Chapter 14 - Transport and Movement

Introduction

14.1 Trafford lies in the south west of the Greater Manchester conurbation, south of the Manchester Ship Canal between Salford and Manchester, and astride the M60 orbital motorway and the A56 radial route. It is a relatively prosperous and attractive Borough, much sought after as a place in which to live, do business and spend leisure time. It contains several large and important shopping, commercial and industrial centres, and major leisure and sporting attractions.

14.2 Car ownership in the Borough is high and coupled with the demands generated by the substantial concentrations of industry and commerce, places considerable pressure on the local road network.

14.3 The Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey form significant barriers to movement. They have greatly influenced the shape of the road network in the Borough and affected access to some developed areas. The A56, the only radial route passing through the Borough, suffers from heavy peak hour congestion. Access to the Regional Centre and the motorway network is consequently often less than satisfactory.

14.4 The Council recognises that increased traffic flows, as a result of background traffic growth and development generated traffic, has led at certain times of the day to operational problems of low speed, extensive queues and that there are safety concerns on parts of the Trunk Road network within the Borough. These conditions are noted in the M60 Development Corridor Study Junctions 6 – 12 Report issued by the Highways Agency in 2002. It is anticipated that further study of the conditions in this corridor will occur during the Plan period.

14.5 The public rail, Metrolink and bus networks provide an alternative to the private car and lorry as means of moving people and goods from place to place in volume. These networks are important from a social, economic and environmental viewpoint, providing mobility for those without cars, helping to relieve roadcongestion and being relatively energy efficient. The public footpath and emerging/developing cycle path network provide a further alternative health promoting means for local people to travel short distances for employment, shopping, leisure and social purposes.

14.6 Further public and private sector investment in the local transport infrastructure, to support the existing pattern of land uses and to serve new development, will be crucial to the future economic well being of the Borough and to the contribution it can make to economic and communityregeneration across the conurbation.

14.7 Responsibility for managing and developing this infrastructure, however, is split between several authorities. The trunk road network (including the major motorways) is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Transport. All other public roads and footpaths are the responsibility of the Council. The Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority is responsible for ensuring that the current and future public transport needs of residents are adequately met.

General Justification for the Policies and Proposals for Transport and Movement

14.8 Over the Plan period further growth in the volume of traffic that the transport network will have to cope with can be anticipated. This growth will increase pressures and create problems for users. The Policies and Proposals of this Chapter seek to establish a coherent balanced strategy to cater, in an environmentally sensitive and sustainable way, for the likely travel demands of residents, to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of the local public transport and highway networks and to aid the physical, economic and community regeneration of the Borough and the wider conurbation area.

14.9 These objectives correspond with the broad objectives of the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan (LTP), the key transport policy document for the conurbation prepared jointly by all ten Greater Manchester district Councils and the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority. The LTP sets out the collective long-term commitment of the eleven authorities to the development of a sustainable, environmentally sensitive, integrated transport system for the conurbation and an initial five-year programme of construction projects to begin to put this commitment into effect.

14.10 Within the context of the LTP the public transport improvement schemes put forward in this Chapter of the Plan are intended to: -

Ensure the operation of an efficient service for those residents without access to private transport and to encourage increased usage by car drivers;
Improve the facilities provided for passengers;
Allow for the improvement and development of the efficient and well-used Metrolink system;
Improve the suburban rail network.

14.11 Again within the context of the LTP the local road improvement schemes put forward are intended to: -

Maintain and make the best possible use of the existing network - concentrating on areas of greatest need, particularly where safety can be improved;
Assist economic development - concentrating on promoting economic efficiency in industrial areas and assisting commercial development in town centres;
Secure environmental improvements - concentrating on areas suffering main road congestion, heavy traffic on unsuitable (primarily residential) roads, or conflict between pedestrians, cyclists and motor traffic;
Take account of social needs - concentrating on linking the dispersed residential areas with industrial and commercial areas and improving links with community facilities;

14.12 In addition to the above, improvement schemes are put forward to bring about the development of a well-maintained and clearly marked network of footpaths and cycle-ways to provide a safe, convenient and healthy alternative means of travel for short distance journeys. The Council’s priorities in this regard are set out in detail in the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan and in the Trafford Cycling Strategy and within this section of the Plan.

