Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot Accessibility Statement

Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot Accessibility Statement Lancashire Mortgage Corporation Ltd August 2012 Issue R001B 9X0789 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, including photocopying or, transmitted by electronic means, or stored in an electronic retrieval system without express permission in writing from Haskoning UK Ltd. This report has been prepared by Haskoning UK Ltd solely for Lancashire Mortgage Corporation Ltd accordance with the terms of appointment for the Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot site and should not be relied upon by third parties for any use whatsoever without express permission in writing from Haskoning UK Ltd.

A COMPANY OF HASKONING UK LTD. TRANSPORT UK 8 th Floor Portland Tower Portland Street Manchester M1 3LF United Kingdom +44 (0)161 236 1018 Telephone +44 (0)161 236 1041 Fax info@manchester.royalhaskoning.com E-mail www.royalhaskoning.co.uk Internet Document title Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot Accessibility Statement Document short title Accessibility Statement Status Issue R001B Date August 2012 Project name Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot Project number 9X0789 Client Lancashire Mortgage Corporation Ltd Reference 9X0789/R001B/310047/Man Drafted by Checked by BH/AK AK Date/initials check 06.08.12 BH Approved by AK Date/initials approval 06.08.12 AK

CONTENTS Page 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Agreed Scoping Study 1 1.3 Public Consultation 1 2 EXISTING SITE AND LOCAL HIGHWAY NETWORK 2 2.1 Existing Site 2 2.2 Existing Local Highway Network 2 3 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS 3 3.1 Proposed Development 3 3.2 Proposed Site Access 3 4 ACCESSIBILITY BY SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL MODES 4 4.1 Background 4 4.2 Accessibility on Foot 4 4.3 Accessibility by Cycle 4 4.4 Accessibility by Bus 5 4.5 Accessibility by Rail 5 4.6 Proposed Merseytram Line 2 6 4.7 Minimum Accessibility Standard 6 4.8 Accessibility Summary 6 5 TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT 7 5.1 Background 7 5.2 Traffic Impact 7 6 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 8 6.1 Summary 8 6.2 Conclusions 8 Accessibility Statement - i - 9X0789/R001B/310047/Man Issue R001B Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot

TABLES Table 1: Summary of Bus Services Operating Near the Site... 5 Table 2: Summary of Rail Services Accessible from the Site... 6 Table 3: Forecast Trip Generation... 7 PLANS Plan 1 Plan 2 Plan 3 Plan 4 Plan 5 Plan 6 Plan 7 Site Location Local Highway Network Proposed Site Layout Proposed Site Access Junction 1km and 2km Walk Catchment 3km and 5km Cycle Catchment Public Transport Services APPENDICES Appendix A Minimum Accessibility Standard Assessment Accessibility Statement - ii - 9X0789/R001B/310047/Man Issue R001B Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot

1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background 1.1.1 Royal HaskoningDHV has been appointed by Lancashire Mortgage Corporation to prepare an Accessibility Statement (AS) report in support of an outline planning application for a mixed use development in Prescot. 1.1.2 The proposed development will deliver approximately 36 dwellings, public open space and children s play areas. 1.1.3 The site is located off Scotchbarn Lane, approximately 800m to the east of Prescot town centre, as shown on Plan 1. The local highway network is illustrated on Plan 2. 1.2 Agreed Scoping Study 1.2.1 At the pre-application stage scoping study discussions were held with the Local Highway Authority (LHA). 1.2.2 Based on the scoping discussions, the LHA requested an Accessibility Statement report, as per the Council s Supplementary Planning Document Ensuring a Choice of Travel. 1.3 Public Consultation 1.3.1 In May 2012 a public consultation event was held in Prescot to obtain feedback from the local residents on the draft proposals. 1.3.2 This AS report also takes into account the highways related comments/feedback received at the public consultation. Accessibility Statement 9X0789/R001B/310047/Man Issue R001B - 1 - Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot

