document takes into consideration the effects of transport on the environment. It has clear links to other strategy documents and includes detailed reference to the UDP, Island Plan for Health and Wellbeing (Health Improvement Programme), air monitoring, LA21 and other relevant policy documents. " Aims and Goals - the Plan develops the Council s Strategic Objectives and clearly sets out targets for each area of the plan, the types of measure necessary to achieve each target and the method by which achievement can be measured.