Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017
Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 Contents Page 1 Norwich Research Park Site & Development Proposals... 1 2 Site Location & Access... 1 3 Travel Plan Management... 2 4 Roles & Responsibilities... 3 5 Consultation & Communication... 4 6 Development Travel Planning Thresholds... 4 7 Transport Measures and Campaigns... 5 8 Travel Planning Outlook... 7 9 Travel Plan Monitoring and Review... 7 10 Commitment... 8
1 Norwich Research Park Site & Development Proposals Norwich Research Park (the Park) is creating a research and innovation campus to support the growth and development of research and business in the sectors of bioscience, food, health and environment. In January 2013, South Norfolk Council granted Outline Planning Permission for a 165,000m 2 development that could see a further 5,000 people travelling to work on the site. An Overarching Travel Plan (the Plan) is required to co-ordinate sustainable travel choices for site occupants and visitors to the Park, and to plan for the future. This Plan is the result of joint travel planning by travel co-ordinators representing organisations on the Park, and has been developed with Norfolk County Council s Travel Team. The Plan provides a framework for travel planning activities and record that is revised annually. The Plan outlines specific travel planning activities and issues on the Park, particularly where there are benefits in combining efforts and solving problems. The Plan does not replace or supersede any travel plan in operation on the Norwich Research Park. The Plan acts as an Interim Travel Plan that developers on the Park can use to support new building planning applications; it is submitted prior to drafting an operational travel plan appropriate for the building size and occupancy (see section 6). 2 Site Location & Access The Norwich Research Park is situated on the western outskirts of Norwich, 3 to 4km from the city centre. The existing Park spans the length of Colney Lane, from the Watton Road (B1108) down to the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, and east to include the University of East Anglia bounded by Earlham Road and Bluebell Road. The new development area extends west of Colney Lane to Hethersett Lane and beyond into farmland. The scale of the Park requires a number of points of access and egress, these provide for a wide range of vehicles (including cars, motorbikes, buses, ambulances, farm machinery and large deliveries), cycles and pedestrians. (For full details of the Norwich Research Park development and links to partners) www.norwichresearchpark.com Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 1
Figure 1. Map of the Norwich Research Park showing existing and future development areas, and both existing and future points of access and egress to/from site. 3 Travel Plan Management For the purposes of travel plan co-ordination, the Norwich Research Park has agreed management units that reflect (1) the practicalities of managing travel to and from parts of the Park, (2) ability to communicate travel plans to site users, and (3) development responsibilities. The Travel Plan Management (Table 1) is divided into four units (A, B, C1 & C2) and across three locations (ABC). The University (A) and NNUH (B) have long established travel plans for a complex range of users. The existing NBI (C1) and new NRP Commercial (C2) areas are co-located but require different management for the purposes of communications and planning. Travel plan activities in C1 and C2 will overlap. Additional management units may be required as the NRP Commercial development expands, and this will be reviewed at the NRP Travel Planning Meeting. Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 2
Table 1. Summary of Travel Plan Management Units Unit Management Unit Name Contact Main Occupants A University of East Anglia Dawn Dewar Main campus, Edith Cavell, Enterprise Centre, Bob Champion Research & Education Building B Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital Simon Wardale Main site & Cotman Centre C1 Norwich BioScience Institutes Ian Bartlett JIC, EA, TSL, QIB C2 NRP Commercial (Norwich Research Partners LLP) Matthew Poll 1 Zones 1 & 2 Innovation Centre, West Sites, Centrum & Leaf Systems Bullen Developments Jason Hinch Zones 3 & 4 1 Acting NRP Travel Plan Co-ordinator 4 Roles & Responsibilities NRP Travel Plan Co-ordinator chairs the NRP Travel Plan Meeting and acts as a single point of contact for Norfolk County Council and local stakeholders on NRP-wide opportunities or issues. This is role is shared across the Park and will rotate annually in October. Travel