Erewash Borough Local Plan



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Chapter 4
TRANSPORTATION

	Introduction
4.1	Since the preparation and adoption of the first Erewash Borough Local Plan, in 1994, transportation has become one of the key issues of the new millennium and consequently has been subject to Government advice as set out in PPG 12 (Development Plans and Regional Planning Guidance) and PPG 13 (Transport). These PPGs provide the framework within which the Local Plan is prepared and are therefore of particular importance to this chapter. The principal elements of the PPGs are set out below as objectives.
	Objectives
4.2	In preparing the Local Plan transportation chapter, the following objectives shall apply:-
	to reduce the need to travel, especially by car; to foster development which encourages walking, cycling and public transport use; to promote development in areas accessible by means other than the car; to locate major generators of travel demand in existing centres accessible by means other than the car; to maintain or improve the choice for people to walk, cycle or use public transport; limit parking provision to discourage car journeys where there are alternatives; to safeguard land for improvements to the transportation system; to facilitate improvements to the public transport network; to accord with the principles of sustainable development; to meet the needs of all sectors of society, particularly people with special needs, people who do not own a car, children and retired people; to prohibit development which would prejudice the restoration of railway routes. to reduce the environmental impact of transport.
4.3	Responsibility for transport lies with a number of organisations and transportation issues must therefore be addressed in a co-ordinated manner. The Highways Agency is responsible for trunk roads (M1, A52 and A38) and Derbyshire County Council, as the local highway authority, is responsible for all other roads in the borough. Bus and rail services are provided by the private sector. The Borough's role is largely restricted to ensuring that proposed transport infrastructure improvements are not prevented by land use decisions made during the plan period. The Borough Council also facilitates transport improvements through activities such as car parking, provision of bus shelters, cycle parking and other joint initiatives with the Highway Authority.
4.4	The Structure Plan transport policies provide a strategic context for transportation in the Borough. In preparing the Erewash Borough Local Plan, account has to be taken of these policies. Briefly, the relevant Structure Plan transport policies are:-
	reducing the need to travel (Transport Policy 1); integration (Transport Policy 2); safety and health (Transport Policy 3); land use and transport (Transport Policy 4); bus and taxi services (Transport Policy 5); passenger rail services (Transport Policy 6); freight (Transport Policy 7); traffic management (Transport Policy 8); pedestrians (Transport Policy 9); cycling (Transport Policy 10); people with special needs (Transport Policy 11); environmental impact (Transport Policy 12); new highway infrastructure (Transport Policy 13); new infrastructure (Transport Policy 15); parking and servicing (Transport Policy 16); disused transport routes (Transport Policy 17); route protection (Transport Policy 18).
4.5	The Government recently introduced a new system of bidding for highway/transport related funding. Local Transport Plans replace the former Transport Policies and Programme (T.P.P.). Local Transport Plans have been prepared for two areas of Erewash; the Derby area, which includes Borrowash, Breadsall, Little Eaton and Morley; and South East Derbyshire, which includes the Ilkeston and Long Eaton areas. It is important to take account of the Local Transport Plans in this Local Plan, although Local Transport Plans will generally be more appropriate for integration into the Structure Plan (PPG12 para 5.5).
4.6	The Borough Council has to include a statement in each Local Transport Plan about how it will implement the plan. This will be through:-
	the implementation of proposals in the Erewash Borough Local Plan; negotiation of Section 106 Obligations with developers; planning conditions attached to planning permissions; engineering works to highways; provision and management of off-street parking; increased security in town centres through the provision of close circuit television cameras; development of off-highway cyclepaths and cycle parking; reopening railway stations (in conjunction with partners); provision of bus shelters; low emission vehicle policy; cycle user scheme for council employees.
4.7	Local Transport Plans will be integrated with the Local Plan through land use planning and the limited powers open to the Borough Council, as a non-highway authority.
	Ilkeston - Awsworth Link Road
4.8	The A6096 Ilkeston-Awsworth Link road is included in the Structure Plan (Transport Policy 15) as a strategic local road. This important new road will link Chalons Way on the eastern side of Ilkeston to the Awsworth bypass, relieving Station Road, Ilkeston of heavy traffic and associated danger and pollution. Journey times from Ilkeston to the M1 at Junction 26 would also be improved and the new road would provide an opportunity to provide better access next to a reopened Ilkeston railway station. The new road should therefore be viewed as a vital part of an integrated transportation system.
4.9	The route of the Ilkeston-Awsworth Link was protected in the 1994 Erewash Local Plan and it remains protected in this local plan. It is envisaged that, as funding has now been made available and design work commenced, construction will begin within the lifetime of this plan.
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	POLICY T1 - ILKESTON-AWSWORTH LINK ROAD
	LAND AS IDENTIFIED ON THE PROPOSALS MAP IS PROTECTED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ILKESTON-AWSWORTH LINK ROAD. IN CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT WHICH AFFECT THE ILKESTON-AWSWORTH LINK ROAD, THE LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE NEED TO SECURE NEW HIGHWAY PROPOSALS AND IMPROVEMENTS, AND WILL REFUSE PERMISSION FOR DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD PREJUDICE THE CONSTRUCTION OR IMPROVEMENT OF THE HIGHWAY.

