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ThroughtheimplementationoftheCountyCouncil’sAccessibilityStrategy,wearehelpingtoremovesomeofthebarriersassociatedwithusingpublictransportinEastSussex,tofacilitateimprovedaccesstoservicesinthecounty’skeycentres.
OurAccessibilityStrategyisfocusedparticularlyonpublictransportandweareundertakingdetailedlocalassessmentsinconjunctionwithpartnerorganisationstodevelopappropriateactionplanstoremovesomeofthebarrierspeoplefaceinaccessingkeyservicesandfacilities.Theseincludeplacesofemployment,education,healthcareandhealthyfoodshopping.Byremovingthebarriers,wearefacilitatingincreasesinbuspatronageacrossthecounty,whichisdemonstratedintheprogresswehavemadetowardsachievingrespectivetargets,assetoutinchapter11.ThisinturnfacilitatesimprovedcoverageofcommercialservicesoperatinginEastSussexbyincreasingthelevelofrevenuegeneratedbytheoperators.
ThestrategyisinformedbyouraccessibilitymodelknownasAccession.TheaccessibilityplotsitproducesarealsousedbytheplanningauthoritiestoinformLocalDevelopmentFrameworks.Theyprovideanassessmentofrelativeaccessibilityindifferentareasbypublictransport,helpingtoinformland-useprovision,andtheemergingBusandCommunityTransportStrategies.Theprocessisinformedbylocal
evidencebases–suchastheobjectivesoftheLocalStrategicPartnership,relevantLTP2LocalAreaTransportStrategies,villageactionplansanddatagleanedfromlocalsurveys–toidentifywhichservicesareimportanttocommunities,providingaclearfocusfortheAccessionmodellingschedules.
AprogrammeofdetailedAccessibilityStrategyLocalAssessments(ASLAs)hasbeenapprovedbytheCountyCouncil,andtheassessmentsareusedtoidentifyappropriateactionplansofmeasureswhichseektotackleaccessibilitybarrierstokeyservicesandfacilities.Theactionplanstypicallyidentifyacombinationofinformation-basedmeasures,‘smarterchoice’measuresandinsomeinstancesimprovedpublictransportwhichareimplementedmainlybytheCountyCouncil,althoughsomearebeingprogressedbyotherpartnerorganisations.
BusservicesTheCountyCouncilworkswithbusoperatorstocoordinateinformationaboutroutes,timetablesandcharges,andtherebypromoteastablenetworkofservices.TheobjectivesofthepassengertransportservicearewellalignedwithLTP2accessibilityobjectivestomeetthedailytransportneedsofallpeopleinthecounty,butespeciallypupilsgoingtoandfromschool,peoplewithmobilityimpairments,
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East Sussex County Council LTP2 Progress Report 2008
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Improveaccesstoservicesbyprovidinggreatertravelchoicesandinfluencinglandusedecisions
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theelderlyandthosewithoutaccesstoacar,particularlyinruralandmoredeprivedareas.Servicesandtimetablesarealignedtoallowpeopletoaccesskeycentreswheretheycanfindhealthandeducationservices,employmentopportunitiesandhealthyfoodoutlets.
TheCountyCouncilimplementsaconcessionaryfareschemeforchildrenandyoungpeopleintheformofFreedomandPathfindertickets,providingthemwithunlimitedbustravelonmostroutesinthecountyforadiscountedfare.
Riderbusservices,supportedbytheCountyCouncil,areoftentheonlypublictransportinruralandsuburbanareas.Faresarecompetitiveandreturnticketscanbeusedforareturnjourneyonotherlocalservicesinthesamearea,oranotherRiderservice.
TheCountyCouncilhascommissionedconsultantstoproduceaZeroBasedReviewofBusServices.Thiswillconstituteacomprehensive,strategicreviewlooking
atthewaytheCouncilfundsbusservicesandwillidentifyopportunitiesarisingfromnewlegislationtodevelopanewdraftBusStrategydesignedtogiverobustguidancetodecisionmakersatastrategiclevel.AsaresulttheCountyCouncilwillbeabletoprioritiseitsresourcesonthoseserviceelementswhichareessentialtodeliveringimprovedaccessibility.
ThePassengerTransportTeamworkscloselywiththeHighwaysDevelopmentControlTeamtoassessthetravelimpactofnewdevelopmentapplicationsandensureappropriatepassengertransportmeasuresareimplementedtomitigateunwantedimpactsofnewdevelopment.Thesehavetakentheformofcontributionstoimprovedfrequencyofbusservices,provisionofaccessiblebusstopsandwalkingroutes,andtheadoptionoftravelplans.
WesthamandPevenseyKickstartProjectandRuralBusChallengeInpartnershipwiththeWestham&PevenseyLocalTransportPartnership(WPLTP),asuccessfulbidwasmadetotheDepartmentforTransportforRuralBusChallengeandKickstartfunding.
TheKickstartschemeprovidedEastbourneBuseswithfundingtoextendaconventionalhourlybusservicefromEastbourneintotheruralhinterlandofWesthamandPevensey.ThisestablishedapublictransportlinkbetweentheruralcommunitiesandEastbourne.ThenewLocal5routereplacedalimitedbusservice,whichranfourtimesaday.
TheLocal5servicewasheavilymarketedandattractedasignificantincreaseinpassengers.Unfortunately,duetothechangingfinancialcircumstancesofEastbourneBuses,thecompanywasnotabletocontinuewiththeservicebeyondtheKickstartfundingperiod.However,anotherbuscompanydidtakeoverthe
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weekdayserviceonacommercialbasisandthisarrangementisnowworkingsatisfactorily.
InrespectoftheRuralBusChallengeelement,withthefullinvolvementofstakeholders,aservicespecificationwasdesignedand,followingcompetitivetendering,EastbourneBuseswasawardedacontracttoprovideafullyaccessibledemandresponsivelocalbusservice.MarketedasRover6,theserviceoperatedMondaystoSaturdaysandalljourneysweresubjecttopre-bookingviaadedicatedTravelCallCentre(providedbyWestSussexCountyCouncil).
Rover6wasdesignedtofulfiltwoobjectives:
a)toincreasetheaccessibilityofthefixedroutebusservices(seeKickstartelementbelow)byprovidingtransportfromtheuser’shometoandfromthenearestbusstop,and
b)tomeetthoselocaltransportneedswithintheParishesofWestham&Pevenseynotcateredforbytheexistingconventionalbusnetwork.
Althoughtheserviceprovedtobeaveryusefulfacilityforasmallnumberofregularusers,itbecameclearthattake-upwasinsufficienttoenabletheservicetocontinueinthesameformbeyondtheRuralBusChallengefundingperiod.
However,theCountyCouncilandthePartnershipweredeterminedtoretainsomeofthebenefitsofRover6.Therefore,inlate2007andearly2008,theCountyCouncilandtheWPLTP,withsupportandadvicefromtheDepartmentforTransport,workedinclosepartnershipwiththeCuckmereCommunityBusorganisationtore-launchRover6asacommunitybuslinkstaffedbyvoluntarydriversandusingvolunteerstooperateahome-basedtelephonebookingservice.ThenewRover6commencedoperationsinmidFebruary2008,initiallyontwodaysperweekowingtothesmall
numberofvolunteers.
TheservicehasmanagedtoretainmostoftheclientsthatformerlyusedtheEastbourneBusesserviceandisnowbeginningtoexperienceasmallgrowthinpatronage.Thereareaspirationstoextendtheservicetootherdaysoftheweekasmorevolunteersarerecruitedandtrained.
Thisprojecthasbeenanexcellentdemonstrationofwhatcanbeachievedwhenthelocalauthorityworksinclosepartnershipwithlocalstakeholderstoprovideaself-helpsolutiontolocaltransportneeds.
Withthefullinvolvementoflocalstakeholders,theprojecthasassistedtheCountyCounciltomeetanumberofitskeyLTP2targetsbypromotingimprovedaccessiblepublictransport,accesstoservicesforthecommunity,andreduceddependencyonprivatecartransport,withtheconsequentimprovementinairqualityandreductionincarbondioxideemissions.
CommunityTransportStrategyRunningconcurrentlywiththeZeroBasedReviewofBusServiceswillbeaReviewofCommunityTransport.Thiswillprovideamodelforfuturedevelopmentofthisaspectoftransportprovisioninordertoensurecontinuedaccessandmobilityforruralcommunities.CommunityTransportmayplayagreaterroleinprovidingaccessibilitylifelinestocommunitiesinEastSussex,particularlyiftherearechangesinthelevelofsupportforlocalbusservices.OneoftherecommendationsoftheExecutiveReviewofPassengerTransportwastheneedtodevelopaclearCommunityTransportStrategywhichcomplementsexistingcommercialandsupportedbusservices,andtakesaccountoftheexperienceofpastandcurrentschemes.
TheCommunityTransportStrategy,alongwithanupdatedBusStrategy,willbefinalisedattheendof2008/09.
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Currentlyseverallocalareasarecoveredbycommunitytransportwhichincludes:
Dial-a-Rideschemes
voluntarycarservices,and
vehiclessuitableforwheelchairaccess
TheCountyCouncilsubsidisesDialaRideservicesinLewesandSeafordanda‘TaxiRider’serviceinPolegate.Theseareparticularlysuitableforpeoplewhoareunabletoaccessnormalpublictransportservices.
BeaconLinkServiceRoyalMailannouncedthatitwouldbewithdrawingthePostBusServicewhichservedWadhurstandMayfieldinDecember2007.TheCountyCouncilorganisedareplacementserviceoperatedbyCommunityTransportfortheLewesArea(CTLA).InitiallyfundedbyESCCandtheParishCouncilsofMayfieldandWadhurstfor6months,theservicehasprovedsufficientlypopularforanextensionoftheservicetotheendor2008.Furthernegotiationswilltakeplacetolookatfutureprovision.
TheLocalTransportBillTheLocalTransportBillcurrentlygoingthroughParliamentwillgivelocalauthoritiesnewpowerstoimprovethequalityoflocalbusservices.Thisisinlinewiththeproposalsin‘PuttingPassengersFirst’whichwaspublishedbytheDfTin2006andfollowedanextensivereviewofbusservicesacrossthecountry.Thoseproposalswerewidelywelcomedbybusoperators,localauthoritiesandpassengergroups.TheBillwillpromotemoreeffectivepartnershipworkingbetweenlocalauthoritiesandbusoperators,allowinganewregimetodeliverbetterpunctualityandfurtherdevelopmentofthecommunitytransportsector.
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WealdenEasylinkThisisabookable,door-to-doortransportserviceforpeople,includingpeoplewhousewheelchairs,whofinditdifficultorimpossibletogetonandoffbuses,ortogettoabusstop.TheWealdenEasylinkserviceisrunbyCommunityTransportwiththesupportofCrowboroughTownCouncil,EastSussexCountyCouncilandHartfield,MaresfieldandWithyhamParishCouncils.TheservicecarrieschildrentoChaileyHeritageSchoolandHillsideSpecialSchoolandthenprovidesaserviceforelderlypassengers.Fundedbyacombinationoftownandparishcouncilsplusacontributionfromadistrictcouncil,itwouldcostsignificantlymoretomeetthetwoserviceneedsseparately.
TheWealdenEasylinkbusservesthenorthernpartsofWealdenDistrict,includingthecommunitiesofMaresfield,Nutley,ChelwoodGate,WychCross,Fairwarp,HighHurstwood,ForestRow,Coleman’sHatch,Hartfield,Withyham,Groombridge,LyeGreenandCrowborough.ItrunsonMondaystoFridays.Dependingontheday,servicesruneithertoTunbridgeWellsorCrowborough,providingopportunitiesforuserstovisitthetowncentresforshoppingorotherservices.
Thesingleminibusservicecarried3,600passengersin2006raising£6,200infaresie.40%ofitsrunningcosts.ThisiscomparabletothesubsidylevelprovidedbytheCountyCouncilfortheleastfinanciallyviablebusservices.Althoughpartofthefundingisprovidedbytownandparishcouncils,thissolutionisconsideredbytheoperatortobehighlyprecariousandverytimeconsumingtomaintain.Itshouldnotberegardedasareplacementforascheduled,conventionalservice,whichwouldmovesignificantlymorepeople.
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LocalAreaAgreement(2008/09–2010/11)TheCountyCouncil’saccessibilitytargethasbeenincludedinthenewLocalAreaAgreement(LAA)forEastSussex.WhilstitutilisestheexistingindicatorinLTP2–namelytheproportionofthetotalpopulationofEastSussexwithin30minutesaccessbypublictransportforanarrivalatakeycentreby09:00–thetargetlevelhasbeenstretched.Wewillbeupdatingthisindicatorduring2008/09toadaptittotakeaccountofthereturntripelementofthejourney.ThiswouldallowarefreshedtargetleveltobeincludedintheLAAinJanuary2009.
AccessibilityStrategy/RuralAccesstoServicesProgrammeClearlinkageshavebeenidentifiedbetweentheEastSussexRuralAccesstoServicesProgramme(RASP)andthedeliveryoftheCountyCouncil’sAccessibilityStrategy.TheRASPisledbyActioninRuralSussex(AiRS)andhassuccessfullysecuredfundingfromSEEDAtothevalueof£100,000perannum(2008/09to2010/11inclusive)toimplementmeasureswhichcomplementtheobjectivesoftheLTP2AccessibilityStrategy.TheevidencebasegatheredthroughtheAccessibilityStrategyandtheASLAswill,inpart,beusedtodeterminewheretheactionsandinitiativesintheRASPwillbedelivered.FurtherdetailscanbefoundinthePartnershipWorkingsectionofthisreport.
TheRASPseekstoachievethefollowingobjectives:
1. todevelopuptofiveIntegratedServiceDeliveryHubswithincommunitybuildingsinkeyruralsettlementsinEastSussexasdemonstrationprojectsprovidingadditionalcommunityservices
2. toprovidespecificsupporttofourParishCouncilstoprovideaninformationandsignpostingserviceforindividuals,
businessesandorganisationsasapilot,trainingdevelopmentprogramme
3. toexplorethedevelopmentandfeasibilityofaruralkitemarkforthedeliveryofservicesinruralareasasawayforwardinpromotingruralserviceprovisionandtoraiseawarenessofthis
4. toimproveawarenessaboutsocialenterprisesandtoincreasethenumberofsocialenterprisesinthecountywhichareprovidinglocalruralservices
5. toassistinthedevelopmentofcollaborativeactionsbetweenexistingsocialenterprisestothebenefitofruralservicedelivery
Inaddition,AiRShasalsoprovidedaninputintothedevelopmentoftheactionplanscontainedintheASLAsbyworkingwithofficersattheCountyCounciltoensurethat,whereappropriate,themeasuresarecomplementarytothosedeliveredthroughtheRASP.SEEDAhaveawardedtheRASP£100,000perannumtoimplementRASPoverthenextthreeyears(08/09to10/11)andwewillbeworkingcloselywithAiRSwhenundertakingtheremainingASLAs.
