M61966 Environment Transport Policy Section Milton Keynes Local Transport Plan 2006-07 to 2010-11 LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN 2006-07 to 2010-11 Milton Keynes Council Environment Directorate Civic Offices 1 Saxon Gate East Central Milton Keynes MK9 3HQ Tel (01908) 252599 International Tel +44 1908 252599 Fax (01908) 252330 [email protected] Brian Sandom Corporate Director - Environment Copyright March 2006 To obtain copies of our Second LTP please contact: Transport Policy Planning and Transport Milton Keynes Council PO Box 112 Civic Offices 1 Saxon Gate East Milton Keynes MK9 3HQ. Telephone: 01908 252599. E-mail to [email protected] Copies can be made available on CD ROM. We can also supply the LTP electronically via e-mail if preferred. Copies are also available from the Civic Offices. Reference copies will also be available at all libraries in Milton Keynes. Alternatively, all our current transport documents including the LTP, APR and transport strategies and policies are available on the web at the following address: http://www.miltonkeynes.gov.uk/transport/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=13771 Assistance can be provided for anyone with sight difficulties. Local Transport Plan 2006-07 to 2010-11 Foreword We are very fortunate to live in an exciting place like Milton Keynes. It appears that hardly a day passes without a new school opening, people moving into a newly built housing development and new retail and leisure opportunities opening for business. We are, of course, all used to rapid change but over the next 25 years growth will accelerate with our population rising by about 50 percent. However, this increase in population will also bring an increase in traffic, which without forward planning and action, could restrict mobility and potentially damage the economy. Milton Keynes has a transport network that, with investment, offers the potential to deliver a transport system that meets our future needs. In this Local Transport Plan, along with help from our partners, we aim to improve all types of transport so that we can cater for the present and meet the challenge of expansion. This investment in transport is important because everyone needs to be able to get to activities such as jobs, shops, education and healthcare services. People need to be able to do this easily, affordably and safely. We are confident that this Local Transport Plan will deliver improvements and provide more choices for people, which will lead to an improved quality of life for everyone. Councillor Graham Mabbutt Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways 5 Local Transport Plan 2006-07 to 2010-11 6 Local Transport Plan 2006-07 to 2010-11 CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................11 The Local Transport Plan in Summary...........................................................................11 Preparing for Growth......................................................................................................11 The Provisional Local Transport Plan.............................................................................12 Influences on LTP2 ........................................................................................................12 Who is the LTP For? ......................................................................................................13 Progress Made Towards Meeting LTP1 Objectives .......................................................14 Lessons Learnt From LTP1............................................................................................15 The Community Strategy Vision.....................................................................................16 A Transport Vision for Milton Keynes .............................................................................17 Accessibility Planning.....................................................................................................18 Programme ....................................................................................................................18 Consultation ...................................................................................................................19 Related Documents........................................................................................................19 Reporting Progress ........................................................................................................20 The Structure of This LTP ..............................................................................................20 2. POLICY CONTEXT ....................................................................................................21 Introduction ....................................................................................................................21 National Transport Policy ...............................................................................................21 Sustainable Communities Strategy ................................................................................22 Planning Policy...............................................................................................................23 The National Air Quality Strategy ...................................................................................24 Health Policy ..................................................................................................................25 Mobility Impairments ......................................................................................................25 Education Policy.............................................................................................................25 Milton Keynes and South Midlands Sub Region (MKSM) ..............................................26 Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) .................................................................................29 Neighbouring Areas........................................................................................................31 Milton Keynes and the Surrounding Regions .................................................................32 Partnerships ...................................................................................................................35 Traffic Management Act .................................................................................................38 Transport Asset Management Plan................................................................................38 Summary of Policy .........................................................................................................38 3. LOCAL CONTEXT .....................................................................................................39 Milton Keynes Profile......................................................................................................39 Transport Networks........................................................................................................43 Milton Keynes Future Profile ..........................................................................................52 Investment in Transport Networks..................................................................................53 Context Overview...........................................................................................................58 4. CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES ....................................................................59 Introduction ....................................................................................................................59 The Focus on Accessibility.............................................................................................60 Access to the Key Services............................................................................................60 Relevant Strategies........................................................................................................62 Development of the Accessibility Strategy .....................................................................62 7 Local Transport Plan 2006-07 to 2010-11 Strategic and Local Accessibility Assessments..............................................................63 Priorities for the Local Accessibility Assessment............................................................65 Identifying the Problems - Disadvantaged Communities................................................65 Safer Roads ...................................................................................................................67 Tackling Congestion.......................................................................................................70 Air Quality.......................................................................................................................76 Summary........................................................................................................................77 5. VISION, OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGY..................................................................79 Introduction ....................................................................................................................79 The Community Strategy Vision.....................................................................................79 A Transport Vision for Milton Keynes .............................................................................79 The Government’s Shared Priorities ..............................................................................81