Chapter 8
Transport Infrastructure

T1	Transport Network Priorities (Part 1 policy)
T2	Walking and Cycling
T3	Pedestrian Priority on Chapel Street, Southport
T4	Safeguarding the Public Transport Network
T5	New Car Parks in Designated Areas
T6	Freight Distribution Network

Introduction

Developing a Sustainable Transport Network

8.1 It is important to make sure that people have easy access to a range of goods and services. Economic growth also relies on an effective and efficient transport system to move goods, people and services from one place to another. However, developing an effective transport network should not be at the expense of Sefton’s environment.

 

8.2 Land use and transport must be planned together to give people genuine choice of transport and so reduce the number of journeys using private motor vehicles. New and improved transport infrastructure, and making the best use of existing infrastructure, is vital to achieving the Council's objectives of sustainable development and regeneration.

 

8.3 This chapter sets out land-use policies and proposals for developing a sustainable transport network – a network which seeks to increase the proportions of trips made by walking, cycling and public transport - in line with the strategy set out in the Merseyside Local Transport Plan. The transport and accessibility requirements for development are dealt with in Section D of the Plan.

 

8.4 The Merseyside Local Transport Plan and associated documents¹ set out a 10-year strategy and 5-year investment programme for transport infrastructure for Sefton and the whole of Merseyside.

 

Explanation

8.5 The policy identifies the Council's current priorities (not in priority order) for new and improved infrastructure. They stem from the Merseyside Local Transport Plan, and will contribute to it being implemented. The aim is to promote a sustainable transport network within Sefton. The main components of the network are shown in figure 8.1.

 

8.6 The following schemes have been deleted from the Council’s transport programme since the adoption of the 1995 Unitary Development Plan:

 

• Water Lane Bypass, Southport;

   

• Formby and Churchtown Pedestrianisation Schemes.

   

8.7 Although the Water Lane By-pass is not part of the Council's current 10-year capital programme it may be reconsidered as part of a strategic review of access to Southport.

 

8.8 Road and rail freight access to the Port of Liverpool is a key strategic issue which has been the subject of a major transport study (see Policy T6).

 

8.9 Transport improvements and traffic management will play a vital part in the regeneration and enhancement of Bootle and Southport Central Areas (see Policies EDT10 and EDT13). Strategies for both centres have been approved as part of the first Local Transport Plan and further review of the strategies are planned.

 

8.10 The Council have investigated various options to relieve the harmful effects on the local community of traffic travelling through Thornton to and from Switch Island. Following public consultation the Council agreed the best way to address environmental concerns along the existing traffic corridor would be to provide a new highway link from Switch Island to Southport Road / Ince Road, Thornton. The proposals were identified as a Regional Priority by the Regional Assembly. The Department for Transport has accepted the Regional Assembly recommendations. The scheme has been identified as a major scheme in the second Local Transport Plan for Merseyside.

 

Implementation

8.11 This policy will be implemented through:

 

• The Second Merseyside Local Transport Plan and associated Sefton and Merseytravel Capital Programmes.

   

• The investment programmes of Network Rail and the Strategic Rail Authority.

   

Sustainability Appraisal

No changes made as references to air quality and pollution are dealt with in policy EP2 ‘Pollution’.

 

Policy Links

RSS Policies -
UR3 Promoting Social Inclusion through Urban Accessibility and Mobility;
T2 The Regional Rail Network;
T3 The Regional Highway Network;
T6 The Region’s Ports and Strategic Inland Waterways;
T7 Freight Transport;
T8 The National Cycle Network;
T10 Regional Priorities for Transport Investment and Management.

 

Background documents

Planning Policy Guidance Note: 13 ‘Transport’, 2001; ‘Merseyside Local Transport Plan’, 2001, ‘2nd Merseyside Local Transport, June 2006’.

 

 

Explanation

8.12 Convenient footpath and cycle links throughout the Borough are necessary if people are to have a choice of means of travel. This also includes providing links to sites which are being developed.

 

8.13 This policy concentrates on the walking and cycling programmes referred to in Policy T1 ‘Transport Network Priorities’. Development proposals should not make it difficult to retain identified routes or carry out agreed improvement schemes. Development should also link into these routes wherever possible.

