Committee Report: Appendix C — Local Transport Plan 2006/07 – 2010/11 Implemenation Plan
Wigan’s Transport Strategy for 06/07 and beyond has been developed through consideration of the following:
- Segment Analysis (population and transport statistics);
- Objectives and targets for LTP2;
- Consultation with Ward Councillors and the 10 townships; and
- Consultation with other internal departments.
The overall strategy for the Borough is detailed below and from this strategy Implementation Plans will be developed for each of the five years of LTP2.
1. Pedestrian Schemes
It is considered that the geographical layout of the Borough lends itself towards walking and cycling. There are a high proportion of residents that live in close proximity to town centres where both employment and retail opportunities exist. This is further emphasised by the conclusions of the segment analysis such as, 72% of employed residents living in the northwest segment also work there and over 16% of all northwest commuters were car drivers travelling less then 2Km. Given this, there is a strong emphasis on improving pedestrian facilities in the Borough, from introducing controlled pedestrian facilities at signalised junctions where busy roads, such as the A572 sever communities, and utilising the extensive footpath network that exists in the Borough to provide links from residential areas to town centres and retail areas.
It is acknowledged that providing the infrastructure is only one element of encouraging people to change modes of travel. Therefore, we intend to work with the communities where such facilities are being provided to educate them on the benefits that walking and cycling have, utilising our Smarter Choices officer.
A further element of our implementation plan aimed at improving facilities for pedestrians, particularly those pedestrians with mobility impairment is to start a rolling programme of highway improvements to bus and rail stations in line with the Disability Discrimination Act. This will dovetail into the recent announcement unveiled at the Rail Accessibility Conference of plans to implement accessibility improvements on the national rail network.
2. Cycle Schemes
The rationale behind our cycle schemes implementation plan is similar to that for pedestrian schemes. There are obvious opportunities to increase the modal share for cycling given the layout of the Borough and the number of short commuter trips that are undertaken by car. Also the LTP consultation highlighted that 57% of residents has a household member that owned a bike. Given this we are concentrating on providing facilities on strategic routes to encourage commuter cycle journeys. We are building on to schemes that already exist so as to provide continuous routes with a definite start and end.
3. Local Safety Schemes
As part of a recent Best Value Review we have studied the way Wigan provides its Road Safety Service. Whilst this review was predominantly focussed on the education, training and publicity (ETP) side of road safety the engineering side was also reviewed. There were several key outcomes from this review which have been incorporated into an Improvement Plan and used to develop our local safety schemes implementation plan.
One such outcome was that there was a strong correlation between low cost remedial measures and accident reduction. Therefore, we intend to implement a targeted mass action programme consisting of low cost measures to address specific accident types.
Reacting to accident occurrence through local safety schemes and road safety ETP is only one element of our approach to casualty reduction. We would like to move towards a more proactive approach through the introduction of an Urban Safety Management Strategy (USM). This is to be piloted as part of our 06/07 implementation plan with a desire to roll it out across the Borough in subsequent years. Such an approach has been proven to yield significant benefits in casualty reduction and brings together road safety, traffic management, education, enforcement and policies for transport and land use.
The implementation of area wide traffic calming schemes in Wigan has also been reviewed recently with the recommendation that a points based prioritisation tool is developed and used in a proactive way. This is currently being developed with a view to splitting up the Borough using natural boundaries such as main roads and railway lines into self contained residential areas. Each area will then be assessed using information such as accident record, speed and volume of traffic, environmental and socio-economic factors. Through approaching traffic calming in this way we will ensure that our money is spent in areas were it will be most effective and that it will be targeted in locations where several factors can be addressed.
