WELSHPOOL TOWN COUNCIL
WELSHPOOL TOWN PLAN 2015 – 2017
WELSHPOOL TOWN COUNCIL ADOPTED PLAN Triangle House Union Street Welshpool SY21 7PG Tel 01938 553142 Email [email protected]
27th May 2015
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CONTENTS
No Heading Page
1 Introduction and background 3
2 Local Development Plan 5
3 Welshpool and its economic base 6-7
4 Consultation method 8
5 The Town Plan Policy elements 9
6 Action plan 10
7 Review and monitoring 11
8 Relevant documents and plans 12
9 Signatures and adoption 13
Appendix
A Town boundaries 14
B Census for Welshpool 15
C Consultation results 2015 16
D Town plan elements 17
D1 Town Centre Policy 17 D2 Shopping Policy 17 D3 Residential Policy 18 D4 Industrial and Commercial Policy 19 D5 Out of Town Shopping 19 D6 Markets 19 D7 Transport Policy 20 D8 Road system Policy 20 D9 Puzzle Square Policy 20 D10 Car Parking Policy 20 D11 Town Centre facilities Policy 21 D12 Other Town Centre Policies 21 D13 Pool Quay 22 D14 The Belan 22 D15 Flood Plains 22 D16 Renewable energy 23 D17 Projects 23
E Copy of consultation results in 2012 and 2014 26-27
F Copy of the Transport Plan 2014 28-46
G Overall Plan showing all policies Attached
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1 Introduction and background
1.1.A Welshpool Town Council first published a Town Plan in 2008, Community Plans in 2007, 2010 and 2014, Transport Plan in 2014 and Regeneration Plan in 2013 all of which has guided the decisions made by the Council during the period from then to 2015. A copy of the plans are posted on the Town Council web site at www.welshpooltowncouncil.gov.uk.
1.2 The Town has seen much change since 2008 in the Town Centre and in particular the following are noted:
i) The changes in the economic climate and shopping habits affected by those changes including internet shopping. ii) The moving of the Livestock Market to Buttington Cross. iii) The introduction of a new traffic management system. iv) The development of the Livestock Market site to provide a Tesco superstore and the Smithfield Bell with still more land to be developed. v) Market Halls renovation and introduction of a street market on a Monday. vi) The change in parking habits due to the free parking available on the Tesco site. (3 hour parking not yet implemented at the date of this plan) vii) The redevelopment of the Burgesses Land Trust site in Brookfield Road.
1.3 The Town Plan adopted in 2008 was reviewed in 2012 with the following elements of note:
i) General support for the 2008 plan policies remained. ii) The one way system received support as follows: a. Only 40% for the system as implemented. b. 70% support for the system with minor changes.
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1.4 Since the inception of all the plans an annual report has been produced to the Full Council giving an update on progress with regard to actions taken and policies being implemented.
1.5 This new Plan replaces all previous plans and is expanded to include the whole area served by Welshpool Town Council.
1.6 The Town Plan includes the contents of the following Plans which were adopted recently following public consultation:
i) The Transport Plan 2014 ii) The Local Development Plan submission 2014 iii) The Welshpool Community Plan 2014 iv) The Welshpool Regeneration Plan 2013
1.7 The new Town Plan consolidates the existing policies of the plans in 1.6 above and replaces them from the date of adoption.
1.8 The Town Council accepts that this document is not Statutory but will seek to implement its Policies in its decision and policy making with regards to Welshpool and its community.
1.9 The Town Plan 2015 will inform principle authorities of the Welshpool Town Council plans and will in turn aid grant funding.
1.9 The plan period shall be from the date of adoption until its review in the Autumn of 2018.
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2 Local Development Plan
2.1 The Local Development has yet to reach deposit stage but will form the emerging plan. The Unitary Development Plan remains an important document at this stage.
2.2 The Town Council made a formal submission following a public consultation which has influenced the Local Development Plan procedure.
2.3 The Town Plan takes into account the site allocations in the Local Development Plan, the site allocations in the LDP submission and where appropriate reflects the policies affecting Welshpool contained therein.
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3 Welshpool and its economic base
3.1 The Town Plan proposals reflect the economic base of Welshpool of which the elements considered are:
i) Element no 1 Local residents from Welshpool and the surrounding villages using the shopping centre for their shopping needs. (approx. 25%) ii) Element no 2 Caravan Parks and visitors staying in the local bed and breakfast providers who use Welshpool for their needs. (approx. 25%) iii) Element no 3 Visitors stopping off at Welshpool on their way to another destination (i.e. the Coast). (approx. 45%) iv) Element no 4 Residents visiting and staying in the boundaries of Welshpool. (approx. 5%)
3.2 The other factors which are important when considering the Plan proposals are:
i) A large number of residents from the Oldford side of the Town Centre do not have access to a car or van. ii) Many of the residents from the Oldford side of the Town Centre are elderly and many have disabilities restricting distances of walking. iii) Approximately 30% of the population is over 60 years of age. iv) The effect of the traffic management system on pedestrian movement throughout the Town Centre. v) The improved rail services due to be implemented in May 2018.
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3.3 There is also a need to help increase the Town’s economic base and the proposal is to achieve this by:
i) Attracting more people to stop and visit the Town. ii) Keeping existing clientele who visit the Town. iii) Ensuring that residents from outlying areas use the Town. iv) Making the best of the new Cambrian Line rail services. v) Encouraging the development of more new homes including affordable housing. vi) Encouraging industry to consider Welshpool as a location for business.
