Sustainable Transport and Travel

. TC1 - Sustainable Transport and Travel 1) New development will be located in areas where the opportunity for sustainable travel to, from and within the site is realistic. 2) New development must contribute to the delivery of an integrated, accessible and safe transport system, maximising the use of the sustainable transport modes of walking, cycling and the use of public transport including the provision of Mobi-Hubs where appropriate in line with the current version of the Local Transport Plan. 3) Proposals for development will need to have regard to the Infrastructure Delivery Schedule and any subsequent updates which identify the key infrastructure requirements on which the delivery of the plan depends. Provision of suitable access and transport infrastructure and services will be achieved through direct improvements and/or schemes funded through Section 106 contributions or the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to address impacts of new development. 4) The transfer of road freight to railways and canals in the district will be supported in principle, subject to the provision of a full Transport Assessment and compliance with other relevant local, regional or national policies, including an assessment of impacts on the environment and amenity and prior discussion with the Canal and River Trust and Network Rail. Development Proposals 5) New development should integrate means of travel and minimise the impacts of travel by private motor vehicle on the district by maximising: a) The provision of high-quality, safe and direct walking and cycling routes within a permeable site layout, with priority over vehicular traffic, that facilitates and encourages walking and cycling; b) The provision of sufficient secure, accessible and convenient cycle parking; c) Delivery of new and enhanced cycle and walking routes in the area to schools, local facilities, services, bus stops and railway stations, as well as to the towpath and access including links to and from the Grand Union Canal towpath, or other key destinations identified; d) The provision and improvement of public transport access including layouts to enable convenient access for buses, bus priority where possible and accessible bus stops with high quality infrastructure; e) Opportunities for new taxi ranks where there is a demonstrated need arising from new developments including transport hubs where demand would be high, such as station forecourts, and town centres. 6) Development proposals should demonstrate that: a) they provide a safe and adequate means of access for each mode; b) opportunities for routes to key destinations by sustainable modes are maximised to reduce reliance on private vehicles for short journeys; c) they will maintain the safe operation and the performance of the local road networks and the Strategic Road Network; d) they are appropriate in scale to existing transport infrastructure, including public transport and, where necessary, infrastructure can be improved with provision for public transport as part of a scheme, and/or through off-site delivery and contributions; e) they are integrated with the wider network of transport routes, including public rights of way and cycle paths where appropriate; f) they make adequate provision for all users, including car and other vehicle parking, giving priority to people with mobility difficulties, Reasoned Justification: 12.9 Transport has a range of impacts on the environment. As well as the land take for provision of transport infrastructure, it is a major source of carbon dioxide and of emissions affecting air quality in the district, with consequences for the health and quality of life of communities. 12.10 The NPPF requires that developments that generate significant movement are located where the need to travel will be minimised and the use of sustainable transport modes can be maximised. It also states that different policies and measures will be required in different communities and that opportunities to maximise sustainable transport solutions will vary from urban to rural areas. 12.11 Sustainable modes of travel are defined within the NPPF as any efficient, safe and accessible means of transport with overall low impact on the environment, including walking and cycling, low and ultra -low emission vehicles, car sharing and public transport. Reducing the Need to Travel 12.12 The spatial strategy seeks to focus growth to locations which are or can be made sustainable to make the fullest possible use of public transport, walking and cycling. Complementing this, there is a need for all individual proposals for development to maximise opportunities to support and integrate sustainable travel and to manage and mitigate transport impacts to ensure that safe and suitable access will be provided for all users and that significant impacts of development will be limited. In doing so, we seek to create environments that make it easier to be physically active, pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians, and to low and ultra-low emission vehicles; g) they are linked to local facilities, amenities and public transport hubs through roads which provide sufficient width to allow vehicles to maintain the separation from pedestrians, cyclists and other road users required by the Highway Code. 7) Development generating a significant amount of movement must be supported by a Transport Assessment or Transport Statement and a Travel Plan for prospective residents, employees or users in accordance with the Local Validation Checklist. The Assessment/Statement should fully assess the impact of the proposal on transport taking into account the cumulative impacts of permitted developments and allocated sites, and detail any measures to be taken to mitigate adverse impacts taking into consideration relevant guidance available from the County Council. enhance opportunities for walking and cycling safely, create high quality public spaces and public realm, improve connectivity and accessibility for all, and focus on supporting the high streets, and centres as destinations that people want to go to and use to ‘live locally’. 12.13 The council requires proposals for every development and all major developments to promote the concept of enjoyable / liveable / 20 -minute neighbourhoods. Creating neighbourhoods where residents’ daily needs can be reached within a 20 minute walk (10 minutes ea ch way) will not only improve quality of life but will also bring the multiple benefits of healthier lifestyles, cleaner air, stronger local economies and above all, better resilience against climate change. Proposals for new development must evidence exactly how more sustainable travel will be prioritised (through walking and cycling, travel planning and design to reduce the need for both essential and non-essential journeys). 12.14 All opportunities to minimise the impacts of transport on the environment through reducing the need to travel and promoting and encouraging the use of alternative more sustainable modes of transport must be taken as part of proposals for development. 