TheAccessibilityStrategyisakeycomponentofLTP2,andseekstoovercomesomeoftheidentifieddeficienciesinaccessibilitytoservices,whethertheyarespatiallyinduced,transportrelated,serviceprovisionbasedorcommunityspecific.Ithasbeendevelopedinthewidersustainabletransportpolicyframework,whichisintegraltothevisionandobjectivesofLTP2,andtheAccessibilityStrategyinparticularhasastrongsocialinclusionfocus.
SustainableSchoolTravelStrategyInaccordancewiththedutyplacedonitbytheEducationandInspectionsAct2006,theCountyCouncilhasproducedaSustainableSchoolTravelStrategy(SSTS)whichlooksattheissuesaroundjourneystoschool.TheSSTSwillbecomeausefulreferenceforparentsandchildren
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onthetraveloptionsavailabletothemwhenchoosingaschool.Italsoprovidesthecouncilwithadetailedpictureoftheissuespreventingpeopleusingsustainablemethodsoftraveltoandfromschool.
PartofthestrategyisanAssessmentoftheTravelNeedsofChildrenandYoungPeople.Thisisbasedoninformationgatheredfromthechildren,parentsandschoolstaffthroughSchoolTravelPlanswhicharenowproducedbyover86%ofallmaintainedschoolsinthecounty.Onequestiontheyareaskedisbywhatmethodtheywouldprefertotraveltoschooliftheycould.InformationalsocomesfromtheannualSchoolCensuswhichaskschildrenbywhichmethodoftransporttheytraveltoschool.
AfurtherpieceofworkwhichcontributestotheSSTSandtheCountyCouncil’sknowledgeofbarrierstosustainableaccesstoschoolswillbeanauditoftheinfrastructurewhichenablessustainabletravelsuchascycleroutes,busservices,safecrossingplacesonroads,adequatepavements,placestostorebicycles,shelteredplacesforwalkers,appropriatelightingetc.
Theissuesraisedthroughthisworkandtheresultingactionplanwillcontributetotheobjectiveofincreasingsustainableaccesstoplacesoflearning.
SchoolTransportCodeofPracticeTheCountyCouncilcurrentlyspendsaround£10milliononschooltransporteachyear,takingaround7000pupilstoandfromschool.Approximately60%ofthisbudgetisspentonSpecialEducationalNeeds(SEN)transport.
ThePassengerTransportTeam(PTT),workingalongsidecolleaguesinTransport&Environmentandspecialistsintheanti-bullying,childprotectionandSpecialEducationalNeeds(SEN)teams,areissuinganupdatedCodeofPractice.Thiswilladdressbehaviouralissues,conflict
resolutionandtheexpectationsofthevariousstakeholderswithintheSchoolTransportService(parents,pupils,drivers,operators,escorts,schools).Thecodewillbecommunicatedthroughleaflets,posters,webpagesandtrainingopportunities.
Theprincipleaimoftheupdatedcodeistoimprovethepassengerenvironmentonschooltransportservicesby:
increasingtheknowledgeofthevariousstakeholdersoftheSchoolTransportService
raisingawarenessofexpectedbehaviourforpupilsonschooltransport
remindingdrivers,operatorsandescortsoftheirresponsibilities,and
reducingthenumberoflocalcarjourneysandencouragingtheuseofpublictransport.
TheexpectedimprovementswillsupporttheemergingcorporateClimateChangeStrategyaswellasthedeliveryofSchoolTravelPlansandtheTravelChoiceprogrammebyhelpingtoreducelocalisedcongestion.
ReviewofSupportedLocalBusServicesandHometoSchoolTransportArrangementsinHastingsandRother(ImplementedOctober2006)ThisreviewincludedalargenumberofmainstreamschooltransportcontractsandalsomostofthekeyhourlysupportedlocalbusservicesinEastSussex.Theseservicescarrylargenumbersofpassengerseachday,includingschoolchildrenentitledtofreetransport.
Theworkinvolvedreviewingservicesandtenderingforcontractstoreplaceabout130existingcontractstothevalueofabout£3mperannum.Consultationwasundertakenwithlocalresidentsandorganisationstoidentifyanyparticularneedsthatwerenotmetbythecurrentbusnetwork.Itresultedinnewdirectservicesbetween
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Bexhill,BattleandtheConquestHospital,whichhavesignificantlyimprovedaccesstohealthservicesasidentifiedintheLTP2AccessibilityStrategy.
TransportandtravelinformationtoraiseawarenessofthetravelchoicesavailableLTP2recognisestheimportanceofgoodpublictransportinformation.TheCountyCouncilcoordinatesandproducestimetablesforallbusservicesinthecountyaswellasdetailedbusnetworkmapsforthelargertowns.TheseandlinkstotraininformationcanallbeaccessedviatheEastSussexwebsite.Wealsocompileandupdateserviceinformationfortheregionaltravelservice,Travelinewhichallowsresidentsandvisitorstoplantheirjourneysbybusandtrain.
RealTimeBusInformationinEastbourne(RTBI)–SystemlaunchedinJune2007TheintroductionofRTBIinEastSussexisakeyelementoftheCountyCouncil’sBusStrategy.Brighton&HoveCityCouncilalreadyoperateasuccessfulRTBIandBusManagementsystemwithinthecity,anditwasrecognisedthattherewouldbefinancialandoperationalbenefitsbyenteringintoagreementwiththeCityCounciltosharetheircoreRTBIsystem.
Earlyin2004,EastSussexCountyCouncilobtainedsupplementaryfundingtoprocureandimplementaRTBIsysteminEastbourne.ThiswasbaseduponasharedsystemwithBrightonandHoveCityCouncilandinvolvedprocuringequipmentfor57buses,24signs,oneradiobasestationandacontrolcentreattheEastbourneBusesdepot.
TheprojectincludedthedesignandimplementationofacommunicationsnetworkcomprisingaWideAreaNetworkandBTleasedlines,andanagreementwithEastSussexFire&RescueServicefortheinstallationoftheradiobasestationontheirpremises.Followingdelaysincurredbyradiointerferenceproblems,systemacceptancewasachievedinMarch2007.Thiswasfollowedbya3monthtrialperiodafterwhichthesystemwasformallylaunchedon1stJune2007.
ThewholeprojectinvolvedacloseworkingrelationshipbetweentheCountyCouncilandthefollowingcompaniesandorganisations:
Brighton&HoveCityCouncil(technicalsupport)
EastbourneBusCompany
Brighton&HoveBus&CoachCompany(operationalsupport)
Siemens,and
EastSussexFire&RescueService.
Althoughtherehavebeenafewteethingproblemswiththenewequipment,itisprovidingvaluableinformationtobususerswithrealtimeinformationbeingprovidedonthenewsigns.EastbourneBusesalsohavethebenefitofthebusmanagementsystemwhichenablestheircontrolcentreto‘see’exactlywherethebusesare.Shoulddelaysbeincurredbytrafficaccidentsorcongestionthenthebuscompanycantakeproactiveaction,suchasre-routingbusestoavoidtheproblem.Thisalsobenefitsbuspassengers.
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WhiletheCountyCouncilmanagedtheentireproject,thiswasachievedincloseconsultationwithEastbourneBuses.Theyprovidedvaluablesupport,liaisingwiththesupplierintheinstallationofthebusequipmentandcontrolcentre,gainingapprovalfromthestafforganisationinuseoftheequipmentandtheimplementationofstafftrainingonthesystem.
ProvisionofservicestoreducetheneedtotravelTheCountyCouncilworkedwithBTtorolloutaprogrammeofbroadbandprovisiontocoverthewholecounty.Thishasenabledfastinternetaccessforresidentsandbusinesseshelpingtoreducetheneedtotravel.
TheCountyCouncilhasaCommunicationsStrategywhichcoversallourmedia,graphicsandmarketingworkincludingthedesignandaccessibilityofourwebsite.ThewebsiteisrecognisedbytheSocietyofIT
Mangers(SOCITM)asoneofthetoplocalauthoritywebsitesinthecountry.IthasbeenawardedtheRoyalNationalInstituteoftheBlind‘SeeitRight’accessiblewebsitelogoandalsohasasectionforpeoplewithlearningdisabilities.In2006/07over5,000e-formrelatedsubmissionsweremadeforservicesviathewebsiteandthenumberofuniquevisitstothewebsitehasincreasedeveryyear.Whileitisdifficulttoquantifyhowmanyjourneysarebeingsavedthroughthis,itisgenerallyacceptedthattheneedtotravelcanbereducedbyprovidingelectronicallyaccessibleservices.
TheCountyCouncillibraryserviceprovidesinternetaccessandonlineservicesvitaltoruralareas.Thereisalsoamobileofficeserviceservicingsmallercommunities.
Informationcanberequestedandfaultsreportedthroughthewebsite.Weareworkinginpartnershipwithothertiersoflocalgovernmenttoprovidea‘onestopshop’enablingthepublictohaveonepointofcontactregardlessofwhichbodyprovidestheserviceandthuspreventingthefrustrationofbeingpassedfromoneauthoritytoanother.
LanduseandsustainabledevelopmentTheCountyCouncilworkswithDistrictandBoroughCouncilstoensurethatdevelopmentisappropriatelyandsustainablelocated,minimisingtheneedtotravelbyprivatecar.WeworkwiththeDistrictandBoroughCouncilsindevelopingtheirLocalDevelopmentFrameworks(LDFs)usingdetailedlocalaccessibilityassessmentstoinformthechoiceofsitesandoptions.WehavealsodevelopedSupplementaryPlanningGuidancetosecurebothonandoffsiteintegratedtransportimprovementsfornewdevelopmentinthecountyensuringthatappropriatetransportinfrastructureis‘designedin’atanearlystage.
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Wilting FarmSeaspace,thedeliveryarmoftheBexhillandHastingsTaskforce,andthebodyresponsiblefortheregenerationprogrammeforthetwotowns,hascommissionedconsultantstoundertakeaninitialfeasibilityassessmentoftheproposalforanewstationatWiltingFarmtothewestofHastings.TheconceptofastationatWiltingFarmhasexistedformanyyearsbutithasgainednewrelevanceinthecontextoftheBexhill-HastingsLinkRoad.
ThepurposeofthestudyistoestablishwhetherthereisabusinesscaseandatechnicallyviableproposalforanewstationatWiltingFarm.Ifitdoesthenthiswouldhavethepotentialofbeingdevelopedintoafullscheme.TheoutcomesofthestudywillalsohelpinformHastingsBoroughCouncilandRotherDistrictCouncilonthescopefordevelopinglandintheWiltingFarmareaforhousingorcommercialpurposes.ThisisbeingconsideredthroughtheLocalDevelopmentFrameworkprocess.
MaintenanceTheauthoritymadespecialone-offrevenueallocationsforimprovementstothepavementnetworkinthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2.In2006/07anallocationof£0.2mwasmadeavailableandfor2007/08afurther£0.25mwasallocated.Aproportionofthisadditionalmoneyhasbeenutilisedtoimprovetheconditionofthelocalpavementnetwork.However,inthelargerurbanareastheadditionalfundshavealsobeentargetedatprovidingfacilitieswithinthepavementnetworkforuserswithdisabilities.Liaisonwithlocaldisabilitygroupshasensuredthatdroppedkerbsandtactilecrossingpointshavebeeninstalledonroutesrecognisedashavingastrategicfunction.
RightsofWayImprovementPlanIn2007EastSussexCountyCouncilpublishedits10yearRightsofWayImprovementPlan(ROWIP).Theplanassesses:
theextenttowhichthelocalrightsofwaymeetthepresentandlikelyfutureneedsofthepublic
theopportunitiesprovidedbylocalrightsofwayforexerciseandotherformsofoutdoorrecreationandenjoymentofourarea,and
theaccessibilityoflocalrightsofwaytoblindandpartiallysightedpeopleandotherswithmobilityproblems.
TheROWIPistheprimemeansbywhichlocalhighwayauthoritiesidentifythechangestobemadetothemanagementandimprovementoftheirlocalrightsofwaynetwork.Itprovidesanopportunitytoexpandroutestoprovideaccessonfoot,bybicycle,oronhorseback,toawiderrangeofdestinationsandtolinkrightsofwaywithothertransportnetworks.
Whileenablingmorepeopletoaccessthecountrysideforleisurepurposes,theplanalsosharestheobjectivesinLTP2forimprovingnetworksofpathsbothruralandurban,whichencouragepeopletotravelbyfootoronbicycleratherthanbycar.Therearelinksbetweenthisandtheobjectivesforaccessibilityandreducingcongestion,safetyandairquality.TheROWIPalsocontributestotheobjectivesofthewiderhealthagendatoreducetheincidenceofcoronaryheartdiseaseandobesitybyfacilitatingexercise.
TheROWIPseekstodevelopthecontinuityoftheRoWnetworkincludingtheprovisionofsafecrossingsonbusyroutes,linkingpathsalongsideroadsandtheprotectionofcountrylanesasapartoflongdistancebridleroutes.
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RightsofWayandLocalAreaTransportStrategiesInEastSussextheLTP2offersopportunitiestodeveloprightsofwaylinksviaLocalAreaTransportStrategies(LATS).
LATSaredevelopedinpartnershipwithDistrict,Borough,TownandParishCouncils,toconsiderallthedifferenttypesoftransportneedsinanarea.LATStakeintoaccountkeytransportandcommunicationlinksbetweencommunities.
OnceaRightsofWayschemehasbeenidentifiedwithintheLATS,whichrequirescapitalfunding,theyaresubjecttotheBalancedScorecardprocesswhichisusedtoassesstheschemeagainstLTP2objectivestodeterminesuitabilityforinclusionintheIntegratedTransportCapitalProgramme.TheCountyCouncilalsoimplementsRightsofWaymeasuresthroughaspecificROWIPfundingprogramme.