Road safety outside schools is a major concern in Wigan and was one of the most frequently raised issues in the Township consultation. We have therefore, decided to be proactive in addressing this by introducing 20mph zones outside each school in the Borough. Treatment will be prioritised on the number of accidents that have occurred within a given distance from the school and the speed of traffic using the road. Where no accidents have taken place and there are perceived vehicular speed issues advisory 20mph zones will be introduced. The ultimate aim is to improve the safety of the local environment outside schools with a view to reducing the number of child casualties. To maximise the effectiveness of this approach and build on existing initiatives it is intended that schools within the Neighbourhood Renewal Safety Initiative (NRSI) areas will be treated first.
This approach together with our School Travel Plan and Safer Routes to School initiatives are aimed at changing the modal choice of school children. This will also improve the environment and safety both outside of schools and along the routes taken by children walking and cycling to school.
4. Smarter Choices
Smarter Choices is the generic name for new techniques for influencing people’s travel behaviour towards more sustainable options. The smarter choices element of our implementation plan revolves around building on and making best use of existing assets. The Safer Routes to School programme directly feeds from our School Travel Plan Programme.
Schools will be selected by targeting those where specific problems exist, as well as being responsive to requests from schools and reactive as a result of planning permission. School Travel Plans will work towards achieving Road Safety Targets, together with Local Agenda 21 Policy, the Wigan Cycling and Walking Strategies and the Air Quality Management Plan. It will also complement the Physical Activity Strategy, the School Playground Development Strategy and the Community Plan.
We already work with our colleagues in the Planning and Regeneration Department in developing Workplace Travel Plans for new developments. However, there are numerous large employers in Wigan whose employees are local residents and we feel that this is an opportunity we need to exploit in terms of encouraging them to adopt more sustainable modes of travelling to work.
5. Demand Management Schemes
There are several locations in the Borough that suffer due to heavy dependence on the car and where the only way of addressing this is through demand management measures. It is considered however, that prior to any solutions being put forward there needs to be a thorough examination of the problem. We are therefore proposing to investigate two such problems in the first years implementation plan followed by measures being implemented in these two locations in subsequent years together with further study work at other locations.
Measures which are likely to be implemented are parking restraints and measures to encourage more sustainable modes of travel to access public transport provision. Both of these aspects will need to be introduced together if the schemes are to be successful.
6. Regeneration Schemes
Our Planning and Regeneration Department are currently working on town centre regeneration schemes in Ashton and in Hindley. The Ashton scheme is to be funded through English Heritage and involves public realm works to improve the appearance of the town centre. It is intended to match fund this through LTP2 together with investigating what traffic management measures can be introduced in the town centre to reduce the dominance of motorised traffic. This will provide regeneration opportunities together with improving road safety, air quality and accessibility.
7. Public Transport Schemes
Wigan’s public transport schemes have historically been funded through TIF (Transport Infrastructure Fund) and will continue to be until 06/07 after which it is unsure whether TIF funding will continue. Should it not continue then our investment in public transport schemes will be dramatically reduced and be reliant on QBC (Quality Bus Corridor) topslice, until 07/08. However, if it does continue then our investment levels will be sustained. Our programme of works not only contains bus priority schemes but also works towards improving the whole experience of using public transport by upgrading street lighting on public transport corridors, investing in realtime passenger information technology, upgrading and introducing pedestrian facilities, together with improving the waiting environments.
The segment analysis revealed that the number of bus journeys starting in the northwest fell by 7%. We need to reverse this and will continue to work closely with the PTE to this end.
Investment is also directed at the railways by investing substantially in Boroughwide station enhancements together with introducing highways works to ensure that stations are accessible.
8. Major Schemes
Wigan Inner Relief Road (WIRR)
The scheme on the western side of Wigan town centre links the existing sections of the Inner Relief Road that opened in 1987 with the Saddle Junction improvement scheme completed in the year 2000 courtesy of a new single carriageway road and on-line improvements.
The WIRR will significantly reduce traffic congestion on the A49 between the Saddle Junction and the town centre facilitating improved accessibility for sustainable modes of transport into the town centre retail area and Wigan Hub from the south and west of the borough. Substantial environmental enhancements along this corridor into the town centre will complement the Wigan Pier Quarter regeneration scheme that is at an advanced stage of planning and will provide new leisure, arts and town centre living facilities. There will also be improvements in safety for all highway users within the Pier, Hub / town centre area.