12.15 Developers are encouraged to explore the opportunity to integrate new development to existing Mobi Hubs and/or create new multi-modal hubs providing electric vehicle charge points, e -bikes, car clubs, and information on local transportation for businesses, the general public, communities and visitors. They will be designed with respect to their compatibility with future mobility technologies, ensuring infrastructure that is compatible with developments such as automotive vehicles, vehicle to grid charging and battery storage. Walking and Cycling 12.16 New development proposals should incorporate the Transport User Hierarchy as set out in the current Hertfordshire County Council Local Transport Plan into the design of any scheme. The development of any transport strategy should provide for travel needs in the following order: • Opportunities to reduce travel demand and the need to travel • Vulnerable road user needs (such as pedestrians and cyclists) • Passenger transport user needs • Powered two-wheeler (mopeds and motorbikes) user needs • Other motor vehicle user needs 12.17 Supporting a safe and pleasant walking environment places prioritisation of pedestrians at the top of the road user hierarchy and improvements to pedestrian safety in existing areas. The council has developed and adopted its Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan in line with Government guidance. More information is available at https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/services/transport-and-streets/cycling- walking#Local%20Cycling%20and%20Walking%20Infrastructure%20Plan%20(LC WIP). Developments must incorporate high quality pedestrian routes that promote walking as an attractive, convenient, safe and pleasant mode of transport and that connect in networks and to the surrounding area taking into account existing and likely desire li nes. Adequate wayfinding is also important to help to incentivise walking. 12.18 Cycling is also an essential component of sustainability and the support of healthy lifestyles, as well as providing an affordable means of access to local destinations and opportunity for leisure and recreation. To encourage and support cycling, developments should connect to, and further develop and enhance the existing network of cycle routes of different types (on-road and off-road) helping to deliver the local cycling and walking strategies. This will include improvements to junctions as well as the ro utes themselves. Developments should adhere to Highway Code in implementing a risk-based ‘hierarchy of road users’, which places more responsibility on the drivers of larger vehicles to look after more vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians. Providing sufficient, convenient and secure cycle parking, with a particular priority at key destinations such as town centres and railway stations is also important, as well as end-of-trip facilities for cyclists. 12.19 Where possible, walking and cycling routes should be designed to incorporate designing out crime principles, including being well lit, and provide clear sightlines. 12.20 Active travel infrastructure should be accessible and inclusive. Cycleways should provide enough space for adapted cycles such as tricycles, tandems and wheelchair cycles. Cycle infrastructure should be designed in line with LTN 1/20 Cycle Infrastructure Design. This will ensure that cycle tracks and footways are designed to be perceived as wholly separate facilities, ensuring the safety of both pedestrian and cyclist users. Travel Planning 12.21 The council will also require Travel Plans for every major development and will work with the Local Transport, Traffic and Highway Authority to require, monitor and enforce the effectiveness of Travel Plans. Local guidance sets out criteria for production of Travel Plans and can be viewed with the following link: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/travelplans. 12.22 This can include initiatives to increase access to bicycles through cycle loan and hire opportunities subject to consideration of any associated facilities against other policies and objectives of the Local Plan. 12.23 Training and/or travel behaviour initiatives to support the take up of cycling will also be supported. 12.24 The Council will work with partners including Hertfordshire County Council and bus and rail operators to implement measures to give buses priority over other vehicles; to create and enhance the public realm around rail stations to improve the user experience and interchange; to develop the network to meet travel needs in the area; and to ensure that bus stops and bus stopping areas are well located and that they are designed to be accessible and comfortable for all. New development must also make provision for public transport where this is appropriate taking into account of the scale and nature of a development, including for example through layouts which enable access for buses and provision of covered waiting facilities and accessible bus stops with high quality infrastructure. Relevant guidance is available in HCC’s Intalink Bus Strategy and the Rail Strategy. 12.25 In addition to supporting sustainable modes of travel, where new development comes forward, it must ensure that access arrangements are safe and do not result in danger or inconvenience to other users of the highway, including as a consequence of traffic generation on both the local road network and the Strategic Road Network which comprises the motorways and some A roads. Any impacts on the SRN will need to be identified and mitigated as far as reasonably possible. Appropriate provision for parking should also be made in accordance with the parking standards and the Place and Movement Design Guide. 12.26 The council will work in partnership with Canal and River Trust in relation to integrating the canal corridor into adjacent development and creating / strengthening links to other areas of open space. This could include improvements to the existing towpath, improving signage and creating circular walks or heritage trails. Canal Trust will be consulted as particular working practices and frequency required, costs, management would be key to determining overall suitability of any proposals for freight on the waterway. Parking 12.27 There are high levels of car ownership and usage in Three Rivers, and the demand for and management of parking is an important issue for the district. Three Rivers has Controlled Parking Zones in Rickmansworth and Chorleywood and other parking schemes, inc luding permit parking, which have been established to meet the requirements of existing residents in areas where off -street parking is either limited or not available. Parking space in many areas is frequently used to maximum capacity and, as a consequence, there may be a conflict in the use of space between existing residents and occupiers of new properties. 12.28 The provision and management of parking is also an important factor in helping to influence travel demand and modes of travel. As noted withi