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Policy T3: Other Public Transport Schemes
   

1. Planning permission will be granted for public transport schemes of the following types:

-  New or improved bus or rail stations;

-  New or improved Park and Ride facilities (in locations shown on the Proposals Map);

-  Public transport interchange facilities, and

-  Development required to aid the enhancement of the principal bus routes

provided that the proposals demonstrate that they are in accordance with the Merseyside Local Transport Plan and/or its supporting strategies; and are otherwise in accordance with the policies of this Plan. When undertaking transport improvements the opportunity should be taken to improve walking and cycling routes, enhance the local environment & streetscape and reduce visual clutter to a minimum.

2.  The siting of a proposed new railway station at Headbolt Lane, Kirkby is indicated on the Proposals Map and the Council has agreed with Merseytravel to include a Park & Ride scheme at this potential new railway station.

3.  In the event of Park and Ride facilities being proposed within the Green Belt, it will need to be clearly shown that the following criteria have been met:

a)  A thorough and comprehensive assessment of potential sites, using a sequential approach, has been undertaken which clearly demonstrates that there are no suitable alternative sites that could be practicably used (either within Knowsley or any adjacent Borough) which are outside the Green Belt, having regard to sustainable development objectives, and the need to be flexible about size and layout;

b)  The assessment establishes that the proposed Green Belt site is the most sustainable option taking account of all relevant factors including travel impacts;

c)  The scheme will not seriously compromise the purposes of including land in Green Belts;

d)  The proposal is contained within the Local Transport Plan (or is required to support other transport initiatives within the Local Transport Plan) and based on a thorough assessment of travel impacts; and

e)  New or re-used buildings are included within the development proposal only for essential facilities associated with the operation of the park & ride scheme

 

Explanation T3

8.17

The Merseyside Local Transport Plan 10 year strategy includes the provision of new stations at several locations in Merseyside, including one at Headbolt Lane, Kirkby (subject to a feasibility study and reference to the Strategic Rail Authority’s "New Stations: A Guide for Promoters" which was published in September 2004). A Park and Ride Strategy exists (published July 2002), which aims to provide a number of Park and Ride sites, of varying sizes across Merseyside, which will link with rail stations, bus routes and the Merseytram system.

8.18

Policy T3 will ensure that these schemes will be granted planning permission where they satisfy the other policies of this Plan. For example, proposals for new public transport infrastructure will need to be designed and sited so as to avoid any detrimental impact on the environmental assets of the Borough, or on the living environment of any nearby residents. If proposals come forward for the development of Headbolt Lane (Kirkby) and Prescot railway stations, then these schemes should take into account the possibility of these stations also being served by the Merseytram system.

8.19

New Park and Ride facilities will be considered to be inappropriate development if sited in the Green Belt. However, exceptions to this may be made where the developer can demonstrate that there are no alternative sites that could practicably be used for this purpose.

8.20

Quality Bus Partnerships, Quality Bus Contracts and their associated Quality Bus Corridors are developed in partnership with bus operators and aim to help achieve a step change in the quality and attractiveness of bus travel across Merseyside. The Quality Bus Corridors in the Borough are as follows: along the A580 into Kirkby, along the A57 into Prescot and Whiston, along the A5080 into Roby, along the B5178 into Tarbock Green, and along the A562 into Halewood. The introduction of modern electric trolleybuses (powered by electricity from sustainable renewable energy sources) could be considered as another possible innovative method of enhancing and upgrading Quality Bus Corridors and other main bus routes. This could also help improve the image, quality and attractiveness of bus travel across Merseyside.  

Policy Links

Policy G1

“Development within the Green Belt”

Policy DQ1

“Design Quality in New Development”

Policy DQ2

“Security in the built environment”

Policy T8

"Transport Assessments"

Policy T10

“Access for the less mobile”

Policy ENV2

“Noise and Vibration”

Policy ENV3

“Light Pollution”

Policy MW7

“Renewable Energy”

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