InlinewiththeCountyCouncil’spolicyofmaintainingcurrentassets,fundinghasbeenallocatedforacountywideprogrammeofbridgereplacementonRightsofWayroutesinEastSussex.Thiscommencedin2007/08with£200,000allocatedperyearfortwoyears,alongsideacomplementaryprogrammeofsurfacingworksat£70,000peryearcommencingin2008/09.
RightsofWaySchemesPerhapstheroutewithgreatestpotentialforutilityusagecontributingtoLTP2objectivesistheCuckooTrailwhichrunsfor13milesfromHeathfieldtoEastbournePark.ItpassesthroughHoram,Hellingly,HailshamandPolegateandformspartofNationalCycleNetworkroute21.Workhasbeencompletedtoresurfacethepathmakingaccesseasierforwalkersandcyclists.Evidencefromsurveysshowsthatthenumberofusershasgraduallyincreasedoverrecentyears,withincreasesinwalkersandcyclistsinroughlyequalmeasure.
Also,theincreaseinlocaljourneysoverthewintermonthsinparticularimpliesthattheincreaseislikelytobeinutilityjourneysratherthanrecreationaljourneys.
WorkhasalsotakenplaceontheCuckooTrailtoreducethegradients,takingoutthesteepestpartsofthepathsothataccessiseasierforpeoplewithdisabilities.
SussexOuseValleyWayThankstothecooperationofalocallandowner,wewereabletoprovideapathalongsidetheA275toenableasafercrossingpointandtoavoidwalkershavingtowalkalongthenarrowestpartofthatbusyroadwheretherewasnoverge.
RoutestoschoolInsomeareas,inbothurbanandruralsettings,parentsandchildrenmakeuseofthepathwaysontheRightsofWaynetworktotraveltoandfromschool.InthevillageofGroombridge,parentstoldusoftheirpreferenceforwider‘kissing’gatestoenablethepassageofbuggieswhenaccompanyingchildrentoschool.
New ramp on the Cuckoo Trail
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DisabilityDiscriminationAct(DDA)ThisnewlegislationhasbeenthedrivingforcebehindseveralimprovementschemestoincreaseaccesstothecountrysideandtheRightsofWaynetworkforpeoplewithlimitedmobility,wheelchairusersandpushchairs.WherepossiblestilesarereplacedbygatesandinseveralpartsofthecountypurposebuiltpathshavebeenprovidedthroughInterregfundingforpeoplewithspecialneeds.
TargetsummaryThefollowingLTP2targetscontributetotheachievementoftheaccessibilityobjective:
toincreasetheproportionofthepopulationthatcanaccessakeycentrewithin30minutesbypublictransportby9.00am
toincreasethenumberofwalkingtripsinthecounty
improvedbuspunctuality
toincreasethenumberofcycletripsinthecountyasawhole
toincreasethenumberofcycletripsinthegreaterEastbourne/Bexhill/Hastingsarea
toincreasebussatisfaction
toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinthecountyasawhole
toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinEastbourne,and
toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinHastings
ForfulldetailsofprogressagainsttargetsseeChapter11.
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Strengths1. Aheadofthetargettrajectoryfor
accessibility
2. InclusionofindicatorinLAAemphasisesimportancetoESCCandpartners
3. StrongworkingrelationshipwithActioninRuralSussex(AiRS)oncomplementaryagenda
4. Concessionaryfaresschemeenablinggreateraccessibilityfortargetedgroups
5. IncreasedpotentialforsecuringDevelopmentContributionstowardsinvestmentinsustainabletravelmodes.
Weaknesses1. TheCountyCouncil’srevenuebudget
forPassengerTransport,usedtosupportservices,isunderpressure
2. Negativeattitudestopublictransport
3. CountyCouncil’sdirectabilitytoreducecaruse
Opportunities1. WorkingwithAiRStoimplementthe
RuralAccesstoServicesProgrammewithSEEDAfunding
2. Increasedroleofthecommunitytransportsector
3. DeliveryofAccessibilityStrategy
4. UsingevidencebasefromAccessibilityStrategytosupportprovisionofsustainabletransportsolutionsatnewdevelopment
Threats1. Higherfuelcostsarehavinga
significanteffectonbusoperatingcosts(resultinginwithdrawalofcommercialbusservicesandhighercontractprices)
2. HighoperatingcostinflationinpassengertransportsectorthreatensviabilityofservicesandESCC’sabilitytosupport
3. LanduseplanningdecisionsnotwithincontrolofCountyCouncil
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RisksandopportunitiesStatus: GREEN
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DemandmanagementManagingdemandandreducingtheneedtotravelbycarisanimportantlocalpriorityandiskeytoachievingthenationalsharedprioritiesofreducingcongestion,improvingairqualityandmakingtheroadnetworksafer.TheCountyCouncilworkshardtoensurethatlanduseplanningandtransportpoliciesareintegratedtoensurethattheneedtotravelbyprivatecartoaccessgoods,servicesandopportunitiesisminimisedasfarasispossibleinalargelyruralarea.
Severalareasofworkcontributetotheachievementofthispriority.Inparticular:
parkingmanagementandenforcement
workplaceparkingchargesandtravelplanning
schooltravelplanning
promotionoftheTravelChoicebrandandcarsharingschemes
implementationoftheConcessionaryFaresSchemeonbuses,and
supportingcyclingandwalking.
Thesearecomplementedbyanapproachwhichseekstomakealternativeandmoresustainableformsoftransportsuchaswalking,cyclingandpublictransportmoreattractiveoptionsthanthecar.Theimpactofthisworkisdemonstratedbythefactthattrafficgrowthacrossthecountyisontargetnottoexceedtheprojectedincreaseof10%by2010/11.
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5 Demandmanagement
Managedemandandreducetheneedtotravelbyprivatecar
InLewestherehasbeenconsiderablepromotionofalternativemodesoftravel.TheCountyCouncilisworkinginpartnershipwithNetworkRailandthetrainoperatingcompanies(TOCs)toinstallimprovedcycleparkingfacilitiesatthestation.Asthelargestemployerinthetown,theCountyCouncilhasatravelplanforCountyHallwhichhasresultedinaveryeffectivecarsharescheme,improvedcycleandshowerfacilities,subsidisedconcessionsonbustravelfromBrightonandotherareasandsubsidisedrailtravelfromthecoastaltowns.Reducedcongestionhasalsoincreasedbusreliabilityonroutesthroughtownwithacommensurateincreaseinbuspatronageandthenumberofpeoplewalking.
ParkingmanagementandenforcementEffectivecivilparkingschemesarenowwellestablishedinbothHastingsandLewesusingacombinationofparkingchargesandenforcementinconjunctionwiththepositiveenhancementofalternativemodesoftransport.ThereductionintrafficflowinthetwotownsisincontrasttotheincreaseinEastbournewheredelayinimplementationoftheCivilParkingEnforcement(CPE)schemehasfrustratedfurtherworktoprovidetheinfrastructureandstrategiestoenhancetheattractivenessofalternativemodesandreapthefullbenefitofsuchschemesthathavealreadybeenimplemented,suchas
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realtimebusinformation.
Busoperatorsreportthattheabsenceofanyeffective,strategiccontrolovertravelchoiceisafactorintheirinabilitytoperformtothestandardtowhichtheyaspire.Whilerealtimebusinformationisinstalledandthedevelopmentofsomebuscorridorproposalscontinues,theabsenceofCPEmeansthatthesehavenothadamaterialeffectonmodalchoice.ThisisabarriertheCountyCouncilhopestoovercomeinthenextfewmonths.
AparkingcontrolschemeisoneelementofawiderregenerationprogrammefortheQueen’sRoadareaofStLeonardsinwhichtheCountyCouncilisapartner.Wearedeliveringchangestothestreetsceneandpublicrealmwhich,togetherwiththeintroductionofparkingcontrols,willimprovetheenvironment,helptoreducefearofcrimeandcontributetotheeconomicregenerationofthearea.Thedetailoftheschemehasbeenverycontroversialandhascauseddelayinimplementationbut,throughlengthyconsultation,thedifficultieshavebeenovercomeandtheschemecannowbetakenforwardasakeyelementintheregenerationofthearea.
PassengerTransportThegreatestpotentialforachievingmodalshiftandmanagingdemandforroadspaceisbyprovidingareliablepublictransportsystem.TheCountyCouncilworkswithbusandtrainoperatorstomaintainandimproveservices.Ourtransportstrategyincludestheimplementationofbusprioritymeasurestoimprovejourneytimes,safetyandreliability.SchemeshavebeenimplementedinHastings,EastbourneandontheA259betweenBrightonandNewhaveninpartnershipwithBrightonandHoveCityCouncil.
TheCountyCouncilhasworkedwithDistrictandBoroughCouncilsinEastSussexandneighbouringauthoritiestosecure(inEastSussex,WestSussexandBrighton&Hove)aregionalconcessionaryfaresschemewhichcameintoeffecton1April2007.Therehasbeenasignificantincreaseinbuspatronagesincethescheme’simplementation,andwhilemanyofthejourneyswillbe‘extra’,thereisassumedtobeasubstantialmodalshift.(seeChapter11fordetailedfiguresonbuspatronage)
HastingsQualityBusPartnershipTheHastingsQualityBusPartnership(QBP)hascontributedtotheincreasedabilityofthepeopleofHastings,Bexhillandthesurroundingareastoaccesskeyservicesandcentresbypublictransport.ThisvoluntarypartnershipagreementbetweentheCountyCouncil,HastingsBoroughCouncilandStagecoachinHastingshasworkedsuccessfullytoimprovebusservicesinthetown.Thishasresultedinanumberofthepartnership’soriginalandchallengingtargetsbeingmetorexceeded.
TheQBPpartnerscommissionedareviewoftheHastingsQBPin2005.Independentconsultantsexaminedthemostappropriatewaytotakethepartnershipforwardandpresentedvariousoptions.Ithasbeenagreedtocontinuethepartnershiponavoluntarybasiswithnewobjectives
incorporatedinarevisedActionPlanpublishedinMarch2008.PunctualityandreliabilitywerespecificissuesraisedintheQBPreviewandthesewillbeaddressedbyallpartnersthroughtheintroductionofthePunctualityImprovementPartnership(PIP).
TheworkoftheQBPhasbeenaugmentedbyacontinuingprogrammeofbusstopimprovementsandotherbusmeasuresacrossthetown:
nearly100stopsonthecoreArrowsroutesnowhavehighaccesskerbs
158stopsnowhaveshelters
awestboundbuslaneontheapproachtoWarriorSquarehasbeenintroduced
trafficsignalshavebeeninstalledontheA259withparticularemphasisonimprovingpunctualityandreliability,and
theupgradingoftheBusSCOOTsystem(Splitcycleandoffsetoptimisationtechnique)atanumberofkeytrafficsignalcontrolledjunctionsacrossthetown.
Theseinterventionshaveclearlycontributedtothehigherthanaveragepassengergrowthof25%since2003andthesignificantimprovementinpassengersatisfactionintheQBParea.Asurveyundertakeninsummer2007fortheHastingsQBPActionPlanshowsanincreaseinpassengersatisfactionfrom59%in2005to76%in2007reflectingrecognitionofgenuineprogressonthegroundasaresultoftheQBPandtherebyremovingsomeofthebarrierstousingpublictransport.
EastbourneQualityBusPartnershipThefurtherdevelopmentoftheEastbourneQBPhasbeencomplicatedbythecompetitiveactionsofanewentranttothebusmarket,CavendishServices.Overallpassengernumbersaregrowingasaresultofhigherfrequenciesandlowerfares(includingtheintroductionsoffreefarestoover60sfromApril2006).
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SlowerthananticipatedprogressontheimplementationofCivilParkingEnforcementinEastbournehashadanegativeimpactontheEastbourneQBP.However,worktointroducebusprioritymeasuresonSeasideRoadisstillprogressing,anddetaileddesignofthebuslaneiscomplete.TherealtimebusinformationsystemhasbeenintroducedandwentliveinJune2007.Twentyfourelectronicinformationsignshavebeeninstalledatbusstopsacrossthetown,providingpassengerswithuptotheminuteinformationaboutbusarrivaltimes,andallowingEastbourneBusestoactivelymanageoperationaldelaystobuses.DiscussionsarecurrentlytakingplacetoincludetheCavendishoperatedbusservicesintherealtimebusinformationsystem.
AppropriatelocationofdevelopmentTheCountyCouncilisworkingcloselywiththeDistrictandBoroughCouncilstodeveloptheirLocalDevelopmentFrameworks(LDFs).TheseprovidethespatialpolicyframeworkstoguidethelocationoffuturedevelopmentincludingthehousingallocationsrequiredbyGovernmentandtheeconomicregenerationdrivenbythevisiontoincreasetheprosperityofEastSussex.TheframeworkswillneedtobeinconformitywiththepoliciesoftheRegionalSpatialStrategy(RSS)andtheSouthEastPlan,whichplaceastrongemphasisonsustainabledevelopmentwithanurbanfocusasameansofminimisingtheneedtotraveland,inparticular,theneedtotravelbyprivatecar.
TheCountyCouncilwillbeworkingtoensurethat,asfaraspossible,developmentisplannedtobeclosetoexistingorplannedtransportinfrastructurewiththecapacitytosupporttheincreasedtrafficandcapableofbeingservedbypublictransportservicestoallowmodalshifttobearealisticoption.Co-locationof
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employmentandresidentialsitesthroughmixedusedevelopmentshouldalsoenablefewertripstobemade.Thedevelopmentofemploymentsiteswithinthecountyshouldalsoassistinminimisingthenumberoftripsmadebyprivatecartoemploymentintownsandcitiesoutsidethecounty.
WorkplaceparkingchargesandtravelplanningWorkplaceparkingchargeswereintroducedforemployeesoftheCountyCouncillocatedatCountyHallinconjunctionwithotherincentivessuchaspriorityparkingplacesforcarsharersandconcessionaryfaresonbuses.Acomparisonofthreemonthsticketsalesfrom2007to2008showsasignificantincreaseintakeupamountingtosome132%.
TheCountyCouncilhasalsoworkedinpartnershipwiththeHastingsHealthCareTrusttosetupacarshareschemeforemployees.Ithasalsosuppliedhelpandinformationtouniversitiesandcollegessettingupcampaigns,oftenwithstudentcontributions,toencouragesustainabletravelamongthestudentandstaffpopulations.
