Travel Plan Monitoring Report Bourton View, Wellingborough - Residential
Prepared by: Developer Eyes Property and Estate Management, Broughton Grange Business Centre, Headlands, Kettering, Northants, NN15 6XA Company Registration No: 9102290 Company VAT No: 191 6874 68 Author: Kim Walton Our Ref: PS15-122 Planning Application Ref: WP/204/062 Date: /10/18 Revision Number: 1 Prepared For: David Wilson Homes, 1 Fortune Close Northampton NN3 9HT
Contents 1.0 Introduction Page 1 2.0 Travel Plan Objectives and Targets Page 2 3.0 Monitoring Method & Results Summary Page 4 4.0 Progress with Implementation Page 5 5.0 Further Actions Page 6 Annex A Annex B Example of Issued Survey Example of Issued Newsletter
1.0 Introduction 1.1 Developer Eyes has pleasure in presenting our third Residential Travel Plan Monitoring Report for Bourton View, Wellingborough, consisting of 68 residential units. 1.2 The development site is located on the south west of Wellingborough, which is in the county of Northamptonshire. 1.3 The Local Planning Authority is Northamptonshire County Council. 1.4 This Travel Plan forms part of the Planning Application process and details the plans that have been made to identify the sitespecific travel requirements. 1.5 The Travel Plan Monitoring Report will: outline the objectives and targets of the Travel Plan; detail the monitoring method and summarise the results; assess progress made in implementing the Travel Plan; detail any additional action to be taken during the next monitoring period. Page 1
2.0 Travel Plan Objectives and Targets 2.1 Travel Plan Objectives. 2.1.1 The Travel Plan explores a site s sustainable travel requirements; taking into account the requirements of the local council, its location, the size and make-up of the proposed development, the needs of the community and the existing services and amenities that are local to it. The Travel Plan will identify the measures needed to deliver sustainable travel alternatives that will encourage residents to reduce their dependency on single occupancy vehicle travel, whilst meeting the needs of the community. The travel plan seeks to establish clear outcomes to be achieved in relation to access and sets out all the measures to be implemented in detail, with an action plan, timescales, targets and responsibilities for implementation, monitoring and review. 2.1.2 Implementation of a Travel Plan involves a continuous process of monitoring, reviewing and adjusting the measures of the Travel Plan to reflect any changing circumstances. The plan continues for the life of the development and requires commitment from occupiers and partners. Site surveys and monitoring will begin following last occupancy, at which point a regular monitoring regime will continue for a further 3 years. Progress will be monitored against initial targets and appropriate adjustments will be made to ensure that agreed outcomes are met. 2.2 Travel Plan Targets 2.2.1 In accordance with the data as displayed in section 5.0 of the travel plan, our initial indicative target for the reduction of vehicle usage, in particular single occupancy vehicle usage is 14%. In accordance with the ongoing survey and monitoring philosophy this figure will be reviewed following the first survey, and annually thereafter, to ensure realistic, achievable Page 1
and measurable targets are implemented, to ensure the Travel Plan is effective. 2.2.2 On-going targets will include: number of vehicle per dwelling; number of weekday vehicle generated daily by the site once fully occupied; number of peak hour ; number of walking per day; number of cycling per day; number of bus per day; number of train per day; and number of those walking / cycling within the community. 2.2.3 Following occupancy of the last property the survey process began, which helps the appointed Travel Plan Co-ordinator to establish on-going targets to work towards with regards to reducing single occupancy vehicle use and measures that need to be implemented or revised. 2.2.4 Capturing the results of the surveys and interpreting the findings is an integral part of this process, to ensure the needs of the community are being met and that the measures in place to encourage the use of sustainable travel alternatives are appropriate. The findings help establish travel patterns and attitudes relating to travel behaviour and this review process ensures the changing needs of the community are being met as the development evolves. 2.2.5 On-going surveys ensure targets are site specific, realistic and measurable and shall record residents : journey types; means of transport used; reason for use; times of journeys; distances travelled; willingness to use alternative sustainable modes of transport; incentives which encourage the use of more sustainable modes of transport. 