Plan Manager a minimum of one representative from each of the Travel Plan Management Units. Individuals have responsibility for the travel plan(s) within their unit of management and are the point of contact for site users within their area and liaison with local councils. Developer responsibilities there are two developers, Norwich Research Partners LLP and Bullen Developments, with planning permission to build within the Norwich Research Park development area. Developer responsibilities are set out in the terms of their planning permission and associated Section 106. These include supply of core transport infrastructure for the development area, a Travel Bond linked to development, and development of an Overarching Travel Plan and support for travel planning as set out in section 6. The developers will also liaise with freeholders and leaseholders within the development area to help resolve site issues that are not within the control of a site occupant. Occupier responsibilities the occupier of a building(s) will have an obligation to undertake certain travel planning activities. The activity will depend upon the size and nature of the organisation and the terms of their planning permission or lease as set out in section 6 Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 3
5 Consultation & Communication This Overarching Travel Plan recognises that organisations represented on the Park will require different approaches to engage and consult with their staff, students, building occupants and visitors. This includes members of the public who may regularly visit the site, or are affected by transport in the local area. This Overarching Travel Plan describes the main stakeholder groups and which Travel Plan Co-ordinators are likely to engage with each group (Appendix 2), and the principle activity that each co-ordinator will undertake to communicate with individual stakeholders (Appendix 3). Travel Plans within individual travel plan management units will describe specific stakeholders and activities. 6 Development Travel Planning Thresholds In January 2013, South Norfolk Council granted Outline Planning Permission (2012/1477/O and 2012/1880/O) for a 165,000m 2 development in the area of Colney Lane and Hethersett Lane, west Norwich. As a condition of the Outline Planning Permissions the two developers are committed to support travel planning activities for the occupants of new buildings on the Park. The size, type and occupancy of future building developments will vary and so the approach to travel planning will differ. The following approaches to travel planning under different development scenarios are described below: Multi-tenant building A multi-tenanted building is one that contains several different organisations (either commercial or non-commercial) that employ their own staff. Existing multi-tenant buildings on site include the Innovation Centre, Earlham Institute Building and the new Centrum. For planning purposes developers would submit this Overarching Travel Plan as the Interim Travel Plan. On occupation, the relevant Travel Plan Co-ordinator would make existing travel information available to occupants and as far as possible support access to site schemes in accordance with the site Travel Plan. The Travel Plan Co-ordinator would provide a template Travel Information Plan (TIP) to a named manager within each tenancy. Occupants would be invited to complete an annual survey and the content of the TIP template reviewed annually. Single occupancy building <80 occupants For smaller buildings with less than 80 occupants the developer and organisation occupying the building will follow the same approach adopted for multi-tenant buildings. Single occupancy building >80 occupants Larger buildings with over 80 occupants will require a Full Travel Plan. For planning purposes, the developer (or team responsible for developing the building) would submit the Overarching Travel Plan as the Interim Travel Plan. The occupying organisation is responsible for developing a Full Travel Plan suited to their workplace and operations. Building occupants will be surveyed after 3 months occupancy, and a Full Travel Plan will be submitted within 6 months of occupancy. Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 4