PromotionoftheTravelChoicebrandandcarsharingschemesTheCountyCouncilcontinuestomarkettheTravelChoicebrandandtherearenowinexcessof900registeredusersofthecarsharedatabase,13separategroupsand31%matchedjourneys.Combinedwiththeprovisionofprioritycarparkingspacesforcarsharersbysomeemployersandimprovedawarenessofandaccesstopublictransport,thisinitiativehashadamarkedeffectonreducingsingleoccupancyvehicles.
Bytargetingthosegroupsandorganisationsmostopentoinfluence,suchasmajoremployersinthehealthandeducationsectors,togetherwithareaswheretherehavebeeninfrastructureimprovements,thecouncilhasmadethemosteffective
useofitsresourcestoachievechangesinbehaviour.
InpartnershipwithlocalauthoritiesinEastSussexandbeyond,theCountyCouncilhastakenaleadroleintrainingandworkshopprogrammestopromotetheTravelChoicebrandandfacilities.Otherrelatedprojectsinclude:
theChoiceandChoice+IDcampaign.Thisisacampaignfocusingonimprovingawarenessofandaccesstoconcessionarybusfaresforthepre16and16-19yearagegroups
theSharecampaignisanextensionoftheTravelChoicecarsharedatabasewhichtheCountyCouncilhasdeveloped.Thisisaprogrammefocusingonincreasingawarenessofsustainabletravelamongstthestudentpopulationthroughadedicatedmarketingcampaignwhichissupportedbyadedicatedcarsharedatabase,and
theCountyCounciliscurrentlydevelopingarangeofpublicationsaimedatimprovingunderstandingoftheschooltravelservice.Theseareaimedatincreasingawarenessamongstoperators,drivers,parentsandpupils
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ofthelevelofserviceandstandardsofbehaviourthatareexpected.Byimprovingtheconfidenceofparentsandpupilsintheservice,morepupilswillusetheserviceandlocalcongestionrelatedtotheschoolrunwillbeimproved.
TheCountyCouncildevelopedacountywideprogrammeofawarenessandactivitiesundertheEastSussexStreetsAheadbrandwhichranbetweenSeptemberandOctober2008.TheprogrammefurtherpromotedtheTravelChoicebrandandsupportedtheworkofpartnerorganisationsincludingpublictransportoperators,schools,employers,healthcareagenciesandvoluntarygroups.InparticularitmadelinkstonationalandEuropeanactivitiesincludingInTownWithoutMyCar,EuropeanMobilityWeek,UrbanDesignWeekandWalktoSchoolWeek.
SchoolTravelPlans(STPs)Significantprogresshasbeenmadeoverthepasttwoyearstowardsthe2010targetofestablishingapprovedSTPsat100%ofEastSussexmaintainedschools.Currently,86%oflocalauthorityschoolsinthecountyhaveproducedanapprovedSTP,resultinginover£930,000ofcapitalgrantpaymentsfromGovernmentfortheseschoolstospendonphysicalmeasureswithintheirsitesthatencouragesustainabletravel,suchassecurecyclestorageorparentwaitingshelters.
TheSTPsarealsoencouragingschoolstoparticipateinothersustainabletravelinitiatives.Therearenow35WalkingBusschemesinregularoperationacrossthecounty,usedbyaround300childreneachday.Schoolsarealsonowregularlyparticipatingintwice-yearlyWalktoSchoolWeeks,withover8000pupilstakingpartina“Passport”initiativeinOctober2007torecordtheirdailymodeoftraveltoandfromschool.
TheCountyCouncilhasproducedaSustainableSchoolTravelPlanwhich
providesparentsandchildrenwithinformationonalternativestotheuseofaprivatecarforschooljourneys.Byencouragingalternative,sustainableformsoftransport,theCountyCouncilisworkingtowardsitstargetofreducingthenumberofchildrentravellingbycarandtherebyreducingdemandforroadspace.
CycletraininginschoolsIn2006,theCountyCouncilwasawardeda£7000bursaryfromCyclingEnglandtotrain15cycletrainerstobecomeNationalStandardsQualified–oneofthefirstthreeauthoritiesinEnglandtodoso.Consequently,theCountyCouncilhasbeenabletotrain:
2820Year6pupilsin2006/07,and
2671Year6pupilsin2007/08.
TheannualSchoolsCycleCompetitionorganisedbytheCountyCouncilisnowattendedbyaround50schoolseachyear.Thiseventisanopportunityforkeenyoungcycliststodemonstratetheircyclingskillsatachallengingbutfunevent.
Childpedestriantraininginschools(Footsteps)TheFootstepsinitiativeisextremelypopularwithPrimarySchoolsacrosstheCounty,withnearly4000pupilsreceivingpracticalroadsafetyskillstrainingattheroadsidelastyearalone.
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3338pupilstrainedin2006/07and
3944pupilstrainedin2007/08.
TheFootstepsprogrammeisdeliveredbyspecialisttrainerswhoareabletoteachvital,life-savingskillstoKeyStageOnepupilsthatwillhelpthemtostaysafewhencrossingtheroadwiththeirparents.TheFootstepsteamnowalsoprovidesadditionaltrainingtoolderKeyStageTwopupilswhoareabouttomovetosecondaryschools,whichwillhelppreparethemformakingjourneysindependently.
SupportingcyclingandwalkingIn2007aScrutinyReviewofCyclinginEastSussexwasundertaken.Thereviewboardtookevidencefromexpertwitnessesfromprofessionalorganisationsandmadecomparisonwithotherauthorities.TheScrutinyBoardmadeclearrecommendationsmostnotablypromptingashiftincyclepolicyemphasistowardsutilitycyclingasitfeltthishasthegreatestpotentialtocontributetowardsLTP2targets.Asaresultofthis,theCyclingStrategywillberevisedandupdatedduring2008/09toreflectthechangeinemphasis.
ThefollowingextractfromtheScrutinyreportwillhelptoprovidethefocusandrationaleforthenewupdatedstrategy.
“Cyclingisauniqueactivityincontributingtotheaccessibilityoftowns,villages,centresofemploymentandrecreation;itcanhelptoeasetrafficcongestionwhilstsavingCO2andimprovingairquality;ithelpspromoteandsupporteconomicandsustainabledevelopmentandhasapotentiallymajorpositiveimpactonpublichealth.”
ScrutinyReviewofCyclinginEastSussex
OneelementoftheBexhillHastingsLinkRoaddevelopmentisprovisionofa‘greenway’alongsidetheLinkRoad.Thiswillbearouteforcyclists,pedestriansandequestrianswhich,whilefacilitatingaccess
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tothecountryside,willalsoprovideasaferouteforcycleaccesstoBexhill,Hastingsandtheareasofnewdevelopment.
Harbour Road, Rye – cycle and pedestrian improvements Phase2and3constructed.Phase4tobedeliveredin2010/11
BeforetheimplementationofthisschemetherewasnosaferouteforpedestriansandcycliststotravelalongthemajorityoftheHarbourRoad,andtherehavebeenanumberofaccidentsinvolvingvulnerableroadusers,includingin2004,afatalityinvolvingacyclist.Itisnotedthatalargenumberofpedestrianstendtowalkonthebusyroad,sosafetywasclearlyanissue.
Thesharedfootpath/cyclewayis4kminlengthandcomprisesa3metrewidetrackofadensesurfacecourseofmacadamwithsubconcreteedginganda0.5metregrassvergeonthesouthernedgeofthefoot/cyclewayandacurb/drainage(environcurb)combinationboundingthecarriageway.
Theschemeprovidesasaferouteforbothpedestriansandcyclistsalongabusyunrestrictedroad,separatingthemfromanyvehicularmovement,reducingtheneedtotravelbycarandpromotingenvironmentallysustainablemodesoftransport.ItalsoimprovesaccessibilityfromRyeHarbourvillagetothetownofRye.
TheCountyCouncilworkedwithlocalbusinesseswhohavededicatedlandtothecouncilallowingworktocontinueonthenexttwophasesofthepath.ImplementationofPhases1to3oftheroutewascompletedinApril2008,anddesignwillprogressonthefinalphaseduring2008/09.
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Connect2HastingstoBexhillpedestrianandcycleschemeTheCountyCouncil,workinginpartnershipwithnationalcyclingcharitySustrans,putforwardthisproposalforanewcoastalcycleandpedestrianroutelinkingBexhillandHastingswhichwillhelptocompletetheNationalCycleNetwork(NCN2)inEastSussex.ItwillprovideanalternativesustainabletravelalternativetotheA259,facilitatingnoncartravelatacongestion‘hotspot’andinanAirQualityManagementArea.Afeasibilitydesignhasbeencompletedandthenextstepwillbetoundertakedetaileddesignworktoenabletheschemetoprogress.
TheschemewaspartofawinningbidbySustransfora£50millionBigLotteryFundgrant.Asoneof79routesnationally,whichmakeupSustrans’Connect2project,theHastingstoBexhillCoastalConnectionwilltakea£380,000share.
ThebidwassupportedlocallybyActiveHastings,RotherDistrictCouncil,HastingsBoroughCouncil,HastingsUrbanBikes(HUB)andFreedomLeisure.Connect2,includingtheHastingstoBexhillsection,competedagainstthreeotherorganisations,inanationaltelevisionvoteonITV,theBigLotteryFund’s‘ThePeople’s£50Million’contest.
Worktopromotevotingfortheschemeincluded:
areceptionorganisedbyHUBandheldatSpinCityCycles,Hastings,tomarkthelaunchofonlinevotingattendedbyMPMichaelFoster
70,000leafletsdistributedtoBexhillandHastingsresidents,aswellasleafletsleftatallthemajorbikeshops,and
largebannersdisplayedatalltheFreedomLeisurecentresinHastingsandBexhill.
Thephotobelowdemonstratesthehugelevelofcommunitysupportfortheeventintherun-uptothevote.
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TargetsummaryThefollowingLTP2targetscontributetotheachievementoftheobjectiveofmanagingdemand:
toincreasethenumberofcyclingtripsinthecountyasawhole
toincreasethenumberofcyclingtripsinthegreaterEastbourne/Bexhill/Hastingsarea
improvedbuspunctuality
toincreasebussatisfaction
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toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinthecountyasawhole
toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinEastbourne
toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinHastings,and
toreducepeakperiodtrafficflowinEastbourne.
ForfulldetailsofprogressagainsttargetsseeChapter11.
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Strengths1. Concessionaryfaresschememeans
bustravelreplacessomecarjourneys
2. Revisedbusstrategyasoutcomeofzero-basedreviewofpassengertransport
3. Developmentofcommunitybusstrategy
4. CommitmenttoCPEinEastSussex
Weaknesses1. Concessionaryfaresscheme,through
itssuccess,takesupfarepayingcapacityonbusnetwork
Opportunities1. ImplementationofCPEinEastbourne
andotherareasinEastSussex
2. Risingcostoffuelmakesalternativesustainablemodesmoreattractive
3. BikepurchaseschemebyESCCasemployer
4. SpreadofbroadbandandICT
5. Increasedroleofcommunitytransportsector
6. PartnershipworkingwithrailindustryandSussexCommunityRailPartnership
Threats1. Fundingconstraintsforsupportingbus
services
2. Fundingconstraintsfor‘SMART’measurestoencouragesustainabletravelmodes
3. Culturaloppositiontousingsustainabletravelalternatives
RisksandopportunitiesStatus: AMBER
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TheRoadSafetyStrategyforEastSussexisbasedontheguidancegivenintheformerDepartmentofEnvironmentTransportandtheRegions(DETR)document,‘Tomorrow’sroads:saferforeveryone’publishedin2000.Itisbasedaroundninethemeswhichcanbebroadlyplacedunderthethreemainheadingsof;
Engineering(includingsaferinfrastructureandsaferspeeds)
Education,and
Enforcement.
EngineeringSaferInfrastructureTraditionally,LocalSafetySchemeshavebeenidentifiedwithinthreegroups,namelyhighcrashsinglesites,lengthsofroadwithahighcrashrateandurbanareaswithahighcrashnumber.Thedefinitionsforeachcategoryareshownbelow:
ahighcrashsinglesiteisdefinedasanysitecomprisinga50metrex50metresquarewith4ormorecrashesinvolvingpersonalinjuryina3yearperiod.
aroadwithahighcrashrateisany‘A’or‘B’classroad(betweenmajorjunctions)havinganannualaveragedailytrafficflowinexcessof5,000vehiclesandanaccidentrateabovethenationalaveragefortheclassofroad,and
anareawithahighcrashnumberisonecomprisinga1kmx1kmsquarewith40ormorecrashesinvolvingpersonalinjury
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ina3yearperiod,excludingcrasheson‘A’and‘B’roads.
OnthebasisofthelatestcrashdatafromSussexPolice,EastSussexcurrentlyhas112highcrashsinglesites,88lengthsof‘A’and‘B’roadwithahighcrashrateand2areaswithhighcrashnumbers.
DuringthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2theCountyCouncilhasimplemented19localsafetyschemes,7trafficcalmingschemes,and5newpedestriancrossingfacilities.Thethreeyearcumulative‘before’casualtytotalforthosesiteswas225anditishopedthatthe‘after’threeyearperiodwillshowasignificantreductioninrecordedinjurycrashes.
WhentheBexhilltoHastingsLinkroadiscompleteitwillprovideasaferalternativetotheA259andothercurrentlyinappropriatepartsofthenetworkbeingused.Therearehighaccidentratesontheseroadspartlybecausetheydonot
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6 Makingroadssafer
Improveroadsafetyandreducefearofcrimeincommunities
havethesamesafetystandardsthatthenewLinkRoadwillhave.
SaferSpeedsInAugust2006theGovernmentissuedrevisedguidelinestoLocalHighwayAuthoritiesforthesettingofLocalSpeedLimits.TheprincipalchangesrelatedtothenewdefinitionforavillageandaSpeedAssessmentFrameworkforsettingspeedlimitsonrural‘A’and‘B’classroads.Forvillages,theGovernmenthasstatedthatwhereappropriate,aspeedlimitof30mphshouldbethenormandalsothatall‘A’and‘B’roadsshouldbereviewedby2011foralowerlimitandanychangesimplementedbythatdate.