14.13 The remaining proposals of the Plan seek to encourage and make provision for a growth in the movement of freight by rail and waterway/canal and support the further growth of activity anticipated at Manchester Airport, in the interests of securing a more balanced transport system capable of meeting the economic needs of the area in a socially and environmentally responsible way.

Part I Policy T1 – Sustainable Integrated Transport Network

The Council will support and encourage the development of a sustainable integrated transport network in the Borough that is accessible and offers a choice of modes of travel to all sectors of the local community and visitors to the Borough.

Part I Policy T2 – High Quality Integrated Public Transport Network

The Council will seek to secure the development of a high quality integrated public transport network to meet the business, leisure and other needs of all sectors of the local community and visitors to the Borough.

In particular the Council will encourage and promote:

The improvement and extension of the Metrolink light rail network within the Borough;
The improvement and development of the Bus network, particularly on the main radial and cross-conurbation routes within the Borough;
The improvement and development of the passenger heavy rail network.

Part I Policy T3 – Pedestrian and Cycling Route Network

The Council will seek to develop a network of pedestrian and cycle routes and associated facilities, to provide convenient and safe access linking residential areas to shopping, employment, entertainment, tourist and leisure facilities located in Town, District, Local, and Neighbourhood Centres and other regeneration areas within the Borough that can provide an alternative means of transport to the private car, particularly for short distance journeys.

Part I Policy T4 – Maintaining and Improving the Highway Network

The Council will protect and support the maintenance and improvement of the Trunk Road network, in recognition of its status as a national and regional asset and the Primary and Local Highway Network within the Borough to ensure they all operate in a safe, efficient and environmentally sensitive manner.

The Council will support and encourage improvements that will: -

Modernise and improve the network to relieve congestion and improve safety on existing roads;
Reduce the impact of motorised traffic on local roads;
Improve road safety and local conditions for pedestrians and cyclists;
Improve public transport passenger services;
Improve access, for all sectors of the local resident community, to business and leisure opportunities;
Improve local environmental conditions;
Open up/service development sites to encourage economic and community regeneration particularly in Trafford Park, Old Trafford, Partington, Carrington and Broadheath;
Encourage an increase in the more sustainable movement of freight;
Improve the image of the area by positive landscaping and environmental improvement in association with highway works.

When considering proposals for new development that individually or cumulatively will have a material impact on the functioning of the Highway Network, the Council will seek to ensure that the safety and free flow of traffic is not prejudiced or compromised by that development in a significant adverse way.

Part I Policy T5 – Sustainable Movement of Goods

The Council will support and encourage the protection, improvement and development of the rail and water freight transport network and associated inter-modal freight transport facilities located within the Borough in order to assist in the more sustainable and efficient movement of goods.

Part II Proposal T6 – Land Use in Relation to Transport and Movement

When considering proposals for new housing, industrial, commercial, retail, sporting, leisure, entertainment, cultural or educational development, the Council will wish to be satisfied that it:

Is or can be made accessible to all prospective occupants and users by public bus and/or rail transport, cycling and walking as well as by motorised traffic, and,
Does not generate a volume of motorised traffic that would have a significant adverse impact upon the safe and efficient operation of the existing highway network.

The Council will not grant planning permission for a new development that is likely to have a significant adverse impact on the safe and efficient operation of the highway network unless and until appropriate transport infrastructure improvements and/or traffic mitigation measures and the programme for their implementation are secured.

Justification

1. This Proposal is intended to reflect the objectives of Planning Policy Guidance Note 13 by making the beset use of the existing transportation network, promoting and making the fullest use of non-car modes of travel, avoiding unnecessary investment in transport infrastructure and facilitating the development of planned improvements.

2. The Council wishes to encourage development in locations that are served by a variety of transport modes so that alternative means of travel are available to all sectors of the local community. It further wishes to encourage development in locations and in a way that does not compromise the safe and efficient operation of the highway network in a significantly adverse way.

3. When considering major new development proposals that would generate significant movements of people and goods (see the thresholds in Annex D of PPG13 and DTLR Circular 4/2001 for a broad definition), the Council will request that the developers prepare and submit to it a Transport Assessment for the proposed development to assist its deliberations.