Single Norwich Research Park Partner occupancy Partners may develop new buildings where they are the only occupant. For planning purposes, the relevant Partner Travel Plan Co-ordinator (or team responsible for developing the building) would submit the Overarching Travel Plan as the Interim Travel Plan. In this scenario, the occupying Partner is responsible for updating their Full Travel Plan. Joint Norwich Research Park Partner occupancy There will be new buildings that are occupied by Norwich Research Park Partners. An example is the Quadram Institute Building that includes staff from the University of East Anglia, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital and Quadram Institute of Biosciences. Staff working in the building are included in existing travel plans and typically relocate from other locations on the Park. At planning, the Overarching Travel Plan can be presented as an Interim Travel Plan. However, if the building location is distant from the main employment area, and staff may be expected to use different routes or modes to get to work, the Interim Travel Plan should reference local transport conditions and other relevant local travel plans. At occupancy, the relevant Travel Plan will be updated and explain how staff in the new location can access travel planning information via their own organisation. 7 Transport Measures and Campaigns Each of the Management Units has its own Action / Travel Plan that is available on individual websites. The following table provides a summary of existing schemes that are undertaken on the Norwich Research Park. Partners on the Park are committed to review and build on these initiatives and leverage the benefits of working together for the benefit of site users. Car Travel & Parking Each of the Management Units manages their own car parking estate. Site staff parking is generally under a permit system, but the University, NNUH and Bullen Development also manage public parking through a pay and display system. Walking Walking Routes As part of the Outline Planning Permission the two developers on the Park will fund new road junctions with associated new paths and crossings into the Park. New direct access will be created between the NNUH, Bob Champion Research & Education Building and the existing Norwich Bioscience Institutes. This will support better walking access to buses. As development continues more paths we be created with open plazas to encourage walking within the site. Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 5
Cycling Cycle Paths As part of the Outline Planning Permission the two developers on the Park will fund new road junctions, pedestrian and cycle paths. Cycle paths will be provided through the site to enable direct cycle access to new buildings. Cycle Parking & Facilities New parking facilities will be provided as new development allows. Building designs will incorporate parking, shower and storage facilities suited to the building function and staff density. Cycle 2 Work (C2W) Schemes The majority of employed staff have access to a privatelyrun Cycle 2 Work schemes. There are schemes available to small businesses through high street bike shops and on-line organisations. Public Transport Discounted Bus Pass The monthly/annual bus pass for travel on First Bus Company services in Norwich zones 1-5 can be purchased at a special discounted price. This is available to UEA, NBI and all businesses on the park. NHS staff have access to different discount scheme. The bus pass information is regularly promoted across the park Bus Routes The site is well served by buses from the City and local villages (Wymondham and Watton) with two main hubs, at the University and NNUH. Services pick up and drop off outside the entrances to Zones 1 & 2 of the Park on Colney Lane. There is direct access between the NBI and NNUH hub via the Bob Champion Research & Education Building Park and Ride - Both the UEA & NNUH provide a subsidised park and ride service from the Costessey P&R site. UEA offers service 511 which operates every 20-minutes throughout the day between 07.20-19.15. Parking and return fare 1 NNUH offers service 510 which operates every 30 minutes throughout the day between 07.10-18.10. Parking and return 2 or 1 after 09.30. This service also stops outside the entrance to Zones 1&2 of the Park, the service can be used by staff of any organisations on the Park. The P&R service is regularly promoted across the Park. Stakeholder Campaign Communication Co-ordination Members of the NRP Travel Planning Meeting keep each other informed of upcoming opportunities, such as local schemes, campaigns, funding bids and infrastructure. Publicity Each Management Unit runs individual campaigns during the year. Travel Plan Co-ordinators explore which activities can be co-ordinated to maximise impact and awareness across the Park. NRP Management Liaison The two developers NRP LLP and Bullen Developments host a meeting two times a year with representatives of the local community and local councils. The purpose of the meeting is to share progress of development on the Park, give advance information of upcoming activity and listen to any concerns. Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 6
