Improving Accessibility & Encouraging Sustainable Travel

Include equestrian activity (riding and carriage driving) as part of the plan.

This chapter highlights pedestrians and cyclists but does not take account of equestrian use of highways.
Jesse Norman MP, Parliamentary Under –Secretary of State for Transport in a House of Commons debate on Road Safety, 5 November 2018 (1) stated: “We should be clear that the cycling and walking strategy may have that name but is absolutely targeted at vulnerable road users, including horse-riders……Horse riders are vulnerable road users—there is no doubt about that, and there never has been—and they have been included in the work we are doing.”
Sandwiching equestrians between fast moving motor vehicles and a cycling lane/route would increase the risk to riders significantly. Shared routes for vulnerable road users (bridleways/byways) should be the norm.

Produce a full transport assessment of the Plan as required by National Planning Practice Guidance and arrange public consultation on this assessment, before proceeding further with the Local Plan.

The Chapter titled 'Improving Accessibility and Encouraging Sustainable Travel' was written before the Transport Study produced by Mott Macdonald was prepared and long before it was published. The Policies listed (P7, P8, P8A) are not a transport policy or strategy for the Borough. The requirement of the Planning Practice Guidance for Local Plans is that there should be a transport assessment carried out, at the main stages of Plan preparation. There is still no transport assessment as required by the PPG.
In the absence of a formal transport assessment the Plan is not sound.

See Attached Letter.

The following should be added to paragraph 291:
'Since then revised planning applications have been submitted and are currently being assessed by the Council and Highways England. During this time, greater understanding has been gained of how ATM systems operate and interact with the Motorway Network under Highways England’s control. This is assessed by Highways England.'

The draft Local Plan Review discusses MSAs at paragraphs 288-291. This section acknowledges there is a significant unmet need on this part of the Motorway Network in line with previous Secretary of State appeal decisions (2001, 2009)1 (paragraph 290). The acknowledgement of the need, in line with national policy as set in the National Planning Policy Framework (2019) and Department for Transport Circular 02/2013, is supported.
The Local Plan Review sets out the history of planning appeals MSAs on this part of the Motorway Network. Paragraph 288 states that the Secretary of State was minded to grant consent for a MSA near Catherine-de-Barnes and that “It was judged that the need for the services outweighed the harm to the Green Belt”. Paragraph 290 set out that the Inquiry was re-opened due to material change in circumstances and both appeals were dismissed. In the case of the Catherine-de-Barnes proposals this was because the Secretary of State did not consider that the proposals before her were compatible with the safe and efficient working of the Active Traffic Management (ATM) system. This appeal was examined in 2009, when ATM systems were new to the Motorway Network. There is now greater understanding of ATM systems and how they interact with the operation of the Motorway Network. We respectfully request that this is acknowledged in the Local Plan Review. Paragraph 291 states that revised planning applications planning applications have been submitted and are currently being assessed by the Council and Highways England. It is suggested that the following wording be added to paragraph 291:
'Since then revised planning applications have been submitted and are currently being assessed by the Council and Highways England. During this time, greater understanding has been gained of how ATM systems operate and interact with the Motorway Network under Highways England’s control. This is assessed by Highways England.'
Extra MSA Group’s planning application submission sets out that the proposal demonstrates the very special circumstances (VSC) case for development in the Green Belt. The application demonstrates that the proposal can operate safely with the ATM system. We are working with Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and Highways England to progress this application to determination at a Special Planning Committee meeting in Q1 2021.

See Attached letter.

See Attached letter.

RECOMMENDATION:
- Within ‘Policy P7 Accessibility and Ease of Access’, the ambition for a low carbon economy requires a stronger emphasis on de-carbonisation priorities for transport and how these will significantly contribute to reducing carbon emissions and meeting the regions wider environmental goals and climate emergency.
- There should also be reference made to the WMCA’s #2041 Climate Change Strategy/Action Plan and the importance of sustainable transport in responding to the climate emergency.

See Attached Letter and Representation Form.

Include separate Walking and Cycling Policy to state:
- All new development planned and constructed with walking and cycling as primary means of local access;
- Fully integrate new development with existing walking and cycling infrastructure, and public transport network
- State how new site infrastructure will be included in Solihull's LCWIPs
- Walking and cycling routes should be safe, attractive, direct and navigable, with dedicated separate space for pedestrians and cyclists wherever possible
- Green infrastructure such as canals and parkways should be used to enhance opportunities for walking and cycling.

See Attached Letter and Representation Form.

Introduce as policy:
- Undertaking of Construction Management & Logistics Plans, and Delivery and Servicing Plans, together with
- Adherence to the Construction and Logistics Community Safety Scheme (CLOCS) to minimise against the impacts of HGV's and LGVs on the surrounding highway
- Cycle safety measures should be included for all new development
- Provide safe routes for cyclists during the construction period and beyond
- Consider how freight and servicing may impact on the public realm and local communities

See Attached Letter and Representation Form.

Consider that a policy should be developed which sets out standards and requirements to enable such infrastructure to be provided safely over our network. This should ensure measures are in place which mitigate any accidents or incidents that could endanger public health and the safe and efficient operation of the SRN at these locations.

See attachment