Transport Statement April 2021 40 Stratford Road Watford Watford Borough Council Smart Build Homes (SR) Limited Document History JOB NUMBER: 3072/2020 DOCUMENT REF: Transport Statement REVISIONS: 1 Revision Comments By Checked Authorised Date 1 For Submission OE PE PE 09/04/2021 Transport Statement Page 2 Transport Statement | Cotteral House | Policy Context Page 2 Contents 1 Introduction 2 Pedestrian and Cycle Access 12 Vehicular Access 12 Previous Highway Authority Comments 2 Servicing 12 Car Parking Layout 12 2 Policy 4 Car Parking Assessment 12 Watford Borough Council 6 Conclusions 13 Conclusions 7 5 Transport Impact 14 3 Site Location, Local Area and Introduction 14 Facilities 9 Proposed Residential Car Trips 14 Existing Site generated traffic 14 Introduction 9 Site Location 9 Existing Use 10 6 Conclusions 15 Bus Services 10 7 Appendices 16 Rail and Underground Services 10 Local Highway Network 10 Appendix: A - Location and Facilities Local Facilities 11 Plan Conclusion 11 Appendix: B – Access Layout Appendix: C – Existing Site Plan Appendix: D – Masterplan 4 Development Proposals 12 Appendix: E – Vehicle Tracking Introduction 12 Appendix: F – TRICS Vehicle Trip Development Proposals 12 Rates Flats Transport Statement Page 3 Transport Statement | Cotteral House | Policy Context Page 3 1 Introduction 1.1 EAS has been commissioned to prepare this Transport Statement on behalf of Smart Build Homes for the redevelopment of 40 Stratford Road Watford, Hertfordshire, WD17 4NZ. A location and facilities plan forms Appendix A. 1.2 The site sits on the north western corner of crossroads formed by Stratford Road and Langley Road. Stratford Road runs east/west and forms the sites southern boundary and Langley Road runs north/south and forms the sites eastern boundary. 1.3 The site is strangely located in zone 4 of the designated parking zones set out in the Watford Policy Car and Cycle Parking Standards (least accessible) but the opposite side of Langley Road it is zone 3, and the opposite side of Stratford Road is zone 2 (2 nd highest). 1.4 The site is within a reasonably high density residential area with a block of flats opposite and surrounded by residential units on all sides. It is within a 30mph speed zone with local amenities close by. 1.5 The proposal is for 8 flats comprising of 2 x one-bedroom units and 6 x two-bedroom units. 1.6 There are 9 proposed car parking spaces on site and 8 proposed secure cycle parking spaces. Previous Highway Authority Comments 1.7 For a recent application at this site for a 9-unit scheme Hertfordshire Highways commented as follows: “This access requires 5.4m dropped Kerb. Ie 4 x 0.9m dropped Kerb and 2 x 0.9m flushed kerb one on either side. Internal layout shows that cars could enter and leave the site in forward gear. The 5.4m dropped kerb at the access would improve the flow of traffic in/out the site without the need to reverse back to Langley Road. The access details submitted in support of the planning application is inadequate. Detailed plan should be submitted indicating: a. Proposed access dropped Kerb Details b. Access relationship to adjoining property c. Potential relocation of the existing lamp column Infront of access d. A mature tree within the site on the path of the access (a matter for the planning authority)” 1.8 The requirements and recommendations made by Hertfordshire Highways from the previous application have been carried through in this application and the plan contained at Appendix B denotes this. 1.9 This statement describes the transport matters relating to the proposed redevelopment. • Section 2 describes relevant national and local policies; • Section 3 describes the existing site and its surroundings including transport accessibility, local facilities, the immediate road network etc; Transport Statement Page 2 Transport Statement | Cotteral House | Policy Context Page 2 • Section 4 describes the proposed parking, access and refuse collection arrangements and describes how these arrangements compare to local and national standards and policies; and • Section 5 determines the likely transport impact of the development. • Section 6 concludes the report. Transport Statement Page 3 Transport Statement | Cotteral House | Policy Context Page 3 2 Policy National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2019) The revised National Planning Policy Framework was published in February 2019 and sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. The revised Framework replaces the previous National Planning Policy Framework published in March 2012. Planning law requires that applications for planning permission be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The National Planning Policy Framework must be taken into account in preparing the development plan and it is a material consideration in planning decisions. Planning policies and decisions must also reflect relevant international obligations and statutory requirements. The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development. At a very high level, the objective of sustainable development can be summarised as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In respect of that, Paragraph 10 of the NPPF states: “So that sustainable development is pursued in a positive way, at the heart of the Framework is a presumption in favour of sustainable development (original emphasis).” Section 9 of the NPPF on Promoting Sustainable Transport states, in paragraphs 102 and 103: “Transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, so that: • the potential impacts of development on transport networks can be addressed; • opportunities from existing or proposed transport infrastructure, and changing transport technology and usage, are realised – for example in relation to the scale, location or density of development that can be accommodated; • opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use are identified and pursued; • the environmental impacts of traffic and transport infrastructure can be identified, assessed and taken into account – including appropriate opportunities for avoiding and mitigating any adverse effects, and for net environmental gains; and • patterns of movement, streets, parking and other transport considerations are integral to the design of schemes, and contribute to making high quality places. The planning system should actively manage patterns of growth in support of these objectives. Significant development should be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable, through limiting the need to travel and offering a genuine choice of transport modes. This can help to reduce congestion and emissions, and improve air quality and public health. However, opportunities to maximise sustainable transport Transport Statement Page 4 Transport Statement | Cotteral House | Policy Context Page 4 solutions will vary between urban and rural areas, and this should be taken into account in both plan-making and decision-making.” Paragraph 105, in relation to parking standards, states that the following should be taken into account: • “the accessibility of the development; • the type, mix and use of development; • the availability of and opportunities for public transport; • local car ownership levels; and • the need to ensure an adequate provision of spaces for charging plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles.” Paragraph 106 adds that: “Maximum parking standards for residential and non-residential development should only be set where there is a clear and compelling justification that they are necessary for managing the local road network, or for optimising the density of development in city and town centres and other locations that are well served by public transport. In town centres, local authorities should seek to improve the quality of parking so that it is convenient, safe and secure, alongside measures to promote accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.” Paragraphs 108 and 109 state that in assessing applications for development it should be ensured that: “108. In assessing sites that may be allocated for development in plans, or specific applications for development, it should be ensured that: a) appropriate opportunities to promote sustainable transport modes can be – or have been – taken up, given the type of development and its location; b) safe and suitable access to the site can be achieved for all users; and c) any significant impacts from the development on the transport network (in terms of capacity and congestion), or on highway safety, can be cost effectively mitigated to an acceptable degree. 109. Development should only be prevented or refused on highways grounds if there would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or the residual cumulative impacts on the road network would be severe.” Furthermore, paragraphs 110 and 111 continue: “110. Within this context, applications for development should: a) give priority first to pedestrian and cycle movements, both within the scheme and with neighbouring areas; and second – so far as possible – to facilitating access to high quality public transport, with layouts that maximise the catchment area for bus or other public transport services, and appropriate facilities that encourage public transport use; Transport Statement Page 5 Transport Statement | Cotteral House | Policy