8.0 aCCeSS & tranSportation

this section of the design and access Statement sets out details relating to the sites access and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, access to local amenities, public transport car parking , servicing and inclusive design.

a detailed assessment of the transport impacts has been undertaken and is contained within the transport assessment and in the environmental Statement.

Section 3.1 of this document sets out a description of the existing condition of the site and immediate surroundings with respect to circulation and permeability.

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Pedestrian & cycle routes Fig.8.1.1

Application site

On road cycling

Of road cycling

Surrey cycle route

Pedestrian route

Pedestrian route on site

Potential link

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8.1 pedestrian movement, cycling and site permeability

In the preparation of proposals, particular attention has been paid to the opportunities to improve the public realm around the site and the permeability of the site thereby improving the accessibility of the area for pedestrians and cyclists. The lack of a crossing over Flambard way has also been addressed.

The layout and design proposed takes measures to:

Give priority to pedestrians/cyclists over vehicles and •improve safe movement and permeability within the site.

Improve access by public transport and rationalise car •parking.

Improve access for disabled people.•

A number of improvements to the surrounding street environment will be implemented as part of the proposed development. These are explained in detail in the Transport assessment and comprise the following:

i) Catteshall Lane will be narrowed at its Flambard Way junction and a raised platform will be provided to assist pedestrians crossing between the development and the signalised crossing facilities at the Brighton Road junction that lead via Wharf Street into the town centre.

ii) Catteshall Lane will be converted to a shared surface area between the Flambard Way junction and Victoria Road. High quality landscaping will be incorporated into the design. The existing level of public short-term parking will be maintained on Catteshall Lane.

iii) The footway adjacent to the site along Flambard Way will be widened and a number of environmental improvements made including high quality landscaping.

iv) A pedestrian refuge is proposed on Flambard Way to facilitate pedestrian movements between the site and Godalming town centre.

pedestrians and cyclists8.1.1

The layout of the proposed development and associated public realm and highways improvements and new links are shown in the layout drawings included in this section. Refer to Section 6 for further details and more detailed layout diagrams.

The residential element of the development is arranged in a number of blocks following the site’s perimeter. The ensemble of buildings surround courtyards and a central garden space within the development. This framework

provides a clear and a legible organisation for routes giving permeability through the site and connecting it to its surroundings. Pedestrian access to the interior courtyards and garden is provided at four points comprising three routes between the four blocks fronting Flambard Way and one route from Catteshall Lane. The development has been designed to optimise pedestrian permeability between Catteshall Lane and Flambard Way. Further details of the scheme’s accessibility and measures taken to allow inclusive access throughout the development are noted in section 8.3 below.

The footway along the eastern side of Flambard Way adjacent to the site will be widened, surfaced with high quality materials and its environment improved with tree planting. The movement of pedestrians between the Key Site and the town centre and between areas to the east and the town centre will be facilitated by the construction of a new pedestrian refuge on Flambard Way approximately half way between the Woolsack Way and Brighton Road junctions.

The existing link between the Key Site and the Brighton Road pedestrian crossing involves crossing the left turn into Catteshall Lane. The kerbs around the inside of the bend are raised making crossing by pedestrians awkward, particularly for those with mobility impairments, those with prams etc. As part of the development it is proposed to reduce the width of this left turn and to provide a raised platform that serves both to reduce vehicle speeds as they make the left turn and to facilitate pedestrian movement between the site and the pedestrian crossing.

It is proposed that Catteshall Lane will become a shared surface area. The existing carriageway and footways will be replaced with a block paved area with parking bays, street furniture and landscaping to achieve a predominantly pedestrian area where vehicles will travel at reduced speeds. The parking bays will be for short-term parking to replace the parking spaces that are already present in this location. No long-term parking spaces for residents or those working on the Key Site will be provided apart from two spaces reserved for potential use by disabled residents with taller vehicle types. These measures will serve to improve the environment both for existing pedestrians and cyclists and for those resident or working in the proposed development.

The application is accompanied by a Travel Plan for the residential element of the development. The Travel Plan includes a number of measures to support and encourage travel by public transport, on foot and by bicycle. These include:

i) The appointment of a Travel Plan Coordinator to deal with Travel Plan implementation, monitoring and reporting;

ii) A contribution of £200 per residential unit for either public transport season tickets or cycling equipment;

iii) A car club for residents incorporating two cars in the first instance (membership will also be offered to other local residents);

iv) Travel packs for all new residents providing details of public transport services, the car club and other benefits on offer;

v) Cycle training for all new residents should it be desired.