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4 Consultation method
4.1 The Town Plan has been developed taking into account the Local Development Plan Submission and the consultation carried out with residents, businesses and the Youth Council.
4.2 The method of consultation used for all elements is:
i) Public drop for all interested persons in sessions held in the Corn Exchange of the Town Hall.
ii) Presentation boards displayed at drop in sessions and in the Tourist Information Centre.
iii) Publicity via the Web Site, Social Media, posters and local media.
iv) Meetings of the Business Forum.
v) Meetings of the Youth Council.
vi) Councillors speaking to individuals.
4.3 The consultation shall comprise a large scale plan showing the Councils policies for public comment.
4.4 The consultations which took place in June 2012 (Town Centre Plan), the Transport Plan (September 2014), Regeneration Plan (2013) and the Community Plan (March 2014) have been taken into account.
4.5 The period of the consultation for the consolidated Town Plan was completed in June 2015.
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5 The Town Plan details
5.1 The Policies of the Town Council are set out at appendix D and are shown in plan form at appendix G which includes land use allocation.
5.2 The Policies of the Town Council will guide the decisions of the Town Council with regard to development opportunities in the Town subject to there being no overriding factors which come to light at the time of consideration.
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6 Action plan
6.1 The Action Plan following adoption of the plan and against which the Plan shall be measured is:
No Subject Action Policies contained in the To measure decisions against the 1 Town Plan Policy of the Plan Markets improvement plan To complete actions and report 2 regularly to Council on progress. Tesco Site Smithfield Road Seek to negotiate alternative uses 3 on the site for 4 shops and implement parking controls. Motte and Baily Site To take forward a planned 4 development to enhance the area in partnership with CADW. Grant Aid To gain grant aid for improvements 5 to Broad Street. Puzzle Square Scheme To implement an improvement 6 scheme. Car Parking To seek to gain an hours free 7 parking in all Town Car Parks. Overall Plan To complete within the life of the 8 Plan any actions noted in each section. Projects included in the Town To complete the projects listed at 9 Plan D17 within the life of the plan.
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7 Review and monitoring
5.1 All plans should be subject to review and monitoring and the following methods shall be used to achieve this with regard to the new plan.
5.2 The Town Clerk shall in consultation with the Planning, Development and Environment Committee present a review to the Full Council each December covering the following elements:
i) Reporting on decisions of the Council against policy. ii) Reporting on the actions to be completed contained in the plan. iii) Reporting on any changes which may be needed to update the plan. iv) Reporting on the Town Status Report
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8. Relevant documents and plans
8.1 The other relevant documents which are referred to in this plan are:
Powys County Council Local Development Plan
Welshpool Town Council Town Plan 2008 revised 2012
Welshpool Town Council Community Plan 2014
Welshpool Town Council Regeneration Plan 2013
Welshpool Town Council Transport Plan 2014
Welshpool Town Council & Powys County Council Charter 2014
8.2 Following the adoption of the Welshpool Town Plan 2015 it will form the Policy of the Town Council for the plan period.
The following plans shall be superseded:
Welshpool Town Centre Plan 2008 revised 2012 Welshpool Regeneration Plan 2013 Welshpool Town Council Community Plan 2010 to 2013 Welshpool Transport Plan 2014 Welshpool Community Plan 2014-2017
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9. Signatories and adoption
9.1 This plan was adopted by Welshpool Town Council at its Full Council Meeting held on Wednesday…………………….
9.2 The signatories to the Plan are:
…………………………………………………… Cllr M Douglass Town Mayor of Welshpool
…………………………………………………… Cllr S Kaye Chair Planning, Development & Environment Committee
…………………………………………………… R A Robinson Town Clerk
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APPENDIX A Town boundaries
The boundary of the Town for the purposes of this Plan area as set out below:
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APPENDIX B Census for Welshpool
The census figures for Welshpool as at 2011 are set out below:
NO SUBJECT CASTLE GUNGROG LLANERCHYDOL TOTALS WARD WARD WARD 1 Males 48.5% 48.53% 49.3% 49% 2 Females 51.5% 51.47% 50.70% 51% 3 Aged to 18 24.45% 22.25% 21.35% 22.68% 4 Aged 18 to 60 51.30% 50.87% 45.65% 49.25 % 5 Aged 60 plus 24.25% 26.98% 33.00% 28.07% 6 No access to a Car or van 34.33% 32.79% 24.63% 30.58% 7 Households with 2 cars 19.35% 22.88% 29.77% 24.00% 8 Disabled (long term) 23.73% 22.09% 25.00% 23.60% 9 Unpaid carers 9.43% 7.52% 10.17% 9.04% 10 Welsh (fluent) 7.20% 8.94% 10.17% 10.17% 11 Non Welsh speakers 92.91% 82.59% 77.82% 84.44% 12 Unemployed 6.39% 4.08% 1.20% 3.89% 13 Average house occupancy 2.10 2.17 2.17 2.14 14 Pensioners living alone 19.21% 17.66% 19.98% 18.95% 15 Homeowners 30.11% 49.55% 63.01% 47.55% 16 Tenants (private) 20.30% 19.82% 16.32% 18.81% 17 Tenants (HA or PCC) 42.12% 25.59% 17.61% 28.44%
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APPENDIX C Consultation results
The consultation was held during April 2015 with only two responses as follows:
No 1 A question on the one way system with regard to clarification of how the system works.
No 2 A question regarding the location of development land in the Red Bank area.
There were no objections received.