4. The coverage and detail required of the Transport Assessment will be expected to reflect the scale of the development and the implications it will have for the transport network. Account should be taken of the relevant traffic effects of other development proposals in the locality, depending on their firmness, and of any related traffic mitigation measures. For major schemes the Assessment should illustrate the likely modal-split of journeys to and from the site and give details of proposed measures to: -

Improve access by public transport, walking and cycling;
Reduce the need for parking, and,
Mitigate the transport impacts of the proposal.

5. Particular attention will be given to public transport accessibility from the Council’s priority regeneration areas.

6. When considering development proposals that are likely to have significant transport implications (broadly defined in paragraph 89 of PPG13), the Council will request the preparation and submission of a Travel Plan as a part of its effort to promote the delivery of its sustainable transport objectives.

7. Where appropriate, the Council will invoke the provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)( England and Wales) Regulations 1999 and require the preparation and submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment in addition to the above requests.

8. The assessment of development proposals that are likely to have significant transport implications for the Trunk Road Network (the M60, M62, M602 and M56), will be undertaken in consultation with the Highways Agency. The Council will encourage consultation at an early stage with the Highways Agency where there is the potential for development to have a significant adverse impact upon the safe and efficient operation of the Trunk Road network.

9. When assessing new development proposals the Council will consider the nature and phasing of development proposed and will support the identification of traffic mitigation measures, including opportunities for modal-shift, to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the highway network is not compromised in a significant adverse way.

10. The Highways Agency, Salford City Council and the Council have established a consultative framework to manage the consideration of such new development proposals and the transport infrastructure improvements that may be necessary to allow them to proceed whilst ensuring that the safe and efficient operation of the Trunk Road Network is not significantly affected. This framework is set down in a non-statutory Memorandum of Understanding that will be monitored and reviewed on an annual basis.

Part II Proposal T7 – Relief of Congestion on the A56

The Council will grant planning permission for new development along the A56 that does not conflict with the purposes of Proposal D1 criteria (v), (vi), (vii) and (viii) and the following considerations: -

The need to avoid the location along this corridor of further centres of activity attracting significant numbers of trips, except at sites forming the focus of north-south/ west-east public transport routes;
The need for measures to maximise the capacity of key junctions and take account of the needs of pedestrians and cyclists where this is economically feasible and environmentally acceptable;
The need to rationalise site access arrangements so as to minimise direct frontage access wherever possible;
The need to introduce further measures to improve the quality of public transport provision along this main bus corridor, and,
The need to introduce further measures to improve public safety and facilities, particularly for cyclists and pedestrians (including the mobility impaired).

Justification

1. The A56 is part of the Primary Route Network and as well as being the major radial route into the conurbation centre from the south west, is the main artery serving much of Trafford itself. Between Sale and Altrincham it is susceptible to regular congestion. High traffic flows along its length create problems for traffic joining the route from the main side roads.

2. The Council is a partner in the Greater Manchester ‘Quality Bus Corridor Initiative’, a key element of the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan, which aims to make bus travel more attractive on strategic corridors of movement within the County (see Proposal T11). Within the Borough a priority route is the whole of the A56.

3. Also within the context of the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan, the Council in association with the other Greater Manchester district authorities and the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority is supporting proposals to improve the passenger carrying capacity of the Phase 1 – Bury to Altrincham Metrolink line in order to provide the means for more people to travel by means other than the private car.

4. The Council, through these and the other improvements indicated in this Proposal and other Proposals within the Plan, such as T6, T8 and T19, will seek to reduce the congestion problems along the A56.

Part II Proposal T8 – Improvements to the Highway Network

The Council will support the maintenance and improvement of the highway route network within the Borough.

The following improvements are proposed to the Trunk and Primary Route Network: -

M60 widening (junctions 5 – 8);
M56 junction 6 and airport access improvement;

The following improvements are proposed to the Local Route Network: -

A56 Chester Road / Barton Road junction improvement;
A6144 Manchester Road / Isherwood Road junction improvement;
Sale Town Centre gyratory improvement;
A56 Washway Road / Sibson Road junction improvement and associated works;
A56 Manchester Road / Park Road junction improvement;
Manchester Road / Sinderland Road Link;
George Richards Way and associated spur roads;
A56 Manchester Road / Woodfield Road Link;
Altrincham Eastern Improvement Route; and the
Altrincham Road / Brooklands Road junction improvement.