Followingreceiptofthenewguidance,theCountyCouncilrevieweditspolicyforsettingspeedlimits.Assettingspeedlimitsisanemotiveissue,itwasagreedthatanypolicychangesshouldhavethebroadsupportofthelocalcommunity.Forthatreason,duringthelatterpartof2006andtheearlypartof2007,extensiveconsultationwithallinterestedpartieswascarriedoutculminatinginaSpeedManagementConferenceinApril2007inUckfield,towhichallParishandTownCouncilswereinvited.AftermuchdebateanewpolicyforsettingspeedlimitswasapprovedbytheCountyCouncilinSeptember2007.
A27SafetyWork–HighwaysAgency.AspartoftheSussexSaferRoadsPartnership,theHighwaysAgencyislookingtomakesafetyimprovementstotheA27trunkroadbetweenBeddinghamandPolegate.Theimprovementsrelatetoareviewofthenationalspeedlimitalongtherouteandwherelimitsarereduced,toenforcethelowerspeedlimitwithmean-speedcameras(SPECsystem).Theuseofmean-speedcamerasontheA27willbethefirsttimetheyhavebeenusedinSussexandtheywillbemonitoredverycarefullywithaviewtotheirpotentialuseonotherroutes.
Villages
Fromamapbasedsearch,some265settlementswereidentifiedinEastSussexaspossiblymeetingthenewdefinitionforavillageandhavingaspeedlimitof40mphorgreater.Allthesiteswerenotedandplacedonalistforasitereview.Thatreviewhasnowbeencompletedandallthosesettlementsmeetingthenewdefinitionforavillagei.e.‘20ormorepropertieswithinaminimumdistanceof600metresandallclearlyvisibletoadriver’havebeennoted.Speedmeasurementshavebeentakenandagreementreachedonwhatadditionalmeasuresarerequiredtosupportalowerspeedlimitof30mph.
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Reviewof‘A’and‘B’RoadsAsanumberof‘A’and‘B’roadsrunthroughbothEastandWestSussexitwasagreedthatacommonapproachtothe‘A’and‘B’Roadreviewwouldbeappropriate.Meetingshavebeenheldbetweentheauthoritiesandagreementreachedonamethodofassessmentbasedonaroute’soverallaccidentrateandseverityrate.Tohelpestablishthemethod,theA26andA272wereusedastrialsites.Theagreedmethodofworkingisthatlengthsofroadhavingacrashrateabove35personalinjuryaccidents(pias)per100mvehiclekilometresand/oraseverityrateabovethecountyaveragefortheclassofroadwillbenoted.AsitevisitwillthenbemadeinconjunctionwithSussexPoliceandagreementreachedonwhetherandwherealowerlimitwouldbeappropriate.
ThewayforwardInordertoprogressthereviewofspeedlimits,itwasagreedtoco-ordinatethereviewofvillagesandthereviewof‘A’and‘B’roadsandtakethemforwardtogetheracrossthecounty.Onewayofdoingthisistodealwithoneareaatatime,basedonelectoraldivisions,andrankeachoftheminpriorityorderbasedontheKSIfiguresforthelastthreeyearsandthenreview/actioneachareaatatime.
ThisassessmentsetoutinTable1,showsthatthereare18ruralelectoraldivisionswithinEastSussexwithForestRowhavingthehighestcasualtyrate.Theproposal,therefore,isthatallthesettlementsidentifiedasmeetingthenewdefinitionforavillageandlocatedwithintheForestRowareabenoted.Inadditionalltherural‘A’and‘B’roadswithintheForestRowareawillalsobeassessedandthoselengthsjustifyingalowerlimitwillalsobenoted.Alltheworkidentifiedwillthenbeplacedinaprogrammeforimplementationin08/09.
Astheworkon‘A’and‘B’roadsmustbecompletedby2011,itisproposedthattheworkbeevenlyspreadoverthenextfouryearswithfiveareasbeingdealtwithin08/09and09/10andthenfollowedbyfourareasin10/11and11/12.SeeTable2.
Table1-KSICasualties(excludingtrunkroads)byElectoralDivision2004to2006
Rural Electoral Divisions 2004 2005 2006 Total1 ForestRow 17 18 15 50
2 Alfriston,EastHoathlyandHellingly 14 19 11 443 BuxtedMaresfield 18 13 11 424 HailshamandHerstmonceux 13 12 15 405 Wadhurst 14 13 11 386 BattleandCrowhurst 9 9 18 367 RingmerandLewesBridge 11 13 12 368 FramfieldandHoram 13 6 15 349 Chailey 10 7 11 2810 NorthernRother 5 13 10 2811 BredeValleyandMarsham 8 10 9 2712 Heathfield 8 5 14 2713 Polegate,WillingdonandEastDean 6 5 14 2514 OuseValleyEast 4 10 6 2015 RyeandEasternRother 9 7 3 1916 NewhavenandOuseValleyWest 3 5 6 1417 PevenseyandWestham 7 3 4 1418 RotherNorthWest 6 3 3 12
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Table 2 - Programme Year
Rural Electoral Division 2008/09 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 Budget Forest Row n Alfriston, East Hoathly and Hellingly
n
Buxted Maresfield n £400,000Hailsham and Herstmonceux n Wadhurst n Battle and Crowhurst n Ringmer and Lewes Bridge n
Framfield and Horam n £400,000Chailey n
Northern Rother n
Brede Valley and Marsham n
Heathfield n
Polegate, Willingdon and East Dean
n £400,000
Ouse Valley East n
Rye and Eastern Rother n
Newhaven and Ouse Valley West n
Pevensey and Westham n £400,000Rother North West n
RoadsideMemorialsIn2006theCountyCouncilapprovedapolicyonthelayingoffloralandothertributesatthesiteoffatalcrashes.Theincreasingtrendtowardsthelayingoftributesandtheestablishmentofmorepermanentmemorialshassafetyimplicationsforroadusersandpedestriansduetothepossibledistractingeffectondrivers.Theremayalsobedangerstothebereavedvisitingthesiteswhereaccidentshaveoccurredwhentheyareonparticularlydangerousstretchesofroad.
ApolicywasdevelopedbytheSussexStrategicRoadSafetyGroup(EastandWestSussexCountyCouncils,BrightonandHoveCityCouncil,HighwaysAgencyandtheSussexFireandRescueServices)andisbeingimplementedinasensitiveandconsiderateway,takingintoconsiderationthewishesofresidentsandthebereaved
family.Thepolicyallowsthetemporarylayingoffloraltributesforuptotwelveweeksaslongastheyarenotinahazardouslocation,butitdoesnotallowpermanentroadsidememorialstobeestablished.
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MotorcyclistsTheGovernment’sMotorcyclingStrategywaspublishedinFebruary2005andsetoutaplanofactiontoimprovethesafetyofmotorcyclistsbyfacilitatingmotorcyclingasachoiceoftravelwithinasafeandsustainabletransportframework.
TheInstituteofHighwayIncorporatedEngineers’Guidelines for Motorcycling,publishedinApril2005,followupandcomplementthestrategy.Theygivepracticaladviceonhowthedifferentcharacteristicsofmotorcyclescanberecognisedandaddressedinhighwayandtrafficdesignandmanagement.
TheCountyCouncilconsiderstheneedsofmotorcyclistswhendesigningandimplementingschemesandmaintenanceprogrammesandappreciatesthevulnerabilityofthisgroupofroaduserswhenundertakingsafetyaudits.Particularcareistakenoverissuessuchasthelocationofservicecoversinturningareas,visibilityofcentralislandsandthesurfacequalityofthecarriageway.
InputtoDfTnewtechnicalguidancenoteforspeedmanagementApproximately12monthsago,theDfTcommissionedconsultingengineersHalcrow,todevelopanewtechnicalguidancenoteforLocalHighwayAuthoritiesonspeedmanagement.Aspartoftheirwork,HalcrowinvitedEastSussexCountyCounciltoattendaworkshopinLondonwherewewereabletooutlinetheCountyCouncil’sapproachtospeedmanagementandparticularlyhowrequestsfortrafficcalmingareprioritised.
TheguidancenoteisnownearingcompletionandtheDfThasapproachedtheCountyCouncilforpermissiontoincludewithinthedocument,asacasestudy,ourpolicyonhowwedealwithtrafficcalmingrequestsandthemethodologyforassessingschemesandplacingtheminpriorityorder.Itmustbeassumedfrom
thisrequestthattheEastSussexapproachisbeingheldupas‘bestpractice’andwillthereforeinfluenceandsupportotherlocalauthoritiesinthisimportantareaofwork.
CyclingdesignworkshopOneoftherecommendationsoftheScrutinyReviewofCyclingwastoorganiseatrainingdaytoensuregooddesignpracticeinordertoencouragecyclingandtoenableacycleaudittobeundertakenoneveryschemeestablishingitspotentialimpactoncyclistsanddeterminingwhetherpotentialadditionstotheschemecouldbenefitcyclists.ThetrainingdaytookplaceinApril2008andwasdeliveredbyCyclingEngland.Itwasattendedbyofficersworkingintransportandhighwaydesign,transportstrategyandroadsafetyteams.Theagendaincludedaspectsofgooddesignpracticeandtrainingonhowtocarryoutacycleaudit.ThetrainingdayprovedhighlyeducativeandtheresultingexpertisehasfedbackintodesignsforIntegratedTransportschemes.
FollowingtheCyclingEnglandworkshopwewillbeadoptingtheCOPECATcycleauditprocedureasusedbytheGreaterManchesterPassengerTransportExecutive(GMPTE)andendorsedbyCyclingEngland.Thiswillbeundertakenbyallschemedesignersandpromotersandshouldresultinallschemesbeingmore‘cyclefriendly’.
EducationTheRoadSafetyEducationTeamdeliversarangeofpractical,research-based,trainingprogrammestoawidevarietyofroadusersinEastSussex.Childpedestrianandcycletrainingcoursesdeliverpractical,life-savingskillsforprimary-agedchildren.Youngdrivereducationcoursesinsecondaryschoolsandcollegestargetpre-driversandnewdrivers,byfocusingonthebehaviouralandattitudinalelementsofsafedriving.TheSpeedAwarenessCoursewillprovidetheoreticalandpracticalretrainingforlow-riskoffenders,whilstour
establishedDriverImprovementCoursesprovidecoachingandstrategiesforhigher-riskoffenderswhohavebeeninvolvedin‘drivingwithoutduecare’incidents.
SlowDown“Commitment”projectBytheendofthe2007/08periodover17,000driversacrossEastSussexhadsigneda“commitment”toslowdown,observespeedlimitsandgivespacetootherroadusers.Beingaruralcounty,driversinEastSussexareremindedthroughthiscampaignthattheiractionsimpactgreatlyoncertainotherroadusers,inparticularcyclists,walkersandhorseriders.
“SlowDownBeltUp”CommunityRoadSafetyWeeksRoadSafetyWeeksarenowwellestablishedinEastSussex,withtownsandparishesregularlyrequestingtotakepartinthisinitiative.Eachcommunityisrequiredtodemonstrategoodlocalsupportfortheweek,includingparticipationbylocalschoolsandcommunitygroups.Inreturn,theTraffic&Safetyteamwillprovideafullrangeofschool-basedroadsafetyactivitiesincludingpostercompetitions,vehiclespeedchecks,seatbeltsledgedemonstrations,cycletrainingandpedestrianskillstraining.TheRoadSafetyWeeksarealsosupportedbySussexPolicewhocarryoutspeedandseatbeltchecks,aswellasaninputtoschoolassemblies.InthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2,theCountyCouncilhasorganised:
fourRoadSafetyWeeksinAshdownForestvillages,MaynardsGreen,NewickandSacredHeartSchool,Hastingsin2006/07and
fourRoadSafetyWeeksinAshdownForestvillages,Ticehurst&Flimwell,SirHenryFermorSchool,Crowborough,AllSaints&StRichard’sPrimary,andHeathfieldin2007/08.
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SpeedIndicationDevices(SIDs)TheRoadSafetyTeamworksinpartnershipwithcommunitiesinvillagesandtownsandSussexPolicetoimplementthisinitiative.Aboutoneinthreefatalorseriousinjurycrashesarecausedbyexcessiveorinappropriatespeedfortheconditions.Thisinitiativerequiresacoordinatorfromthelocalcommunitytoformaworkinggroupwiththelocalschool,parents,ParishCouncilandotherinterestedgroups.TheycanthenworkwithSussexPoliceandtheRoadSafetyTeamtousetheSpeedIndicatorDisplaysigntoalertdriverstravellingtoofastandencouragethemtoslowdown.
TheimpactoftheseprojectswasassessedafterfourpilotweeksinBattle,Kingston,MaresfieldandNutley.TheyfoundtheSIDstobeaneffectivetoolinencouragingdriverstoslowdownandresultedinfundingfromtheSussexCameraSafetyPartnershipforaSIDcoordinator,5SIDsandoperatorstoworkacrossthecounty.InthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2,theSIDshavebeenusedwidelyacrossthecounty:
793deploymentsmadein2006/07,and
320deploymentsmadein2007/08.
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ThenumberofSIDdeploymentsreducedin2007/08partlyduetoareductioninthebudgetfromtheSussexSaferRoadsPartnershipandtheSIDTeambeingtemporarilyreducedtooneoperator.Newfundingfor2008/09hasbeensecuredandasecondoperatorhasbeenrecruited.
TheSIDunitscontinuetobepopularandeffective.RecentdatacollectedfromtheSIDmachinesclearlydemonstratetheireffectivenessinreducingtrafficspeeds(byanaverageof5.5mph).Thegraphshowsvehiclespeedsatdetection(150metersaway)andagainonpassingtheSID.
SpeedAwarenessCoursesTheCountyCouncilhasbeenworkingwiththeSussexSaferRoadsPartnershipinsettingupanewSpeedAwarenessCourse.Thecoursewillbeofferedtomotoristswhoaredetectedonspeedcamera,travellingover36mphina30mphlimit,andwillbeofferedasanalternativetoafineandpointsontheirlicence.
Theaimofthecourseistohighlighttodriversthedangersofspeeding,andtohelpthemchangetheirdrivingbehaviourandtakeresponsibilityfortheiractions.Thecoursewilltakeplaceoverafulldayandincludeclassroombasedelementsaswellasapracticaldrivingsessionwithahighlyqualifieddrivinginstructor.