 

8.14 Existing and proposed walking and cycling networks include:

 

• The strategic path network for countryside recreation, which consists of established and proposed routes for walking and cycling. The network is set out in Policy G7 and can also be found in the SPG ‘Ensuring Choice of Travel’;

   

• The Council’s pedestrian and cycle programmes, which aim to develop safe and attractive networks by improving conditions for pedestrians and cyclists on the existing highway network. Priority for action is on routes to local facilities, Bootle and Southport Central Areas, and the District and Local Centres. Particular attention will be paid to making sure routes are accessible to people with limited mobility. Details of completed and proposed improvements will be available annually from the Council. Proposed cycle routes are also identified in the SPG ‘Ensuring Choice of Travel’;

   

• Greenways, which are largely car-free off-road routes, for shared use by people on foot, bike or horseback. The Council’s completed and proposed Greenways are identified in the SPG ‘Ensuring a Choice of Travel’. Quiet Lanes are rural roads with little traffic where non-motorised modes are given priority. Proposals for Quiet Lanes will be included in the SPG ‘Ensuring Choice of Travel’ as and when proposed.

   

• Rights of Way, which include public footpaths, bridleways, by-ways open to all traffic and cycle tracks. Details of the definitive path network highlighting public rights of way are available from the Council. The Council has a programme for maintaining, improving and extending the rights of way network;

   

• Pedestrian and cycle routes to all schools. The locations of all schools are identified in the SPG ‘Ensuring Choice of Travel’ to ensure that particular consideration is given to pedestrian and cycle safety in these locations. Proposals for Home Zones will be included in the SPG ‘Ensuring Choice of Travel’ as and when proposed;

   

• Other routes of local importance, including those which provide links from residential areas to local facilities such as public transport, schools, local centres, employment opportunities, health and leisure facilities.

   

8.15 Policy AD2 requires development schemes to be accessible by a choice of means of travel, including by pedestrians and cyclists. In some cases the above routes may need to be enhanced or provision for pedestrian access made where this serves the development site. The Council may also seek contributions for the maintenance of new facilities provided for an agreed period.

 

Implementation

8.16 This policy will be implemented through the development control process with reference to the SPG mentioned above.

 

Sustainability Appraisal

No changes made as road safety and environmental quality are referred to in policies CS3 ’Development Principles’ and DQ1 ‘Design’.

 

Policy Links

EDT10 Bootle Central Area - Development Principles,
EDT13 Southport Central Area - Development Principles,
G7 Strategic Paths for Countryside Recreation,
AD2 Ensuring Choice of Travel.

 

Background documents

Planning Policy Guidance Note 13 ‘Transport’, 2001; ‘Sefton Cycling Strategy’, Sefton MBC, 1995; ‘Merseyside Walking Strategy’, 2002; ‘Merseyside Draft Pedestrian Strategy’ 2006. Merseyside Local Transport Plan, 2001 and 2006; ‘Encouraging Walking’, DETR, 2000; ‘National Cycling Strategy’, DETR, 1996 (modified 2004).

 

Explanation

8.17 Priority for pedestrians is promoted in the ‘Southport Transportation Strategy: Transis 2010’, and in the Merseyside Local Transport Plan. The pedestrianisation of Chapel Street will be completed by the end of 2006. The reason for this is to provide a more attractive shopping environment. This policy aims to restrict development which would make it difficult to give pedestrians priority in Chapel Street, Southport.

 

8.18 This includes:

 

• development which would require the use of Chapel Street at unacceptable times, or by unacceptable numbers of vehicles for servicing, deliveries/ collection or refuse collection;

   

• buildings or structures which would hinder the free flow of pedestrians along Chapel Street.

   

Implementation

 

8.19 This policy will be implemented through the development control process

 

Sustainability Appraisal

No changes needed.

 

Policy Links

T2 Walking and Cycling,
EDT13 Southport Central Area - Development Principles.

 

Background documents

‘Merseyside Local Transport Plan’, 2001; ‘Southport Transportation Strategy: Transis 2010’, Sefton MBC, 1998.

 

Explanation

8.20 This policy aims to ensure that:

 

• land for infrastructure improvements to the public transport network is protected from inappropriate development, and that

   

• development is not allowed which prevents the network functioning effectively.

   

The proposed sites are identified on the Proposals Map. Merseytravel’s Core Bus Network is identified in the Supplementary Planning Guidance Note ‘Ensuring Choice of Travel’.

 

8.21 A development brief will be prepared for the Southport Station site and will contain details of how the site may be brought forward for development, including constraints and opportunities within the site (see also Policy R3 ‘Southport Station Complex’).

 

8.22 Policy AD2 in Chapter 15 requires development schemes to be accessible by a choice of means of travel, including by public transport. In some cases a financial contribution may be sought from developers to the improvement of the above network where this serves the development site.

 

Implementation

8.23 This policy will be implemented through the development control process.

 

Sustainability Appraisal

No changes made as road safety, environmental quality and Green Travel Plans are referred to in policies CS3 ‘Development Principles’, AD4 ‘Green Travel Plans’ and DQ1’Design’.