The development will contribute towards local cycling facilities. The use of bicycles will be supported through the provision of a cycle parking space for every residential unit provided in secure and convenient stores in underground car park. Cycle parking for visitors will be provided on Flambard Way and Catteshall Lane.

access to local amenities8.1.2

Locations of local amenities are shown on Figure [8.2.1].

It can be seen that two supermarkets lie within 200m of the site. There are also other retail warehouse units including a Homebase within 100m. Godalming town centre lies less than 100m from the site. This offers a wide range of facilities including many smaller specialist shops, banks, a post office, professional and financial services, pubs, restaurants etc. The library lies between 200m and 300m from the site. There are a number of places of worship, schools and a range of outdoor recreational facilities within 400m of the site. The town centre offers a range of employment opportunities and further commercial and industrial development lies to the east of the site around Woolsack Way and via Catteshall Lane.

A number of parks, open spaces and other leisure facilities lie within convenient walking and cycling distance of the site. The Lammas Lands that lie within 400m of the site offer recreational opportunities and the towing path along the River Wey towards Guildford can be used as a recreational resource for walkers and cyclists or as a potential cycling route to and from Guildford particularly during the Summer months.

It is concluded that the site is very well located to benefit from a wide range of local retail, leisure, educational, employment and other facilities.

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Walking distances to retail, community facilities & recreation space Fig.8.2.1

100m

200m

300m

400m

500m

600m

700m

800m

Application site

Retail

Retail with residential on top

Pubs & restaurants

Churches & places of worship

Schools & nurseries

Public buildings

Recreation space

Bus stops

Train station

Walking distances

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buses8.2.1

The nearest bus stop is located on Woolsack Way immediately to the north of the site. Buses travelling in an easterly direction stop at a bus stop north of the Flambard Way signalised junction outside of the Homebase store. These and other bus stops within 400m of the site which give access to several local bus services.

The following table summarises the bus services operating a regular service within 400m of the Key Site:

In addition to these there are the 503 and 523 services that run on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On each of these days service 503 operates two services (per direction) between Guildford and Hambledon. Whilst, service 523 has four services in each direction and operates between Guildford/Godalming and Milford Hospital.

The majority of these services operate up to around 18:00 with the exception of hourly services to Guildford and Haslemere that run until around 20:00

It is concluded that during the working day there are frequent accessible bus services between Godalming and Guildford with services also providing access to other towns and major urban areas close to Godalming. Fewer services are provided during evening periods and no services are provided on Sundays.

trains8.2.2

Godalming railway station lies less than 1km west of the site. The pedestrian route from the western part of the site to the railway station involves crossing Flambard Way at the existing pedestrian facilities at the Brighton Road junction, walking down Wharf Street to the High Street and then walking west through the partially pedestrianised zone. The station is then accessed via either Church Street or Mint Street and Station Road. From the northern part of the site an alternative route would be to cross Flambard Way at the Woolsack Way junctions and then walk west either along the Burys or along the Riverside Walk.

There are two trains per hour between Godalming and London Waterloo. The trains travel via Woking, Guildford and Clapham Junction that both constitute major destinations in their own right and provide connecting services with a wide range of other rail lines. Guildford provides access to Reading to the west and Gatwick Airport to the east (and intervening stations). It is also possible to travel to Aldershot from Guildford. Woking provides access to the Basingstoke/Salisbury line to the west. Clapham Junction has connecting services to a multitude of destinations. Portsmouth and Southsea Station provides connections various destinations including Southampton Central, Brighton, Chichester and Fareham. Trains run at the above frequencies until around midnight.

It is concluded that the site is generally very well served by public transport although bus services are limited during evening periods and are not available on Sundays.

Car parking8.2.3

Parking associated with the development will be provided in the underground car park accessed from Catteshall Lane. Two further car parking spaces designated for high-top disabled vehicles will be located on Catteshall lane immediately adjacent to the development. It has been agreed that the two proposed car parking spaces to accommodate car club vehicles can replace two of the existing public car parking spaces on Catteshall lane (that will be relocated on Catteshall Lane as part of the Catteshall lane improvements). The main underground car park will accommodate a total of 195 car parking spaces.

The residential element of the proposed development will be provided with 182 spaces. This represents a parking standard of 1.0 space per dwelling. This parking standard has been agreed with SCC Highway Authority. Nine of the commercial units will be allocated 1 parking space and one, which will house the police offi ce, will be allocated 3 spaces.

