Draft Local Transport Plan Gloucestershire’s Draft Local Transport Plan 2015-31 Connecting Places Strategy A resilient transport network that enables sustainable economic growth CPS 4 – South Cotswold providing door to door travel choices Draft Local Transport Plan Connecting Places Strategy CPS 4 – South Cotswold Version 1.0 Snapshot of stakeholder views Last Revised October 2015 I just don’t Review Date understand why Category Transport Planning buses are so big. Owner Gloucestershire County Council Why not provide smaller village Target Audience Anyone wanting to find out about the county council’s transport hopper buses? proposals for Cirencester, Tetbury, Fairford, Lechlade-on-Thames and surrounding areas We need more intelligent use of weight restrictions to protect the character of town centres This strategy acts as guidance for anybody requiring information regarding the county council’s priorities for transport within Cirencester, Tetbury, Fairford and Lechlade-on-Thames and surrounding areas. Some rural Why is the areas allow lorry parking The document sets out the aspirations for the South Cotswold Connecting bikes on buses area closed Places Strategy area up to 2031. – and that down? would help here Draft Local Transport Plan Area Summary Area Summary Places • The South Cotswold area is semi-rural dominated • Cirencester by Cirencester • Tetbury • Much of the area falls within the Cotswolds AONB • Fairford • Approximately 10% of county’s population live in the area • Lechlade-on-Thames • Many people live in the area and work in locations outside the county including Swindon, London and Bristol • Swindon has a significant impact on the area Transport Links • M5 motorway – linking Birmingham and Bristol • A419 – linking Cirencester with M5 • 3 railway stations (Cam and Dursley) - linking Gloucester to Bristol, (Stroud and Stonehouse) linking Gloucester to Swindon, Reading and London • Good bus access between Stroud / Stonehouse to Cheltenham / Gloucester Draft Local Transport Plan The Place The South Cotswold Connecting Places Development outside Cirencester will occur in the most Increasing the speed and accessibility of broadband is Strategy (CPS) area is located in the south-east sustainable towns and larger villages so the majority crucial for overcoming geographic barriers to economic of the county. With a population of 50,000, of services and facilities will be met from within those growth and ensuring Gloucestershire can compete in the area is characterised as semi-rural and the settlements reducing the need to travel longer distances. the 21st century knowledge based economy. majority of the CPS area is designated as part The CPS area is bounded by the North Cotswold CPS For a decade or more, slow broadband speeds and of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural to the north, Wiltshire to the South, Oxfordshire to inconsistent coverage have been a frustration for many Beauty (AONB). the east and the Stroud and Central Severn Vale CPS residents and businesses in Gloucestershire, particularly areas to the west. Key routes in the area converge in more acute in rural areas. Cirencester where the A417/419, A429 and A433 meet. The CPS encompass the affluent market towns of As a result of the Fastershire Broadband Infrastructure Travel to work data indicates that most trips are to Cirencester, Tetbury, Fairford and Lechlade-on-Thames. Project, 88% of premises should be provided with destinations outside of the CPS area, 68% remain within Due to its sustainable location and good transport Next Generation Access (NGA) broadband, providing Gloucestershire and 32% travel to Swindon, the South- links there are significant growth proposals for the download speeds of over 30mbps in the eligible areas. East and the South-West. CPS area for Cirencester. There are also notable future Additionally, every home and business in the eligible area development proposals in Swindon which are likely to The creation of a Growth Zone, as promoted in the will have access to the government’s Universal Service have an impact on transport demand in this area. Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), is to ensure the Commitment of a minimum of 2mbps. availability of quality employment land in proximity to The vision for the Cotswolds is one of enabling a Improvements in broadband technology will change the the M5 motorway is attractive to businesses and with strong, competitive and innovative local economy which way services are delivered and for some individuals this excellent connectivity throughout Gloucestershire and capitalises on the area’s key strengths, notably its high may reduce the need or distance they travel. quality historic and natural environment. Cirencester the rest of the UK. will continue to be the main focus for growth, while its function as the dominant business location, service and cultural centre for much of the Cotswold District will have been enhanced. Keep the quiet lanes quiet between Chesterton and Approximately 25% of work based trips are less than 5km, indicating there is potential for increased cycling, West park to Do we have however the average distance travelled to work from the encourage routing area is 16.7km per resident, the highest of all the CPS active travel agreements areas. This is possibly due to the good rail services from It may with freight Kemble to Swindon and onto London. be unrealistic to operators? Kemble Station provides a good service to Gloucester, re-open the Kemble- Stroud, Swindon and London. Recent re-doubling of the Cirencester former line and long-term plans for electrification of the western rail line but why main line provide the possibility of improved rail service can’t it be turned frequency and significant potential for the station to into a cycle grow in line with the expected increase demand. route? A consequence of the semi-rural nature of the area Everything must is the limited availability of connected cycle routes be done to make sure between Market Towns. Busy roads are a safety The area new development is cut through concern and barriers to active travel (cycling and around Cirencester walking) within this area. Initiatives to improve active reinforces sustainable with heavily travel in the area include personalised travel planning trafficked A-roads in new developments, low cost schemes to fill gaps in transport patterns the cycle network and a dedicated cycle link between and no parallel Cirencester and Kemble railway station. quiet lan Draft Local Transport Plan The to Burford 11a A40 Issues A417 eley A46 B4073 A40 Brockworth A435 to Burford and Oxford 12 A4173 • A417 Missing Link causes congestion and road A417 A429 safety concerns A38 • Vehicles rat running to avoid delays on A417 / A419 • Capacity issues on the Cirencester Ring road • Freight Routing especially for HGVs using A417 e Chalford through Fairford, Lechlade-on-Thames and in Cirencester town centre A419 • Lack of lay-bys and resting points for HGV’s B4066 A417 and for buses when stopping to pick up / drop off passengers B4014 A419 • Excessive vehicle speeds on some roads. B4058 A429 A433 • Limited car parking • Lack of pedestrian access within A4135 Cirencester town centre District boundaries and the CPS strategy area • Inadequate access to Kemble Station from Cirencester • Limited bus services and inappropriate A46 size of buses in some villages • Lack of connectivity between Tetbury, Fairford and South Cerney in relation to Cirencester • Busy roads acting as barriers to cycling • Inadequate cycle facilities Draft Local Transport Plan The Priorities Gloucestershire’s vision for transport Initiatives have been divided between capital and is to deliver: revenue schemes and separated into three delivery phases: ‘A resilient transport network that enables sustainable • Short-term 2015 to 2021 economic growth by providing door to door travel • Medium-term 2021 to 2026 choices’ • Long term 2026 to 2031 To address the issues raised during our conversation The delivery phases are indicative only and schemes may with local stakeholders and support the delivery of the be delivered in a different phase to that suggested here. outcomes identified in the LTP Overarching Strategy, a range of scheme priorities have been identified. ‘The scheme list will be updated during the lifetime of the LTP as new evidence emerges. Therefore it should The scheme appraisal process used to inform these not be considered a definitive list as it will be subject to priorities is based on the same process promoted periodic reviews. through the European Union project Boosting Urban 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. Draft Local Transport Plan Short-term priorities The identification of priorities does not reflect a commitment by the county (2015 to 2021) council for funding. Capital priorities (physical) Revenue priorities (revenue) Rail • Railway Station Travel Plans and investment strategies Highways Highways Bus • Capital maintenance programme • Working with Highways England to progress A417 • Highway safety improvement programme Missing Link Scheme • Ongoing bus stop improvement programme • 20 mph zones • A429 - Fosse Way Highway Improvement Feasibility • Continued roll