	Parking
4.10	The Borough Council, as the responsible body for off-street public car parking, aims to effectively manage car parking spaces in the town centres, through charging systems. PPG13 sets out national maximum parking standards for various forms of land use and development. It advises that in locations either readily accessible to public car parking provision, or which are well-served by public transport, car parking provision in conjunction with development should be significantly below the maximum standard. A level of parking in excess of the maximum standard will only be acceptable in exceptional circumstances, and where it is demonstrated that it is needed in the interests of public amenity, safety or to otherwise clearly benefit the town centre as a whole. In the interests of protecting the environment, car parking will not be provided where it could lead to traffic congestion and associated environmental pollution. Further, consideration has to be given to encouraging alternative forms of transport, other than by car, as a means to reducing the demand for car parking. Therefore, all new car parks will be required to include an element of cycle parking and parking for motorcycles. The current parking standards were agreed by Derbyshire County Council and accepted by the Borough Council for the purposes of development control. The County Council will need to have regard to the latest PPG13, together with the conclusions of the work carried out at regional level, in considering revisions to the current standards. When revised standards are agreed, these will then need to be further considered by the Borough Council. Guidelines for car parking provision required by the Council will be set out in the Parking Supplementary Planning Document.
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	POLICY T2 - PARKING
	TO MAINTAIN THE VITALITY AND VIABILITY OF THE TOWN CENTRES, OFF-STREET CAR PARKING WILL BE MANAGED TO ENSURE EFFICIENT USE OF CAR PARKING SPACES THROUGH THE OPERATION OF CHARGING SYSTEMS. IN CONSIDERING DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS, THE BOROUGH COUNCIL WILL HAVE REGARD TO THE MAXIMUM PARKING STANDARDS SET OUT IN THE PARKING SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT. WHERE DEVELOPMENT IS PROPOSED IN LOCATIONS WHICH ARE READILY ACCESSIBLE TO EXISTING CAR PARKING OR ARE WELL SERVED BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT, LEVELS OF CAR PARKING PROVISION MAY BE REQUIRED TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THE MAXIMUM LEVEL. A LEVEL OF PARKING IN EXCESS OF THE MAXIMUM STANDARD WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTABLE IN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, AND WHERE IT IS DEMONSTRATED THAT IT IS NEEDED IN THE INTERESTS OF PUBLIC AMENITY, SAFETY OR TO OTHERWISE CLEARLY BENEFIT THE TOWN CENTRE AS A WHOLE. PARKING SPACES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WILL BE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED.

