Southern Warwickshire
Introduction
This section of the Local Transport Plan covers the area shown in Figure 3.23, which includes the towns of
Southern Warwickshire has strong demand for travel links with Warwick, Leamington Spa, Birmingham, Redditch, Banbury and parts of the Cotswolds. The County Council has worked in close partnership with Birmingham City Council, Gloucestershire County Council and Oxfordshire County Council during the development of proposals for this part of Warwickshire.
Figure 23 Southern Warwickshire Travel Area
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The Shared Priorities in Southern Warwickshire
While all four Shared Priorities are reflected in the plans for Southern Warwickshire, the most pressing local priorities are related to reducing congestion in order to develop the visitor economy. The key local priorities include implementation of agreed measures in the Stratford Transport Strategy to maintain the competitive position of Stratford-upon-Avon as a world tourist destination and support the redevelopment proposals for the town. This will be informed by the emerging Urban Design Framework, which is being developed in parallel with a review of the Stratford Transport Strategy. A presumption to improve road safety underlies all relevant local priorities, schemes and initiatives. Similarly, there is a fundamental intention to prevent the deterioration of air quality across the area.
The Overall Context
Population
The population of the District in 2003 was 115,200, up 20.5% since 1971. Forecasts by the Office for National Statistics suggest that this trend will continue and that the District’s population will increase between 2005 and 2011 by more than the average for Warwickshire.
Social Issues
The mean household income in the District is above the Warwickshire average. The District as a whole performs well in terms of the Index of Local Deprivation. However, there are variations within the District, with some areas having relatively high levels of deprivation in terms of access to goods and services due to their rural characteristics.
The Economy
Stratford-on-Avon District is the best performing District in the County in terms of employment change. The trend in job numbers in the District has seen an increase since the early 1990s. There has been rapid growth over the last 10 years.
The Environment
This part of the County has a number of environmental assets, including the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon, the River Avon and the Burton Dassett hills. The southern edge of the area lies within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Travel Patterns
Road Traffic Growth
Over the last 10 years, traffic growth has been 11% in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Figure 24 Traffic Growth in Stratford upon Avon 1995 - 2005
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Modal Split
The modal split for the journey to work in Stratford-on-Avon District (Table 3.12) is generally similar to that of Warwickshire a whole, with the car being the dominant form of transport for travel to work. However, use of public transport is significantly lower than in any other district of Warwickshire, and only a third of that of shire counties as a whole.
|
Stratford District – Journey to Work Modal Split (Source: 2001 Census) |
||||
|
Car |
Public Transport |
Bicycle |
Walk |
|
|
Stratford District |
70.4% |
3.0% |
2.6% |
9.4% |
|
Warwickshire |
71.2% |
4.7% |
2.9% |
9.7% |
|
English Shire Counties |
66.8% |
7.6% |
3.1% |
10.1% |
Table 3.13 below shows a summary of school travel patterns in the District. The modal split for school journeys in the Borough is similar to the modal split in Warwickshire as a whole, with a strong reliance on the car and walking.
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Stratford District – Journey to School Modal Split (Source: WCC) |
||||
|
Car |
Public Transport |
Bicycle |
Walk |
|
|
Stratford District |
39% |
26% |
1% |
31% |
|
Warwickshire |
37% |
15% |
4% |
43% |
|
UK |
30% |
14% |
1% |
46% |
Transport Problems and Opportunities
Southern Warwickshire is a relatively prosperous part of the County. That prosperity however brings pressures in term of growth that needs to be managed.
A Fairer, More Accessible Transport System
Southern Warwickshire exhibits many of the same problems in terms of achieving an inclusive, accessible system as the rest of the County. The large rural hinterland of the area with its dispersed population is difficult to serve with convenient and frequent public transport. The County Council will continue to work with the principal bus operators in the area to improve intra and inter-urban services to serve Stratford town centre and its hinterland.