Itisanticipatedthatinthefirstyearssome4,000driverswillattendthecourse,manyofwhomarelikelytobehighrisktakersandbydefinitionmorelikelytobeinvolvedincrashes.
Speedawarenesson-linepaymentsInordertofacilitatethedeliveryofSpeedAwarenessCourses,theRoadSafetyTeamhasworkedtoestablishasystemfordriverstobookandpayfortheircourseplaceson-line.ThisnewsystemwillrepresentgoodpracticebymodernisingandexpandingtherangeofcommunicationoptionsforcustomersinEastSussex.
NationalDriverImprovementSchemeDriverswhohavebeeninvolvedinablameworthycrashorincidentandhavebeenconvictedofdrivingwithoutduecarearegiventheopportunitytoattendaDriverImprovementCourseasaconstructivealternativetoprosecution.Theaimofthecourse,runinpartnershipwithSussexPolice,istoreducethenumberofroadcrashesbyimprovingdrivers’attitudesandskills.Thecourselastsforoneandahalfdaysandcombinesamixtureofdrivingtheorywiththelatestthinkingonhowdriverscanreduceandcontrolroadriskthroughmoderncoachingmethodsandonroaddefensivedrivingcoachedbyanexpert.
In2006/07,125driversweretrained,and
in2007/08,156driversweretrainedthroughthescheme.
DrivingatworkTheCountyCouncilencouragesresponsibledrivingamongitsownemployeesanddriverassessmentisrequiredforallusersofcouncilvehicles.ThekeygroupsarethosethatusetheCountyCouncil’sleasecars,poolcars,minibusesandlandroversoncouncilbusiness.MoreintensivetrainingisalsobeingtargetedatthosedriverswhocoverhighmileageintheirownvehiclesonCountyCouncilbusiness,astheserepresentahighriskgroupduetotheirgreaterexposuretopotentialincidents.
Minibusdrivertrainingforschools,socialservicesandvoluntarygroupsThesesessionscoverminibusriskmanagementanddriverawarenesstrainingandgivemanagersanddriverstheopportunitytolearnhowtoidentifythehazardsinvolvedinminibustransport,
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evaluatetherisksanddevelopcontrolstrategiestominimiseaccidentrisk.
In2006/07,20MinibusTheoryCoursesweredeliveredfor321drivers,and
in2007/08,21MinibusTheoryCoursesweredeliveredforafurther290drivers.
Researchshowsthatdrivererror,lapsesinconcentrationandviolationssuchasdrivingwhentired,drivingtoofastandtooclose,givingchaseandracingaswellasdrinkinganddrivingcontributetoover95%ofallroadaccidents.Learningriskmanagementanddefensivedrivingtechniquescanhelpreducetheriskofbeinginvolvedinroadtrafficcrashes.
BikesafeInpartnershipwithWestSussexCountyCouncilandBrightonandHoveCityCouncil,EastSussexCountyCouncilrunsaschemeforriderscalledSussexBikesafewhichgivesridersanopportunitytohavetheirskillsassessedandtoseethetechniquesusedbythepoliceadvancedtrainedriders.
Althoughmotorcyclistsrepresentonly2%ofroadtraffictheyaccountfor25%ofdeathsandseriousinjuries.Thiscourseconcentratesonbikehandlingskills,positioningintheroadandhazardawarenessandenablesriderstoachieveahigherlevelofcompetence,safetyandawareness.
YoungDriverEducationTheRoadSafetyTeamcarryoutyoungdrivereducationprogrammesinsecondaryschools,collegesandyouthgroupsaspartofthestrategytoreducethecasualtystatisticsinthecounty.ThecoursesfocusondriverattitudesandbehaviourandarebasedontheBSMandTRL‘AlexieSayleDrivePacks’.Bothareusedthroughoutthecountyandareresearchbased.FortycourseshavebeendeliveredinthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2.
Thecoursesprovideanopportunityforyoungpeopletoexplorethecausesof
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crashesandhowtoavoidthem.Studentsalsodiscussthesocialinfluenceswhichmotivateunsafedrivingandlearnaccidentavoidanceskillsandstrategiestocopewithnegativepeerpressure.
Drivereducationtopicscoveredinclude:
causesofcrashes
accidentavoidanceskills
alcoholanddrugs
hazardperceptiontraining,and
theorydrivingtest
SchoolTravelPlans(STPs)Significantprogresshasbeenmadeoverthepasttwoyearstowardsthe2010targetofestablishingapprovedSTPsforallofEastSussexschools.DuringthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2:
in2006/07,69newSTPswereapproved,and
in2007/08,29newSTPswereapproved.
Seepage27formoredetail.
Whenschoolsdeveloptheirtravelplanssafetyisusuallyahighpriority.Congestionaroundschoolentrancesatpeakhoursisacommoncauseofconcerntopupils,parents,staffandlocalresidents.TheaimofSchoolTravelPlansistoreducethenumberofstaffandpupilstravellingtoandfromschoolbycarandthereforeimprovesafetyonroadsandfootwaysinthevicinity.
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SchoolCrossingPatrolServiceTheCountyCouncilworksveryhardtoensurethatasmanySchoolCrossingPatrol(SCP)sitesacrossthecountyaspossiblearestaffedatalltimes.Between2006and2008,91%ofSCPsitesinEastSussexwerestaffed.ThisisagainstanationalbackdropofdecliningrecruitmentforSCPs.TheSCPsupervisorsprovideahighlevelofsupporttoallEastSussexSCPsbyensuringthattheyarewell-trained,havethelatestuniformandequipmentandthatanyoftheirconcernsabouttheircrossingsitesarequicklyaddressed.
ChildpedestriantrainingTheFootstepspedestriantrainingschemeforyoungchildreniscarriedoutinoversixtyschoolsperyear.InthiswaytheCountyCouncilprovideschildrenwithanopportunitytogainvaluableexperienceneededtokeepthemsafeonthecounty’sroads.
CycletrainingCycletrainingcourseshavebeendeliveredtoovertwoandahalfthousandYear6childreninthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2.Infact97%ofEastSussexprimaryschoolstakeuptheofferofyear6cycletraining.Thechildrenaretaughtsafecyclingskillsenablingthemtomanoeuvresafelyandmanagedifferentroadandtrafficconditions.EastSussexCountyCouncilwasoneofthefirstinthecountrytohaveallitstrainerstrainedtotheNewNationalStandardsandwehaverun2pilot‘Bikeability’coursesandintendtocarryoutriskassessmentsformorepilotcoursesin2008.
EastSussexSustainableSchoolTravelStrategyTheCountyCouncilhasproducedaSustainableSchoolTravelStrategywhichbringstogetherintoasinglestrategythevariousstrandsofservicedeliveryrelatingtoschooltransportandsignpostsfutureworkthatwillbeundertakenindevelopingitfurther.Thisstrategywillbecomeanimportantsourceofinformationtoparentsonthetraveloptionsavailabletothemwhenexpressingtheirpreferencesforschools.Itdrawsontheinformationschoolshaveincludedintheirtravelplanswheresafetyisemphasisedasapriorityissue.
SaferWealdenPartnershipTheSaferWealdenPartnershipismadeupofrepresentativesfromWealdenDistrictCouncil,SussexPolice,EastSussexFireandRescueServicesandEastSussexCountyCouncil.ItsaimistoreduceroadaccidentcasualtiesintheWealdenareathroughcollectiveworkingandfocusingprimarilyontwomaingroups,namelyyoungdrivers(16to25yearolds)andmotorcyclists.Inadditionthegroupisalsofocusingonalcoholrelatedcasualtiesandpromotingroadsafetymessagesbye-mail.Anactionplanfor2008-09hasbeenagreedinvolvingallthepartnersandissetoutbelow.
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Targets Lead Agency & Partners
Summary of progress and future
Target Date
1.Reducethenumberofalcoholrelatedcasualties.(Averageof67p.a.over2004-6period)
ESCC/WDC
WDC
Re-runtheDEScampaignviaPubwatchandLicensingOfficersusingcoasters&posters.
Lookintoincludingamessageinthecounciltaxleaflets.
Summer2008
Spring20082.Reducethenumberofcasualtiescausedby16-25yearolddrivers.
ESFRS/SussexPolice
SussexPolice
ALL
SafeDrive,StayAlivecampaigntotieinwithNationalRoadSafetyWeek.
FirstRITEcoursewasheldinJulywhichchangedtoaLIFEcourseinNov07
CommunitySpeedwatchhasbeensetupfora3monthstrialinMaresfield/Nutley/BuxtedareawithaviewtorollingoutacrossWealden.
RoadsideeducationRoadSafetyWeeksUseCommunityContactbyEmailasamechanism
Nov07
July07Oct/Nov07
March08
OngoingOngoing
3.Reducethenumberofmotorcyclistskilledandseriouslyinjured.(Averageof64p.a.over2004-6period)
ALL
SussexPolice
BikeSafe–Lookatinitiativesaroundmotorcyclistsfornextyear:
MayDayBHrunfromLondontoHastings–SetupajointinitiativebetweenESFRSandSussexPolice
Ongoing
May2008
4.MediaStrategytopromoteroadsafetymessagesateveryopportunity.
ALL ConsiderusingCommunityContactbyEmailasamechanismfordisseminatingroadsafetyinformationinthefutureoncemembershiphasincreased.
March2009
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EnforcementEnforcementiscarriedoutbySussexPoliceonbehalfoftheSussexSaferRoadsPartnership(SSRP)andincludestheprovisionandmonitoringoffixedaswellasmobilecameras.CurrentlyEastSussexhas17fixedspeedcamerasitesacrossthecountyandatanymomentintime,approximatelyfivewillhavealivecamerainoperation.Inaddition,therearealsofivemobile,handheldlaserspeeddetectiondevices,whichareoperatedbyNeighbourhoodPolicingTeams.
Allspeedcamerasitesareregularlymonitoredandthelatestdatashowsthatoverallthenumberofcollisionsatcamerasiteshasreducedbyover50%.
Inadditiontocameraenforcement,SussexPolice,onbehalfoftheSSRP,isalsooperatinganunmarked,sportsmotorbike,withancillaryequipmentincludingaportableSpeedDetectionDeviceandhelmetcamera.ItishopedthatthroughtheSSRPitwillbepossibletodemonstrateaunitedfronttospeedmanagementandwhereareducedspeedlimitisbeingimplementedinvillages,thiswillbebackedupwithmobileenforcement.
TheCountyCouncilisamemberof,andworkscloselywith,theSussexSaferRoadsPartnershipwhichwaspreviouslycalledtheSussexSafetyCameraPartnershipbuthasbeenextendedtoincludetheFireandRescueandAmbulanceservicesandnowhasaremittoimproveallaspectsofroadsafety.ThereisalsoastrongpartnershipwithSussexPoliceworkingonsafetyissuesandcasualtyreduction.
FuturePlansSussexSaferRoadsPartnership-COSTinitiativeThroughtheSussexSaferRoadsPartnership,oneofthekeyinitiativesbeingtakenforwardoverthenextyearistheCOSTinitiative.COSTstandsforCompany
OperatorsSaferTransportSchemeandisaimedatreducingthehighnumberofpeoplewhoarekilledorseriouslyinjuredincrasheswhilstdrivingatwork.
Theprimaryobjectiveoftheschemeistoengagewithbusinessesandreducethenumberofcollisionsinvolvingcompanycardriversby5%,bytheendofthefirstyear,mainlythroughenforcementandeducation.TheprojectisbeingfundedthroughaDepartmentforTransport(DfT)grantof£156,000,whichwassuccessfullybidforbyWestSussexCountyCouncil(WSCC)onbehalfofthepartnership.Theschemewillinclude:
SussexPolicemarkedandunmarkedcarspatrollingrouteswherethereisahighvolumeofbusinessusers
seminarsforbusinessdirectors,fleetmanagersanddrivers
freeinformationpacks,and
letterswrittentoemployersfollowingdetectionofadrivingoffencecommittedbydriversactingontheirbehalf.
EastSussexCountyCouncilhasextensiveexperienceinthisarea,havingsetupitsownpoliciesandprocedurestocoveroccupationalroadriskinrelationtoallitsleasecar,minibus,vanandpoolcardrivers.Theaim,therefore,istobuildonthisworkandinvitecompaniestoengageandbettermanageworkrelatedroadsafetyandproducetheirownoccupationalroadriskpoliciesandprocedures.Inaddition,apartfromreducingcasualties,itishopedthattheinitiativewillsavecompaniesmoneythroughlowerinsurancepremiumsandreducedfuelandrepairbills.
ReducefearofcrimeThecontributionofLTP2toreductioninfearofcrimeislinkedtoimprovementsinroadsafetyandthereductioninthenumberandseverityofroadaccidents.
TheCountyCouncilanditscontractorhaveperformedverywellinrespondingandrepairingstreetlightsforwhichwe
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areresponsibleinanefforttomaintainlightedareasandpreventshadedareaswherethereistheperceptionofdangerandthepossibilityofcrime.The‘FearofCrime’agendainformsseveralaspectsoftheservicesdeliveredthroughLTP2.Qualityofdesignofthestreetspace,layoutofestatedevelopmentandplacementoflightingtogetherwithtimelymaintenancethatprotectsthefabricofthenetworkallcontributetotheeconomicvibrancyofanarea,thenumberofpeopleoutandaboutinthestreets,theactualreductionofcrimeandtheconsequentperceptionoffear.
A259 / Hill Rise, Seaford – junction improvementSchemecompletedNovember2006
ThisjunctionwasidentifiedashavingapoorcasualtyrecordaspartoftheCountyCouncil’sannualprocessformonitoringcasualtyrecordsandhighlightingsiteswithahighpriorityforaction.
AdetailedstudyoftheincidentsatthejunctionidentifiedapatternofcrashesassociatedwithvehiclesturningrightoutofHillRiseontotheA259,aheavilytraffickedroadsubjecttothenationalspeedlimit.Whilsttherewasaghostedrightturnlaneatthejunctionwithasmallpedestrianislandthisprovidedlittleprotectionorassistancetodriverswishingtoturnrightatthejunctionnordiditprovideadequateprotectionforpedestrianswishingtousethecoastalbuslinks,stopsforwhicharelocatedoneithersideoftheA259atthislocation.