The following routes, as shown on the Proposals Map, are safeguarded by Proposal E15 from any development that would prejudice construction works:

A6144 (M) Carrington Spur - A6144 Manchester Road link-road extension;
A6144 Manchester Road - A57 Cadishead Way (Salford) Manchester Ship Canal bridge and link-road.

Additionally the Council will safeguard the following highway improvement scheme, as shown on the Proposals Map:

New link road and canal crossing route in the vicinity of the Trafford Centre

The Council will not grant planning permission for any development that will prejudice the construction of any of these listed improvement schemes.

Justification

1. These improvement schemes are proposed to bring about the range of benefits that are set out in Policy T4. The M56 junction 6 and airport access improvement is required in accordance with a condition relating to passenger numbers that was imposed by the Secretaries of State in granting planning permission for a second runway at Manchester Airport.

2. The M60 widening and M56 improvement schemes are proposals of the Highways Agency that have the appropriate statutory approval. These schemes are fully supported by the Council for the local and wider transport benefits they will bring.

3. The A6144 (M) Carrington Spur – A6144 Manchester Road link-road safeguarded proposal will allow consents to be granted for the enhancement of the existing and development of new business in the wider Carrington Priority Regeneration Area. At present capacity constraints on Manchester Road inhibit regenerative proposals. The scheme represents the vital first phase improvement leading to the Manchester Chip Canal bridge and link-road proposal.

4. The construction of the A6144 Manchester Road – A57 Cadishead Way Manchester Ship Canal bridge and link-road will service the substantial new employment development proposals for the wider Carrington Priority Regeneration Area described in Proposal E15 making development of that area more likely.

5. The Council, jointly with Salford City Council, will seek to secure funding for the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal bridge and link-road scheme through contributions from private sector developers (see Proposal T9) and from public sector regeneration agency sources.

6. Both these proposals are priority development schemes of the Council that are being taken forward for inclusion within the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan.

7. The local route network improvement schemes are intended to support the implementation of the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan within the Borough. The precise benefits of each scheme will be separately justified as it is brought forward for funding and implementation.

8. Other highway schemes may be added to the Council’s programme during the Plan period, particularly arising from further consideration of evolving main employment and priority economic and community regeneration area strategies and action plans.

9. The Trunk and Primary Route Network within the Borough comprises the: -

M60 and M56 Motorways;
A6144 (M) Carrington Spur;
A56 ( Dunham Road, Manchester Road, Washway Road, Cross Street, Chester Road, Bridgewater Way);
A560 ( Shaftesbury Avenue, Stockport Road, Woodlands Road);
A5145 ( Edge Lane);
A5081 ( Park Way, Village Way, Wharfside Way);
A5063 ( Trafford Road).

The A6144 and A538 are important Local Network Routes.

10. Proposals for improving footpath and cycle route provision within the Borough are set out in Proposals T18 and T19.

Part II Proposal T9 – Private Funding of Development Related Highway and Public Transport Schemes

Where highway works are required as a result of a development the Council will require that the developer fund the improvement works in their entirety. Where the Council already has a highway improvement scheme programmed for a location that may require enhancement as a result of a development the Council will seek a contribution from the developer. The Council will ensure that all highway development and enhancement schemes take full account of alternative modes of travel to the private car.

Where major public transport schemes are committed and programmed (see Proposal T11), the Council will seek a contribution from the developer(s) of site(s) in the vicinity that will generate significant employment and visitor trips (as broadly defined in PPG13 paragraph 89). The contribution sought will be proportional to the benefits that the development(s) will gain from the new transport scheme.

Where sites proposed for major development are not adequately served by existing or planned public transport facilities the Council will seek an appropriate financial contribution towards the provision of improvements to those services and facilities to better serve the development.

Justification

1. Contributions from developers are appropriate whenever parts of the Highway network need improvement to accommodate new development. Greater reliance is now being placed on the provision of integrated facilities through planning agreements in order to promote more sustainable transport choices. If several developments are related to a single highway scheme, funding will be apportioned accordingly.