Picture 12 Bridge Street, Stratford upon Avon
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Full Employment and a Strong, Sustainable Economy
Good access to and within Stratford-upon-Avon is vital to maintain its role as a world-renowned tourist destination.
A deterioration in congestion within Stratford town centre is expected in future years, due to increasing car usage, predicted changes in population and employment, and new development. This trend could affect Stratford’s economy unless the Stratford Transport Strategy, involving the provision of appropriate access improvements for all modes, is implemented over the forthcoming LTP period and beyond.
One barrier to the improvement in accessibility has been a lack of enforcement of parking restrictions across the District, and particularly within Stratford-upon-Avon itself. This lack of enforcement has resulted in long term parking (i.e. parking by commuters) restricting opportunities for short stay parking (i.e. parking by shoppers). This problem has recently been addressed by the introduction of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement (DPE) throughout Stratford District.
Reduction of Transport Impact on the Environment
Within Stratford-upon-Avon, traffic causes adverse impacts in terms of noise, visual intrusion and pollution, especially in Bridge Street, High Street, Guild Street, on the Bridgeway gyratory system, and along the Arden Street/Grove Road route that circumvents the town centre. The environment of some residential areas also suffers from 'rat running' traffic and inappropriate on-street parking by lorries and other vehicles. Elsewhere, abuse of residents' parking schemes is now being addressed by DPE.
While tourism within Stratford-upon-Avon brings major benefits to the local economy, it also causes problems in certain residential areas of the town. A large number of vehicles (including coaches) travel on unsuitable, minor roads through the Shottery area to Anne Hathaway's Cottage, whilst the Old Town area is affected by traffic visiting Shakespeare’s burial place at Holy Trinity church.
The impacts felt in the remaining small towns and villages in the rural areas of Southern Warwickshire are mainly related to through traffic, especially HGVs, and to high vehicle speeds.
To Improve the Safety and Security of People when they are using the Transport System
In 2004, there were 485 road casualties in Stratford-on-Avon District, with:
- 113 killed or seriously injured; and
- 372 slightly injured.
The number of people killed or seriously injured on Warwickshire’s roads has reduced significantly in recent years and the figures for Stratford District reflect this.
Integration of Transport
At present there is no integration between bus and rail services at Stratford railway station. This issue however is to be addressed by the provision of a new bus/rail interchange linked to the proposed redevelopment of the former cattle market site (as described below). Some cycle parking has been provided at the station in recent years, but further provision is required to meet demand.
Conclusions
In summary, the main transport problems in Southern Warwickshire are:
- The lack of public transport services in rural areas;
- Regular congestion on the highway network at some locations in Stratford-upon-Avon, with the potential for more congestion in the future;
- The difficulty in balancing ease of access to Stratford town centre and its nationally important tourist sites with limiting the environmental impact of vehicles on those areas;
- The adverse environmental impact of vehicles on residential areas within Stratford-upon-Avon;
- The numbers of casualties resulting from road traffic accidents; and
- The lack of bus/rail integration at Stratford-upon-Avon railway station.
The Strategy
General
The countywide strategy outlined in Part 2 of the LTP will be implemented in this area by:
- A continued focus on improving facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, particularly within the urban area of Stratford-upon-Avon;
- Continuing the implementation of the Safer Routes to School initiative;
- Promoting better public transport services (bus, rail and community transport), both in the urban and rural areas;
- Promoting better bus and rail facilities, including the development of a bus/rail interchange at Stratford-upon-Avon railway station;
- Promoting better rail services and facilities, including the development of a new Stratford Parkway station at Bishopton;
- Provision of a further Park and Ride site to serve the southern and eastern approaches to Stratford-upon-Avon;
- Continued maintenance of the highway network, including bridges;
- Integrating land development proposals with accessibility improvements;
- Securing the provision of travel plans in relation to major new developments, and encouraging existing large trip generators to adopt their own travel plans;
- Controlling and managing car parking provision, and continuing to give a high priority to the enforcement of parking regulations;
- Promoting alternatives to the use of the private car;
- Promoting road safety, and implementing casualty reduction schemes in corridors and at specific locations where known problem exist;
- Implementing a programme of traffic management and highway improvements, including the Stratford Western Relief Road should the reserve housing development site in the western Stratford-upon-Avon area be brought forward.