2.2.6 Data from the surveys help to establish the most popular alternative modes of travel and what would be likely to encourage modal shift. This helps to identify which sustainable modes of travel could be targeted and promoted in the future. 2.3 Promotion and Marketing Measures. 2.3.1 A Sustainable Travel Plan Pack will be issued to all residents. 2.3.2 Each resident has been provided with the contact details of the Travel Plan Coordinator, who will be available to provide individual personalised travel plan services should this be required. 2.3.3 Any issues that are raised will be answered within 2 working days. Page 2
2.3.4 The Travel Plan Co-ordinator will attempt to facilitate the set-up of a Residents Travel Plan Group / Forum, where residents share and implement initiatives that can promote and encourage other residents to utilise a more sustainable approach to how they travel. 2.3.5 Each household has been given the opportunity to apply for a 100 bike voucher to spend at Halfords on bikes or bike accessories. 2.3.6 The Travel Plan Co-ordinator has attempted to facilitate the setup of a Step Challenge, to encourage residents to participate in friendly competition to become a Step Champion. Page 3
3.0 Monitoring Method and Results Summary 3.1 As per section 6.5 of the Travel Plan, surveys were sent to all properties in September. 3.2 A total of 68 surveys were issued. 3.3 Following feedback from the surveys from last year, we decided to condense the travel plan surveys, so they were more concise and collected only the most essential information. By condensing the survey, we believed we may have more returns as the time taken to complete the survey would be reduced and people may be more inclined to return them 3.4 As an incentive to complete the survey, residents were offered the chance to win a 25 One for All gift voucher which can be used in over 25 000 stores nationwide. Every resident who completed a survey in either format was entered into the draw to win this voucher. 3.5 Within the letter it was explained that residents could return the survey by three means; they could fill in the form and return it by post; they could complete the form and scan and return via email; or they could complete the survey online via following the link to the survey. 3.6 The total number of surveys returned was 3, equating to a response rate of 4.4%. 3.7 The numbers of returned surveys were very disappointing, and it was anticipated that numbers would be higher due to the incentives given to complete the survey, the condensed survey. 3.8 Further initiatives will be considered before next year s survey in order to try and increase participation. 3.9 From the responses gained the conclusions we can draw from the analysis are as follows: 3.10 From the 3 households whom returned the survey there are a total of 6 residents, all of which are over 18. All 6 residents go to work. Page 6
3.11 When stating how far they travel to work we found that 50% travel 2-5 miles, 17% travel 10-20 miles and 33% travel over 20 miles to work. 3.12 At the 6 households there is a total of 7 cars, 6 bicycles and 0 motorbike/scooter. 3.13 When asked how often they travel by each mode of transport the responses were as follows: Car - 100% of households travel daily by car. Car Share 33% of households travel by car share more than once a week and 67% never car share. Walk - 33% of households walk share more than once a week and 67% never walk. Cycle- 67% of households travel by bicycle less than once a week and 33% did not answer this question. Bus - 67% of households never travel by bus and 33% did not answer this question. Train- 33% of households travel by train less than once a week and 67% never travel by train. Taxi 100% of households never travel by taxi. Other one household travels by another form of transport daily. 3.14 One of the households (33%) would be interested in joining a car sharing club. 3.15 The main reasons for using the mode of transport they use most each week were as follows: - Convenience (50%) - Time Saving (33%) - Lack of alternative (17%) 3.16 When asked to explain What (if anything) would encourage the members of the household to use the following modes of transport more for journeys? The responses for each section were as follows: Walk Better Access from the estate N/A We walk to Sainsburys when we have time rather than drive We are unable to walk to work but we do walk to our local supermarket rather than driving Cycling Better Access from the estate N/A We cycle on a recreational basis only One of us cycles all the time & has commuted to work when it's been convenient. The other is unable to cycle to work. Public Transport We have no bus service on the estate N/A Page 6