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Town plan Policy elements APPENDIX D The Policies set out in D1 to D17 are to be adopted by the Town Council:
D1 Town Centre Policy The adopted Policies for the Town Centre are:
Policy D1.1 Upper floors The Town Council will support all uses for upper floors of premises in the shopping zone and in particular will support uses which bring life to the Town Centre.
Policy D1.2 Conservation areas The Town Council will, when considering any application within the Town Centre zone, take into account the Conservation Area status.
Policy D1.3 Parking controls The Town Council will work with Powys County Council in the implementation of parking controls and loading controls within the Town Centre and Town boundaries.
D2 Shopping Policy The adopted Policies for the Town Centre are:
Policy D2.1b Broad Street The Town Council will only support shopping uses in the main shopping street and will only consider a change to use A2 (business and professional) if all efforts have been made by the applicant/owner to find a retail A1 tenant.
Policy D2.1a Broad Street The Town council is to seek grant aid to implement a scheme of improvements and to support Powys County Council is gaining improvements to the main shopping street.
Policy D2.2 High Street The Town Council will support A1 uses where they are requested but will also support change of use to residential in the area from Jehu Road to Mount Street.
Policy D2.3 Mount Street and Raven Street The Town Council will support A1 uses where they are requested but will also support change of use to residential.
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Policy D2.4 Church Street The Town Council will seek to support all use class A uses in this street.
Policy D2.5 Berriew Street The Town Council will complete a review each year of the ‘state of Berriew Street’. The Town Council will support A1 or A2 uses in this street and will consider other alternative uses if it is felt this is desirable at the time.
Policy D2.6 Severn Street The Town Council will support both A1 and A2 uses along with residential conversions in this street from the Cross to the Canal Bridge.
Policy D2.7 Other shops (Brook Street & Jehu Road) The Town Council will support the retention of retail and commercial uses in these streets but will also support change of use to residential.
Policy D2.7 Mill Lane development site The Town Council will support both residential and/or commercial uses on this site.
Policy D2.8 Tesco development Site The Town Council recognises the changes in the economy since the grant of planning consent in 2008 of 4 shop units on the site along with the superstore. The Town Council will support alternative uses as long as the car parking and link to the Town Centre are maintained.
Policy D2.9 Restaurant and takeaway food premises The Town Council will take into account the effect of any application for changes of use to restaurant, café or takeaway uses upon existing outlets when considering such applications.
Policy D2.10 Hotel or Motel The Town Council will support the provision of a hotel or motel on a suitable site in the Town Centre area.
D3 Residential Policy The adopted Policies for residential development are:
Policy D3.1 The Town Council will support development of those residential sites allocated on the overall plan attached to this document.
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Policy D3.2 The Town Council will seek to support the provision of affordable housing but only to a level which makes any development scheme viable and able to be taken forward.
Policy D3.3 The Town Council will review its residential policies annually taking into account pressure on housing and market conditions.
D4 Industrial and Commercial Policy The adopted Policies for industrial and commercial development are:
Policy D4.1 The Town Council will support employment uses on the Severn Farm, Henfaes and Buttington Enterprise Park sites.
Policy D4.2 Alternative uses The Town Council will resist any loss of industrial or commercial land or buildings in Welshpool unless there are exception circumstances.
D5 Out of Town Shopping The adopted Policies for out of town shopping are:
Policy D5.1 The Town Council will object and resist any retail development Which is not located within the shopping zone set out in the plan at? Appendix G.
Policy D5.2 The exception to Policy E3.1 shall be any extension to the Coed Y Dinas Country Store or the Old Station building.
D6 Markets The adopted Policies for markets are:
Policy D4.1 The Town Council supports the Market Halls and will work with the Market Traders to improve and sustain the markets longer term.
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Policy D4.2 The Town Council will continue to support a Monday street market and will do what is can to improve and sustain these markets working with the Market Traders.
Policy D4.3 The Town Council will support continental street markets and the Winter Festival Markets held in Broad Street.
D7 Transport Policy The Transport Plan Policies are contained in the Welshpool Transport Plan 2014 included within the Town Plan 2015.
D8 Road system Policy The adopted Policies for the One Way System are:
Policy D8.1 (Policy 11.4 in the Transport Plan) One Way System The Town Council generally supports the one way system introduced in Welshpool (Survey in June 2012 showed 40% in favour as the system is rising to over 70% with minor alterations).
Policy D8.2 One Way System The Town Council will do all it can to improve the gyratory system in discussion with the Trunk Road Agency taking into account the needs of the motorist, pedestrians and business.
D9 Puzzle Square Policy The adopted Policies for the Puzzle Square area are:
Policy D97.1 The Town Council will support initiatives that improve the shopping experience in the area of Puzzle Square and other small walkways.
Policy D7.2 The Town Council will support A1 and A2 uses in this area of the Town Centre.
The area of Puzzle Square shall include Cumberland Place, Puzzle Square, Hopkins Passage, Boot Street and accesses thereto.
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D10 Car Parking Policy The adopted Policies for car parking in the Town Centre are:
Policy D10.1 The Town Council will seek to remove car park charges for the first hour.
D11 Town Centre facilities Policy The adopted Policies for Town Centre facilities are:
Policy D11.1 The Town Council will support the provision of a Tourist Information Centre within the Town Centre to support Tourism and attract visitors to call to the Town.
Policy D11.2 The Town Council will support the provision of free public toilets within the Town Centre to support tourism and to attract visitors to the Town Centre as well as providing for the local community.