8 Travel Planning Outlook Partners have identified schemes that they would like to see implemented but for various reasons there are barriers to implementation, some of these are outside the Partners control. These are recorded here so that should conditions change, new action can be taken. Summary of potential schemes that could be developed or the Park would like to influence. Cycle Routes Paths leading to the Park (beyond the site boundary) are important to help support cyclist access to our site. The Partners are committed to supporting the local councils in their drive for improved routes. Three key routes are (1) the pink route from Norwich City, (2) the path along Roundhouse Way (partially complete), and (3) the proposed route linking Hethersett and Little Melton with the Norwich Research Park that will be developed in the longer term by the Park and other developers. Bus routes The use of the cross-valley route through the UEA playing fields into the main UEA campus. This would provide alternative and quicker routes for bus operating companies and provide a bus link between the NNUH, NRP & UEA. Proposals to be developed in line with the sensitive nature of the crossing prior to any planning application. 9 Travel Plan Monitoring and Review Travel Plan Survey Each Partner is responsible for undertaking an annual travel survey, usually in September. All occupants on the Norwich Research Park should have the opportunity to complete the survey and be encouraged to do so. Surveys can be conducted with support from Norfolk County Council and structured into three sections: (1) information about an individual s travel circumstances, (2) awareness and uptake of specific schemes, and (3) questions about attitudes to improvements or new schemes. Item 3 may be a customised section suited to an individual travel plan. Survey responses are analysed by Norfolk County Council and distributed to each Partner to inform their Travel Plan. Partners meet individually with their County Travel Team Representative to discuss progress. Travel Plan Revisions Individual Travel Plan Co-ordinators make arrangements for the review and monitoring of their own Travel Plan(s). Site activities may take place at different times of year and be reviewed by those responsible for the activity. Where activities are undertaken jointly by Partners and site occupants, then activities will be reviewed within the quarterly NRP Travel Planning Meeting. At the relevant NRP Travel Planning Meeting, Partners will share the outcome of their survey with each other to share successes and develop any joint actions that could support improvements. Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 7
NRP Travel Planning Meeting The Travel Plan Managers meet approximately quarterly and will discuss the following: General planning, initiatives and new developments Survey planning and co-ordination Norfolk CC survey feedback and report. Review of actions going forwards. Individual travel plan feedback and update Reporting Each Travel Plan Management Unit (Table 1) will agree an appropriate level of reporting and monitoring within relevant Travel Plans. This will reflect any specific conditions required by planning conditions or individual agreements with Norfolk County Council Travel Team. 10 Commitment The following representatives of Norwich Research Park have jointly developed this Overarching Travel Plan and agree to provide the necessary support to enable active management of this Overarching Travel Plan. Matthew Poll Ian Bartlett Jason Hinch Dawn Dewar Ian Bartlett Simon Wardale * Estates & Facilities Manager, Norwich Research Partners LLP Head of Estates, Norwich Biosciences Institutes (NBI) Project Manager, Bullen Developments Travel Plan Co-ordinator, University of East Anglia Travel Plan Co-ordinator, Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership Travel Plan Co-ordinator, Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital Matthew Poll is the Acting Chair of the Norwich Research Park Travel Planning Meeting for the year 2017/2018. Matthew Poll Estates & Facilities Manager Norwich Research Park Management Office Innovation Centre Norwich NR4 7GJ Matthew.poll@norwichresearchpark.com 01603 673683 07555 795259 Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 8