We don't feel like we need to. A bus route to Rushden Lakes has been discussed on the estate. Car Share No visibility of potential car share opportunities We car share when going to common destinations as much as possible Car share wouldn't be an option due to roles 3.17 When asked for further suggestions or comments one household responded. They said the following: David Wilson to attend residents meeting yearly to hear people's views and opinions. We feel like we walk & cycle where we can although the walking route from the estate in to town could be improved in order to make it safer & more direct route. There is a path across fields & down the back on the Queensway estate but this can get overgrown quickly! We have walked this way through Tesco & the Embankment. it is possible. A nicer route may encourage other residents to walk this way as well although the downside would be that we open up when is a quiet estate to a less desirable area of Wellingborough... which is a concern for residents. 3.3 Traffic Count 3.3.1 A traffic count of the site was undertaken on 24 th April 2018 between the hours of 08:00 and 09:00 and again between 17:00 and 18:00. 3.3.2 Tables 1.0 and 2.0 below show the modal split from the traffic count alongside the proposed modal split from the TRICS data. Although the travel plan suggested to use census data to aid the monitoring process, we believe these two modes will give more accurate and realistic data. Page 6
Table 1.0 - Modal Split of Traffic Count on 24th April 2018 AM Peak Hour (08:00-09:00) PM Peak Hour (17:00 18:00) Mode Arrivals % of arrivals Departure s % of departure s Arrivals % of arrivals Departure s % of departure s Pedestrans 1 13% 2 6% 3 10% 4 21% 10 11% Cyclists 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% Public Service Vehicles 1 13% 1 3% 0 0% 0 0% 2 2% Private Vehicles (Driver Only) Private Vehicles (Car Share) 4 50% 11 34% 21 70% 9 47% 45 51% 2 25% 18 56% 6 20% 6 32% 32 36% Total 8 32 30 19 89 100% Table 1.1 5 Year plan following Traffic Count on 24 th April 2018 Year 2 Year 3 Year4 Year 5 Mode Pedestrians 4 5% 5 6% 6 8% 8 10% Cyclists 1 1% 2 3% 3 4% 5 6% Public Service Vehicles 0 0% 1 2% 2 3% 4 5% Private Vehicles 76 94% 72 89% 68 84% 64 80% Total 81 100% 81 99% 81 99% 80 100% Page 6
Table 2.0 TRICS data Proposed Modal Split Mode Arrivals AM Peak Hour (08:00-09:00) PM Peak Hour (17:00 18:00) % of arrivals Departures % of departu res Arrivals % of arrivals Departures % of departu res Pedestrians 4 27% 14 36% 7 24% 4 10% 29 24% Cyclists 0 2% 1 3% 1 3% 1 2% 3 2% Public Service Vehicles 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% Private Vehicles 9 70% 24 61% 22 73% 35 89% 90 74% Total 13 100% 39 100% 30 100% 40 100% 122 100% Table 2.1 5 Year Plan following TRICS data Original TRICS data Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Mode Pedestrians 29 24% 30 25% 31 26% 32 27% 34 27% 35 28% Cyclists 3 2% 4 3% 5 4% 6 5% 8 6% 9 7% Public Service Vehicles 0 0% 1 1% 2 2% 4 3% 5 4% 6 5% Private Vehicles 90 74% 87 71% 83 68% 80 65% 76 63% 73 60% Total 122 100% 122 100% 122 100% 122 100% 122 0% 122 100% Page 6
3.3.4 As this is the second traffic count at the site, and the site is at full occupancy, we have been able to make a better comparison between the data. 3.3.5 The target for over the 5 years is for private vehicle usage to reduce by 14%. A prediction of how this may occur is shown above in Table 2.0 (Using the TRICS data) and Table 1.0 (Using the data from the site last year.) 3.3.6 TRICS Firstly, we will compare where we are with the TRICS data in line with the proposed targets explained in the 2017 report and the table 2.1. 3.3.7. Last year there was 94% of people travelling by private vehicle which was 26% behind the 68% target for this year according to the TRICs data. 3.3.8 This year there was 87% of people travelling by private vehicle, which is 22% behind the target for this year according to the TRICS data and is 7% less than last year. 3.3.9 From this we can see that to achieve the target, we need to reduce private vehicle usage by 27% over the next 2 years. 3.3.10 Comparison to 2017 data According to the targets set following the 2017 traffic count it was expected that this year that 89% would be travelling by private vehicle. 3.3.11 The data from this year shows that 87% of people travelled by private vehicle, meaning that this was 2% less than the target for this year 3.3.12 Additionally, this shows that there has been a 7% decrease in private vehicle usage to and from the site at peak times. 