7.3 Wider Strategies
A number of existing policies and strategies will have major contributions to delivering accessibility improvements. These are described in the following sections7.3.1 Land Use Planning Policies
| We will use accessibility planning within development frameworks to ensure services are provided in convenient locations |
In order to monitor the success of JLSP accessibility policies, two targets were specifically designed to measure this. These are as follows;"high accessibility for all by walking, cycling and public transport, with trip intensive uses focused on town centres."
A system was established to monitor these targets as well as a broad range of other services such as banking facilities, pubs and chemists. The first full "Accessibility Technical Report" was published in 2002. A new Report has been produced annually and covers the whole Joint Lancashire Structure Plan area, including Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool. The 2005 document is included as an Annexe to this LTP. The data collected has formed an important foundation to Lancashire's work utilising Accession. Target 1.2 has only been monitored for residential development due to the lack of data available on other land uses. In addition to physical location of services, the "Accessibility Technical Reports" include statistical analysis of published information such as the Census of Population and the National Travel Survey. In order to obtain qualitative data, the results of a questionnaire survey of Parish Councils were included in the 2004 report while the 2005 Report incorporates the results of customer surveys carried out at two Spar stores. A full "Accessibility Technical Report" has not been produced in 2006 in order to avoid duplication with Accessibility Planning work undertaken for the LTP. Analysis of Targets 1.1 and 1.2 has been included in the Joint Lancashire Structure Plan Annual Monitoring Report 2006. Accessibility is also a central feature of the JLSP Technical Appendix "Parking Standards" and Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) "Access and Parking". Accessibility Questionnaires are included (see Appendix 5 for Non-Residential Development) which are primarily intended to affect levels of parking provision on individual sites. They are intended to form part of the appraisal of all sites over 500m² ground floor area. The Questionnaires can also be used by Local Planning Authorities to assess the existing level of accessibility by non-car modes for sites being considered as allocation in their Local Development Framework. The approach taken is identified as Good Practice in Draft RSS Appendix 6.1. At District level the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act has replaced the previous system of Local Plans with Local Development Frameworks (LDFs). As with Structure Plans, current Local Plans will be saved for a period of three years. LDFs are essentially a library of Local Development Documents (LDDs), defined in a Local Development Scheme (LDS) and must include a Core Strategy. PPS12 "Local Development Frameworks" advises that LDDs should be in line with LTPs. Paragraph B13 of Annex B explicitly states that accessibility should be a key consideration in preparation of LDDs. Local Planning Authorities are required to produce LDF Annual Monitoring Reports every December. One of the Core Output Indicators, number 3b) identified by ODPM in the March 2005 document "Local Development Framework Monitoring: A Good Practice Guide" and "Update 1/2005" (October 2005), specifically relates to measuring public transport accessibility of new housing completions to defined facilities. Lancashire County Council undertook this work for six Districts in 2005 using Accession. A more standardised approach is being developed for 2006 with all Districts Councils involved. Clarification of measurement of the indicator have been sought from ODPM. A County and District contextual indicator is also being developed using the Joint Lancashire Structure Plan Target 1.1 to measure the percentage of population in each District not having access to the five basic services of a food shop, a GP, a Primary School, a Post Office and a bus stop. Districts such as Lancaster have been looking at accessibility in their LDFs as a mechanism for identifying sustainable growth strategies and the suitability of individual sites. Other local authorities such as Rossendale and West Lancashire have undertaken their own primary research on this topic. South Ribble Borough Council is in the process of developing an Accessibility Working Group to input into their LDF on which the County Council will be represented. Accessibility Mapping has also been provided to the Elevate Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder to help identify the accessibility impact of proposals in Burnley. Development control is the process through which new development obtains planning permission. Accessibility planning will be used to help ensure that development is appropriately located. Detailed design of schemes and use of conditions can make a significant difference to quality and access. Planning obligations provide a mechanism within this process where developers contribute to the infrastructure costs attributable to their development. Lancashire County Council are currently developing "Good Practice" guidance on planning obligations together with the District authorities and the Unitary Councils of Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool. This will include guidance on how the transport element of planning obligations will be calculated. The calculation of contributions is based on site accessibility using the Accessibility Questionnaires included in Joint Lancashire Structure Plan SPG "Access and Parking". The sum identified using this process is then related to site specific measures. The planning system also plays a significant role in securing new shops and services in major new developments such as Buckshaw Village on the former Royal Ordnance site in Chorley/South Ribble. Promoting mixed-use developments and resisting changes of use, such as converting village pubs into houses, feature as policies in many Local Plans and have been successfully implemented through the development control system.Target 1.1. The proportion of the population within 1km of 5 basic services (GP, primary school, food shop, post office and bus stop) to be maintained to at least the 1996 level of 73%, 2001-2016
Target 1.2. 90% of new development to be within 400 metres of an existing or proposed bus stop or within 800 metres of an existing or proposed railway station, 2001-2016.