2. The Council will endeavour, through negotiation and agreement, to ensure that developers contribute to major programmed public transport schemes, which will provide an alternative (non car) means of travel to new development sites. An example of such a scheme is the proposed Metrolink extension through Trafford Park to the Trafford Centre.

3. As indicated in Proposal T6, the Council will request the preparation and submission of a Travel Plan to promote the greater use of the non car modes of travel, where a development would generate significant movements of people and goods. The Council will seek an appropriate contribution towards the provision of any improvements to existing public transport facilities (both in the form of infrastructure and services) that may be proposed in any submitted Travel Plan.

4. This Proposal sets out the position of the Council with regard to developer contributions to public transport and highway improvement schemes required to facilitate new development in so far as it is able to do so within the terms of Circular 1/97.

Part II Proposal T10 – Transport and Land Use in Town Centres

When considering proposals for new development in and around the town centres of Altrincham, Sale, Stretford and Urmston, the Council will have regard to: -

The need to consolidate these locations as the major centres for activities attracting significant numbers of trips, especially for employment, shopping and leisure purposes;
The need to improve access to these centres, particularly opportunities to reach them by public transport, by cycle and on foot;
The need to ensure that vehicle movements within and around the centres do not exceed environmentally appropriate levels.

In pursuit of (ii) above, the Council will seek to ensure appropriate provision and improvement of facilities such as bus stations and passenger shelters, bus/rail interchanges, bus turn-rounds, lay-bys and other priority measures, the provision of safe and attractive cycle routes and secure cycle parking, and the provision of safe and attractive pedestrian routes.

Justification

By supporting these improvements the Council seeks to offer an attractive alternative to private transport, increase use of public transport, and ease congestion in and around town centres and reduce energy consumption levels.

Part II Proposal T11 – High Quality Public Transport Network Improvements

The Council will, in its decisions on land use matters, actively encourage and seek support for the improvement and development of: -

Metrolink:

A private sector financed Metrolink extension through Trafford Park to the Trafford Centre from the existing Phase 1 Metrolink line at Cornbrook (as indicated on the Proposals Map). The Council will also support the possible extension of this line through Trafford Quays across the Manchester Ship Canal to the Barton Strategic Site and Eccles in Salford (see Proposal TP11);
An extension from the existing Phase 1 line at Trafford Bar to Manchester Airport (as indicated on the Proposals Map).

Metrolink, Rail and Bus Stations/ Stops:

South Brooklands : a new station with walk and ride facilities (west of the railway) on the existing Metrolink Line;
Sale Water Park: a halt/ stop for access to Sale Water Park from the existing Metrolink line;
New Metrolink stations on the Trafford Park extension at Wharfside, Village, Mosley Road, Park Way, and the Trafford Centre (as indicated on the Proposals Map);
New Metrolink stations on the Manchester Airport extension at Firswood, Sale Moor and Davenport Green (as indicated on the Proposals Map);
Timperley: a new walk in station on the Railtrack Line to serve Timperley;
White City, Old Trafford: a new station on the Railtrack Line in the vicinity of the White City junction (see Proposal TP11);
Trafford Centre: a new station and the provision of passenger rail services utilising the Ship Canal (freight) Railway (see Proposal TP11);
The current Metrolink, Rail and Bus Interchanges, Stations and Stops, and their environs within the Borough.
‘Quality Bus Corridors’:

The Council, in partnership with local bus operators and the Passenger Transport Authority, has agreed the implementation of a ‘Quality Bus Corridor Initiative’ which intends to improve the quality and safety of facilities for public transport users, (including cyclists and pedestrians where appropriate) along selected corridors within Greater Manchester.

Within Trafford the priority schemes for action (indicated on the Proposals Map) are: -

The whole of the A56, and,
The route from Stockport via Didsbury Road (A5145) through Chorlton, Stretford and then via Urmston Lane (B5213) into Urmston.

The Council will require that all sectors of the community have equal access to these high quality public transport improvements and that these facilities are well provided with safe and convenient cycle and pedestrian facilities and appropriate levels of car parking to encourage the use of more sustainable transport modes for part of a journey.