The remainder of this section sets out the key proposals that are likely to come forward in Southern Warwickshire during the lifetime of this LTP. Key proposals in the Stratford-upon-Avon area are illustrated in Figure 3.25.
Figure 25 Key Proposals in the Stratford upon Avon Area
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Stratford Transport Strategy
A transport strategy for Stratford upon Avon was developed through numerous studies and a process of consultation with stakeholders and the public during 2002 and 2003, and was the subject of a Major Scheme Bid in 2003. Although this was not accepted, the County Council has already been able to implement some elements of the strategy, giving priority to the introduction of measures to maintain and enhance the economic vitality of Stratford town centre. These include a comprehensive Urban Traffic Management and Control System, and Decriminalised Parking Enforcement with charging for on-street parking. The objectives of these measures are to:
- Reduce traffic circulation and improve safety;
- Improve the turnover in short-stay on-street parking spaces;
- Provide real-time information for car parks and ensure that car parks are used efficiently;
- Provide demand-responsive traffic signal control; and
- Provide on-line routing advice.
The Southern Relief Road Eastern Extension, linking the A422 Banbury Road with the A3400 Shipston Road, has also recently been completed and provides access to the major new Bridgetown housing development and some relief to the congested A3400 Clopton Bridge. A motorcycle park, one of the first of its type in the country, has also been provided within the town centre.
It is proposed that the Stratford transport strategy be reviewed in the light of the recent Local Plan. It is envisaged that this will take place concurrently with the production of a comprehensive Urban Design Framework (UDF) by the District Council, County Council and Advantage West Midlands. It is intended that the UDF will be used to establish some formal supplementary planning guidance.
The remainder of this section sets out the key proposals that are likely to come forward in Southern Warwickshire during the lifetime of this LTP. Schemes denoted ‘STS’ form part of the agreed package of measures within the Stratford Transport Strategy.
Transport and Development
Transport and the
Stratford District Council’s Local Plan Review, which was the subject of a public inquiry in 2004, supports the proposals in the Stratford Transport Strategy, and also provides for the securing of funding where appropriate through developer contributions. In turn, the strategy addresses the traffic impacts of the development proposals included in the Local Plan Review.
Other Development Opportunities
The former MOD base at Long Marston on the Warwickshire/Gloucestershire border has recently been purchased by St. Modwen Properties plc. The County Council and Stratford District Council are in the early stage of discussions with St. Modwen over the future redevelopment of the site. The site, which is rail connected, is likely to require improvements to its accessibility, not least in terms of improvements to public transport penetration and enhancements to the local highway network.
Picture 13 Long Marston redevelopment site
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Market Town Initiative
The aim of the market town initiative is to regenerate the environment and attractiveness of local centres.
- Improved town centre signage for visitors;
- Investigation of a potential re-launch of the Red Route leisure cycle facility;
- Improvement to transport facilities and services for local residents to access leisure facilities in the Stour Valley; and
- Improvements to the layout of bus stop facilities within the town centre (subject to local stakeholder consultation and consensus building).
Transport issues in the market town of Southam are covered in the Warwick/Leamington Spa/Kenilworth/Whitnash Urba Area chapter.
Other Key Settlements
The County Council will work with Stratford District Council to identify and attempt to address transport problems in the villages of Wellesbourne and Kineton. Bus Information Points (BIP) are proposed in each of these settlements (see below).
Air Quality
There are currently no known air quality problems in this part of the County. Further monitoring of air quality across the area will continue to be undertaken by Stratford District Council.