D12 Other Town Plan Policies The adopted Policies for other important sites within the Town are:
Policy D12.1 County Council Offices Severn Street The Town Council will support the retention of this listed building and will seek uses (if Powys County Council ever vacates) which do not affect the Town Centre but provide new facilities not at present in supply. (i.e. Hotel or conference use).
Policy D12.2 Windfall Sites The Town Council will consider those sites with no designation in the Local Development Plan or Welshpool Town Plan on a case by case basis.
Policy D12.3 Potters recycling (by the Main Line Station) The Council supports the provision of recycling facilities including the incinerator proposed as approved by Powys County Council.
Policy D12.4 Section 106 agreements The Town Council will seek that any section 106 or planning agreements are proportionate and which not only gain public benefit but also encourage development.
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Policy D12.5 Motte and Bailey and Railway Docks The Town Council will seek to improve and develop the Motte and Bailey, Crown Bowling Green and Railway Docks working with CADW.
Policy D12.6 Main Line Station The Town Council will support station improvements including further waiting room space and car parking.
D13 Pool Quay The adopted Policies for residential development are:
Policy D13.1 Review of speed limit The Town Council will support a review of the speed limits on the A458 through Pool Quay.
D14 The Belan The adopted Policies for residential development are:
Policy D14.1 Review of speed limit The Town Council will support a review of the speed limits on the A458 through The Belan.
D15 Flood Plains The adopted Policy for the Flood Plains in Welshpool are:
Policy D15.1 The Town Council will oppose all development of buildings which are proposed in a flood plain area as noted on the Powys County Council Flood Plains Plan.
D16 Renewable Energy The adopted Policies for renewable energy in Montgomeryshire is:
Policy D16.1 The Town Council will object to TAN8 at all levels on the basis that the guidance is flawed.
Policy D16.2 The Town Council will object to all multiple wind farms in Montgomeryshire.
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Policy D16.3 The Town Council will object to any power transmission lines (either via pylons or underground).
Policy D16.4 The Town Council will object to any electricity hub or substation to support the wind farm developments in Montgomeryshire.
Policy D16.5 The Town Council will support local Town and Community Councils in their objections to the wind farms, transmission lines and hub in Montgomeryshire.
D17 Projects for completion in the plan period
Policy D17.1 CCTV and anti-social behaviour The Town Council will support a CCTV system in the Town Centre and work with the Police in any actions which tackle anti-social behaviour.
Policy D17.2 Drinking Order The Town Council will support any actions which will restrict the drinking of alcohol on the streets and in public places.
Policy D17.3 Dog Controls The Town Council will support any actions which will reduce the anti-social behaviour of allowing dogs to foul including the monitoring of the current Dog Control Orders and will carry out education campaigns as necessary.
Policy D17.4 Keep Welshpool Tidy Week The Town Council will host a Keep Welshpool Tidy Week each year in March.
Policy D17.5 Country Park The Town Council will, as funding is available, develop the facilities at the Country Park by the Flash Leisure Centre.
Policy D17.6 Cycle Routes in Welshpool The Town Council will support the provision of further safe cycle routes throughout the Town.
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Policy D17.7 Playgrounds The Town Council will continue to support play provision in the Town ensuring that the playgrounds and open play spaces are well maintained.
Policy D17.8 Open Spaces The Town Council will seek to achieve through the planning and other processes a level of 6 acres of open space to every 1,000 (or part thereof) population.
Policy D17.9 Tourist Attraction for Town Centre The Town Council will seek to secure a Town Centre tourist attraction when the opportunity arises and funding is available.
Policy D17.10 Allotments The Town Council will bring forward further allotment space on the Burgesses Lands when facilities for parking can be secured.
Policy D17.11 Tourism Publicity The Town Council will continue to provide paper based and web based material for tourists including a visitors map, events list and Visit Welshpool web site.
Policy D17.12 Youth Council The Town Council will continue to consult the youth of the Town via the Welshpool Town Council Youth Council which is to meet at least by monthly at Welshpool High School.
Policy D17.13 Charter with Powys County Council. The Town Council will seek to work with Powys County Council through the Charter dated June 2014 between the parties.
Policy D17.14 Events in Welshpool The Town Council will support a range of events in the Town as agreed by the Council in November of each year for the following year.
Policy D17.15 Protection of services The Town Council will seek to protect all public services in the Town. This will be on a case by case basis and subject to financial viability including value for money.
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Policy D17.16 Canal The Town Council will actively support the re-opening of the Montgomeryshire Canal into Shropshire and through the West Midlands. The Town Council will also support canal uses including boat trips and canal side uses.
Policy D17.17 Outer Park The Town Council will continue to ensure the Outer Park is available for the public to enjoy and will consider improvements over the plan period.
Policy D17.18 Tennis Court provision The Town Council will seek to provide tennis courts for the Town when the opportunity arises and funding is available.
Policy D17.19 Vehicle speed review The Town Council will seek to gain a vehicle speed limit review for all Welshpool roads during the plan period.
Policy D17.20 Health The Town Council will seek to support the provision of all levels of care locally and to liaise with the Welsh Government over the recommendations in the Mid Wales Health Study (in particular the Shrewsbury, Telford and Gobowen areas),
Policy D17. 21 Town Trail The Town Council will support the completion of a Town Trail along the WLLR old route and will take over the completed scheme.