7.3.2 Partner Strategies
As a first stage of the Strategic Accessibility Assessment, a review of key documents, strategies and objectives of partner organisations delivering services has been carried out. This analysis is included in Appendix F. The literature review has revealed many key policies and strategies of our partners that reflect common objectives to improve social inclusion. Some of these are of particular importance to the development of the Accessibility Strategy.EDUCATION
Bridging the Gap: New Opportunities for 16-18 year olds not in Education, Employment or Training - Social Exclusion Unit July 1999
Bridging the Gap noted that many young people cited the cost of transport to and from education and training was a barrier to participation. It found that for some young people, particularly those aged 16-18, travel costs represented their biggest single item of expenditure. It advocated greater financial support for young people in the form of an Education Maintenance Allowance which was available nationally from September 2004.Learning and Skills Council Lancashire
Annual Statement of Priorities 2005/06 - December 2004
Key Priority 2 - Ensure that all 14-19 year olds have access to high quality, relevant learning opportunities.EMPLOYMENT
JobCentre Plus Objective
To improve continuously the quality, accessibility and delivery of services to all working age customers, regardless of ethnicity,
gender, age or disability and achieve the best possible outcome for each of them.
Connexions Strategy Document
Connexions Principles
Two of the eight key principles are;- Meeting individual need - and overcoming barriers to learning
- Extending opportunity and equality of opportunity - raising participation and achievement levels for all young people, influencing the availability, suitability and quality of provision and raising awareness of opportunities.
HEALTH
Lancashire Sport
Lancashire Sport's primary aim is to increase participation and retention in sport. One of their cross-cutting issues relates to social inclusion.- Social Inclusion - taking positive action to position sport to attract low participation groups - people with disabilities, women and girls, ethnic minorities and those affected by deprivation.
The flagship of this work is 'Beyond Sport', a modern integrated public service for young people that is a national benchmark
for partnership working and tackling the root causes of social exclusion.
Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust
"With our partners, improve the healthcare available to our local population by:
- Working with PCTs, Social Services Departments and others to devise new ways of working and to provide high quality, timely and integrated services."
Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale PCT
Mission Statement Burnley, Pendle & Rossendale Primary Care Trust, in respecting people's unique needs and preferences at all times, will improve the health of the local population and ensure the provision of high quality care- At the right time
- In the right place and
- By the right individuals and teams
FOOD
Department of Health
Local 5 A DAY initiatives
The £10 million 5 A DAY community initiatives have been funded through the biggest of the lottery good cause distributors, The New Opportunities Fund. The New Opportunities Fund has targeted good cause money to 66 Primary Care Trusts in England to set up an array of 5 A DAY schemes that will make it easier for families on low incomes to access fruit and vegetables.OTHER
Lancashire Rural Recovery Action Plan
Strategic Objective 8: Delivering Social and Community Regeneration
Examples of the project aims are:- To identify and target for support, the most deprived communities and groups within rural Lancashire
- To assist rural communities to develop either new or existing community facilities to a level where they will act as a hub for the surrounding communities; providing a range of services and activities developed in partnership with appropriate service providers encompassing health, social care, education, training, culture, leisure and transport.
Enterprising Rural Communities
One of the 5 key themes is Transport. "Rural areas are often disadvantaged because of their relative remoteness. This makes it more difficult for individuals to access employment and a wide range of services and support. Getting around in the countryside can be particularly difficult for people with little or no access to private transport. The most disadvantaged are often the young and elderly, people who are unable or choose not to drive, and low income families. The Enterprising Rural Communities programme aims to improve transport services and facilities in rural communities."Rights of Way Improvement Plan
Accessibility of the rights of way network and information are highlighted in the following inter-related themes;- Inspection and Improvement
- Education and Information Provision
- Community to Countryside Links
- Bridleway and Off-Road Cycling Circuits Routes
- Reduced Mobility and Visually Impaired.
GENERAL
Department for Transport
Walking & Cycling - an action plan
Annex - Action 1 Improving access to town centres. ODPM will publish a new Planning Policy Statement 6 (PPG6) which will advise local authorities to plan their town centres to give priority to pedestrians and cyclists and improve the pedestrian environment.