Aschemewasdevelopedtoprovideawidecentralislandprovidingasafewaitingareaforvehiclesturningrighttomakethemanoeuvreintwostageswhilstatthesametimereducingthecrossingwidthforpedestriansandprovidingthemwithasaferrefugeinthecentreofthecarriageway.Inordertoachievethis,andtoreducethecomplexityofthemovementsatthejunctiontherightturnfromtheA259intoHillRisewasbannedandhasbeenphysicallypreventedbythenewjunctionlayout.
Inthethreeyearsbeforetheschemewasimplementedthereweresixcrashesinvolvingfourteencasualtiesincludingonefatality.Inthe12monthsaftertheimplementationofthescheme,SussexPolicehasrecordedthreeslightcrashesresultinginfivecasualtiesatthejunction.However,afull3yearafterperiodwillneedtohaveelapsedbeforeitcanbedeterminedwhethertheschemehasbeensuccessfulornot.
Upperton Road / The Avenue, Eastbourne – junction improvementSchemecompletedApril2007
ThetrafficsignalswerereprogrammedtoallowaseparaterightturnphaseforvehiclesturningrightfromUppertonRoadintoTheAvenue;thiswasidentifiedasthedominantpatterninthedetailedstudyofcrashesatthejunction.ApedestrianfacilitywasprovidedacrossTheAvenuewithawidestaggeredcentralisland,droppedkerbsandtactilepaving.ThetrafficsignalswereadaptedtoincludeapedestrianphaseacrossTheAvenuetoimprovepedestriansafety.Atthesametime,theopportunitywastakentocarryoutoutstandingmaintenanceworkatthejunctionincludingimprovementstotheroadsurfacing.
Inthethreeyearperiodbeforetheimplementationoftheschemetherewere
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Making roads safer4�
calmingschemecoincidedwiththeParishCouncilproducingtheirParishPlansowewereabletoworkcloselytogethertoachievecommongoals.
Becauseofthenatureoftheroute,thetypeofmeasureswhichcouldbeusedtocontrolvehiclespeedswereseverelyconstrained.Roadhumpswereruledoutasinappropriatebecausetheroadcarrieslargenumbersofheavyvehiclesandbuses,andthescopeforchangestothealignmentislimitedbytheneedtocaterforthelargestofvehicles,includingagriculturalvehicles.ItwasalsoclearfromearlydiscussionswiththeParishCouncilthateveryeffortshouldbemadetominimiseanylossofon-streetparking,notonlybecausethissupportslocalbusinesses,butalsobecause,duringtheday,itisoneofthemosteffectiveformsoftrafficcalmingthroughthecentreofthevillage.
ApublicexhibitionandconsultationwereheldinNovember2005andtheschemecompletedinMarch2007.Thefinalschemeincludedchangestothespeedlimit,gateways,zebracrossingneartheschool,VehicleActivatedSigns,amini-roundaboutandfootwaybuild-outs.
Inthe3yearperiodpriortotheschemebeingconstructed,therewerefiveinjurycrasheswhichresultedintencasualtiesofwhichthreewereserious.Inthe12monthsaftertheimplementationofthescheme,SussexPolicehasrecordedfiveslightcrashesresultinginninecasualties.
ninecrashesinvolvingsixteencasualtiesatthisjunction.Weanticipateasignificantreductioninthenumberofcrashesasaconsequenceofthisschemeandwillmonitorthesituationclosely.
A271 Herstmonceux – traffic calmingSchemecompletedJanuary2007
TheA271throughHerstmonceuxwasselectedasaprioritysitefortrafficcalmingin2004usingtheCountyCouncil’sannualassessmentprocedure.Theprocedureassignspointstofactorsincludingthetrafficflows,vehiclespeeds,pedestrianandcyclingactivity,proximitytoschools,thelevelofdevelopmentandtheinjurycrashrecord,whichcarriesahighpointsweighting.
ApreliminaryschemewasdevelopedinconsultationwiththeLocalMembers,ParishCouncilandotherstatutoryconsultees.Thetimingofthistraffic
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Howeverthisisarelativelyshortperiodandwenormallyallowaminimumofthreeyearstodeterminetheimpactofascheme.
Hastings Old Town Pedestrian improvementsSchemepartiallycompleted
TheimprovementswereidentifiedasaresultofasurveyconductedbytheHastingsOldTownResidents’Association(HOTRA)in2004toidentifythekeypedestriansafetyissuesinthearea.Anumberofissueswereraisedincluding:
theneedforpavementwideningintheOldTownHighStreet(fromGeorgeStreettoCourthouseStreet),and
considerationoftheupgradingorrepositioningofpedestriancrossingsontheA259(betweenLondonTraderandTorfieldAllotments)andanadditionalcrossingpointatRockANore.
TheCountyCouncildevelopedproposalsinresponsetotheissuesraisedbythelocalcommunity.ThesewereconsulteduponlocallyatapublicexhibitionheldinJune2006.Overalltherewasahighlevelofsupportfortheproposals.AsummaryofconsultationresponsesandtherecommendedwayforwardwasapprovedattheLeadMemberforTransportandEnvironmentdecisionmakingmeetinginNovember2006.
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During2007/08,threephasesoftheschemehavebeenimplementedincluding:
theupgradeofTorfieldandRoebuckStreetzebratoa‘Puffin’crossing
developmentoftheCourthouseStreetpedestrianzoneandupgradeofexistingcrossingsfromZebratoPuffin,and
HighStreet/CourthouseStreetjunctionandwesternsideoffootwayalongtheHighStreet.
Furtherphaseswillbere-evaluatedinlightofdevelopmentsaroundtheproposedStadeandJerwoodprojects.TheimprovementshavebeenachievedbyworkinginpartnershipwiththeCountyCouncil,HastingsBoroughCouncil,HastingsOldTownResidentsAssociation(HOTRA)andHastingsOldTownTradersAssociation(HOTTA).
RoadoverrailincursionsitesInaccordancewiththeguidancein“ManagingtheAccidentalObstructionoftheRailwaybyRoadVehicles”producedbyDepartmentforTransportandNetworkRail,theCountyCouncilhasinspectedallsiteswherearoadcrossesarailwayline.Everysitewasriskassessedandmitigationmeasureshavebeenimplementedtopreventtheincursionofvehiclesontotherailwaylineatallhighrisksites.Insomecasesparapetshavebeenstrengthenedwhileontheapproachesextrasafetyfencinghasbeeninstalled.ThesesitesincludeDitchling,CrowboroughandHastings(describedbelow).Somesiteswithalesserdegreeofriskhavealsobeenadaptedforgreatersafety.
HarleyShuteBridgecarriestheB2092overtherailwaylinetothewestofHastings.Thesitehadbeenidentifiedasbeingatriskfromvehicleincursion.Toprovidetherequiredprotection,theapproachestothebridgehavebeenprotectedbysingleanddoublerailsafetyfences.
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East Sussex County Council LTP2 Progress Report 2008
Making roads safer44
TargetsummaryThefollowingLTP2targetscontributetotheachievementoftheobjectivetoimproveroadsafetyandreducefearofcrime:
toreducethenumberofpeoplekilledandseriouslyinjured
toreducethenumberofchildrenkilledandseriouslyinjured
toreducethenumberofpeopleslightlyinjuredinroadaccidents
toensure100%ofsignalisedpedestriancrossinghavefacilitiesfordisabledpeople,and
toensurethatstreetlightingfaultsforwhichweareresponsiblearerepairedwithin5½workingdays.
ForfulldetailsofprogressagainsttargetsseeChapter11.
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Harley Shute Bridge
Strengths1. InclusionofindicatorinLAA
emphasisesimportancetoESCCandpartners
2. Welltargetedroadsafetyeducationinitiatives
3. Clearprioritisationprocessforsafetyandtrafficcalmingschemes
4. Goodrecordofrepairingdangerousdefectstoroadandfootwaynetwork
5. Soundrecordofcommunityengagementonspeedreductioninitiatives
Weaknesses1. ManyfactorsoutsidetheCounty
Council’scontrolwhichaffectnumberofKSIs(eg.driverbehaviour)
2. Sub-standardtrunkroadnetworkinthecountywithdisproportionateaccidentnumbersoccurringasaresult.Thisalsoleadstosomelonger-distancetrafficdivertingontoinappropriateCountyroadsandanincreasedaccidentrateasaconsequence.
Opportunities1. CloserworkingwithHighwaysAgency
throughLAAtotackleaccidentsontrunkroadnetwork
2. Speedlimitreviewwillidentifyprioritiesforaction
3. ImplementCompanyOperators’SaferTransport(COST)schemetotargetbusinessdrivers
Threats1. Fundingpressuresforengineeringand
educationmeasures
2. FactorsbeyondcontrolofESCCsuchasalcoholintake,speeding,stressetc
3. Potentialincreaseinmotorbikeusebyinexperiencedridersasfueleconomymeasure
RisksandopportunitiesStatus: AMBER
East Sussex County Council LTP2 Progress Report 2008
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East Sussex County Council LTP2 Progress Report 2008
Tackling congestion4�
7 Tacklingcongestion
Reducecongestionandimprovetheefficiencyofthetransportnetwork
EastSussexisaruralcountywithnomajorpopulationcentres(over250,000)andconsequentlydoesnotsufferfromthescaleofcongestionoftenfoundinmoreurbanareasofthecountry.Howeverthereare‘hotspots’ofcongestionacrossthecounty,particularlyonthestrategiceast-westroutessuchastheA259bothgoingeasttowardsHastings(GlyneGap)andwesttowardsBrighton(Peacehaven,SaltdeanandRottingdean).Oneeffectisthattraffictendstodivertontolessappropriatepartsofthenetworkandcausecongestionproblemsfurtherinland.
Congestionimpactsonmanyaspectsofpeople’slivesincludingtheirabilitytoaccessservicesrelatedtohealthandeducation,reliabilityofjourneytimeforprivatevehicles,freightandbusservices,airquality,andqualityoflifegenerally.Italsohasanimpactonthelocationofbusinessesandtheeconomicperformanceofaregion.
Theperceptionofresidents,businessesandotherstakeholdersisthatreducingcongestionandmakingstrategictransportimprovementsshouldbeahighpriorityfortheCountyCouncil.Itisalsoanimportantelementinfacilitatingregenerationinthecoastaltowns.
NetworkManagementTheCounty’sstrategyforachievingareductionincongestionisspearheadedbyourobligationsundertheTrafficManagementAct.Thepreferredapproachincomplyingwiththeact’srequirementtoreducecongestionisthroughthepro-activemanagementofthecounty’sroadspaceinordertosecuretheexpeditiousmovementoftrafficontheroadnetwork.ThisincludesplanningforfutureeventssuchasmajorroadworksoroccasionscausingincreasedtrafficlevelssuchastheEastbourneAirbourneshow.Italsonecessitatestheprudenthandlingofproblemsarisingfromcompetinginterestswhichmightincludeutilitycompanies,businessesortheemergencyservices.
TheTrafficManagerhasproducedaNetworkManagementPlanbasedontheroadhierarchyandlinkingtotheTransportAssetManagementPlan.Thisenablesafullyinformedapproachtakingaccountofroadusage,freightroutes,wintersaltingroutesandthedifferenttypeofroaduserandtheirneeds.TheresultisthattheCountyCouncilhasbeenverysuccessfulinmanagingthenetwork,preventingcongestionwherepossibleandlimitingitbysuchmeasuresasnighttimeworkingforroadworksonstrategicroutes.
AfullreportonnetworkmanagementdutiescanbefoundatChapter17.
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Tackling congestion 4�
CivilParkingEnforcementParkingisakeyfactorinthecompetingdemandforroadspaceandconsequentlycontrolofparkingisacrucialelementintheCountyCouncil’sabilitytocontrolcongestionandallowthefreeflowoftrafficoverthenetwork.TheintroductionofCivilParkingEnforcement(CPE)inHastingsandLeweshasprovedhighlyeffectiveatreducingthevolumeoftrafficinthetown.Thiscanbeanabsolutedecreaseorsimplythatfewervehiclescirculateroundthetownlookingforavailableparking.Ineithereventtheresultisareducedincidenceofcongestionwhichbenefitsroadusers,residents,businesses,theeconomicviabilityofthetownasawholeandtheurbanenvironmentparticularlyinregardtoairquality.
ThedelayinimplementationofCPEinEastbournehasmeantthattheCountyCouncilisunabletoeffectivelycontrolthegrowthintrafficinthetown.Asaconsequence,buspunctualityisnotasreliableasotherareasofEastSussexandthenumberofvehiclesenteringthetowninthepeakmorninghourshasincreased.TheCountyCouncilhopestorectifythissituationnowthatDfThasapprovedtheapplicationforCPE.ImplementationoftheschemebeganinOctober2008andoncetherelatedschemesforimprovingbusinfrastructurearecompletetheoverallbenefitstothetownintermsofreducedcongestionwillbecomeapparent.
RoadHierarchyTheCountyCouncilhaslong-standingconcernsaboutthelackofappropriatestrategictransportinfrastructureinEastSussex–bothroadandrail.WhilsttheopeningoftheA27Beddinghamimprovementhashelpedtoimprovestrategicaccessibilitywithinthecounty,aswellasrelievingastrategicbottleneck(whichwasidentifiedintheSouthCoastCorridorMulti-ModalStudy),moreinvestmentisrequiredtoremovetraffic
fromresidentialareas,andinappropriateroutes,whereairquality,safetyissuesandlocalisedcongestioncanbeaparticularconcern.
TheRegionalTransportStrategypolicy,‘ManageandInvest’hasbeeninfluentialinallowingustoidentifythosecongestionhotspotsonboththestrategicandlocalnetworkswhichrequireintervention.Thestrategicschemeswereputforwardinthe2008refreshoftheRegionalTransportPrioritisationprogrammeinorderthattheymaybeassessedandincludedintheregionalprogramme.Seechapter14forlistofschemes.
RailServicesinEastSussexPromotingtheuseoftherailwaysandencouragingagreaterproportionofEastSussexresidents(andthosevisitingEastSussex)touserailserviceshasmanybenefitsandcancontributepositivelytotheachievementofLTP2targetsandobjectives.
WecontinuetoworkwiththerailindustrytosecurecapacityandserviceimprovementstotherailwaynetworkinEastSussex.AnumberofrailbasedschemeswereincludedintheRegionalPrioritisationrefresh.