 

Policy Links

EDT17 Employment Opportunity Sites (re Aintree Curve);
H6 Housing Opportunity Sites (re Aintree Curve);
GBC2 Development in the Green Belt.
R3 Southport Station Complex

 

Background documents

Planning Policy Guidance Note 13 ‘Transport’, 2001; ‘Merseyside Local Transport Plan’, 2001; ‘Merseyside Bus Strategy’ Merseytravel, 2001; ‘Park and Ride Strategy for Merseyside’, 2002.

 

Explanation

8.24 The supply of car parking is a key factor affecting people’s decisions whether or not to use the car rather than other means of travel. The policy aims to encourage alternatives to the car by limiting the amount of parking in the Southport and Bootle Central Areas, in line with the Merseyside Local Transport Plan. Other designated areas are 200m from the boundaries of the following local centres identified in the Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) Note ‘Ensuring Choice of Travel’:

 

• Maghull;

   

• Crosby;

   

• Waterloo; and

   

• Formby.

   

8.25 Only car parks which are required to meet the operational needs of a development will be permitted. New pay and display, contract, or other commercial car parks will not be permitted. This applies to permanent and temporary car parks, and renewals of existing temporary permissions.

 

8.26 Only one two-year temporary permission or several continuous temporary permissions covering a maximum period of two years will be allowed. Any break between the end of one temporary permission and the start of the next will count towards the two year total. Renewal of existing temporary permissions will also be subject to this overall limit of two calendar years.

 

Implementation

8.27 This policy will be implemented through the development control process, with reference to the SPG mentioned above.

 

Sustainability Appraisal

No changes needed.

 

Policy Links

EDT10 Bootle Central Area - Development Principles;
EDT13 Southport Central Area - Development Principles.

 

Background documents

‘Merseyside Road Traffic Reduction Act Report’, 2001; ‘Merseyside Local Transport Plan’, 2001; ‘Park and Ride Strategy for Merseyside’, 2002; ‘Southport Transportation Strategy: Transis 2010’ Sefton MBC, 1998; ‘Bootle Transportation Study’ Sefton MBC, 2001.

 

Explanation

8.28 The freight strategy in the second Merseyside Local Transport Plan identifies the need to make the most of opportunities to move goods by rail and so reduce the environmental impact of freight traffic.

 

8.29 The Seaforth Euro Rail terminal is located within the Port and is where goods can be transferred between ships, freight trains and lorries. The Port's rail connection to the national network at Edge Hill, Liverpool, is of strategic importance. The second Merseyside Local Transport Plan gives priority to the upgrading of this route to increase its capacity.

 

8.30 Development within the operational Port area affecting dock and freight facilities does not always require planning permission. Where it does, the criteria in Policy EDT9 will apply.

 

8.31 The roads designated as Freight Priority Routes are shown in the Supplementary Planning Guidance Note ‘Ensuring Choice of Travel’. They are:

 

• A565 (Rimrose Road/Derby Road/Atlantic Avenue);

   

• A5036 (Princess Way/Church Road/Dunningsbridge Road);

   

• A5058 (Miller's Bridge/Balliol Road/Breeze Hill).

   

8.32 As part of the "Atlantic Avenue" initiative the A565 has been improved to dual carriageway standard for most of the length from central Liverpool to the A5036 junction at Seaforth.

 

8.33 The volume of heavy goods traffic on these roads is a major cause of environmental disturbance for local communities, but even if there were more use of rail the efficient movement of freight by road would remain important to the local economy. The major Port Access Study, completed in 2004, resulted in an approved strategy to promote rail freight and manage and mitigate the impacts of the increased road freight. Rail freight enhancements to reinstate Olive Mount Curve and to undertake gauge enhancements is underway and the package of highway improvements is being developed to address key issues raised in the study and the subsequent Freight Strategy for Merseyside 2006.

 

8.34 The North Mersey Line connects the Southport and Ormskirk branches of the Merseyrail Northern Line network and is currently disused. It passes through major employment areas and the need to safeguard the line for possible future freight or passenger use has been recognised by Network Rail and Merseytravel.

 

Implementation

8.35 This policy will be implemented through the development control process.

 

Sustainability appraisal

No changes made to policy as its main aim is to safeguard routes.

 

Policy Links

EDT9 The Port and Maritime Zone;
EDT17 Employment Opportunity Sites (re Aintree Curve);
H6 Housing Opportunity Sites (re Aintree Curve);
AD1 Location of Development.

 

Background documents

‘Merseyside Local Transport Plan’, 2001 and 2006; ‘Merseyside Freight Study’, 2000; Merseyside Freight Strategy 2006.

 

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¹ For example the Merseyside Freight Study and the Southport Transportation study: Transis 2010

 

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