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APPENDIX E
Consultation results for the Community Plan elements – March 2014
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Consultation results for the Town Centre Plan – June 2012
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APPENDIX F
ADOPTED TRANSPORT POLICY 2014
CONTENTS
No Heading Page 1. Town Plan 2008 and 2012 Review 2 2. Introduction 2 3. Background 3 4. Consultation 3 5. Rail 4 6. Buses 5 7. Bus Station 6 8. Bus Information 7 9. Taxi Services 7 10. Community Transport 7 11. Roads and parking 8 12. Tourist Information (Visit Welshpool) 9 13. Airport 9 14. Canal 9 15. Adoption of the Policy 10 16. Location Plan of Welshpool 11 17. Town Centre Plan 12 18. One Way System alterations 13 19. Consultation comments received 15
R A Robinson FRICS ALICM Town Clerk 22nd October 2014
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1.0 Town Plan 2008 and 2012 Review
1.01 Welshpool Town Council adopted its first Town Plan in 2008 which has formed their Policy since that time.
1.02 The plan was reviewed in 2012 following changes in the commercial property environment, in particular with regard to retail development and the protection of the High Street.
1.03 Following the 2012 review a Town Centre Regeneration Plan was adopted which won a Towns Alive Award in 2013.
1.04 Many of the Policies in the Town Plan and Regeneration Plan are now included in the Deposit Draft Local Development Plan being taken forward by Powys County Council.
2.0 Introduction
2.01 The Town Plan addresses many aspects of the Town Centre but does not cover in detail a Transport Policy setting out the aims and objectives of the Town Council.
2.02 A Transport Policy would inform the Principle Authorities of the Town Council's wishes with regard to Transport issues.
2.03 The need for a Local Transport Policy is identified in the National Census of 2011 which shows that those without a car or van are quite large in number.
Welshpool (Castle Ward) 34.33% Welshpool (Llanerchydol Ward) 24.63% Welshpool (Gungrog Ward) 16.03% Llanfyllin 18.37% Montgomery 10.45% Llanfair Caereinion 10.03%
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Those residents who will particularly need public transport are:
Over 60's 15-19 year olds Total Castle Ward Welshpool 24.25% 6.5% 30.75% Gungrog Ward Welshpool 24.16% 7% 31.16% Llanerchydol Ward Welshpool 33% 5.26% 38.26%
2.04 The age group of 16 to 25 years olds are particularly disadvantaged by the lack of public transport. The cost car ownership of the age range 17 to 25 also is a disadvantage to them without public transport to places of employment.
3.0 Background
3.01 The reason for taking forward a Town Council Policy on transport is that Powys County Council and the Welsh Government are seeking to promote a new Transport Policy later in 2014 and early into 2015.
3.02 The Policies adopted by Powys County Council for each Town could be influenced by a Town Council adopting a Policy to inform any Plans for Transport in Welshpool
3.03 The improved rail service in 2015 will bring new challenges to Transport and its integration. Provision for the changes that will follow the introduction of such services need to be considered early in the life of the new rail services.
4.00 Consultation
4.01 The Plan should be subject to consultation in line with the other adopted plans of the Town Council.
4.02 The Plan should be publicised by press releases, social media and on the Town Council Web Site.
4.03 The document shall be made available in paper form in the Offices of the Town Clerk for inspection and by posting details on the Web Site seeking any comments.
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4.04 The programme for the consultation is to be:
i) General approval to the outline plan 10th September 2014 ii) Consultation starts 11th September 2014 iii) Consultation period ends 30th September 2014 iv) Report to Planning, Development and Environment Committee 8th October 2014 v) Final adoption of Transport Plan 22nd October 2014
4.05 There were a number of responses to the public consultation and these are noted on page 13. The comments made by the public and organisations have been taken into account when preparing this Policy for adoption.
5.00 Rail
5.01 Improved Rail Services Welshpool Town Council was extensively involved in the Survey of the Cambrian Lines in October 2014 by the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Rail Liaison Committee.
5.02 Welshpool Town Council accepts the findings of the survey published by the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Rail Liaison Committee in November 2014.
5.03 The Town Council is in full support of the improved rail services to be implemented in May 2015 comprising 8 extra rail journeys on the main Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth.
5.04 Franchise 2018 The Town Council is in full support of an extension of the improved rail service within the next franchise to lead to a provision of a full hourly service on the main Cambrian Line.
5.05 Recent station improvements There have been recent improvements to the main line station which have included: i) A new waiting shelter ii) A ticket vending machine iii) Resurfacing of the railway bridge iv) New train indicator boards
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5.06 Further station improvements The improvements still required to support increased use of the station are: i) An additional waiting shelter ii) Provision of further car parking on the Industrial side of the station. iii) More disabled spaces in the existing car park area iv) Signage to support such changes in car parking arrangements v) Clear signage pointing to a new bus top situated within the area of the station/Old Station complex. vi) New signage for the station, situated at the bottom of the pedestrian ramp from the existing car park.
5.07 Marketing of improved rail service The Town Council will provide support in the local area to publicise and promote the new rail services through newsletters, web site and local media.
6.00 Buses
6.01 Threats to services The budget restraints to bus services within Powys need to be considered against need and alternative routes of other bus services. The Town Council will only consider supporting bus service reductions where there is alternative public transport. To achieve this the central bus point in Welshpool is very important.
6.02 Integration of bus services The Council supports any initative which integrates the bus services with the rail services. This will include a bus stop clearly marked close to the main line station or if possible within the station/Old Station complex.