8.2 access by public transport and car parking

bus Service nofrequency (per hour)

mon - fri Sat Sun

42/44 Guildford - Godalming - Cranleigh 1 1 -

46 Guildford - Godalming - Aldershot 1 1 -

70 Guildford - Godalming - Midhurst 1 1 -

71 Guildford - Godalming – Midhurst/ Hindhead 1 1 -

92 Guildford - Godalming – Aarons Hill Estate 2 2 -

Bus services (taken from the travel plan by RPS)Fig.8.2.2 Local bus routes & bus stopsFig.8.2.3

Application site

Public transport routes

Bus stop

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Pedestrian circulation routes with accessibility featuresFig.8.3.1

October 2009Godalming Key Site - Access Statement for Planning Permission

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Inclusive access benefits not only those with physical impairments but also benefits individuals with sensory or learning impairments, older people, mental health system users/survivors, children, carers of young children, people with temporary impairments or simply encumbered with heavy luggage or shopping. For ease of access a range of features have been designed into the scheme including ramps, level access to ground floor front doors, flats and commercial units.

A comprehensive Access Statement is included in Appendix 1 of the Design and Access Statement; the key access aims and provisions are summarised below.

access aims8.3.1

The concept of inclusive design is central to the development and extends to all parts of the public realm and interior spaces in order to achieve an accessible and inclusive environment throughout the proposed development.

This is achieved by consideration and incorporation of the following:

i) access to all parts of the development, its facilities and services for people who are residents, visitors and members of staff regardless of disability;

ii) appropriate access standards being met as part of mainstream inclusive design wherever possible;

iii) meeting the requirements of the Building Regulations Approved Document Part M - Access to and Use of Buildings (2004)

iv) the design guidance given in relevant British Standards and other current good practice

access provisions - public realm8.3.2

Access and circulation for disabled people, older people and parents with young children will be of paramount importance when designing the detailed treatment of the external spaces. Convenient arrangements for the public to arrive at the development will include taxi pick-up and set-down points.

The client is committed to an improved pedestrian environment with an emphasis on Primary Access Routes, which will be step-free. Where routes slope, for the most part and wherever possible, gradients will be gentle (less than 1 in 20). A major level difference in levels will occur at the entrance to the central garden space from Catteshall Lane. Here a lift will be provided to enable inclusive access.

access provisions - car parking8.3.3

Car parking for residents is proposed in a double basement car park which is entered from Catteshall Lane. There will be a number of car parking spaces which will be accessible for disabled people who hold ‘Blue Badge’ permits. These spaces will be located as close as possible to vertical circulation cores which serve upper levels.

In addition there will be two accessible car parking spaces at surface in Catteshall Lane. This will enable high top conversion vehicles that may carry disabled people to park close to the building.

access provisions - accessible homes8.3.4

All common areas that serve residential units will be designed to meet AD Part M (dwellings) and, where appropriate, to Lifetime Homes standards within the CFSH (5/2009).

All of the residential units are designed to meet the Lifetime Homes Standards as defined by the Code for Sustainable Homes.

access provisions - retail units8.3.5

All retail units in the scheme will meet the requirements of Approved Document Part M as a minimum with regard to core and shell. They will be fitted out to meet the retailers’ requirements, including any access provisions.

8.3 inclusive design

land use designated Car parking Spaces location

182 Residential Flats 166 spaces Catteshall Lane (underground)

17 ‘blue badge’ spaces Catteshall Lane (underground)

2 spaces for people with disabilities Catteshall Lane (surface)

2 car club spaces Catteshall Lane (surface)

10 Commercial Units 12 spaces (inc. 3 ‘blue badge’spaces) Catteshall Lane (underground)

total 199 spaces

Proposed car parking provision (taken from the travel plan by RPS) Fig.8.3.2

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Refuse strategy showing waste storage & collection pointsFig.8.4.1

Commercial refuse store(numbers indicate which refuse store to use)

Residential main refuse store(collected from Catteshall lay-by)

Refuse pick up point

Route to main refuse point

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8.4 Servicing access

Waste collection and general deliveries :8.4.1

Waste collection and general deliveries vehicles will utilise the Catteshall Lane lay-by which has been designed to accommodate these types of vehicle. Details of waste management are set out in RPS Report titled , ‘Waste Storage and Collection Strategy’ contained in Appendix 2 of the Design and Access Statement.

Outside of the weekday peak periods deliveries can be made to the lay-by located along Flambard Way.

fire service access8.4.2

Fire fighting vehicles will have access to the perimeter of the development along Flambard Way and Catteshall Lane.

Dry riser inlets will be positioned so as to be accessible to the fire fighters from the street.

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