Public Transport Improvements
Bus
Inter-Urban Quality Bus Corridors
Inter-urban bus services linking Stratford to the other main towns within Warwickshire, and to important destinations in neighbouring counties, require improvement. Therefore it is proposed to develop a Stratford-Wellesbourne to Warwick-Leamington Spa Quality Bus Corridor (QBC) in the short to medium term, and a Stratford-Solihull- BIA/NEC-Coleshill-Tamworth QBC in the medium term.
Bus Information Points
If funds are available, it is proposed to provide Bus Information Points (BIP) in the centre of Kineton, Wellesbourne and Shipston-on-Stour in the short to medium term. A BIP will also be provided at the proposed bus/rail interchange at Stratford-upon-Avon railway station (see below). The provision of Real Time Information Displays at the station will also be investigated.
Low-floor buses
The number of low-floor buses on the 77 Stratford-Kineton-Tachbrook-Leamington Spa service will be increased in the short term via the implementation of a Quality Bus Initiative (QBI) in partnership with Stagecoach in Warwickshire.
Stratford town centre service (STS)
A high frequency Stratford town centre shuttle service, linking tourist destinations and using environmentally friendly vehicles, is proposed.
Rail
The development of a new parkway-style station in the Bishopton area on the Shakespeare Line, which connects Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham, is proposed in the County Council’s Passenger Rail Strategy. This facility, located alongside the bus-based Park and Ride site that opened in 2005, would also provide access to the recently improved Stratford-Leamington Spa-London service, which is now operated by Chiltern Railways. Although a previous study commissioned by the County Council only identified limited potential for a parkway facility, changes in circumstances since then (including the revised operation of the Stratford-London service and the near-capacity operation of nearby Warwick Parkway) now appear to favour its viability in the short/medium term.
Station Improvements
Station improvements on the Stratford-Leamington Spa line will be delivered via a Quality Rail Partnership involving the County Council and Chiltern Railways. A number of station improvements on the Shakespeare Line are also proposed.
Picture 14 Cycle storage facilities at Stratford Station
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Service Improvements
An enhancement of services on the Shakespeare Line has recently been secured. The County Council will support Network Rail in its intention to improve operational flexibility at Stratford-upon-Avon station. Further improvements to the frequency of local passenger services between Stratford and Leamington Spa and services on the Cotswold Line between Hereford, Worcester, Evesham, Moreton-in-Marsh and London will also be sought. Although located wholly outside the County, the Cotswold Line provides an important rail-head for people living in this part of Warwickshire given the proximity of stations at Evesham, Pershore and Moreton-in-Marsh to the County boundary.
Reopening of the Stratford – Honeybourne line
The possibility of reopening the
- The proximity of the route to a substantial number of residential properties; and
- The likely impact on the Evesham Place roundabout and the A4390 Seven Meadows Road.
Unless there are local benefits to the scheme, it is unlikely that the County Council would be able to support such a proposal if it were to be promoted in the future by DfT Rail or the rail industry.
Community Transport
Enhanced facilities for community transport passengers will be provided at Stratford-upon-Avon rail station as part of the proposed bus/rail interchange facilities. Enhanced facilities and information will also be provided where appropriate at all existing/new Bus Information Points (e.g. Kineton, Wellesbourne and Shipston-on-Stour).
The County Council will investigate demand responsive and flexible services as feeder services into key transport corridors and existing/future Quality Bus Corridors.
In line with the Community Transport Strategy, the County Council will promote the mainstreaming of community transport services in order to sustain established community transport initiatives. This includes the countywide ‘Wheels to Work’ moped loan scheme.
Opportunities will be sought to support or introduce schemes that, operated in the community and voluntary sector, can achieve the benefits of partnership working (e.g. the Back & 4th Transport Brokerage scheme in Stratford-upon-Avon).
Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles
Enhanced facilities for taxis and private hire vehicles will be provided at key interchanges consistent with the aims set out in the Public Transport Interchange Strategy.