6.03 Service delivery The delivery of local bus services needs to be measured against the needs of the local population with particular regard to:
i) Links with main line rail services ii) The re-routeing of the local town bus service so that it actually calls at the railway station, at times which will integrate with trains. iii) Commuter transport needs iv) Offering a service to all areas leading to a central point for onwards travel
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v) The retention of free Senior Citizen Bus Passes for off peak travel vi) Services to Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals.
6.04 Plus Bus Facility The Council will support any initiative towards the inclusion of the "Plusbus" facility on rail tickets with Welshpool as a destination.
7.00 Bus Station
7.01 Central Bus point The Town Council has identified the location of a central bus point since 2008. The central bus point should allow for all bus services to arrive and leave from a central point as well as keeping the existing bus stops in place.
7.02 National Express The National Express bus stop has moved from the Tourist Information Centre to Tesco (on the edge of the Town Centre). The Town Council Policy is to return this bus stop back to its original location. This could be by provision within a central bus point.
7.03 Visiting coaches The new central bus point could accommodate visiting coaches to some extent. However the coach bays in the Church Street car park should be retained for this purpose.
7.04 Reason for central bus point The reason for a central bus point is that buses leave from different stops around the town. This is confusing for visitors and new residents of the Town. Most towns of a similar size to Welshpool have a central bus point, this is a facility which is missing from the Welshpool Town Centre environment.
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8.00 Bus Information
8.01 Information boards The Town Council has adopted a Policy of providing bus stop information boards showing what buses go to where and when. The programme for provision of these boards is during the life of the Community Plan 2014-2017 for Welshpool.
8.02 Bus stops and shelters The Town Council has a Policy of providing bus shelters to all Town Centre bus stops and bus stops in estates of the Town as funding allows.
9.00 Taxi Services
9.01 Taxi Office The Welshpool Town Centre Plan 2008 sought to provide a Taxi Office for the Town and this has been provided next to the Tourist Information Centre.
9.02 Taxi Ranks The Town Council supports the location of a Taxi Rank in the Town Centre where people can access a licensed taxi from that point.
10.00 Community Transport
10.01 Need With the reduction in public transport (buses), the aging population (25% of residents in Welshpool are over 60) and the number of disabled persons the need for a Community Transport Scheme is greater than ever before.
10.02 Current Community Transport Scheme The current Community Transport Scheme has been in operation for over a decade. A system of funding tokens to those people who meet the criteria is used. There are 180 places available on the scheme. A list of current details are attached on page 12. The current scheme has funding to take it through to the end of March 2014, after that date unless a new funding stream is found it is in danger of ceasing to offer a service. This service covers approx 10 miles around Welshpool.
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10.03 North Montgomeryshire Volunteer Service This group has a band of volunteer drivers who can provide Community Transport and the charges are 45p a mile. This service covers a wider area including hospitals etc.
10.04 Centralisation Community Transport The Town Council is aware of the possible centralisation of Community Transport which would be funded centrally. The Town Council is also aware of the work currently being completed in the preparation of a Community Transport Plan.
10.05 Town Council support The Town Council supports
i) A Community Transport Scheme for Welshpool and District. ii) The existing Community Transport Organisation and the North Powys Volunteer Service with their work and would prefer to see them forming the Hub for delivery in the Welshpool area.
11.00 Roads and car parking
11.01 Car Parking locations The Town Council supports the retention of the three main car parks and the street parking provision. The Church Street Car Park is considered to be the prime car park for the Town.
11.02 Tesco Car Park The Town Council supports and early introduction of the 3 hour limit for parking in the Tesco Development Car Park.
11.03 Car parking charges The Town Council supports the introduction of one hours free parking.
11.04 One Way System Review The Town Council generally supports the one way system introduced in Welshpool (Survey in June 2012 showed 40% in favour as the system is rising to over 70% with minor alterations). The Town Council supports an urgent review to achieve alterations which will make it safer for pedestrians (including the Jehu Road Junction). The alterations being sought are set out on page
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12.00 Tourist Information (Visit Welshpool)
12.01 Transport information The Town Council is committed to providing a full tourist information service within Welshpool which forms the gateway to Wales. All transport information needs to be in both electronic and paper form. The paper timetables need to be readily available at the Tourist Information Centre.
13.00 Airport
13.01 Development of airport services The Town Council will support the development of the Mid Wales Airport in Welshpool with regard to increased services both to private hire and to the Air Ambulance.
14.00 Canal
14.01 Connection of canal to mainland network The Town Council will actively support through its own efforts and by supporting all organisations working towards the re-opening of the Montgomeryshire Canal through to Welshpool from Shropshire.
14.02 Canal side uses The Town Council will support appropriate canal side uses which not only provide a more attractive environment today but also those who are developed in readiness for the re-opening of the canal as described in 13.01.
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15.00 Adoption of Town Council Transport Policy
15.01 Date of adoption The plan was adopted as part of the Welshpool Town Plan 2012 on Wednesday 22nd October 2014.
15.02 Signed by This document was signed following approval as follows:
Malcolm Douglass Cllr Malcolm Douglass Mayor of Welshpool
John Meredith Cllr John Meredith Chair of Planning, Development & Environment
Robert Robinson Robert A Robinson Town Clerk
Dated 22nd October 2014
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16. Location Plan of Welshpool
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17. Town Centre Plan
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18.00 One Way System Review Updated June 2014 This schedule is the list of changes, alterations and observations on the above including a note of what has happened with each item.
Ref Location Item Current status 1 All pavements around the system Remove two posts to support Completed. signs blocking disabled access 2 Opening of the system Delay opening of the system Ignored, opened until Smithfield Road re-opened anyway.