	Public Transport
4.11	Results from the 1991 Census revealed that 30% of households within the Borough did not have access to a car and that certain wards such as Ilkeston North have a higher figure (56.5%) than the Borough average. Initial results from the 2001 Census have indicated that the Borough-wide figure has fallen to 24.1%. Notwithstanding this, it is clear that a large proportion of the community depend on public transport, comprising of bus and rail services. It is therefore essential that public transport services continue to serve the Borough and, wherever possible, facilities should be improved and integrated, in the interests of promoting and providing an efficient public transport system and protecting the environment. The Borough Council will work in partnership with public transport providers, operators and others with the aim of maximising the use of public transport as required in PPG13.
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	POLICY T3 - PUBLIC TRANSPORT
	PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES WILL BE IMPROVED WHEREVER OPPORTUNITIES ARISE. THIS WILL BE PRIMARILY THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT CONTROL PROCESS BUT MAY ALSO INCLUDE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT. NEW DEVELOPMENTS SHOULD BE DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO ENSURE THAT WHEREVER POSSIBLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES ARE WITHIN CONVENIENT WALKING DISTANCE OF THE WHOLE SITE. THE BOROUGH COUNCIL, IN CONSIDERING DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS, WILL SEEK TO NEGOTIATE SECTION 106 OBLIGATIONS TO SECURE, WHERE APPROPRIATE, THE PROVISION OF OR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS MEASURES TO ENHANCE EXISTING PUBLIC TRANSPORT PROVISION, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS.

	Railways
4.12	Within the Borough, there is only one passenger rail station, at Long Eaton, but there are several former stations which may provide opportunities for reopening passenger services. In particular, the reopening of a station to serve Ilkeston would be beneficial to the town and Borrowash station could be reopened as a commuter route to Derby and as a link into the wider railway network. However, the former stations at Trowell and Sandiacre are situated outside the administrative boundary of the Borough Council. Although the increased use of railways is supported, in the interests of the rail user and the environment, within the context of preparing a Local Plan only a general policy can be put forward. However, at Long Eaton, in the interest of keeping options open, a disused railway line off Meadow Lane is afforded protection as it may be needed in connection with any reopening of a central Long Eaton station (see Proposal Map).
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	POLICY T4 - RAILWAYS
	THE BOROUGH COUNCIL SUPPORTS THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE RAILWAY NETWORK, PARTICULARLY THE REOPENING OF RAILWAY STATIONS. APPLICATIONS FOR REOPENING FORMER RAILWAY STATIONS WILL BE APPROVED, SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY ACCESS, LANDSCAPING AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS. A DISUSED RAILWAY LINE OFF MEADOW LANE, LONG EATON WILL BE PROTECTED FROM DEVELOPMENT WHICH MAY PREJUDICE ITS RE-USE AS A RAILWAY ROUTE.

	Disused railways and canals
4.13	Disused railway lines and canals may present opportunities for improving the transportation network, and may be reopened if there is sufficient demand and available resources. It is therefore important to prevent development on disused routes if such development would prejudice a route being reopened in its entirety. Consideration will be given to the following criteria:
	1.	The need to maintain a continuous route;
	2.	The likelihood of the route being reopened;
	3.	The possibility of an alternative route being provided;
	4.	The need for the proposed development;
	5.	The impact on wildlife;
	6.	The impact on residential or recreational amenities;
	7.	The impact on the historic environment.
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	POLICY T5 - DISUSED TRANSPORT ROUTES
	IN CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT ON A DISUSED TRANSPORT ROUTE, CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
	1.	THE NEED TO PROTECT AND MAINTAIN A CONTINUOUS ROUTE FOR WALKING, CYCLING OR HORSE RIDING;
	2.	THE LIKELIHOOD OF THE ROUTE BEING REOPENED;
	3.	THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE BEING PROVIDED;
	4.	THE NEED FOR THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT;
	5.	THE IMPACT ON WILDLIFE;
	6.	THE IMPACT ON RESIDENTIAL OR RECREATIONAL AMENITIES;
	7.	THE NEED TO PROTECT THE CONTINUITY OR RESTORATION OF DISUSED RAILWAY LINES OR CANALS FROM PREJUDICIAL DEVELOPMENT;
	8.	THE IMPACT ON THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT.

