TRANSFORMING LONDON STANSTED AIRPORT 35+ PLANNING APPLICATION Chapter 6 Surface Access and Transport 6 SURFACE ACCESS Introduction 6.1 This chapter presents the assessment of the potential effects arising from the proposed development on the airport’s surface access network and surrounding environment. The proposed development seeks to make the ‘more efficient use’ of the existing runway up to 2028 to support the forecast growth in passenger numbers, and strengthen operational performance and resilience. 6.2 Specifically, it describes the methodology used to assess the impacts of the proposed development in respect to surface access. It describes the current transport baseline and access conditions at Stansted Airport and the surrounding area as well as those projected under the Do Minimum (35mppa) scenario; the potential effects of the proposed development, the Development Case (43mppa), on all relevant modes of transport; the evaluation of the significance of such effects; the scope for mitigation; and, the likely residual effects. The assessment also considers other likely development in the area to ensure cumulative effects are understood. 6.3 Where applicable, the assessment follows the methodology set out in the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) Guidelines1 for investigating highway impact. Otherwise, the methodology adopted has been clearly identified and reflects best practice and approaches adopted elsewhere for similar types of development. 6.4 The impacts have been assessed for all relevant modes of transport during the construction of the new airfield infrastructure required to facilitate the incremental growth in operations (expected to occur in the period 2021-2022) as well as the Development Case when the uplifted annual passenger numbers are reached in 2028. 6.5 The Transport Assessment (TA) sets out in detail the methodologies adopted for the assessment of anticipated changes associated with the proposed development for all transport modes. The TA is included in ES Volume 3. Stansted Airport Environmental Statement – Volume 1 JCG22596 February 2018 6-1 Planning Policy Context and Guidance 6.6 ES Appendix 3.1 and the Planning Statement provide a summary of the relevant ‘cross cutting’ national and aviation policy, which are not repeated here in detail to avoid the chapter becoming unduly long or repetitive of other parts of the ES. This section sets out the most relevant regional and local transport policies. It outlines the transport objectives that are relevant in terms of accessibility, transport effects, sustainability measures and design. A more detailed policy review is provided as part of the TA (see ES Volume 3). Regional Policy Essex Local Transport Plan, 2011 6.7 The Essex Local Transport Plan2 (2011-2026) (LTP3) summarises the Highway Authority’s transport strategy, outlining its approach to all travel modes for the period of 2011-2026. The LTP3 divides Essex into four areas, for which specific priorities will be identified via dedicated area plans. The transport priorities for West Essex, that encompasses Stansted Airport, are identified as: . “Improving access to and from the M11 corridor; . Tackling congestion and improving the management of traffic in Harlow town centre; . Providing the transport improvements needed to support housing and employment growth; . Improving the attractiveness of bus services; . Improving cycling networks and walking routes end encouraging their greater use; . Improving the attractiveness of public spaces and their ease of use; . Working with Transport for London to Improve the journey experience of Essex residents using the Central Line underground services; and . Improving access to Stansted Airport by low carbon forms of transport.” 6.8 The LTP3 outlines 15 transport policies, many of which are relevant to the airport site and proposed development. These policies cover key issues such as integrating land-use and transport planning, public transport, connectivity, carbon reduction, promoting sustainable travel choices, the historic built environment, access to services, and cycling and walking. Hertfordshire’s Local Transport Plan (2011 – 2031) 6.9 Hertfordshire’s Local Transport Plan3 (2011 – 2031) (LTP3) sets out the county council’s vision and strategy for the long-term development of transport in Hertfordshire. The vision for transport in the County is set out as follows: “To provide a safe, efficient and resilient transport system that serves the needs of business and residents across Hertfordshire and minimises its impact on the environment.” 6.10 To support the vision, the transport strategy will: . “Support economic development and planned dwelling growth; Stansted Airport Environmental Statement – Volume 1 JCG22596 February 2018 6-2 . Improve transport opportunities for all and achieve behavioural change in mode choice; . Enhance quality of life, health and the natural, built and historic environment for all Hertfordshire residents; . Improve the safety and security of residents and other road users; and . Reduce transport’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and improve its resilience.” Local Policy Uttlesford Adopted Local Plan, 2005 6.11 The current Uttlesford Local Plan4 was adopted in January 2005 and is the adopted Development Plan for the district. Two policies of relevance to the transport elements of the proposed development proposal were saved in December 2007 (along with other policies), Policy GEN1 (Access) and Policy GEN6 (Infrastructure Provision to Support Development). 6.12 Policy GEN1 states that development will only be permitted if it meets the following criteria: . “Access to the main road network must be capable of carrying the traffic generated by the development safely; . The traffic generated by the development must be capable of being accommodated on the surrounding transport network; . The design of the site must not compromise road safety and must take account of the needs of cyclists, pedestrians, public transport users, horse riders and people whose mobility is impaired; and . The development encourages movement by means other than driving a car.” 6.13 Policy GEN6 states that development must make appropriate provision for the required supporting infrastructure, including transport provision. Where the cumulative impact of developments necessitates infrastructure provision, developers may be required to provide a financial contribution towards such provision. 6.14 In relation to vehicle parking standards, policy GEN8 seeks to discourage the provision of unlimited parking spaces in line with guidance contained within PPG13, but seeks to ensure parking provision is adequate for the proposed use. It states that development will not be permitted: “unless the number, design and layout of vehicle parking places proposed is appropriate for the location, as set out in Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) ‘Vehicle Parking Standards’.” 6.15 Chapter 9 of the Local Plan, Transport and Telecommunications, sets out UDC’s position regarding airport parking. Policy T3 (Car Parking Associated with Development at Stansted Airport) states that proposals for car parking associated with any use at Stansted Airport: “will be refused beyond the Airport boundaries, as defined in the Stansted Airport Inset Map.” Stansted Airport Environmental Statement – Volume 1 JCG22596 February 2018 6-3 6.16 The supporting text to Policy T3 stipulates that adequate space exists inside the boundary of Stansted Airport for air passengers to park. The policy protects the character of villages and countryside around Stansted to ensure that residential amenities are not damaged by car parking compounds. It continues by saying that the scale and management of car parking needs to be carefully controlled to maximise the number of passengers using public transport to get to or from the airport. Uttlesford Emerging Local Plan, 2017 (Regulation 18 Local Plan) 6.17 The following policies of the new Uttlesford Local Plan5 are particularly relevant in terms of transport and surface access. Policy SP2 (The Spatial Strategy 2011-2033) states that: “The growth of London Stansted Airport will be supported subject to conformity with the environmental and transport framework set out in Policy SP11.” 6.18 In terms of transport, Policy SP11 (London Stansted Airport) states: “Access to London Stansted Airport’s role as a national, regional and local transport interchange will be maintained. The necessary public transport infrastructure and service capacity to serve the airport and meet permitted passenger numbers must be maintained and improved to accommodate passenger movements. An integrated approach must be demonstrated within the framework of a surface access strategy.” 6.19 Policy SP11 also states that any proposals for new development need to meet the following criteria: . “Incorporate sustainable transportation and surface access measures in particular which minimise use of the private car, maximise the use of sustainable transport modes and seek to meet modal shift targets, all in accordance with the London Stansted Sustainable Development Plan; and . Incorporate suitable road access for vehicles including any necessary improvements required as a result of the development.” 6.20 In terms of airport related car parking, SP11 states: “Proposals for airport related car parking should be located within the Airport Strategic Allocation, as shown on the Policies Map (excluding North Stansted Employment Area) and will need to demonstrate that the