This item will be by way of verbal update.

The Project Manager (Policy) introduced the item and reminded Members that, at the previous meeting, it had been agreed that consultants would present an update on the transport and air quality evidence base supporting the emerging Local Plan.

The Project Manager (Policy) advised that additional work had been incorporated into the programme following requests from National Highways and a review of employment land assumptions used in the transport modelling. Members were advised that the work being undertaken would provide a robust and proportionate evidence base to support the Regulation 19 Local Plan.

Representatives from Jacobs delivered a presentation on the transport and air quality evidence base.

The presentation explained:

• the purpose of the transport and air quality work;
• how the various technical workstreams were integrated;
• the relationship between strategic modelling, junction modelling, mitigation design, air quality assessment and the Mode Share Strategy;
• the programme of work leading up to Regulation 19 consultation and plan submission;
• how strategic modelling would identify network-wide impacts and transport hotspots;
• how identified hotspots would be taken forward for detailed junction modelling and mitigation assessment;
• how air quality impacts would be assessed using transport modelling outputs; and
• how evidence from all workstreams would be brought together to support the Local Plan.

Members were advised that not all evidence would be completed prior to Regulation 19 consultation. However, draft findings would be available to inform consultation and further assessment would continue in parallel ahead of Local Plan submission.

During discussion, Members raised the following points:

• concerns regarding the impact of development on rural roads, villages and rat-running;
• the need to assess road links as well as junction capacity;
• the potential implications of the Highsted Park planning application and whether sensitivity testing would be undertaken;
• existing congestion issues on the Isle of Sheppey and other parts of the borough;
• the importance of local knowledge when identifying pressure points in the network;
• how strategic modelling and junction modelling would interact;
• whether modelling was based solely on computer simulations or also incorporated observed traffic data;
• the collection and validation of traffic survey information;
• the need to ensure transport evidence remained realistic and reflected actual travel conditions; and
• potential consequences where viable transport mitigation could not be identified.

In response, the Jacobs representatives advised that:

• both junctions and road links would be assessed;
• a range of criteria including delays, capacity ratios and flow changes would be used to identify pressure points;
• a Highsted Park sensitivity test was included as an optional element within the work programme;
• strategic modelling would identify network impacts before more detailed junction modelling was undertaken;
• traffic models were built using validated observed data, including traffic counts, journey time surveys and turning movement counts;
• additional surveys had been commissioned where data gaps existed;
• local knowledge would be sought through a planned member workshop later this Summer and stakeholder engagement sessions; and
• should mitigation not be achievable at a location, discussions would take place with the relevant highway authorities and alternative options would be explored.

Members also discussed the relationship between transport mitigation, site viability and housing allocations.

Officers advised that:

• the Local Plan was now primarily reliant on a relatively small number of additional allocations beyond extant permissions and strategic sites;
• infrastructure requirements arising from new development would be considered through detailed assessment;
• mitigation requirements would subsequently be reflected within the Infrastructure Delivery Plan; and
• the overall approach was consistent with that being adopted by other local planning authorities.

Modal Share Strategy

Representatives from Jacobs then delivered a presentation on the emerging Mode Share Strategy.

Members were advised that the purpose of the work was to assess the potential for reducing private car trips through sustainable transport measures and to identify opportunities for modal shift associated with proposed allocations.

The presentation explained:

• the methodology used to group sites into geographical clusters;
• assessment of existing accessibility to services, facilities, public transport and active travel infrastructure;
• evaluation of future opportunities arising from planned infrastructure improvements;
• consideration of internal trip generation and self-containment within development clusters;
• how mode share assumptions would be incorporated into transport modelling scenarios; and
• potential measures capable of supporting modal shift.

The assessment concluded that:

• many proposed allocations remained heavily dependent on private car travel;
• locations within Sittingbourne were generally the most accessible by sustainable transport;
• opportunities for modal shift were more limited in rural locations and on parts of the Isle of Sheppey; and
• infrastructure, development scale and design quality would play a key role in influencing future travel behaviour.

During discussion, Members:

• questioned the realism of modal shift assumptions;
• highlighted the importance of schools, health facilities and public transport being delivered at the earliest stages of development;
• raised concerns about delays in the delivery of Section 106 funded infrastructure;
• discussed difficulties associated with encouraging walking and cycling on rural roads;
• referenced experiences from previous development schemes where travel plans had delivered limited behavioural change;
• discussed bus services, railway stations and wider rail infrastructure;
• raised concerns regarding the viability of modal shift on the Isle of Sheppey;
• highlighted the importance of good design, connectivity and active travel infrastructure; and
• suggested improved access and parking provision at Swale railway station, enhancement of Crown Quay Lane Bridge and a northern entrance to Sittingbourne railway station.

In response, the consultants advised that:

• the work had taken a conservative approach to assumptions regarding behavioural change;
• recommendations would differ according to site size and location;
• car ownership remained the dominant travel mode across Kent;
• substantial modal shift was generally easier to achieve within larger developments;
• recommendations would consider both infrastructure and behavioural measures; and
• the final report would contain site-specific and strategic recommendations.

The Working Group noted the presentation and update.