NEWCASTLE HOSPITALS Travel Plan ISSUE 1 by REVISION 1 by WSP Development Ltd David Malone Weymouth House Green Transport Coordinator Hampshire Court Improving Working Lives Dept. Newcastle Business Park Royal Victoria Infirmary Newcastle upon Tyne Queen Victoria Road NE4 7YG Newcastle upon Tyne Tel: +44(0)191 273 3123 NE1 4LP Fax: +44(0)191 226 1791 Tel: +44(0)191 2820735 http://www.wspgroup.com Fax: +44(0)191 2820802 [email protected] Issue/revision Issue 1 Revision 1 Revision 2 Revision 3 Remarks Draft Date 10 October 2003 30 December 2006 Prepared by Alan James David Malone Signature Checked by Daryl Hughes Trust Travel Group Signature Authorised by Alan James Signature Project number 11160257 File reference NEWCASTLE HOSPITALS Travel Plan CONTENTS PAGE 1 INTRODUCTION 1 2 ACCESS: GETTING TO AND FROM THE HOSPITALS 4 3 TRAVEL PATTERNS AND BEHAVIOUR 11 4 MEASURES & TARGETS 13 5 MONITORING 24 6 ACTION PLAN 26 APPENDICES A – 2003 TRAVEL SURVEY B – 2006 TRAVEL SURVEY C – FREEMAN HOSPITAL BUS TIMETABLES D – RVI BUS TIMETABLES E – CAR SHARING MAP & DETAILS F – TRAVEL PLAN ACHIEVEMENTS G – FLEXIBLE WORKING POLICY H – CAR PARKING POLICY I – TAXATION & INSURANCE J – BUG ACTION PLAN K - PICTURES 11160257 Newcastle NHS Trust Newcastle Hospitals Travel Plan NEWCASTLE HOSPITALS TRAVEL PLAN 1 INTRODUCTION Background 1.1 Access is a key issue for the future operation and development of the hospitals within Newcastle. Green travel modes already play an important part, and their role will increase further as the Trust develops the long-term strategies for the NHS area. Prior to the development of the first Travel Plan by the Trust in 2000, access issues tended to be considered largely in isolation, with little interaction between the various stakeholders in the area. 1.2 However, the adoption of the original Travel Plan by the Trust brought about a sea-change in attitude to transport issues, whereby planning ahead and working in partnership became of paramount importance. It was recognised that the Travel Plan provided the necessary framework for the long-term development of access at the hospitals, being critical both from an operational and an environmental perspective. 1.3 Six years on from the original Plan, the Trust has introduced a number of the measures set out; examples include the appointment of a Travel Plan Co-ordinator, improved bus access, the introduction of Bicycle User Group, significant staff discounts for public transport season tickets, and an increase in the frequency of the hospital hopper service. The Trust also plays an active part on the Combined Action on Sustainable Transport (CAST) Forum, working closely with the Inland Revenue, Newcastle City Council, the public transport providers, local councillors and residents and the Police and has also set up other working groups. 1.4 In March 2003 the Trust undertook the first round of monitoring of the Plan, carrying out an extensive questionnaire survey of NHS staff. This demonstrates where successes have been achieved and areas where further work is necessary. With the emerging plans for the development of the Freeman Hospital and the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) coming forward, it was also a useful source of data for the first review of the Plan. To assist in this process, the Trust commissioned WSP (Consulting) in October 2003 to review the original document and produce a revised Travel Plan to satisfy Newcastle City Council and hence to support the imminent planning applications at 11160257 1 Newcastle NHS Trust Newcastle Hospitals Travel Plan the two sites. A further survey was carried out in January 2006 and a copy of the survey and results can be found in the appendix B. 1.5 Travel Plans 1.6 Travel Plans in general provide the framework for the delivery of co-ordinated transport strategies, minimising the adverse operational and environmental impacts of transport to/from developments. They typically contain a wide range of measures, including walking, cycling, information and promotion, bus, taxi, car sharing and car parking. 1.7 The request for a Travel Plan is in line with Planning Policy Guidance Note 13 (PPG 13), published in March 2001 which requires, at paragraph 89, the preparation of travel plans for certain broad classes of new developments. 1.8 The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Travel Plan provides this framework, enabling the long-term development of sustainable access for the hospitals. It will naturally evolve over time, being regularly monitored, and revised accordingly to meet changing circumstances. The Plan is designed to meet both existing and future needs, giving consideration to all users, be they staff, patients or visitors. Its message is simple: “A small change can make a big difference” 1.9 The under-pinning objectives for the Plan are as follows: “To encourage an increase in the use of sustainable travel modes for access to the hospitals.” “To provide a wider choice of travel options, raising awareness and reducing social exclusion and widening access to the Trust and its facilities for all.” “To minimise the transport impacts of the development, and help make the hospitals a good neighbour.” “To provide an improved service for both service users and staff”. 