PlansforimprovedcycleparkingatstationsarebeingdevelopedwithNetworkRailandthetrainoperatingcompanies.TheCountyCouncilhasalsoproducedleafletsspecifictoindividualtownsdetailingbothbusand
East Sussex County Council LTP2 Progress Report 2008
Tackling congestion4�
trainservicesandtimetablestoencouragepeopletousethesesustainablemodesoftravelandreducethenumberofvehiclesontheroadnetwork.
Congestion‘hotspots’CongestionoccursregularlyattheA259junctionatGlyneGap.Theeffectsofthisbottleneckcanimpactontheroadnetworkthroughoutthecountyandevenbeyondtothechannelports.TheBexhillHastingsLinkRoadisdesignedtorelievethis,takingtraffictothenorthwestofHastings,soimprovingaccesstothetownandtostrategicroutesbeyond.
TheimprovementstotheA27atBeddingham,involvingaflyoverreplacingthelevelcrossingovertherailway,haveincreasedcapacityandwilldeliverrelieftotheC7inparticularandotherroutesaffectedbydisplacedtraffic.
ThereallocationofroadspacetocreateaqualitybuscorridorontheA259betweenBrightonandNewhavenwillsignificantlyimprovejourneytimesbetweenSeaford,NewhavenandBrightonaswellasmakingbusservicesanattractivealternativetothecar.TheschemehasbeenjointlydevelopedbytheCountyCouncil,Brighton&HoveCityCouncilandBrighton&HoveBusandCoachCompany.
PublicTransportEffectivepublictransportiscrucialtoreducingcongestioninEastSussex.ThroughourAccessibilityStrategy,weareseekingtoremovesomeofthebarrierspeoplefacetousingpublictransport,andtoprovideagenuinealternativetotheprivatecar.Themeasuresweimplementarevariedintype,manyofthemareinformation-based.WealsoencouragegreaterawarenessofandaccesstopublictransportthroughtheTravelchoicebrandandthecarshareschemeinordertoreducesingleoccupancyvehiclesandtherebyreducecongestionontheroadnetwork.
Theintroductionofconcessionaryfaresonbusesfortheover60sanddisabledhashadtheeffectofmarkedlyincreasingbuspatronage.Manyofthesejourneyswillbe‘extra’journeysbutequallyaproportionofthemwillbereplacingjourneysbycartherebyreducingthenumberofcarsontheroadandreducingthelikelihoodofcongestion.
WehavesuccessfullyintroducedrealtimeinformationforbusesinEastbourneinvolvingradioequipmenton57busesand24signsatbusstops.ThesystemhasenabledEastbourneBusestomanagetheservicenetworkmoreefficientlyandhasprovidedpassengerswithreliableinformationonwhichtobasetheirtravelchoices.
ImprovingtravelchoicesanddemandmanagementSmartmeasuressuchasthecarshareschemeandthecontinuedsupportoftheTravelChoicebrandareencouragingalternativemodesoftravelandcontributingtothebehaviouralchangethatcanleadtoreducedcongestion.
OursuccessfulbidforlotteryfundingwillenableustotakeforwardthedevelopmentoftheBexhilltoHastingssectionofNationalCycleNetworkroute2.Itishopedtobeginconstructionin2010/11.
FreightInApril2007,ajointroadsafetyandfreightconferencewasheldwithParishCouncilsinEastSussex.Theconferencehighlightedtheproblemsandissuesregardingfreightinthecounty,inparticulartheincreaseduseofsatellitenavigationsystemsandtheenvironmentaldegradationofruralroads,andhowthecouncil’sfreightstrategywillseektoaddresstheseissues.Thisincludes:
understandingtheextentoftheproblembyundertakingfreightsurveys
talkingtooperators
workingwithOrdnanceSurveyonimprovingthemappinginformationprovidedto“SatNav”systemsonroadswhicharesuitableandlesssuitableforlargegoodsvehicles,and
developingFreightQualityPartnerships.
Inresponsetolocalconcernsaboutthenumberoflargegoodsvehiclesusinglesssuitableroadsandcausinglocalisedcongestionespeciallyinvillagesandhistorictowns,theCountyCouncilhasundertakensurveysoffreightmovementsinBattleandRotherfield,andPevenseyandWesthamoverthelasttwoyears.Thesesurveyshavehelpedquantifytheextentoftheproblemandinformedthediscussionswithlocalcommunitiesonthemostappropriatemeansofreducingthenumberoflargegoodsvehiclesonroadswithinthevillagesandtowns.
SustainableSchoolTravelStrategyInaccordancewiththedutyplacedonusbytheEducationandInspectionsAct2006,theCouncilisdevelopingaSustainableSchoolTravelStrategywhichbringstogetherthevariousstrandsofservice
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CyclingTherecommendationsagreedfollowingtheScrutinyReviewofcyclingwillformthebasisofanupdatedcyclingstrategyforEastSussexwhichwillfocusparticularlyonutilitycycling.ThiscomplementsthepolicysetoutinLTP2whereencouragingandfacilitatinganincreaseincyclingisoneelementintheachievementofreductionincongestionbyreplacingcarjourneyswithmoresustainabletraveloptions.Cyclingcanprovideasustainableandrealisticalternativetotravellingbyprivatecarandprovisionofhighqualityutilitycyclinginfrastructureisproventoreducethedemandforcartravel.
TheCountyCouncilcontinuestoprovideappropriatecyclingfacilitiesandpromotetheuseofcyclewayswithinEastSussex.TwocyclebridgeshavebeenconstructedduringthelasttwoyearsincludingawoodenbridgeontheBerwickWaycyclewayandasteelbridgetothecyclewayatElmGroveontheoutskirtsofEastbourne.
deliveryrelatingtoschooltransportintoasinglestrategywhichwillinformthemeasuresthatcanbetakentoaddresstheemergingissues.Thepurposeofthestrategyisinparttogiveparentsandchildrenasmuchinformationandsupportaspossibletoencouragethemtousesustainablemodesoftransporttogettoandfromschoolratherthantousetheprivatecar.
ThisareaofworkisstronglysupportedbytheworkoftheSchoolTravelPlan(STP)teamwhichhasnowhelped86%ofthecounty’smaintainedschoolsproduceaSTP.Dataobtainedfromtheannualschoolcensusshowthatin20071%fewerchildrentravelledtoschoolbycarthanthepreviousyear.WewillcontinuetoworktoreducethatpercentagefurtherandfundinghasbeensecuredfromtheDepartmentforTransportandtheDepartmentforChildren,SchoolsandFamiliesforthenexttwoyears(to2010)tocontinuetoemploytwoSTPadvisers.TheSTPadviserswillbeworkingtoengagetheremaining14%ofschoolswithoutanapprovedSTP.
A259 Bus Corridor from Brighton to Newhaven CongestiononthebusyA259SouthCoastRoadhasbeenaproblemforanumberofyears,withRottingdeanjunctionbeingthemaincauseofdelay.QueuesstretchbackinthemorningpeakfromRottingdeanintoPeacehaven.Intheeveningpeak,thequeuereversedandstretchedbackfromRottingdeanwestwardstoOvingdeanroundaboutandbeyond.FormanypeoplelivingbetweenRottingdeanandNewhaven,theA259istheonlyviableroutetoBrighton.Publictransportdoesnotofferarealalternativeasbusesarealsoheldupinthequeueswithothervehicles.CruciallymanyofthetripsalongtheA259are‘local’innaturethussupportingthecasefortheimplementationofaQualityBusCorridor.
TheobjectiveoftheA259BusCorridorprojectistoimprovethereliabilityofpublic
transportmakingitaviableandattractivealternativetotheprivatecar.ThisprojectwasakeycomponentinthedevelopmentofadditionalhousinginthePeacehavenarea.ItinvolvedthedesignandconstructionofbusprioritymeasuresacrosstheboundarybetweenBrighton&HoveandEastSussex.TheprojectwasundertakeninpartnershipwiththeBrighton&HoveCityCouncilwiththeCountyCouncilleadingonallstages.Theprojectissplitintotwophases,thefirstinvolvingthestretchofA259betweenOvingdean(inBrighton&Hove)toTelscombeCliffs,thesecondphaseextendingbeyondTelscombeCliffsasfareastasNewhaven.
Phase1oftheprojectinvolvedtheconstructionofawestboundbuslanebetweenTelscombeCliffsandRottingdeanandaneastboundbuslanebetweenOvingdeanandRottingdean.Includedwithintheprojectwasanoffroadcyclelane,busstopimprovementsandtheconstructionofpelican/toucancrossingstofacilitateaccesstothewestboundbusstopsandcycleway.
ThisphaseoftheprojectinvolvedimprovementstotheroadnetworkwithintheauthorityofEastSussexandBrighton&Hove.AlthoughEastSussexCountyCounciltooktheleadonthisphaseoftheworkacloseworkingrelationshipwasachievedwithBrighton&HoveCityCounciltoensurethattheirconsiderationsweretakenonboardandthatconsistencywasachievedonaspectsofdetail.Brighton&HoveBus&CoachCompanyareakeypartnerandhaveinfluencedthedesignstagesoftheprojecttoensurethattheiroperationalneedsweretakenaccountofregardingbusstops,shelters,buslay-bysandpedestriancrossingsandtheycontributedvaluableinformationonagreatmanyconsiderations.
ApublicexhibitionwasheldinJuly2004outofwhichcamevaluablefeedbacktogetherwithsupportforthebuspriorityproposals.
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TheprovisionofbuspriorityalongtheA259SouthCoastRoadisakeybenefittothebusoperatorwhosebuseswerecaughtupinthesamelongqueuesasothertraffic.Thecommitmentbybothauthoritiestoconstructabuslanehasenabledthebusoperatortoincreasethefrequencyofbusesalongthisbusybuscorridor.Theyarealsoconsideringtheprovisionoflimitedstopservicesoncethebuslanesareinplace.Thisiswelcomenewstoexistingandpotentialbususersandhighlightsthebenefitsofworkinginpartnershipwithbuscompaniesandotherlocalauthorities.
Phase2ofthisprojectiscurrentlybeingdesigned,althoughthepotentialforintroducingbusprioritymeasuresalongtheA259throughPeacehavenislimited.TheprincipalbenefitstopublictransportalongtheA259SouthCoastRoadarelikelytobeachievedthroughPhase1.
TargetsummaryThefollowingLTP2targetscontributetotheachievementoftheobjectivetoreducecongestionandimprovetheefficiencyofthetransportnetwork:
toincreasebussatisfaction
toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinthecountyasawhole
toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinEastbourne
toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinHastings
improvedbuspunctuality
toincreasetheproportionofthepopulationabletoarriveatakeycentrewithinhalfanhourbypublictransportby9.00am
toincreasethenumberofcycletripstakeninthecountyasawhole
toincreasethenumberofcycletripsinthegreaterEastbourne/Bexhill/Hastingsarea
tomaintainorreducetheamountoftrafficenteringEastbourneinpeakmorninghours
torestrictthegrowthincountywidetraffictobelow10%
torestrictthegrowthintrafficinEastbourne,Lewes,Bexhill/HastingsandtheSouthernCoastalTowns
toincreasethenumberofwalkingtripstakeninthecounty,and
toreducethenumberofjourneystoschooltakenbycar.
ForfulldetailsofprogressagainsttargetsseeChapter11
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RisksandopportunitiesStatus: GREEN
Strengths1. Trafficgrowthcontainedwithin10%
growthtarget.
2. StrongprojectmanagementofBexhillHastingsLinkRoad
3. IntroductionofCivilParkingEnforcementtourbancentresinEastSussex
4. Strongworkingrelationshipwithtrainoperatortoimplementimprovedcycleparkingatstations
5. Increasedbuspatronage,partlyasaconsequenceofintroductionofconcessionaryfaresschemeandpartlyasaconsequenceofeffectiveQualityBusPartnership(QBP)
6. Greaterfocusonfacilitatingutilitycycling
7. SuccessfulcontinuationoftheHastingsQBP
8. EffectiveimplementationofNetworkManagementDuties
9. SchoolTravelPlansadvocatingmoresustainabletravelandmodalshift
Weaknesses1. ESCCisnotincontrolofkeyfactors
influencingcongestione.g.land-useallocationsforhousingandemploymentandimprovementofthestrategictransportnetworkincludingrailandthesub-standardtrunkroads
2. TheCountyCouncil’srevenuebudgetforPassengerTransport,usedtosupportservices,isunderconstantpressurefromothercompeting,highpriority,serviceneeds
3. NospecificcyclingbudgetidentifiedinCapitalProgramme
4. Culturaloppositiontousingsustainabletransport,andconcernsoversafety&securityofchildrentravellingindependently
5. Conflictingpoliciesintermsofparentalfreedomofchoiceofschoolsandproximityofschoolstowherepupilslive
6. Concessionaryfaresschemeonbusesreducescapacityforotherfarepayingpassengers,andinhibitsgrowthofcommercialservices
7. OppositiontoBexhillHastingsLinkRoad
8. Buspatronagegrowthmay‘plateau’
Status: AMBER
East Sussex County Council LTP2 Progress Report 2008
Tackling congestion5�
Opportunities1. Harnessopportunityofraisedpublic
awarenessofclimatechangeagendatoencouragemodalshift
2. GreaterinfluenceonbusoperatorsthroughtheprovisionsoftheLocalTransportBill/Act
3. Harnessopportunityprovidedbyrisingfuelandlivingcoststoencouragemodalshift
4. ImplementationofCPEinEastbournewillallowprogresstobemadewithQualityBusPartnership
5. MaintainmomentumfromConnect2fundingwinforNCN2cyclepathandrelatedpublicity
6. Lewesdeclarationasa‘Transitiontown’withsustainabilityagenda
7. Abilitytolinkhealthbenefitsofsustainabletransport(e.g.walking&cycling)withlearningattainmentofchildren
Threats1. Risingcostsofconstructionindustry
2. PotentialdelaysinconsiderationofBHLRapplication
3. Insufficientfundinglevelstoallowboth‘hard’andSmartmeasurestomakeadifference
4. ContinueddelayinimplementingCPEinEastbournepreventingprogressonQBPandrelevantLTP2targets
5. Longer-termincreaseinaffluenceresultsincommensurateincreaseincarownership
6. InsufficientfundingtoprogressmanyoftheproposedmeasuresidentifiedinSchoolTravelPlansandtheEastSussexSustainableSchoolTravelStrategy
East Sussex County Council LTP2 Progress Report 2008
Tackling congestion 5�
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