The Landscape Vision
Sustainable or ‘active’ travel is at the heart of our proposals.
When the Local Plan was drawn up, one of the Council’s key aspirations for the development of the site was the delivery of a relief road to divert traffic from the town centre.
Our central spine road will carry cars and others vehicles through a low-congestion route, but is designed to support pedestrian, cycle and bus movements through the heart of the development. It is anticipated that the spine road will comprise a 6.75 metre wide carriageway with a two metre wide verge on both sides, along with a two metre wide footway on one side and a three metre wide shared footway/cycleway on the other. The spine road will connect into the existing network at each end, via the eastern arm of the Morrisons roundabout junction in the northwest, and via a new large junction with Hereford Road and Southern Avenue to the east.
A Transport Assessment will be produced, based on modelling work being undertaken both by our highways consultants and the Highway Authority. It will demonstrate that the spine road operates efficiently to ensure that there are no adverse impacts on traffic elsewhere. Physical mitigation schemes or contributions towards wider Council-led initiatives will be provided on the wider highway network, where considered necessary and commensurate with the trip impacts associated with the scheme.
A comprehensive permeable network of routes will be provided within the site for non-motorised users. The existing Public Rights of Way (PRoWs) will be retained and improved as appropriate with additional connections provided to connect the site to the existing residential areas and facilities to the east and west. This network will include:
-
The downgrading of Passa Lane to a green route for walking and cycling (with access retained for existing residents). Ivington Lane will remain open with traffic calming features.
-
Connections to Ryelands Road and other public rights of way to provide walking routes to local amenities and the town centre.
-
Walking routes and informal paths through the extensive areas of public open space for dog walking and recreation.
What are Active Travel Routes?
Active Travel Routes are connections which facilitate walking and cycling. They could include footpaths or combined footpaths and cycleways through green spaces, the ‘downgrading’ of existing roads to exclude cars or the provision of segreagted facilities for walking and cycling alongside highways. The purpose is to ensure good quality routes which offer a compelling alternative to travel by car.