When considering the provision of car parking at major public transport interchanges, stations and stops regard will be given to: -

The suitability of the land available in the area;
The capacity of the highway network to accommodate the traffic;
The effect of the proposal on the environment and the local community;
Encouraging shared use with other developments within the local area, and
The effect of the proposal on travel patterns in the area and the need to avoid any consequent increase in the number and length of car journeys.

The Council will not grant planning permission for any development that will prejudice the construction of any of these listed improvement schemes.

Justification

1. The Council, in conjunction with the Passenger Transport Authority, intend to provide a balanced efficient and integrated public transport system to offer an alternative means of transport to the private car. By encouraging the provision of new links, new and refurbished stations and Metrolink the Council seeks to improve the attractiveness of public transport facilities increase patronage and relieve congestion on the road system. Now the new stops at Pomona (on the Eccles line) and Cornbrook (on the Altrincham line) are complete the Council’s top priority for investment is the extension of the Metrolink through Trafford Park to the Trafford Centre and Trafford Quays. The Council is also supporting proposals to improve the facilities available at existing station/interchanges, the development of some new stations and improvements to the carrying capacity of the rolling stock available on the Altrincham line.

2. Statutory powers in the form of the Greater Manchester (LRT System) Acts of 1988 and 1992 presently authorise the construction of the Metrolink extension through Trafford Park as far as the Trafford Centre. The possible extension of this Metrolink line through Trafford Quays and across the Manchester Ship Canal is a future transport scheme for which statutory construction powers have not yet been obtained.

3. Precise sites have not yet been identified for some of the new Metrolink stations referred to in this Proposal. These will be identified, along with other rail network improvement schemes during the Plan period as the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan is reviewed and updated.

4. With regard to the new station proposed on Railtrack line in the vicinity of White City, the Council, with the support of partners including Manchester United FC and GM Police, will actively be seeking to bring forward an early development scheme to encourage spectators/visitors to the stadium and other nearby facilities to travel by means other than by private car.

5. With regard to the provision of park and ride facilities at public transport interchanges, stations and stops, the Council is actively working with the GMPTE and other the Greater Manchester authorities to prepare an implementation strategy consistent with the sustainable transport development and community regeneration principles of the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan and sensitive to local environmental and other considerations.

6. In addition to the proposals outlined above, the Council will safeguard the route of the Altrincham - Irlam railway line in accordance with Proposal E15 of the Plan.

7. The listed improvement schemes are intended to support the implementation of the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan within the Borough. The precise benefits of each scheme will be separately justified as it is brought forward for funding and implementation.

8. Other improvement schemes may be added to the Council’s programme during the Plan period, particularly arising from further consideration of evolving main employment and priority economic and community regeneration area strategies and action plans.

9. Transport routes other than those listed in this Proposal that may fall into disuse are protected from any development that may prejudice their re-use by Proposal OSR17.

Part II Proposal T12 – Lorry Management Schemes

When considering granting planning permission for proposals for new business and commercial development, the Council, in assessing conformity with sub-paragraph (v) of Proposal D1, will seek, by negotiation and agreement with developers, the introduction of lorry management schemes. The purpose of such schemes will be to restrict the movement of lorries in and through residential areas where their penetration would damage the environment, impact on the quality of life of the local community and/ or be detrimental to road safety.

Justification

1. The Council wishes to control and restrict the movements of lorries to minimise the damaging effect they have on the quality of life of the local community and the environment by way of excessive noise, vibration, air pollution, congestion, loading, parking accidents, wear and tear on the carriageway and damage to buildings and paving.

Part II Proposal T13 – Control of Lorry Parking

The Council will grant planning permission for purpose built short stay lorry parking facilities with driver facilities and new off street lorry parks that meet the development requirements prescribed in Proposals D1 and D5 and are proposed in locations that: -

Are well related to the trunk or primary road network, and,
Avoid the need for significant lorry movements through residential areas to the detriment of the environment, amenity and safety of local residents.

Justification

1. The Council is concerned about the unnecessary intrusion of heavy goods vehicles into residential areas, and their damaging effects on the local environment and the quality of life and safety of the local community, and therefore wishes to promote schemes to properly accommodate these vehicles. Extensions to the existing overnight lorry parking prohibition order will be considered as a means of deterring the unnecessary intrusion of heavy goods vehicles into inappropriate areas.

