Chelmsford’s Future Transport Network Public Engagement Document February 2017 2 Chelmsford’s Future Transport Network Public Engagement Document Contents Foreword 5 Introduction 7 Vision and Objectives 11 Chelmsford’s Transport Network 13 Our Solution: Chelmsford’s Future Transport Network 26 Chelmsford City Growth Package 32 Next Steps 37 How to Respond 38 Consultation Questionnaire 39 2 3 4 Chelmsford’s Future Transport Network Public Engagement Document Foreword In June 2012 the Queen granted This is why we are launching There’s a huge opportunity here for Chelmsford city status. Since then it Chelmsford’s Future Transport Network. change. We can’t build our way out of has continued to develop into a premier this - there simply isn’t enough space. This new approach will focus on making destination in the East of England. In The only long term solution is to make all modes of transport attractive, giving the last year, Chelmsford has seen the cycling, walking and public buses the people real choice in the way they travel redevelopment of Exchange Square, most attractive and effective way to get to work, to the shops, to their family and John Lewis joining the city’s retailers, to the city centre their friends. This will allow Chelmsford and other premium shops flocking to to grow and thrive in the future. And this can really make a difference. Bond Street. Over 5,000 trips to the city centre each In the historic heart of city there is little We want to ensure that the roads and day are 2km or less. If city residents space for new roads; here we will focus travel infrastructure around the city decided to get the bus or cycle to work Councillor Kevin Bentley on removing rat running and, increasing continue to support this positive growth. two days out of five, there would be cycling and walking facilities. 165,000 less short car journeys each Our vision is to continue to provide In residential communities, where the week. residents and visitors with the best city city centre is less than a 30 minute walk experience – offering quick and easy The new approach set out in this away, we will focus on providing reliable access to open spaces, vibrant cafés, document will keep our road network and attractive alternatives to the private fine dining and first class shopping. moving, but also improve air quality, car. reduce queues of traffic outside schools As transformative economic growth On the outer boundary of Chelmsford, and homes, and create a better quality of continues, businesses and families will we will focus on intercepting traffic life for all residents. choose to move to Chelmsford. But before it heads into the city centre. This growth will bring more vehicles into the We are now asking you to get involved will be through Park and Ride sites, city. And there is only 4% capacity left and help shape how this new approach campaigning for improvements to the on the road network. Without change, is delivered – get involved and help us to A12 and by making sure commercial without improvements, future growth will keep Chelmsford moving. vehicles are using the most suitable lead to grid lock on our roads and will roads. impact the economy of Chelmsford. To kick start this new approach, Essex Councillor Kevin Bentley This simply cannot be allowed to County Council has secured a £15m happen. Chelmsford is the driver of Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for investment package to make short the regional economy and it needs a Economic Growth, Infrastructure and term improvements to the Chelmsford transport network to match. Partnerships transport network by 2020. 4 5 6 Chelmsford’s Future Transport Network Public Engagement Document Introduction Chelmsford’s Future Transport Network: Creating an attractive, innovative transport system for all users and all types of transport. Chelmsford is the County city of Essex (capacity) left during peak times. This with an important regional and sub- leads to queuing, unreliable journey regional role providing jobs, shopping, times, poor air quality, and increased healthcare, education, leisure and traffic on unsuitable residential streets. It recreation. Being able to access and also impacts bus users, and the quality move around the city easily and without of journeys made by walking or cycling. delay is a key element in maintaining These are all consequences of a road Chelmsford’s prosperity and supporting network exceeding its 90% operational future growth. capacity, whereby it cannot cope with Chelmsford’s business community is the level of traffic generally, and any growing. In the last year we have seen incidents on the network (such as an the redevelopment of Exchange Square accident, or even a parked delivery and Half Moon Square, with John Lewis vehicle) result in gridlock. joining the city’s retailers and other The vision for Chelmsford is to premium shops joining Bond Street. have a transport system which is As a result, Chelmsford’s appeal not ‘best in class’, offering enhanced only in Essex but also across the East connectivity, access and choice to of England has increased. residents, commuters, visitors and Chelmsford’s population is also growing, businesses alike. with families choosing to move to the There simply is not the available space area, and new homes being built. in the centre of Chelmsford to increase As this transformative growth continues, existing road capacity or build new the demand for travel on our already and bigger roads nor would this be the busy road network will increase. right thing to do as it would generate Nationally, it is fair to say that additional car journeys and quickly investment in transport has not been use up the new space created. So we To maintain the city’s prosperity we must keep people and all traffic able to keep pace with population must look for ways to make better use moving and give residents, commuters, visitors and businesses growth. Today, the city’s roads are under of the existing road network in the city significant strain with only 4% space centre, and try to divert long distance more options on how to travel. 6 7 traffic around Chelmsford or off the road to the city centre should be made Waiting for large road schemes to be The purpose of this network at the earliest opportunity. by sustainable means wherever funded before focusing on short and possible, so investment should focus medium term issues is not an option. document is to set Furthermore, while Chelmsford already on providing residents with a viable There has to be an immediate focus on has good walking, cycling and bus out the current issues alternative to the private car. what can be achieved to improve our networks, there are missing links, For journeys from outside of the city current transport network for current and facilities in some areas are tired and our approach to the focus will be on intercepting traffic users, as well as catering for future which makes them less likely to attract through Park and Ride, encouraging growth. Chelmsford’s future new users. rail use (a new station is proposed £15 million has been secured to invest transport network In order to positively address and respond at Beaulieu Park) and targeted in sustainable transport measures in to the different challenges and reasons investment for specific road schemes line with the vision of Chelmsford’s and the purpose of why people travel, Chelmsford’s future for long distance journeys, such future transport network. the Chelmsford City transport network will adopt a varied and as widening the A12 (a Highways ambitious approach: England road) and the Chelmsford This investment will fund the Chelmsford Growth Package. In the city centre, where there is little North East bypass. City Growth Package – which aims to space for new roads, and where improve the city’s transport network with Large schemes such as the Chelmsford the public realm is an important a focus on sustainable transport options This is to make North East bypass remain a long-term factor in attracting businesses and to support future housing and job growth objective for the transport network, sure that everyone visitors, there needs to be a clear and with highways capacity improvements but such schemes require significant focus on investing in alternative where appropriate to address congestion understands the national investment, take longer to and sustainable transport options hotspots. develop and implement and are not such as buses, cycling and walking. challenges and related realistic solutions for short/medium The Growth Package will improve the Any remaining traffic needs to be term problems. quality of transport options available objectives before managed as efficiently as possible to people when travelling to and within with clear and innovative signage to a consultation on Chelmsford. It will include a package direct traffic onto the most appropriate of smaller scale improvements across route and into the potential interventions all types of transport. These schemes most appropriate car parks as quickly will help manage congestion and keep later this year. as possible. Chelmsford’s road network moving in the Journeys from the residential areas future. 8 Chelmsford’s Future Transport Network Public Engagement Document The Chelmsford City Growth Package Chelmsford City Council is facilitating will help to enable a step change in the new development through their current way people choose to travel around Local Development Framework. A Chelmsford, and support sustainable Local Plan from 2021 onwards is growth. being developed and Chelmsford City Council will be consulting on this later During March 2017, we are engaging this year. city residents, workers, businesses, represented groups and visitors on the future transport network approach and introducing the Chelmsford City Growth Package.