The County Council will develop taxibus services to meet specific demand in the County where conventional public transport is neither operationally or economically appropriate.
A new bus/rail interchange at Stratford railway station will be sought as part of the redevelopment of the Cattle market site. The interchange will include a layover facility and thereby avoid the need for bus layover to take place in Wood Street, which currently causes congestion. The Local Plan Review Inquiry Inspector endorsed this scheme.
It is proposed to provide a Bus Information Point at the bus/rail interchange at Stratford station. The provision of Real Time Information Displays at the station will also be investigated.
Improvements for Walking and Cycling
Pedestrians
Bridge Street Pedestrian/Environmental improvement scheme (STS)
Bridge Street is the widest and most important shopping street in Stratford town centre, with transverse parking on both sides of the road but relatively narrow pavements. There is a large flow of pedestrians using this route both for shopping purposes and as an important thoroughfare between the riverside parking areas, other shopping streets and Shakespeare’s Birthplace in Henley Street. Current conditions for pedestrians are inadequate; the on-street parking is intrusive and the volume of pedestrians can exceed the capacity of the pavement. Passengers waiting at bus stops contribute to congestion on the pavements and there are no bus shelters (due to a lack of space). The road has a poor accident record and frequent and unsafe double parking impedes the traffic flow, which in turn affects the environmental quality of the area.
The proposed pedestrian/environmental improvement scheme has in the past been the subject of a consultation exercise and has the strong support of stakeholders. It would involve a significant reallocation of road space through the narrowing of the carriageway and very considerable widening of the pavements. Initially an improvement scheme can be delivered that allows for two-way traffic until further highway capacity improvements are made within the town centre. One-way traffic westbound could then be provided, with cycles and buses only eastbound. The scheme would include features to slow traffic, a number of pedestrian crossing points, and improved bus stop facilities. The scheme would contribute greatly to improving the quality of experience of the principal town centre street for residents, shoppers and tourists alike, with possible features including seating, kiosks, trees, and pavement cafes.
High Street and Waterside/Southern Lane (STS)
Further pedestrian priority measures in High Street and Waterside/Southern Lane, involving widened footways and also closure to traffic during part of the day, access will be maintained to residential properties and businesses on these roads. This is likely to be brought forward as part of the revitalisation of the Waterfront and Shakespeare Theatre area.
Bridgeway/Bridgefoot traffic signals (STS)
A signalled crossing at the Bridgeway/Bridgefoot junction on Stratford’s gyratory system has recently been implemented. This provides a crossing of the main barrier between the major car parks and town centre, thereby improving safety and overall levels of accessibility.
Pedestrian bridge over the Stratford- Birmingham railway line at Bishopton (STS)
This would link residential and employment areas on both sides of the railway, especially serving a major new housing development at The Avenue.
Cycling
Pedestrian/cycle link between Birmingham Road and Alcester Road (STS)
This scheme would provide a direct link for educational, work, and shopping trips between areas east and west of the Stratford-Birmingham canal and railway. The canal would be crossed via a new bridge.
Birmingham Road, Stratford-upon-Avon
A scheme to provide improved facilities for cyclists on Birmingham Road in Stratford-upon-Avon will be developed and implemented during the LTP period.
Tiddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon
The County Council will keep under review the need for improved cycle provision between Tiddington and Stratford-upon-Avon town centre.
Safer Routes to School
Opportunities to deliver further Safer Routes to School schemes in this area will be identified during the lifetime of the LTP.
Powered Two Wheelers
Improvements for powered two wheelers will be made in line with the proposals contained in the County Council’s Powered Two Wheeler Strategy.
Parking
Stratford
A 750 space Park and Ride site is currently being constructed at Bishopton, close to the A46/A3400 roundabout to the north of Stratford. The site was partially opened at the end of 2005, and is due to be fully completed in May 2006. Bus services run at a 10-minute frequency from the site to Stratford town centre.