2 EXISTING SITE AND LOCAL HIGHWAY NETWORK 2.1 Existing Site 2.1.1 The site formerly comprised the BICC Social Club, which is now demolished. The site was accessed off Scotchbarn Lane. 2.1.2 Plan 1 shown the location of the site, whilst Plan 2 shows the site relative to the local highway network shown on Plan 1. 2.1.3 The site is approximately 800m form Prescot town centre. 2.1.4 It can be seen from Plan 2, that the site is bounded by Scotchbarn Lane to the north, Sinclair Avenue to the east, A57 Warrington Road to the south and the leisure centre to the west. 2.2 Existing Local Highway Network 2.2.1 The local highway network is shown on Plan 2. 2.2.2 The site benefits from frontage onto Scotchbarn Lane, which is a local distributor road, subject to a 30mph speed limit. 2.2.3 Near the site Scotchbarn Lane is 6m wide, with lit footways on both sides, typically 2.5m wide. 2.2.4 On the north side of Scotchbarn Lane, opposite the site, are semi-detached houses with drives. 2.2.5 To the south of the site is the A57 Warrington Road, which is a classified radial route to the town centre. The A57 is subject to a 30mph speed limit and benefits from footways on both sides. 2.2.6 Sinclair Avenue, which forms the eastern site boundary, is a small residential road with priority junctions with Scotchbarn Lane to the north and Warrington Road to the south (see Plan 2). Sinclair Avenue is approximately 5m wide with footways on both sides of the carriageway. 2.2.7 From Warrington Road, access to Sinclair Avenue is restricted to local residents only. Accessibility Statement 9X0789/R001B/310047/Man Issue R001B - 2 - Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot

3 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS 3.1 Proposed Development 3.1.1 The proposed development will deliver approximately 36 dwellings, public open space and children s play areas. 3.1.2 The application is in outline, except for the means of access. Plan 3 shows an indicative layout of the proposed development. 3.1.3 The internal spine road will be traffic calmed, using speed humps and a raised internal junction, as shown on Plan 3, which will ensure that speeds are typically kept between 20mph and 25mph. 3.1.4 The proposed speed humps would have a flat top, to allow them to be used as crossing points. 3.1.5 Since the application is in outline, the car parking provision will be finalised at the reserved matters stage. The parking provision will accord with the latest parking standards applicable at the reserved matters stage, taking also into account the accessibility of the site, car ownerships and other relevant factors. 3.1.6 A parking lay-by for around five cars is proposed on the spine road, for users of the public open space and children s play areas. 3.2 Proposed Site Access 3.2.1 The proposed residential development will be accessed off Scotchbarn Lane by way of a priority T-junction. Plan 4 shows the layout of the proposed site access junction. 3.2.2 The site access junction has been designed to accord with the latest highway design guidance set out in Manual for Streets (MfS) and Manual for Streets 2 (MfS2), in terms of visibility splays, radii, road width and junction spacing. 3.2.3 Pedestrian access to the site will be via the two footways on the proposed site access road (see Plan 3). 3.2.4 Additionally, a dedicated pedestrian access off Scotchbarn Lane at the western end of the site will be provided, which will link to the proposed dwellings via the open space/play area (see Plan 4). Accessibility Statement 9X0789/R001B/310047/Man Issue R001B - 3 - Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot

4 ACCESSIBILITY BY SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL MODES 4.1 Background 4.1.1 Current local and national policies and guidance state that new developments should promote more sustainable transport choices for people, particularly accessibility to jobs, shopping, leisure facilities and services by public transport, walking and cycling to reduce the dependence on the private car. 4.1.2 This section considers the accessibility of the site by non-car modes. 4.2 Accessibility on Foot 4.2.1 It is widely accepted that walking is the most important mode of travel at the local level and walking offers the greatest potential to replace short car trips, particularly under two kilometres. 4.2.2 The proposed development would take pedestrian access from Scotchbarn Lane (see Plan 3). The surrounding roads have good quality lit footways, which connect the site with the existing built-up areas including Prescot town centre. 4.2.3 Plan 4 has been prepared to illustrate the 1km (12minutes) and 2km (24minutes) walk catchments from the site. An indicative walking speed has been taken from the Institution of Highways and Transportation (IHT) document entitled Guidelines for Providing for Journeys on Foot, which states that an average walking speed of approximately 1.4m/s can be assumed in most cases. This has been used to illustrate the area that is accessible on foot from the proposed development site. 4.2.4 Plan 4 shows that Prescot town centre, Cables Retail Park (which includes a Tesco Extra foodstore), Prescot railway station, Whiston hospital and a number of local schools lie within 1km walking distance of the site. 4.2.5 Plan 4 also shows that the entire town of Prescot, and the majority of the neighbouring village of Whiston, can be reached within 2km walking distance of the site. It can be seen that there are a significant number of employment, retail, education, health and recreational facilities within this catchment. 4.2.6 It is evident that the proposed development would benefit from a wide range of facilities within easy walking distance of the site. 4.3 Accessibility by Cycle 4.3.1 It is widely accepted that cycling has the potential to substitute for short car trips, particularly those under 5km and to form part of a longer journey by public transport. 4.3.2 Plan 5 illustrates the 3km (15 minutes) and 5km (25 minutes) cycling catchments from the site, recognised as acceptable cycling distances at a speed of 3.3m/s. 4.3.3 Plan 5 shows that a significant built-up area lies within a comfortable cycling distance of the site. It can be seen that the whole town of Prescot, as well as a number of the surrounding villages can be reached within 3km, whilst the town of St Helens and the Liverpool suburb of Huyton can be reached within 5km cycling distance of the site. Accessibility Statement 9X0789/R001B/310047/Man Issue R001B - 4 - Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot

4.3.4 The National Cycle Network (NCN) can be accessed at Route 56, which can be reached approximately 1km to the south of the site. NCN Route 56 provides a largely traffic-free route between Chester and Wallasey via Liverpool. Locally it provides a traffic-free route between the site and Huyton Business Park. 4.3.5 In view of the above, it is considered that cycling has the potential to accommodate a significant proportion of development generated trips for commuting, leisure and other purposes. 4.4 Accessibility by Bus 4.4.1 The Institution of Highways and Transportation document Guidelines for Planning for Public Transport in Developments (1999) recommends new developments should be located so that public transport trips involve a walking distance of less than 400m from the nearest bus stop. However this is guidance, to be achieved where possible by services that operate at regular frequencies and along direct routes. The document states that it is more important to provide services easy and attractive to passengers than to slavishly adhere to arbitrary criteria for walking distances. 4.4.2 The site lies adjacent to the Scotchbarn Lane bus route on which the bus routes 289 and 290 can be accessed on a hail and ride basis. In addition the bus stops on Warrington Road can be reached within walking distance of the proposed site access, where a range of bus services can be accessed. Bus services that are currently operating near the site are illustrated on Plan 6 and the frequencies of the bus services are summarised in Table 1. Table 1: Summary of Bus Services Operating Near the Site Frequency in Minutes Route Serving Mon. to Fri. Sat. Peak Day Eves Day Eves Sun. 289 Rainhill-Prescot-Rainhill 1jny 45 n/a n/a n/a n/a 290 Rainhill-Prescot-Kirkby n/a n/a n/a 45 n/a n/a 10A Liverpool-St Helens 6 6 15 6 15 12 61/161 Liverpool-Rainhill-Widnes-Runcorn 20 20 n/a 20 n/a 60 70 St Helens-Prescot n/a 60 n/a 60 n/a n/a 89 St Helens-Liverpool Airport 20 20 30 20 30 30 99 Whiston Station-Prescot Circular n/a 60 n/a 60 n/a n/a 4.4.3 It can be seen from Table 1 that the proposed development will benefit from excellent bus provision with frequent bus services to a number of destinations, with particularly frequent services to Liverpool and St Helens. 4.5 Accessibility by Rail 4.5.1 As shown on Plan 4 both Prescot and Eccleston Park railway stations lie within 1km walking distance of the site. Both these stations are situated on the Liverpool to Wigan Line. In addition Whiston railway station can be reached within 2km walking distance of the site. Whiston station is situated on the Liverpool to Manchester Line. Accessibility Statement 9X0789/R001B/310047/Man Issue R001B - 5 - Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot

4.5.2 Table 2 summarises the frequencies of the train services which are accessible from the site. Table 2: Summary of Rail Services Accessible from the Site Train Frequencies Station Liverpool Lime St Manchester Warrington Bank Quay Wigan North Western Day Eve Sun Day Eve Sun Day Eve Sun Day Eve Sun Prescot / Eccleston Park 30 60 30 na na na na na na 30 60 60 Whiston 30 60 60 60 60 60 60 na na na na na 4.5.3 Table 2 shows that there are regular and frequent train services to Liverpool Lime Street station, Manchester, Warrington Bank Quay and Wigan North Western accessible from 4.6 Proposed Merseytram Line 2 4.6.1 The proposed Merseytram Line 2 (Liverpool to Whiston Hospital via Prescot) will pass along Manchester Road/Kingsway, approximately 800m from the site. This is a long term scheme and is not approved yet, however, the land required for the tram line is protected in the adopted local plan. 4.6.2 The accessibility of the site will be further enhanced by sustainable travel modes in the long term, once the tram line opens. 4.7 Minimum Accessibility Standard 4.7.1 As requested by the LHA a Minimum Accessibility Standard Assessment (MASA) has been undertaken using Knowsley Borough Council s Supplementary Planning Document entitled Ensuring a Choice of Travel. MASA is a set of Criteria against which new developments are assessed in order to obtain a score to indicate the accessibility of the development. 4.7.2 The MASA for the proposed development is contained in Appendix A. It can be seen that the site scores at least the minimum required score in each section. This further confirms that the site is located in a very sustainable location. 4.8 Accessibility Summary 4.8.1 It has been demonstrated that the site is extremely accessible to a range of destinations via sustainable travel modes in accordance with national and local transport policies. Accessibility Statement 9X0789/R001B/310047/Man Issue R001B - 6 - Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot

5 TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT 5.1 Background 5.1.1 Due to the very small size of the proposed development, the LHA has not requested any traffic impact assessment. However, a basic assessment has been undertaken for the benefit of the local residents. 5.2 Traffic Impact 5.2.2 Using the national trip rate database (TRICS), peak hour trips were forecast for the proposed development, which are summarised in Table 3. Table 3: Forecast Trip Generation Trip Rates per Dwelling Time Period Arrivals Departures 2-Way AM Peak (0800 0900) 0.154 0.387 0.541 PM Peak (1700 1800) 0.357 0.208 0.565 Time Period Trips (vehicles/hour) Arrivals Departures 2-Way AM Peak (0800 0900) 6 14 20 PM Peak (1700 1800) 13 7 20 5.2.3 It can be seen from Table 3 that the proposed development would generate a nominal number of trips during weekday peak hours. This level of trips would not have any material traffic impact on the local highway network. Accessibility Statement 9X0789/R001B/310047/Man Issue R001B - 7 - Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot

6 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 6.1 Summary 6.1.1 Royal HaskoningDHV has been appointed by Lancashire Mortgage Corporation to prepare an Accessibility Statement (AS) report in support of an outline planning application for a mixed use development in Prescot. 6.1.2 The proposed development will deliver approximately 36 dwellings, public open space and children s play areas. 6.1.3 The application is in outline, except for the means of access. The proposed development would be accessed from a new priority T-junction off Scotchbarn Lane, which has been designed to accord with the latest highway design guidance. 6.1.4 The site is very accessible on foot. Prescot town centre, Cables Retail Park (which includes a Tesco Extra foodstore), Prescot railway station, Whiston hospital and a number of local schools lie within walking distance of the site. 6.1.5 Similarly the site is very accessible by cycle. Significant built-up areas lie within a comfortable cycling distance of the site. This includes Prescot town centre, Whiston, Rainhill, Newton and Huyton. 6.1.6 The site lies adjacent to the Scotchbarn Lane bus route on which the bus routes 289 and 290 can be accessed. In addition the bus stops on Warrington Road can be reached on foot, where a range of bus services can be accessed. 6.1.7 A Minimum Accessibility Standard Assessment (MASA) has been undertaken, using the local highway authority s methodology. The site scores at least the minimum required points in each section of MASA. This further confirms that the site is located in a very sustainable location. 6.1.8 It has been demonstrated that the site is extremely accessible to a range of destinations via sustainable travel modes in accordance with national and local transport policies. 6.1.9 A trip generation assessment has been undertaken, which demonstrates that there would be no material traffic impact on the local highway network, as a result of the proposed development. 6.2 Conclusions 6.2.1 The proposal development will very accessible by non-car modes. 6.2.2 Given the very small size of the development, it will not have any adverse traffic impact on the local highway network. 6.2.3 In view of the above positive findings, it is considered that the proposed development is acceptable in highway, traffic and transportation terms. Accessibility Statement 9X0789/R001B/310047/Man Issue R001B - 8 - Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot

PLANS

N Site Location This drawing is reproduced with the consent of the Ordnance Survey under Licence No. Al100017728 Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot Plan 1: Site Location HASKONING UK LTD. DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORT Job No: 9X0789 8th Floor, Portland Tower Portland Street, Manchester M1 3LF +44(0)161 236 1018 +44(0)161 236 1041 info@manchester.royalhaskoning.com www.royalhaskoning.com Telephone: Fax: Email: Internet

N Site Location This drawing is reproduced with the consent of the Ordnance Survey under Licence No. Al100017728 Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot Plan 2: Local Highway Network HASKONING UK LTD. DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORT Job No: 9X0789 8th Floor, Portland Tower Portland Street, Manchester M1 3LF +44(0)161 236 1018 +44(0)161 236 1041 info@manchester.royalhaskoning.com www.royalhaskoning.com Telephone: Fax: Email: Internet

Plan 3 - Proposed Site Layout

Town Centre SiteLocation Prescot railstation 12-minute (1km)walk 24-minute (2km)walk Thisdrawing isreproduced with theconsent ofthe Ordnance Survey underlicence No.Al100017728 Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot Plan 5: 1km and 2km Walking Catchments HASKONING UK LTD. DEVELOPMENTAND TRANSPORT Job No: 9X0789 8th Floor,PortlandTower Portland Street, Manchester M1 3LF +44(0)161 236 1018 +44(0)161 236 1041 info@manchester.royalhaskoning.com www.royalhaskoning.com Telephone: Fax: Email: Internet

N Site Location 3km cycle (15-minutes) 5km cycle (25-minutes) This drawing is reproduced with the consent of the Ordnance Survey under Licence No. Al100017728 Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot Plan 6: 3km and 5km Cycle Catchments HASKONING UK LTD. DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORT Job No: 9X0789 8th Floor, Portland Tower Portland Street, Manchester M1 3LF +44(0)161 236 1018 +44(0)161 236 1041 info@manchester.royalhaskoning.com www.royalhaskoning.com Telephone: Fax: Email: Internet

N Site Location This drawing is reproduced with the consent of the Ordnance Survey under Licence No. Al100017728 Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot Plan 7: Public Transport Services HASKONING UK LTD. DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORT Job No: 9X0789 8th Floor, Portland Tower Portland Street, Manchester M1 3LF +44(0)161 236 1018 +44(0)161 236 1041 info@manchester.royalhaskoning.com www.royalhaskoning.com Telephone: Fax: Email: Internet

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A Minimum Accessibility Standard Assessment

Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot Appendix A: Minimum Accessibility Standard Assessment Accessibility Assessment Form Location Access on foot Points Score Justification for Scoring Residential Development: Is the site within 800m of a district or local centre (see Accessibility Maps) Yes 2 2 Within 800m of No 0 Prescot Town Centre. Internal layout External layout OR Non-residential development: Is the density of existing local housing (i.e. within 800m) more than 30 houses per hectare (see Accessibility Maps) Does circulation and access inside the sites reflect direct, safe and easy to use pedestrian routes for all, with priority given to pedestrians when they have to cross roads or cycle routes? Are there barriers between site and local facilities or housing, which restrict pedestrian access? Examples include no dropped kerbs at crossings or on desire lines; steep gradients; a lack of a formal crossing where there is heavy traffic; security concerns, e.g. lack of lighting Total Score 4 Minimum score required 2 Comments or action needed to correct any shortfall N/A Yes 1 1 Pedestrian and No 0 cycle friendly site layout, incorporating traffic calming. Yes -1 1 Well lit footways No 1 and pedestrian crossings are available between the site and the surrounding builtup areas.

Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot Appendix A: Minimum Accessibility Standard Assessment Location Access by Cycle Points Score Justification for Scoring Residential Development: Is the site within 1500m of a district or local centre (see Accessibility Maps) Yes 2 2 Within 800m of No 0 Prescot Town Centre. Internal layout External Access Other Or Non-residential development: Is the density of existing local housing (e.g. within 1500m) more than 30 houses per hectare (see Accessibility Maps) Does circulation and Yes 1 1 Pedestrian and access inside the site No 0 cycle friendly site reflect appropriate and layout, direct cycle routes, with incorporating traffic priority given to cyclists calming. where they meet motor vehicles? Is the development Yes 1-1. within 400m of an existing or proposed No -1 designated cycle route and/ or proposes to create a link to a cycle route, or develop a route. Development includes cycle parking, shower facilities, and lockers for cyclists. Yes 1 1 Yes as residential No 0 development Total Score 3 Minimum score required 3 Comments or action needed to correct any shortfall N/A

Location and access to public transport Frequency Other Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot Appendix A: Minimum Accessibility Standard Assessment Access by Public Transport Points Score Justification for Scoring Is the site within a 200m walk of a bus or tram stop, and/or within 400m of a rail station? Are there barriers on direct pedestrian routes to bus or tram stops or rail stations e.g. a lack of dropped kerbs, footpaths less than 2m wide, a lack of formal crossings and / or bus stop infrastructure. High (four or more bus or tram services or trains an hour) Medium (two or three bus or tram services or trains an hour) Low (less than two bus or tram services or trains an hour) The proposal contributes to bus priority measures serving the site The proposal contributes to bus stops, bus interchange, tram facilities or bus or rail stations in the vicinity and/or provides bus stops or bus interchange in the site The proposal contributes to an existing or new supported bus service Yes 2 2 Scotchbarn Lane is No 0 a bus route which operates on a hail and ride basis. Yes 0 1 No major barrier to No 1 public transport provision 2 1 2 Up to 19 bus services are accessible from the site 0 Yes 1 0 No 0 Yes 1 0 No 0 Yes 1 0 No 0 Total Score 5 Minimum score required 5 Comments or action needed to correct any shortfall N/A

Scotchbarn Lane, Prescot Appendix A: Minimum Accessibility Standard Assessment Parking Points Score Justification for Scoring Parking The off-street parking Yes 1 N/A provided is as advised in Section 4 for that No 0 development type The off street parking Yes 2 N/A provided is less than 75% of the amount advised in Section 4 for that development type (or shares parking provision with another development). No 0 For development in controlled parking zones: N/A Is the proposal for a car free Yes 1 N/A development? No 0 Does it supports the control Yes 1 N/A or removal of on-street parking spaces (inc provision of disabled spaces) or contributes to other identified measures in the local parking strategy (including car clubs) No 0 Total Score N/A Minimum score required N/A Comments or action needed to correct any shortfall. The application is in outline and hence parking provision details will be finalised at the reserved matters stage. The parking provision will accord with the prevailing parking standards at the time of the reserved matters application.