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TRANSPORT
This new development in the City town centre should
not be permitted because it will result in traffic congestion, which cannot be economically resolved. It will create
a demand for car parking which cannot be reasonably accommodated, there is no additional car parking for the new
development or satisfactory access for the car to extra " park and ride''
facilities or additional public transport services.
It is against recommended policy -TCR3 Cheshire
Structure
Plan 2011
Within the framework of Local Plans, comprehensive strategies for town centres will be prepared, taking all of
the following into account:
. the function of the centre within the hierarchy of centres;
. the need to maintain and improve their vitality and viability;
. the need for modernisation, refurbishment and environmental improvement;
. the need to improve facilities and access for residents, shoppers, visitors, tourists and business people;
. forecasts of the potential need for additional shopping floor space;
. opportunities to expand and diversify town centre activities, including the identification of a range of suitable
sites for retailing, eating and drinking, commercial and public offices, leisure, entertainment, culture, art,
and housing; and. opportunities for pedestrianisation, traffic calming and other measures to provide easy access
on foot and by cycle, together with the need for cycle parking, efficient public transport and management of car
parking to provide for shoppers, visitors and tourists.
Local Plans will make land allocations and transport proposals to implement these strategies.
A local transport strategy needs to be developed, which is integrated with the Local Development Plan and consistent
with national and regional guidance that improves access to the City centre that completes the Chester Western
Relief Road, the third river crossing. Issues relating to the scale and location of future developments can do
much to resole current problems. The intention should be not only to prepare for the future but to improve the
present situation..
Closure of
Two Bus station's
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This proposed development has already closed the Bus
Stations at Delamere Street, with access already being restricted to the Town Hall Bus Station, Princess Street
for those who wish to travel by Bus or Coach to Chester, with up to two thirds of the present users being disadvantaged
during construction work.
The super bus stops will diminish the attraction of the Princess Street bus service; the proposal provides 15 full-
sized stands to meet the requirement of the development, with a canopy to provide protection from the weather.
There are concerns over safety with insufficient separation between buses, causing potential noise (PPG24) and
pollution that the bus exchange has insufficient capacity to accommodate the closure from two bus stations. |
| 53a The New bus station: section
2 proposed by
Donald
Insall in his Study in Conservation |
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Reduced Bus
services
The County Transport Co-ordinator has indicated
that there is only sufficient capacity for existing and identified future needs, bearing in mind that not all services
should or would need to pass through the new bus exchange, who also along with Chester City Transport shared the
concerns regarding the weather protection provided by the canopy.
Both City and the County Council have no direct say in the provision of bus services, theses are down to the bus
operators. Without the provision of a Bus Station with refreshment and supervisors facilities, the Governments
initiative to encourage free enterprise and the use of bus travel will be embarrassed.
The Bus station is crucial it must remain, with capacity at present levels.
Donald Insall ('Chester: A Study in Conversation' page 51Bus, line 9) reported
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"In fact over 1,000 buses already depart daily from the Town Hall Square,
an astounding total. "
He went on to say about a new central bus station for Chester
"A new central bus
station in Chester must be a well-appointed and efficient centre, with every facility, like indoor waiting rooms
luggage, toilet and rest rooms, and a well-run information desk for timetable (bus, coach and rail) and tourist
enquiries. It must segregate passengers from vehicles, their noise and fumes, and may require two-level planning
with escalator service."
We need to encourage people to use the car less, leaving it at the park and ride facilities. It will only work
if we have a central bus station it is essential that one is retained. The bus station also plays a very important
role to all the residents of the Chester area. Only by the provision of a high quality bus station will there be
any increase of new users of public transport. The consistent and over - riding requirement of transport policy
statements made in recent years by Central Government, Cheshire County Council and Chester City Council is that
transport and land use should be planed and developed to reduce people's dependency on private cars. It is well
known and accepted that having to change buses is a serious detriment to public transport use. The council need
to give particular attention to the needs of the large number of people especially the young, infirm and elderly,
who may be entirely dependent on public transport. |
| 53b Buses parade pass the Town Hall |
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Wherever possible, recreation and tourism developments should be located so as to be accessible by public transport,
and should have adequate facilities for elderly and disabled.
Policy No - CT 6 Greater Chester Local Plan February 1988 (
App
2.3)
Policy No - CE 5 Greater Chester Local Plan February 1988 (
App
2.4)
GEN4 Cheshire
Structure
Plan 2011
"In recognition of the national and international importance of Chester as a historic City, any development
within or on the periphery of the city centre or within the Chester urban area should be compatible with the conservation
and enhancement of the City and setting of the City, and should where appropriate, contribute to the improvement
of the City's transport networks."
Light Rapid Transport
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The Future of an Historic City Guidelines and Principles (v) Transport p78
"The growth of the
city has a significant effect on transport. This effect ranges from new roads, to stricter measures for parking
enforcement. It is necessary to build the Western Bypass to alleviate traffic congestion in the South west of the
City. The contribution that additional strategic highway routes could make to the transportation network needs
to be considered if industrial expansion in the west is to continue.
Commitment is needed to an improved public transport system. This should include improving the quality of bus services
generally within the central area, and also improving the quality of bus services from park and ride sites if they
are to be used effectively throughout the week, and at weekends. In addition to the bus services consideration
should be given to developing a light transit railway that can service those parts of the City that are under pressure
at the moment or are likely to be corridors of future development opportunities i.e. the west and southern parts
of the City."
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There has been no clear policy from County or City
Council on a TRANSPORT SYSTEM for the future. The Local Transport Plan (LTP) prepared by Cheshire County Council
fails to provide a programme of major traffic improvements for Chester.
Car Parking
There are numerous existing public and private car
parks and parking spaces in the site area, as part of the redevelopment these will be lost.
Lack of city centre car parking has been a long term problem; their reduction can only exacerbate the existing
position. By limiting access, and reducing parking in the City centre there are implications on the sustainability
of any new development, and the viability of trade for existing users. Car parking needs to be retained for public
use, with extra provision for the new development.
The existing public car park at Princess Street
provides 900 car parking spaces; the proposal offers an allocation of only 652 car parking spaces. This is one
of the principle City Centre car parks it needs to remain accessible. The inner ring road will have great difficulty
dealing with the increase extra activity that the new proposed department store will attract in attendant traffic.
Without a provision for its own car parking, there will be a further loss of public car parking which can only
be to the detriment of the existing users in the city. Are the developers paying a commuted sum for the additional
demand generated by the development for the provision of public car parks.
Policy No - CT 15 Greater Chester Local Plan February 1988 (
App
2.5)
Policy No - CT 11 Greater Chester Local Plan February 1988 (
App
2.6)
Policy No - CT 16 Greater Chester Local Plan February 1988 (
App
2.7)
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