Part II Proposal T14 – New Rail Freight Facilities

When considering proposals for new business and commercial development the Council will grant planning permission for: -

Improvements and additions to the internal Trafford Park railway network; (see Proposal TP11);
The development of new purpose built rail served inter-modal freight facilities and any necessary improvements and additions to the railway network to support such developments;
Rail freight handling facilities at industrial premises where they: -
Can be accommodated without detriment to the operation of the current passenger and freight rail network;
Ensure safe and convenient operation of the facilities;
Provide the opportunity for a significant reduction in the movement of commercial vehicles on sensitive parts of the road network, and,
Secure environmental and quality of life improvements.

Proposals for developments within category (ii) above will also be subject to the following criteria: -

The overall contribution of the development to the movement of freight by rail and/or water, taking account of Regional Guidance and including the extent to which buildings on the site would be served by those means of transport;
The extent to which the proposal involves the use of previously developed land;
Whether there are exceptional circumstances to justify any use of land currently within the Green Belt;
Demonstration by a transport assessment that the development would not have a significant adverse impact on the safe and efficient functioning of the trunk, primary and local network;
Demonstration by an environmental assessment that the development would not have an unacceptable adverse impact on the quality of the environment, including effects on landscape, countryside character, wildlife, agricultural land, recreational and archaeological interests, drainage, flood risk and the amenities enjoyed by local residents, and,
The extent to which persons employed at the site could be expected to travel to work by means other than the private car.

In all cases, and especially where the adjoining land use is primarily residential in nature, the Council will pay attention to the measures a developer proposes to put in place to ensure that the environment and amenity of the occupiers of adjoining property is not prejudiced.

Justification

1. The use of unsuitable roads by heavy goods vehicles is highly undesirable for reasons of safety, amenity and the environment. Congestion is a major problem and one that will get worse. Almost 13% of vehicles on the A56 are goods vehicles. A reduction would help to ease congestion and improve the environment. With the development of the Channel Tunnel and rail freight handling facilities in Trafford Park there may be major benefits to be gained by industry developing their own rail links to these facilities. Better utilisation of railways, ports and shipping services has a vital role to play in building a sustainable distribution system. When intensively used, railways can offer a substantially more energy-efficient means of distribution.

2. The proviso to the Proposal is included in order to protect the quality of the environment and amenity of residents and workers occupying property that may adjoin a proposed development site.

Part II Proposal T15 – Inland Waterways

The Council will protect and promote the development of inland waterways and associated freight transport infrastructure located within the Borough to maximise the opportunities they offer.

The Manchester Ship Canal will be promoted as a sustainable freight transport route for the movement of freight and people. The Bridgewater Canal, in view of its historic value, will be promoted for leisure and educational purposes.

The Council will not grant planning permission for any development proposal that will prejudice the future use of these two waterways for the purposes described above.

Justification

1. The Manchester Ship Canal and the Bridgewater Canal are important assets that the Council (and the Government) are keen to see maintained in a sustainable way to fulfil their economic, social and environmental potential. The Council through this Proposal and Proposals TP12, OSR6 and OSR14 will actively support future development as set out above to exploit the different qualities and opportunities these waterways present.

2. The promotion of the Manchester Ship Canal as a sustainable transport route is consistent with PPG13 guidance regarding the protection, improvement and development of the water transport network.

3. Proposal E15 provides for improved inland port and wharfage facilities at Partington within the Carrington Priority Regeneration Area, and for reinstatement of rail access.

4. The Manchester Ship Canal Company is a Statutory Undertaker, Port Authority and Navigation Authority. As such the Company will be consulted by the Council to advise upon safety and operational matters that may arise from any development proposed on land adjacent to, or affecting, the two canals.

5. In addressing future development affecting shipping use of the Manchester Ship Canal the Council will give consideration to the traffic implications in Warrington arising from more frequent opening of swing bridges.