Improved highway access from the WIRR to the adjacent Miry Lane employment zone for vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and potentially public transport users will be secured via the scheme. The scheme could be the catalyst for greater intensification of the Miry Lane employment zone providing increased local employment opportunities.
Facilities for cyclists along the new road together with pedestrian facilities at junctions will be provided. The scheme provides a potential new route for bus services and the WIRR junction with the north westerly entrance to the town centre bus station will be improved. Transport links to the retail and extensive sports facilities at Robin Park will be strengthened via the scheme.
The scheme is consistent with and strengthens linkage to other existing and proposed transport improvements along corridors from the south and west of the borough such as the Wigan-Skelmersdale Quality Bus Corridor and the Wigan-Ashton cycle facilities scheme.
Route A5225 – Wigan Gateway
The A5225 transport corridor comprising of a new major highway between Junction 26 of the M6 at Orrell and the A579 Atherleigh Way between Leigh and Atherton will open up new recognised development opportunities, promoting economic regeneration by attracting new developers.
The significant reductions in traffic levels on the A577 through Pemberton, Newtown, Ince and Hindley will provide greater opportunities for environmental and linkage improvements within these local centres. This will encourage local economic regeneration through an improved environment and improved access and pedestrian movements.
The A5225 transport corridor will improve sustainable access through new cycling and walking links to local recreational and wildlife habitats such as The Flashes and Amberswood Common.
The A5225 will significantly reduce congestion levels along the existing A577, a recognised Quality Bus Corridor between Wigan and Leigh and Wigan and Skelmersdale. This will permit significant enhancements to be made for buses, pedestrians and cyclists along the A577, which are currently limited due to the traffic levels and the narrow nature of the corridor.
The A5225 transport corridor will provide a fast and attractive link for all road users to the national and regional rail interchanges at Wigan, which are proposed to be enhanced and developed into the modern and attractive "Wigan Hub".
The improved access to the "Wigan Hub" will promote the use of the local and national rail network, providing strategic links from the north west of the Region to Manchester and the Airport beyond.
The A5225 transport corridor will provide high-speed links for express bus and coach services from Leigh to Wigan and beyond to the M6. This will provide attractive links to the Leigh to Bolton QBC, the Leigh/Salford/Manchester Guided Busway and the M6. This attractive high-speed link could also permit the development of new park and ride facilities from the east and west of The Borough.
The A5225 transport corridor will provide a high quality east-west off-road pedestrian and cycle route that will link into the National Network being promoted by Sustrans. It would also complement the off-road route proposed along the Leigh/Salford/Manchester Guided Busway.
Wigan Hub
The Wigan Hub scheme provides integration between the town’s two rail stations therefore strengthening the interchange element and attractiveness of journeys on the local / national rail network.
Local bus interchange with the rail network will be significantly enhanced as traffic management measures secured from the construction of the Wigan Inner Relief Road will facilitate daytime access only for buses, cyclists, taxis, service vehicles and of course pedestrians. The immediate environment within this part of Wigan town centre will be revitalised with retail and pedestrian activity as a consequence of the measures.
Complementary to the Hub scheme is the Westwood Link Road (currently under construction) and the proposed A5225 Wigan Gateway scheme that will encourage modal shift from the sub regional highway network to the national rail network for long distance journeys.
Overall the Hub proposal is seen as a vital component in the regeneration of Wigan town centre and the borough of Wigan as a whole.
Ashton-in-Makerfield Northern By-pass
This scheme will provide a link from Junction 25 of the M6 Motorway to the South Lancashire Industrial Estate and onwards to the A58. It will relieve industrial and through traffic from a large part of Ashton, including the town centre.
Golborne Station
This scheme will provide a new public transport interchange on the West Coast Main Line and it is envisaged that it would be served by a local stopping service between Preston and Manchester.