Local Development Framework – Core Strategy Preferred Options Discussion Papers Topic Paper 2 - Transport 1.00 Background 1.01 Infrastructure is key to the delivery of sustainable development and in ensuring that adequate facilities and services are in place to accommodate new development without there being a negative impact on existing residents and communities. 1.02 This Topic Paper highlights the current issues and challenges facing Tameside’s transport infrastructure and accessibility by identifying the key transport related issues which need to be addressed to facilitate the Core Strategy’s development aspirations. The Topic Paper is supplementary to the Tameside Preferred Options Paper, and in particular, will provide background information for the development of the Core Strategy. 1.03 The Topic Paper draws on a number of sources of information including: the 2001 Census; Highways Forecasting and Analytical Services Transport Statistics; Tameside's Annual Monitoring Report; Accession Modelling Software; Highway’s Agency Stress Mapping; the Greater Manchester LDF Transport Modelling outputs; and the Third Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan (GMLTP3). 1.04 Transport and travel are a key element of everyday life, however, the journeys we make and the mode of travel we use are often determined by non-transport related factors such as where we live and the facilities available there. Coupled with this, new technologies and the dominance of the car over the last 50 years have made travelling substantially easier and more frequent than ever. 1.05 The planning process is crucial in helping to achieve more sustainable travel patterns that will assist in a modal shift away from the car. In recent years there has been a growing recognition that transport problems can form significant barriers to social inclusion. Although there has been a huge rise in mobility for people with access to a car, for those who rely on alternative modes such as walking and public transport, access to work, learning and healthcare has become more difficult. Difficulties in accessing work places and key services are as much due to the location of those facilities as the quality of the transport links. 2.00 National Planning Policy National Planning Policy Framework, 2012 2.01 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published in early 2012, sets out the Government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. It sets out the Government’s requirements for the planning system only to the extent that it is relevant, proportionate and necessary to do so. It provides a framework within which local planning authorities, parish councils and/or neighbourhood forums can produce their own distinctive local and neighbourhood plans, which reflect the needs and priorities of their communities. 1 2.02 The NPPF has revoked and replaced a number of national planning documents which identified the key role that transport has in delivering and supporting sustainable development, climate change, efficient, safe and integrated transport systems to support a strong economy, and accessibility to jobs, shopping, leisure facilities and services by public transport, cycling and walking. 2.03 At the heart of the NPPF is the presumption in favour of sustainable development. The NPPF’s 12 Core Planning Principles include:- To proactively drive and support economic development to deliver the homes, business and industrial units, infrastructure and thriving local places the economy needs; Support the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate; and Actively manage patterns of growth to make the fullest possible use of public transport, walking and cycling, and focusing significant development in locations which are or can be made sustainable. 2.04 The Government is committed to ensuring that the planning system supports sustainable economic growth and that local planning authorities should plan proactively to meet the development needs of business and support an economy fit for the 21st century. Planning policies should recognise and seek to address potential barriers to investment, including a poor environment or a lack of infrastructure, services or housing. In drawing up Local Plans, local planning authorities should take account of a number of factors which include identifying priority areas for economic regeneration, infrastructure provision and environmental enhancement. 2.05 Section 4 of the NPPF – “Promoting Sustainable Transport” – states that “In preparing Local Plans, local planning authorities should therefore support a pattern of development which, where reasonable to do so, facilitates the use of sustainable modes of transport. Local authorities should work with neighbouring authorities and transport providers to develop strategies for the provision of viable infrastructure to support sustainable development, including large scale facilities such as major generators of travel demand in their areas.” 2.06 Plans and decisions should ensure developments that generate significant movement are located where the need to travel is minimised and the use of sustainable travel modes can be maximised. Plans should protect and exploit opportunities for the use of sustainable transport modes for the movement of goods and people, but this needs to take account of policies set out elsewhere in the NPPF. 2.07 Planning policies should aim for a balance of land uses within their area so that people are encouraged to minimise journey lengths for employment, shopping, leisure, education and other activities. In particular, for larger residential developments planning policies should promote a mix of uses so as to provide day to day activities, such as work, on the site. Key facilities, primary schools and local shops, should be located in walking distance of most properties. 2.08 The NPPF states that local authorities should seek to improve the quality of town centre parking so that it is convenient, safe and secure, and that appropriate parking charges are set that do not undermine the vitality of town centres. Local planning authorities should identify and protect where there is robust evidence, sites and routes which could be critical in developing infrastructure to widen transport choices. 2.09 The NPPF emphasises the great importance attached to the good design of the built environment including the use of streetscapes and buildings to create attractive and 2 comfortable places to live, work and visit. The potential of the sites should be optimised to support local facilities and transport networks. 2.10 Transport has a role in the promotion of healthy communities through the provision of safe and accessible developments containing clear and legible pedestrian routes and high quality public spaces which encourage the active and continual use of public areas. Planning policies should protect and enhance public rights of way, access and should seek opportunities to provide better facilities for users, eg by adding links to the existing rights of way networks. 2.11 In the case of infrastructure, it is very important in the development of Local Plans that local planning authorities work with neighbouring authorities and transport providers to assess the quality and capacity of transport infrastructure and to take account of the need for strategic infrastructure including nationally significant infrastructure within their areas. 3.00 Regional Planning Policy Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West, 2008 3.01 The Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West (RSS), published in September 2008, provides a framework for development and investment in the North West. It establishes a broad vision for the region and its sub-regions, prioritises areas for growth and regeneration and includes policies to achieve sustainable development. Since the formation of the coalition Government in May 2010, there has been the clear intention to abolish regional planning. The issues surrounding this are well documented and at this stage the proposed abolition of RSS is a material consideration. 3.02 The RSS incorporates regional transport policies, otherwise referred to as the Regional Transport Strategy (RTS). The RSS transport policies support the vision and objectives of RSS by concentrating on the development of better transport links within the region and between the North West and other parts of the UK, Ireland, mainland Europe and beyond. They aim to do this by significantly improving the quality and provision of public transport and by promoting a more structured approach to managing and selectively improving the region’s highway network. The policies also outline the priorities for transport management and advocate policies and proposals which contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector. 3.03 RSS policy RT2 states that planning policies and strategies should:- Ensure that major new developments are located where there is good access to public transport, backed by effective provision for pedestrians and cyclists to minimise the need to travel by private car; Seek to reduce private car use through the introduction of ‘smarter choices’ and other incentives to change travel behaviour; Consider the reallocation of road space in favour of public transport, pedestrians and cyclists, alongside parking charges, enforcement and provision, and other fiscal measures including road user charging; Make greater use of on-street parking controls and enforcement; and Incorporate maximum parking standards that are in line with,