Swindon Local Transport Plan 3: 2011-2026 Main Strategy April 2011 1 Introduction to Swindon and LTP3...........................................................7 2 Local Transport Plans and the Policy Framework..................................11 3 Swindon Transport Strategy 2009..........................................................29 4 Challenges and issues...........................................................................39 5 Spatial Planning.....................................................................................78 6 Implementing Key Goals........................................................................90 Support Economic Growth .............................................................................96 Climate Change ...........................................................................................112 Safety, Security and Health .........................................................................120 Equality of opportunity. ................................................................................127 Quality of life ................................................................................................145 7 Option generation, appraisal and selection..........................................153 8 The Final Strategy................................................................................183 9 Delivery and Finance ...........................................................................215 10 Targets and Indicators .........................................................................240 2 Swindon’s third Local Transport Plan Contents Preface Chapter 1 Setting the Scene Chapter 2 Policy Framework Chapter 3 Swindon Transport Strategy 2009 Chapter 4 Challenges and Issues Chapter 5 Spatial Planning Chapter 6 Implementing Key Goals Economy Climate Change Safety, Security and Health Equality Quality of Life Chapter 7 Option generation, appraisal and assessment Chapter 8 Final Strategy Chapter 9 Delivery and Finance Chapter 10 Targets and Indicators Supporting Strategic Environmental Assessment documents Habitats Regulations Assessment Equality Impacts Assessment Health Impact Assessment Supplementary Walking Documents Cycling Public Transport Freight Road Safety Network Management Smarter Choices Parking Rural Areas Associated Plans Network Management Plan (existing) Transport Asset Management Plan Rights of Way Improvement Plan Sustainable Modes of Travel to School Strategy Strategic Plan for Accident Reduction 3 Swindon’s third Local Transport Plan Preface Swindon’s third Local Transport Plan has been prepared in accordance with the statutory guidance issued by the Department for Transport in July 2009. It comprises an over-arching strategy document and a separate implementation plan setting out the proposals for the delivery of the policies contained in the strategy. In order to develop an effective strategy and decide priorities for implementation the following process was recommended. Clarify goals Specify the problems or challenges the authority wants to solve Generate options to resolve these challenges Appraise the options and predict the effects Select preferred options and decide priorities Deliver the agreed strategy Chapter 1 sets the scene with a “pen picture” of Swindon. Chapter 2 describes the Local Transport Plan process and sets out the national and local policy framework. It outlines the work carried out in the Swindon Transport Strategy and the Swindon DaSTS Study that feed into this Local Transport Plan. Chapter 3 details the Swindon Transport Strategy which was adopted by the Borough Council in 2009 and which underpins Swindon’s third Local Transport Plan. Chapter 4 sets out the current social, economic, environmental, land use and transport situation in Swindon and describes the main transport related challenges and issues. It goes on to set out some of the future developments proposed for Swindon, and describes their likely transport implications, particularly where they could lead to future problems. Chapter 5 sets out the spatial aspects of the Local Transport Plan in the context of the “Connecting People, Connecting Places” neighbourhood management strategy. It also describes sub-regional issues as they relate to neighbouring highway authorities and the Highways Agency. Chapter 6 relates the national transport policy framework (the DaSTS Goals) to broader local policy objectives. It places the DaSTS Goals in a local context and assesses the degree to which they can be prioritised locally. Each of the five DaSTS Goals is then discussed in detail, setting out the main themes, and the strategies to address these themes. Chapter 7 takes forward the transport related problems and issues identified in Chapter 4, and relates them to the national, regional and local policy framework. It identifies options for addressing these key challenges and 4 delivering the policy objectives. Options are sifted and appraised using the INTRA-SIM decision support tool. Chapter 8 arrives at a Preferred Strategy and sets out the resulting LTP3 policies to address the transport challenges Chapter 9 sets out the general principles for delivering the Local Transport Plan strategy. It sets out details of the available funding sources and the overall approach to delivering against the goals set out in earlier chapters. Chapter 10 identifies proposals for targets and indicators that will be used for monitoring the success of the Local Transport Plan in delivering the identified key local goals and priorities. The over arching Strategy document is supported with a number of supplementary documents covering specific transport topics. The supplementary documents can be reviewed and updated as appropriate during the term of the wider LTP. Supplementary documents Walking Cycling Public Transport Freight Road safety Network Management Smarter Choices Parking Rural areas In addition there are a number of existing plans and duties that are reflected in the LTP including the Network Management Plan, Transport Asset Management Plan and Rights of Way Improvement Plan Background Preparation of the Local Transport Plan started before the May 2010 general election and has continued throughout 2010 and early 2011 as the policies of the new government have emerged. Work on the Plan has continued against a changing and uncertain backdrop where significant reforms have been announced which will have a major impact on local transport policy. Reforms will see the removal of the previous system of regional planning, the Regional Spatial Strategy and Regional Funding Allocation. Until a new framework for local planning is agreed it has been necessary to continue work, using the best information available, in view of the fact that the Council still retains a statutory duty to have a new Local Transport Plan in place by April 2011. Preparation of the Plan has also taken place against the backdrop of significant reductions in public finance. The first few years, at least, of this 5 Local Transport Plan period will be financially straightened times and this will shape what can be achieved. The implementation plan will be based around these new financial realities and practicalities, and the need to obtain even greater value for money from investments in the transport system. The implementation plans will cover periods, that will align with the local government funding settlement periods, the first being 2011/2 to 2014/5. The implementation plan for this first period was expected to be the subject of consultation at the same time as the Strategy document. However the significant uncertainties over funding for this period and the fact that the results of the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review were not announced in any detail until December 2010 meant that this was not feasible. It was therefore decided to produce: A one year implementation plan 2011/12 to be published in March 2011 An implementation plan for the remainder of the local authority funding settlement period to be published in autumn 2011. In autumn 2011 it is also planned to carry out an early refresh of parts of the main LTP document – to update the chapters on indicators and targets in the light of the funding position and to update sections covering One Swindon and the Core Strategy – both of which have a significant impact on transport related priorities and are being developed during 2011. 6 1 Introduction to Swindon and LTP3 1.1 Swindon Borough Council is a Unitary Authority. It is situated in the north-east of the South-West Region. It is midway between Bristol, 40 miles to the west and Reading, 40 miles to the east. The administrative boundaries cover an area of approximately 230km² and it has a population of over 192,900 people, including about 168,900 in the urban area of Swindon. Its location has been key to its success. Its geographical location on the Great Western main line between London and Bristol resulted in significant growth during the “railway age”. More recently its location on the main M4 corridor, allowing easy access via the strategic road network to both London and the Thames valley as well as the west of England and South Wales, has been the main driver of its expansion. As a result more people work in the Borough than live in it, and Swindon Town Centre has a catchment area stretching well beyond the Borough boundaries. Figure 1.1: Location of Swindon Borough within the sub-region and major transportation links 7 1.2 Swindon has transformed itself from a town