Equipment will be installed to link the site to the
In future, if the bus/rail interchange at Stratford railway station is completed, the County Council will consider the possibility of re-routing the park and ride service via this facility to and from the town centre.
The park and ride services, which will deliver a large number of car-borne workers, shoppers and tourists swiftly to town centre destinations, will be complemented by the stricter control of illegal on-street parking in the town centre now occurring under DPE. A reduction in the volume of traffic entering the town centre on the Alcester, Birmingham and Warwick Roads is expected, and these reductions will lead to decongestion benefits.
There is space to extend the Bishopton site to a total of 1000 spaces in the future, should demand begin to outstrip the current maximum number of spaces. A second Park and Ride site located near the Southern Relief Road/Shipston Road roundabout south of the River Avon will be progressed within the programme period if the Bishopton site proves to be a success.
Highway Improvements and Traffic Management Measures – County Roads
Stratford Leisure and Visitor Centre Link Road (STS)
A new access into the public car park and coach park off the A439 Warwick Road, which would reduce congestion on the Bridgeway gyratory system, is currently planned for implementation early in the LTP period.
A new road linking the A46/A422 Wildmoor roundabout with the B439 Evesham Road is proposed to reduce traffic in Stratford town centre and Shottery village, and provide access to future housing development (probably post-2011) as proposed in the District Council’s Local Plan. It would also provide access to a new coach and car park for Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, one of the world-renowned sites associated with William Shakespeare. Provision of the road would be secured through funding from a proposed residential development to the west of Shottery, which is identified in the Local Plan as a reserve site.
Transport Corridor Protection
It is proposed to protect a strip of land between Evesham Place and the Birmingham Road for possible future ‘transport purposes’, in particular walking, cycling and bus services.
A429/B4035 Portobello Crossroads
The County Council will keep under review the need for a further improvement of the A429/B4035 junction (Portobello Crossroads) to improve safety.
Traffic Management Improvements
The
Various traffic management measures including right turn bans, one-way systems, speed limit changes, traffic calming and rationalisation of signage will be introduced within Stratford-upon-Avon town centre as appropriate. Some of these measures will be introduced through the Safer Routes to School and casualty reduction initiatives.
Picture 15 Village Speed Limit Gateway in Alderminster
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Further
It is possible that two further schemes in the Stratford transport strategy could be implemented within the next five years, although the timescale is dependent upon the progress made by the Royal Shakespeare Company in redeveloping its principal theatre. The first is a proposed new access to the Recreation Ground car park, which would reduce congestion at peak times and provide a route into the town centre for the southern Park and Ride service.
The second, a proposed pedestrian/cycle bridge over the River Avon near the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, would link the terminus point of the Park and Ride service directly with the theatre and the town centre. It would also link the theatre directly with the existing Recreation Ground car park and provide a safe alternative to Clopton Bridge for cyclists crossing the river. The new pedestrian/cycle bridge forms part of the Waterfront master plan, which is being supported by funding from Advantage West Midlands. Outline design of this bridge has commenced with an intention for construction to begin by 2008.
Motorways and Trunk Roads
The County Council support the Highways Agency’s proposals to fully resolve the problems on the national trunk road network at the M40/A46 junction at Longbridge, where an interim improvement scheme has recently been implemented. Although this junction falls outside the boundary of Southern Warwickshire, the M40/A46 junction forms a key entry point to the area.
The County Council will continue to press for the major improvement scheme to the A46 between Stratford-upon-Avon and the Alcester southern bypass, which was approved at public inquiry in 1994, to be reinstated in the Government’s Targeted Programme of Improvements. The County Council support Gloucestershire County Council’s proposal for a similar improvement to be made to the A46 between Evesham and Ashchurch. These two proposals, in conjunction with the committed improvements at Tollbar End and Longbridge would support the role of the A46 in providing a strategic alternative to traffic between the M1 and the M5 using the A42/M42.