Part II Proposal T16 – Off Airport Parking

In making decisions on any applications for the use of land for off-airport car parking the Council will take account of the following: -

The impact of the proposal on the amenities of residents or occupiers of nearby properties;
The visual impact of the proposed use on the character and appearance of the surrounding area, including any proposals for treatment of the boundaries of the site;
The adequacy of the site's access to the trunk and primary road network;
Whether or not the scheme conflicts with other Policies and Proposals of the UDP, in particular those concerning the protection of open land, areas of special landscape value and the supply of industrial land.

Justification

As Manchester Airport grows, the demand for airport parking will expand in parallel. Some of this pressure can be expected to affect Trafford because of its close proximity to the Airport. Control is necessary, to guide suitable proposals to appropriate locations.

Part II Proposal T17 – Providing for Pedestrians, Cyclists and the Disabled

When considering development proposals the Council will seek to provide a safe and pleasant environment for pedestrians, cyclists and the disabled by: -

Pedestrianising streets in shopping centres at least during the principal shopping hours;
Providing, as appropriate, for the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and the disabled in the design of all development proposals, including highway construction and improvement works and schemes and traffic management schemes;
Creating new pedestrian routes;
Ensuring that satisfactory access to major facilities (such as education establishments, public transport, employment facilities, shopping areas, town centres and recreational facilities) is provided for the disabled and other disadvantaged groups wherever opportunities occur, and,
Investigating and implementing schemes to reduce pedestrian/vehicle conflict, giving priority to locations with high pedestrian injury accidents and where pedestrians face particular problems crossing roads with high traffic flows.

Justification

This Proposal sets out the Council's intentions for meeting the needs of pedestrians, cyclists and the disabled.

Facilities for the disabled will include provision of ramped kerbs and tactile surfaces where appropriate and the provision of specially designated parking spaces for the disabled within close proximity of pedestrianised areas.

Part II Proposal T18 – New Facilities for Cyclists

The Council will develop the proposed Borough cycling network as set out in the Trafford Cycling Strategy and will seek to ensure that cyclists are not put at a disadvantage by any new development.

Where development proposals impact upon the proposed cycle network the Council will require developers to pay full consideration to the needs of cyclists when addressing the provisions of sub-paragraph (viii) of Proposal D1. Where significant proposals abut the cycle network the Council, by negotiation and agreement with developers, will either seek provision of that section of the network or a contribution to the provision of that section of the network and associated facilities (such as secure cycle parking).

Justification

1. The Council believes that cycling should be encouraged as a healthy and cheap form of transport and that it should be made safer. Traffords’ flat topography is ideal for cycling. The use of cycles, however, is lower than it could be.

2. A Cycling Strategy for Trafford has been adopted. Based on the model local strategy, contained within the National Cycling Strategy, the Council in partnership with the Trafford Cycling Forum has set out local targets for increasing the number of journeys made by cycle and a series of policies to help meet those targets. Many of these policies relate to how the Council itself will act as Highway Authority and as the provider of the majority of facilities to assist cyclists, but some relate to the securing of improved conditions for cyclists through the development process and should be borne in mind by applicants.

3. A part of the Strategy identifies a proposed cycle network, which the Council will aim to make safe and convenient for cyclists. The Strategy proposes to give priority to the provision of routes into and around Sale town centre, to routes on the main corridors into and through Stretford town centre and to routes into Altrincham town centre. It also proposes (in consultation with Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority) the provision of a secondary network of routes to and from public transport interchanges and linkages to the Trans Pennine Trail (part of the National Cycle Network).

4. Where significant development proposals abut the cycle network the Council will either seek provision of that section of the network or contributions to the provision of that section or associated facilities such as secure cycle parking. Such arrangements would be the subject of a legal agreement prior to the granting of planning permission, or preferably, included within an application through the negotiation with the applicant prior to determination. In assessing whether a development is significant for the purposes of this part of the Proposal, the Council will have regard to the thresholds defined in PPG13 Annex D.

5. The Greater Manchester Cycling Strategy states that the Council will also work to ensure that the Trafford Network wherever practicable links directly with neighbouring authorities cycle facilities to help achieve integrated cycling throughout the Borough and the Region.

6. The rate at which the network of cycle routes is developed within the Borough over the Plan period will depend upon the level of resources made available by Government to support the strategy and investment programme set out in the Greater Manchester Local Transport Plan.