1.10 This report presents the revised strategy for travel to the Newcastle hospitals. It is broken down into six main sections: section 2 provides a simple overview of existing access arrangements and services at the Freeman and RVI, section 3 briefly summarises some of the key statistics arising out of the latest Travel Plan monitoring surveys, section 4 defines the measures and 11160257 2 Newcastle NHS Trust Newcastle Hospitals Travel Plan targets, section 5 explains the importance of monitoring and finally, section 6 sets out the action plan designed to meet the objectives and achieve the defined targets. 11160257 3 Newcastle NHS Trust Newcastle Hospitals Travel Plan 2 ACCESS: GETTING TO AND FROM THE HOSPITALS Introduction 2.1 The existing services and facilities available at each of the hospital sites will have a large influence on travel behaviour, as of course will the site’s location with respect to those wishing to travel there. The two major hospitals within the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, the Freeman Hospital and the RVI, are different in many ways in transport terms. The RVI is located centrally, and has the benefit of excellent public transport links just a short distance away. This is reflected in the higher modal share for travel by public transport. The Freeman Hospital lies in the suburbs of Newcastle, between High Heaton and Longbenton, and whilst linked by a number of public transport services the use of such modes is significantly lower than at the RVI. 2.2 There are five hospitals within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, these being: • Freeman Hospital • Royal Victoria Infirmary • Newcastle General Hospital including Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment • Walkergate Hospital • Centre for Life 2.3 The Trust is currently undergoing major redevelopment at both Freeman and RVI Hospitals, relocating many services currently provided at NGH. Whilst the Plan covers all hospitals under the auspices of the NHS Trust, its focus will naturally centre on the principal sites; namely the Freeman Hospital and the RVI. The Freeman Hospital and RVI 2.4 The Freeman Hospital is located approximately 5km north of Newcastle upon Tyne City Centre, just to the south of the City boundary with the borough of North Tyneside. The surrounding uses are predominately residential although the Inland Revenue office complex (employing around 10,000 staff), is located immediately to the north. The site is bounded by Freeman Road to the west, the residential street Melville Grove to the south, the former Coxlodge Waggonway, now a cycleway, to the east and the residential street of Daylesford Drive to the north. 11160257 4 Newcastle NHS Trust Newcastle Hospitals Travel Plan 2.5 The existing Freeman Hospital provides a wide range of services, having 791 beds and employs some 3,389 staff. The Freeman accounts for around 35% of the total employment in the Newcastle NHS Trust hospitals, compared to 16% at the NGH and 47% at the RVI. The Freeman currently deals with approximately 160,000 patient and day-cases and 206,265 outpatients a year. 2.6 The RVI is located within Newcastle upon Tyne City Centre, to the immediate west of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and to the northeast of Leazes Park. The site is bounded by Richardson Road to the south, Queen Victoria Road to the east, Claremont Road to the north and the Spital Tongues residential area to the west. 2.7 The existing RVI provides a wide range of services, having 788 beds and employs some 4,537 staff. The RVI currently deals with approximately 100,000 patient and day-cases and 330,000 outpatients a year. Access to the Hospitals 2.8 Providing a range of travel options for access to a hospital is an important part of its long-term development. The needs of all therefore must be taken account of, including staff, patients and visitors. It should also be remembered that hospitals need to function 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Increasing the role of “green” modes of transport such as bus, cycling and walking will bring overall access benefits through improved travel choices, but it will also bring wider health benefits too; a key consideration for the Trust. Such an approach is consistent with the policy approach of Newcastle City Council and the overriding Government policy as set out in PPG 13: Transport, Newcastle PCT’s Director of Public Health Report (Page 30) and NICE Campaign ( www.publichealth.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=PHI002 ) Road 2.9 Access to the Freeman Hospital is from Freeman Road via a priority junction with a right turn lane.