Ian Dinmore represents the Norfolk County Council Travel Team and has contributed to the development of this Plan and is satisfied that it meets the requirements of an Overarching Travel Plan. Ian Dinmore Sustainable Travel Plan Officer Community and Environmental Services Dept. 6th floor bay 31 County Hall NORWICH NR1 2SG ian.dinmore@norfolk.gov.uk www.norfolk.gov.uk 01603 224248 07538 461913 General 0344 800 8020 https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/alternative-ways-to-travel Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 9
Appendix 1 Existing Site Transport Conditions Area Map Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 10
Norwich Research Park Map Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 11
Conceptual 2016 Park Masterplan Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 12
Local Catchment distances to Norwich research Park Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 13
Norwich Cycle Network Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 14
Existing bus stops and their 400m radius serving Norwich Research Park Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 15
Existing Bus Services and their frequency serving Norwich Research Park Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 16
Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 17
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Bus Timetable Bus Service/ Operator Route Monday - Friday Saturday Sunday First Bus Last Bus First Bus Last Bus First Bus Last Bus 3 Konectbus Watton NNUH NNUH: 07.23 NNUH: 17.10 NNUH: 07.23 NNUH: 17.10 NNUH: 10.10 NNUH: 16.10 City Centre City: 07.45 City: 17.45 City: 07.45 City: 17.45 City: 10.30 City: 16.45 4 Konectbus Swanton Morley Dereham NNUH: 06.50 NNUH: 17.50 NNUH: 6.50 NNUH: 7.50 NNUH: 09.10 NNUH: 16.30 NNUH City: 07.15 City: 18.15 City: 7.15 City: 8.15 City: 9.30 City: 17.30 City centre 9 Konectbus Wymondham Hethersett Wymhm: 07.00 NNUH: 09.35 Wymhm: 14.10 NNUH: 17.15 No service No service No service No service NNUH 510 Konectbus Costessey P&R NRP Colney Lane P&R: 07.10 NNUH: 07.20 P&R: 17.55 NNUH: 18.10 No service No service No service No service NNUH 511 Konectbus Costessey P&R UEA P&R: 07.20 UEA: 09.45 P&R: 16.15 UEA: 20.15 No service No service No service No service 11/12 First 11 via Roundhouse 12 via Cringleford Wroxham Sprowston City Centre NNUH City: 05.40 NNUH: 06.02 City: 19.45 NNUH: 20.15 City: 05.47 NNUH: 06.10 City: 19.05 NNUH:19.30 City: 07.00 NNUH: 07.50 City: 18.45 NNUH: 19.15 13A First (Evenings only) City Centre NNUH Hethersett Wymondham City: 20.20 NNUH: 20.19 City: 22.45 NNUH: 21.19 City: 19.20 NNUH: 19.45 City: 22.45 NNUH: 22.12 City: 18.53 NNUH: 20.53 City: 19.40 NNUH: 21.45 Attleborough 21 / 22 First City centre NNUH via Bowthorpe and City: 05.57 City: 23.14 City: 06.10 City: 23.14 City: 08.45 City: 23.11 West Earlham NNUH: 06.00 NNUH: 22.51 NNUH: 06.00 NNUH: 22.51 NNUH: 08.35 NNUH: 22.51 25 First City Centre UEA City: 05.29 UEA: 05.50 City: 02.49 UEA: 03.15 City: 07.06 UEA: 07.00 City: 02.49 UEA: 03.15 City: 08.36 UEA: 08.00 City: 23.49 UEA: 23.20 26/26A First City Centre NNUH via UEA City: 06.45 NNUH 07.17 City: 19.06 NNUH 19.45 City: 08.11 NNUH 09.08 City: 1900 NNUH 19.45 City: 09.21 UEA 08.45 City: 23.20 UEA 23.05 Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 19
Appendix 2. Stakeholder Engagement Matrix The cells show the Travel Plan Co-ordinator responsible for engaging with each stakeholder group. Stakeholder Group UEA NNUH NBI Individual Travel Co-ordinator NRP Commercial Norfolk CC NRP Partner staff Yes Yes Yes n/a n/a NRP Partner students Multi-tenant occupant Occupant (single build <80 occupants) Occupant (single build >80 occupants) Yes Yes Yes n/a n/a Yes n/a If applicable Yes Liaison with NRP Commercial n/a n/a n/a Yes Liaison with NRP Commercial n/a n/a n/a Yes Liaison with NRP Commercial Occupant - Single NRP Partner Yes - if occupant Yes - if occupant Yes - if occupant If applicable Liaison with NRP Partner Occupant - Joint NRP Partner Yes - if occupant Yes - if occupant Yes - if occupant If applicable Liaison with NRP Partners Site visitors (incl. patients) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Public Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 20
Appendix 3. Stakeholder Engagement Activity Matrix The cells indicate what activity Travel Plan Co-ordinator will undertake to engage with each stakeholder group. Stakeholder Group Individual Travel Co-ordinator Activity UEA NNUH NBI NRP Commercial Norfolk CC NRP Partner staff e-survey e-survey e-survey n/a n/a NRP Partner students e-survey e-survey e-survey n/a n/a Commercial building occupant Occupant (single build) Site visitors (incl. patients) n/a n/a? e-survey Newsletter n/a n/a n/a e-survey Newsletter Face-to-Face Census n/a n/a Public Planning Planning Planning Planning & Local Stakeholder Meeting Planning Norwich Research Park Overarching Travel Plan November 2017 21