	Cycling
4.14	Cycling is an efficient form of transport over a short distance and is environmentally sustainable. Therefore, it is particularly suitable in urban areas as a means of reducing congestion on the roads and pollution to the air. However, it can also be a dangerous method of transport if the cyclist has to compete with road vehicles for space. Segregated cycling lanes and cycling priority areas are required to encourage greater use of cycles in towns. The identification and implementation of such schemes on highways is the responsibility of the Highways Authority. Accordingly it is beyond the scope of this Local Plan to propose specific improvements for cyclists, through the designation of cycling lanes on highways. However, over the plan period, the Borough Council will seek improvements for the cyclist wherever opportunities arise and resources are available. This will include cyclepaths/lanes arising from development control decisions and the provision of cycle parking and changing facilities at new developments.
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	POLICY T6 - CYCLING
	IN CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT, FACILITIES FOR CYCLISTS WILL BE SOUGHT BY NEGOTIATING SECTION 106 PLANNING OBLIGATIONS WITH DEVELOPERS, PROVIDED THAT THE OBLIGATIONS ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AND ARE NECESSARY TO MAKE IT ACCEPTABLE IN LAND-USE PLANNING TERMS.

	Pedestrians and Disabled People
4.15	In line with the Government's commitment to reducing social exclusion, there is a need to ensure that all development proposals take into proper account the varying needs of the local community regardless of any physical impairment and to ensure that developments are physically accessible. It is the policy of the Borough Council to improve facilities for pedestrians and disabled people, both in towns and the countryside, through the development process, recreational trails, ongoing maintenance of the rights of way network and other opportunities as they arise.
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	POLICY T7 - PEDESTRIANS AND DISABLED PEOPLE
	FACILITIES FOR PEDESTRIANS AND DISABLED PEOPLE WILL BE IMPROVED WHEREVER OPPORTUNITIES ARISE. IN PARTICULAR, NEW DEVELOPMENT TO WHICH THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL EXPECTS TO HAVE ACCESS, ESPECIALLY SHOPS, SPORTS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES, WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED IF IT IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH IMPAIRED MOBILITY, BY THE PROVISION OF ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES, CONVENIENT MOVEMENT ALONG PATHWAYS AND AN UNHINDERED APPROACH TO BUILDINGS. WHERE APPROPRIATE, CONDITIONS WILL BE IMPOSED ON PLANNING PERMISSIONS TO ACHIEVE THESE OBJECTIVES.

	Traffic Calming
4.16	Traffic calming may be defined as "the process which seeks to control motor vehicles in a number of ways for safety and amenity reasons." In practice this means reducing the speed and movement of traffic along streets rather than adapting streets to the demands of the motor vehicles. The purpose of traffic calming is therefore to redress the balance away from the motor vehicle and towards the quality of life. Measures may include, for example, road humps, mini-roundabouts, chicanes, pedestrian refuges and crossing facilities for cyclists. Across the Borough, it is important to improve road safety and the environment of residential areas, wherever problems occur and opportunities arise. Such measures would have to be undertaken in conjunction with the Highway Authority.
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	POLICY T8 - TRAFFIC CALMING AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
	TRAFFIC CALMING AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN ORDER TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS, WHERE IT IS DESIRABLE, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HIGHWAY AUTHORITY.

	Travel Plans
4.17	In line with PPG13: Transport, it is important to promote the use of travel plans, at all major development proposals for employment, retail, leisure or services. A definition of major development can be found in the glossary at the rear of this document. The objectives for travel plans are:
	reductions in car usage, particularly single occupancy journeys; increased use of walking, cycling and public transport; more environmentally friendly means of transportation; reduction in traffic speeds and improved safety.
4.18	The provision of travel plans will arise through the development control process and may take the form either of a planning condition or planning obligation. In either case, travel plans will be discussed with applicants or developers prior to a planning application being formerly considered.
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	POLICY T9 - TRAVEL PLANS
	TRAVEL PLANS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ALL MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR EMPLOYMENT, RETAIL, LEISURE OR SERVICES, INCLUDING SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS, OR WHEREVER A TRAVEL PLAN WOULD HELP TO ALLEVIATE A LOCAL TRAFFIC PROBLEM ASSOCIATED WITH A PLANNING APPLICATION. WHERE A TRAVEL PLAN IS NECESSARY TO MAKE A DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL ACCEPTABLE, ITS PROVISION AND IMPLEMENTATION WILL BE SECURED BY MEANS OF A SECTION 106 PLANNING OBLIGATION OR A PLANNING CONDITION.




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