3.3.13 From this we can see that to achieve the target, we need to reduce private vehicle usage by 7% over the next 2 years. 3.3.14 Breakdown of private vehicle usage As part of the traffic counts from this year and last year we recorded how many of the private vehicle journeys were single occupancy, and how many were car share to monitor whether there is a reduction in single occupancy journeys as this is the type of private vehicle journey that we most would like to reduce. 3.3.15 The data from 2017 showed that 55 out of the 76 private vehicle journeys were single occupancy journeys meaning that 72% of these journeys were single occupancy and 28% were part of a car share. 3.3.16 The data from 2018 has shown that 45 out of the 87 private vehicle journeys were single occupancy journeys meaning that 52% of these journeys were single occupancy and 48% were part of a car share. 3.3.17 This suggests that there has been a 20% decrease in single occupancy vehicle journeys at peak times at the site. 3.3.18 This shows that our initiatives to promote car sharing have worked, and therefore we Page 6
will continue to promote car sharing in this way to and from the site. 3.3.19 Last year our major aim was to promote cycling. The data has shown that there has been a 1% decrease in cycling journeys to/from the site at peak times. This suggests that our initiatives have not worked and therefore we will look at alternative ways of promoting car sharing to and from the site. 3.3.20 The 2018 data has shown us that there has been an increase in pedestrians travelling to/from the site at peak times. 3.3.21 This year to reach our targets we are going to look at continuing to promote cycling through different methods. Page 6
4.0 Progress With Implementation 4.1 Sustainable Travel Plan Packs, as approved by the Local Authority, have been issued to all residents. 4.2 A sustainable travel website has been designed and is live, giving residents easy access to local and national sustainable travel information. 4.3 Surveys have been issued to all occupied properties as per section 7.4 of the Travel Plan. 4.4 The surveys were designed to record residents : journey types; means of transport used; reason for use; distances travelled; willingness to use alternative sustainable modes of transport; incentives which encourage the use of more sustainable modes of transport. 4.5 It is difficult to assess the progress made against the vehicle usage target following the low return on the travel survey. However further measures have already been taken to improve resident participation in the survey, which are as follows: Sustainable travel newsletters were issued to all occupied properties in May and September 2018 (example at Annex B); Further editions of the newsletter to be issued at 6 monthly intervals; Website and newsletter to be used by residents to promote local groups and clubs; Residents have been asked to consider forming a Travel Plan User Group, to be facilitated by the Travel Plan Coorinator Page 7
5.0 Further Actions 5.1. We will continue with the marketing strategy as laid out in the Travel Plan and hope to see an increase in responses. 5.2 In order to get more responses we believe there is a need to engage the residents more in local and national sustainable travel events and will look at doing this within the bi-annual newsletters and by promoting even more events on the sites travel planning website. 5.3 Additionally, we will look at organising a sustainable travel event at the Irchester Country Park where we can invite residents to attend so that we can discuss the aims of the travel plan in order to promote sustainable travel in order to engage residents more. 5.4 Following the results of the traffic count, throughout the next year we will continue with our aim to promote cycling. We will do this via the above event and by contacting local businesses in order to try to get further discount vouchers for the residents of the site. We will also continue to push and promote local cycling events and any cycling promotions. 5.5 We will continue to ask residents to contribute towards the Newsletter and encourage the Sustainable Travel Hero, which unfortunately we are yet to receive any nominations for. 5.6 We will also continue to encourage residents to get in touch with their interest so that we can facilitate a Travel Plan User Group. Unfortunately, we are yet to receive any interest for this. 5.7 We will continue to contact local businesses in order to obtain discount vouchers to promote sustainable travel and use of more local amenities. 5.8 The date of the next report will be October 2019. Page 8
Appendix A Example of a Survey.
Appendix B Example of a Newsletter.