Hold The Cross Traffic Lights on Completed. manual control for 2 weeks when system comes in 3 Tourist Signage Include 'Market Town' on the Completed. Tourist signs 4 Road sign in new road (Church St Change A road names as they Completed. Car Park) are wrong. 5 Traffic light timings Alter traffic light timings to Completed. allow for pedestrian crossing. 6 Parking signage Include P signs on all signs Completed by Town leading to car parks. Council putting up final signs. 7 TIC signage Include TIC and toilets signage. Completed. 8 Traffic island Jehu Road/High Enlarge traffic island to help Part of review – not Street pedestrians cross and remove completed parking to allow lorries through. 9 The Cross No Entry Signs No entry signs at the Cross not Relocated but still not clear. very clear. 10 Road area by the SPAR Yellow box junction required. Still awaited.
A review of pedestrian crossing Part of review. arrangements. 11 Road area by entrance to Berriew Yellow box junction required. Completed. Street car park 12 Crossing point by Town Hall Pelican or Puffin crossing linked Still awaited. to the Cross Traffic Lights. 13 Traffic order for parking Surveys and plans completed. Still awaited. Order to allow alterations to system and yellow line review. 14 Dropped kerbs All dropped kerbs need to be Completed. level between pavement and road. 15 Red Bank/Church Bank junction Provide clear no entry signs at Completed. the top of Church Bank. 16 Junction Severn Stars Road/Union Alter junction to make it clear Completed. Street that you need to turn right out Kerbs would be better of road. if re-aligned.
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17 Parking in main Broad Street Control the parking of cars in Still not happening, a the main two lanes in Broad PCC and Police control Street. issue. 18 Signage at Bypass roundabout Town Centre and car park Completed. signage needed at Smithfield Road entrance off roundabout. 19 Signage at Tesco roundabout Sign to Town Centre and car Now ordered but still parks missing at this point. not in place. 20 Church Street Car Park Lorries Allow Lorries to come back to Completed main car park - PCC asked them all to go to Berriew Street car park -they stopped coming. 21 Church Street Car Park Coaches Allow Coaches to come back to Completed main car park - PCC asked them all to go to Berriew Street car park -they stopped coming. 22 National Express bus stop Move bus stop back to Church Still not relocated back Street by TIC. to outside TIC. 23 Signage to Church Street car park Provide clear signage to Church Completed Street Car Park for Coaches and Lorries.
R A Robinson
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19. Comments from the consultation process:
S.A.R.P.A. In section 2.03 we would put it to you that the groups of residents requiring public transport should include 15-25 year olds. This group is barred from claiming some benefits altogether, and other benefits including Tax Credits are much restricted. See:- http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/briefing-papers/SN03793/social-security-benefits- and-tax-credits-for-people-under-25 If it won't load use:- http://tinyurl.com/pllen6c
Car ownership for the Under 25s is a serious burden on their income, chiefly owing to the high cost of insurance and maintenance. Better public transport has the ability to lighten this load in a serious manner.
Any bus stop serving the railway station should be within the Station/Old Station complex, given the busy nature of the adjoining roads.
Would propose that 5.06 (v) be rewritten to say:- "Clear signage pointing to a new bus top situated within the area of the station/Old Station complex." In addition, the following alterations:- 5.06 (vi) New signage for the station, situated at the bottom of the pedestrian ramp from the existing car park. Also, this being something of a sore point generally :- 6..02 Integration of bus services
The Town supports any imitative which integrates the bus services with the rail services. This will include the provision of a bus stop within the area of the station/Old Station complex
6.03 Service delivery The delivery of local bus services needs to be measured against the needs of the local population with particular regard to: i) The re-routeing of the local town bus service so that it actually calls at the railway station, at times which will integrate with trains.
We would welcome any initiative which the Council may have towards the inclusion of the "Plusbus" facility on rail tickets with Welshpool as a destination. We would hope that this aspiration finds its way into the Plan.
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From Facebook Pages
John Evans How on earth can the town council have a transport policy for the town that makes no mention whatsoever of impact and future of the controversial one way system that has been a major cause for concern since it was implemented , come councillor's at least lets have a debate about the future of traffic control in the town
Nicholas Davies Would be good if the llanfair bus arrived in town, just before the Shrewsbury bus, so passengers from llanfair have the oppertunity to travel to Shrewsbury, same goes for the Oswestry bus coming into Welshpool, for it brings people in from Arddllen and Guilsfield, who may wish to travel to Shrewsbury. And people from Newtown and Berriew have the oppertunity to travel to Oswestry. Plus having the town service bus arriving at main stop (top chippy) just before other buses pull in, so the people coming from Llanfair etc have the oppertunity to travel to various parts of the town.
Nicholas Davies Perhaps part of the transport policy could be that the town service bus only stops at designated bus stops instead of operating a hail n ride system. The driver does it to provide a helpful and friendly service, but does he know, that if a passenger slips and falls as they leave the bus, the driver is at fault if he has NOT stopped at a designated bus stop. I have seen him stop outside One Stop and then again outside the Daffodil cafe (opp Town Hall) and chances are he does it in other places along his route
David O'connor its called customer service and it helps some people who may not be very mobile use the services.