Countryside Agency
Rural Proofing Delivery Checklist
Accessibility: Will the initiative depend upon local service outlets or a good transport network for clients and do these exist in rural areas? Could joint provision, telephone or IT- based delivery, mobile or outreach delivery or flexible transport options be used to ensure services reach populations where transport links are poor and service outlets few?7.3.3 Local Transport Plan Strategies
The LTP comprises a series of objectives and strategies to support the transport shared priorities. These strategies have been assessed to determine their effect upon accessibility in Lancashire. The table here sets out this assessment and indicates the nature of the impact (+ slightly positive, ++ moderately positive, +++ greatly positive and = neutral). The analysis has confirmed that the LTP strategies have a substantial net beneficial effect on improving accessibility for all in Lancashire.Table 7.3.3 Local Transport Plan Strategies
|
Local Transport Plan Strategies |
|
| Tackling Congestion | |
| The reduction of delays shortens journey times for all and improves accessibility levels. Improvements to the public transport system have a particularly important role in giving socially excluded people access to key services. Where restraint measures are considered, it will be important to mitigate the restrictions on people's travel horizons. | |
|
Strategy |
Impact on Accessibility |
| We will implement the Traffic Management Act to reduce delays to traffic and ensure the safe and efficient use of the highway network. |
+ |
| We will manage road space to promote efficient travel choices and reduce delays. |
+ |
| We will implement a Bus Strategy to increase the number of journeys by bus. |
+++ |
| We will implement a rail strategy that will enhance the works of the rail operators to deliver an increase in rail journeys. |
+ |
| We will develop and maintain an integrated, efficient and sustainable freight transport system. |
= |
| We will introduce Park and Ride operations to reduce congestion on the busiest corridors. |
+ |
| We will create an environment that promotes walking and cycling. |
+++ |
| We will encourage efficient journey choices through better information. |
++ |
| We will use planning and development control powers to improve transport infrastructure and deliver effective travel planning. |
++ |
| We will implement strategies to manage demand for car use. |
++ |
| We will improve the highway network where there is evidence that schemes will provide significant reductions in congestion. |
+ |
| We will use travel planning to increase the number of journeys by walking, cycling and public transport. |
++ |
| We will work to reduce traffic flows and shorten journey lengths and lower levels of congestion. |
+ |
| We will work to implement the actions detailed in the Rights of Way Improvement Plan. |
+ |
| Better Air Quality | |
| Improved air quality encourages more active travel, which in turn improves health. In particular, it benefits people who suffer from asthma and poor bronchial health. | |
|
Strategy |
Impact on Accessibility |
| We will ensure that air quality in Lancashire meets, or improves on, the statutory standards. |
++ |
| We will work with partners to improve air quality in Air Quality Management Areas |
++ |
| We recognise that disadvantaged areas record a high rate of road casualties and will implement schemes where they have the greatest potential to reduce the number of road casualties and improve the safety of children and other vulnerable road users. |
++ |
| Safer Roads | |
| The fear of injury on roads, and injury itself, has the effect of discouraging people from making journeys. This is a particular issue for children and other vulnerable road users. Safer conditions will enable people to make essential journeys by active travel, public transport and car. | |
|
Strategy |
Impact on Accessibility |
| We will aim to reduce all casualties in all our work. |
++ |
| We will work with partners to make the most effective contribution to reducing road casualties. |
++ |
| We will implement schemes where they have the greatest potential to reduce road casualties. |
++ |
| We will increase the delivery of road safety education and training programmes in educational establishments. |
+ |
| We will develop, provide and promote quality training for all categories of drivers and riders including the more vulnerable ones. |
= |
| We will raise public awareness of the quality, quantity and availability of all the road safety services. |
+ |
| We will maintain a high quality and reliable school crossing patrol service. |
+ |
| Other Quality of Life Issues | |
| A more attractive environment, with less anti-social behaviour, reinforces social activity and fosters a strong sense of community. This gives people a feeling of safety and so widens their travel horizons. | |
|
Strategy |
Impact on Accessibility |
| We will work to reduce the damaging emissions that cause climate change. |
+ |
| We will work to reduce the impact of traffic noise. |
+ |
| We will manage the highway to protect natural and built environments and biodiversity. |
+ |
| We will manage the highway to improve the public realm. |
+ |
| We will implement transport policies that contribute to healthier communities. |
+++ |
| We will implement transport policies that will contribute to successful and sustainable communities. |
+++ |
| We will increase opportunities for people of all mobilities to enjoy the countryside. |
++ |
| Managing Our Transport Assets | |
| Well maintained streets and footways support a strong sense of community. They allow people to make their journeys easily and safely, whether by active travel, buses or cars. | |
|
Strategy |
Impact on Accessibility |
| We will make best use of property and assets and undertake the maintenance of these assets in the most cost effective and timely manner. |
+ |
| We will work to ensure that the highway network is maintained in a safe condition and to an appropriate standard for all users. |
+++ |
| We will maintain our highway structures with care and efficiency so that they are safe and ensure the highway network is readily accessible. |
+ |
| We will provide an effective and sustainable street lighting service. |
++ |