Nicholas Davies a bus has to stop close to the kerb, so passengers step off the bus onto the kerb and not stepping into the road. They cannot do this outside One Stop, for there is a drop kerb. Making the step down a higher step, which makes it difficult for those people you talk about with mobility problems
Nicholas Davies I see that the transport policy talks about a bus station, I hope the bus stands are drive on and drive off
John Evans The motor car is king, but no mention of it on this policy
David O'connor they stop at the customers request Nicholas they wouldn't ask if they cant get off
Nicholas Davies i know why he does it David, just the fact that he is not suppose to by law, unless it is a designated hail n ride stop, which it isn't. You may ask yourself how do I know the laws governing buses n coaches, well I have to abide by the those laws being a coach driver
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Nicholas Davies Lets pretend that the town service has stopped outside One stop, and somebody wants to cross the road, so they go in front of the bus and steps out and is hit by a car. The bus driver is at fault for not stopping at a designated bus stop, plus outside one stop there is a dropped kerb, you are not allowed to block a dropped kerb. Shame I cant put a photo on here, for I do have a photo of this scenario
David O'connor its also against the law to double park if nothing is done about that then it is assumed ok I hope you have brought this up at the pact meetings
Nicholas Davies I npt been to a police pact meeting for a while, I have been working away, as I am a tour coach driver, but will mention it at the next one
From Emails:
Tom Brady
Section 5 Rail, you suggest that more disabled parking places are needed, why? The access from the car park to the platform is not exactly disabled user friendly. What research have you done to support this idea, please? Arriva Trains Wales will carry wheelchairs and have ramps to assist boarding and leaving the trains but they ask for notice to be given. What level of service are they currently seeing?
Section 7 Bus station, this is a very good idea. Why didn't the council make provision for a bus layby when the Church Street car park was altered? What do National Express say about coming back into the town?
In section 9 Taxi Services you appear to confuse the terms taxi, meaning Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle. The building next to the TIC is a Private Hire Vehicle booking/operating office. As I am sure you are aware, only Taxi cabs (Hackney Carriage) can be hailed in the street, private hire vehicles have to be pre-booked. How many licensed Taxis do we have in Welshpool? I have not seen any but there are quite few private hire vehicles.
Section 13 relates to the Montgomery canal. I applaud the idea that we can reinstate the connection to the Llangollen canal but the reality is, the number of trunk road bridges that are missing deem the project very expensive. There may be alternatives, such as a new channel that does not cross the main road or installing locks to drop the canal under the existing road. Both ideas would work but at what cost? The canal that has been reopened from Maesbury Marsh to bridge 83 is not overly boat friendly, you can travel up, turn around and return. The profile of the canal does not lend itself to mooring and passing other boats that are under way may be difficult. There is also a limit imposed on the number of boats that may enter the Montgomery Canal at Frankton Junction. This is not likely to bring large numbers of boats to Welshpool, therefore the high cost will bring very little gain.
Nowhere in your plan do you mention the one way system, which has been one factor in the apparent down turn of the town's economic prosperity.
Tony Harvey
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5.03: Would it not be better to say “Eight new services per day four of which go from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and four of which go from Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury ”. I know that there are further additions between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth but that has nothing to do with this policy.
5.06: these improvements should not be predicated on the improved service. For example the matter of the Waiting Shelter has been endlessly discussed being smaller than that at Caersws which has a fraction of the people travelling from Welshpool.
The matter of the Car Park certainly needs attention but there now seems to be much less space on the eastern side of the tracks given the fencing now erected by Wynnstay and the entrance to Birse Rail. I assume that the land which could be used for car parking (?15 spaces) is in the ownership of Network Rail. There would certainly need to be very clear signage not least because anyone disabled or in a wheel chair could not access the station from that side as it is steps only.
6.02: The Policy should clearly state that the Town Council want at least the Town bus service to call at The Old Station. There is no reason why this cannot happen. The management of The Old Station are in favour and there are at least two places for the bus to turn. Already the Welshpool and Oswestry school buses do go in to the Old Station car park. No way can the Tesco stop be considered appropriate for people going to the station.
7.01: The lack of the Town Map in the Policy document makes it difficult to deal with this matter. However, the issue of a central bus point came up many times during the debates over the one-way system. In the end it seemed that the Church Street car park should only have a central point for visiting coaches. Given that the Policy (correctly) wants to keep all the existing bus stops the best way would be to concentrate the bus interchange point where it is now—in the High Street. What is needed is for the bus stops to be numbered or lettered and for a diagram to be put in each of the three shelters stating exactly which buses leave from which stop. Given the one way system it would be very hard if not impossible to get all the buses stopping both in the High Street and a central point in the Church Street car park. The only buses to stop on the southern side of the road are the 76, 87 and X71 and these could easily be re-routed to stop on the northern side of the High Street with the others although the bus operator will almost certainly resist this. Far better to go for proper signing as outlined above and identify this point on the Town maps as the bus interchange.
The Town Council should commit itself to producing (in its Newsletter) an outline timetable of bus and train services from the town. It can be very simple and based on the train one which appears in many of the public houses. They just list the times that trains from Welshpool go to Shrewsbury , Wellington , Telford….Birmingham International and to Newtown …Aberystwyth and Coast Line go at these times.
There should be a commitment to clean the bus shelters which, at least in the High Street, are disgustingly filthy and do nothing for the image of the Town.
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7.04: The argument made here for a central bus point is spurious. If you intend keeping all the bus stops (which the Council should) buses will “still leave from different stops around the town”. The need for a central point, if there is one given the suggestions for the High Street stops outlined above, is surely to assist inter-change between the various services and particularly to assist visitors.
12.01: Would not the Town Council also support any commercial services which may wish to use the airport?
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APPENDIX G
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