Traffic Congestion & Safety
What Devon County Highways don't tell you:
Devon County Highways Department have not followed Government guidelines. They have not modelled the traffic implications of the combined effect of all the new Pilton developments, together with the Ilfracombe Southern Extension, nor have they adequately vetted the developer's own traffic modelling and forecasts. This has been pointed out to DCC Highways and North Devon Council in numerous PRG documents and presentations, with no apparent interest or concern on the part of either of these bodies.
PRG's forecast of the future traffic situation at Pilton Bridge junction is based firmly on the various developers' published figures... everything above the horizontal red line is traffic overload!
Traffic modelling for the Pilton area looks no further ahead than 2018. This was agreed with all the developers by DCC Highways. It barely fulfils the requirements of the Dept for Transport document 'Guidance on Transport Assessment' in force at the time of the applications. The draft Local Plan looks ahead all the way to 2031. Why the difference?
This agreement by DCC Highways met neither the DfT Guidance document in force at that time nor the new Guidance that superseded it. See what follows.
Reference, email Mike Kelly (NDDC Planning Manager) to PRG, 22.4.15 - see below.
This agreement by DCC Highways met neither the DfT Guidance document in force at that time nor the new Guidance that superseded it. See what follows.
Reference, email Mike Kelly (NDDC Planning Manager) to PRG, 22.4.15 - see below.
Government Guidance
1. 'Guidance on Transport Assessment'
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"For the local transport network, a development should be assessed ... for a period of no less than five years after the date of registration of a planning application. Should the development take place over a longer period, it would be appropriate to extend the length of the assessment period." (Ref. p.28, pdf p.30)
2. 'Transport evidence bases in plan making and decision taking' (pub. DCLG, online as at 13.3.15) (Link)
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Paragraph: 003 Reference ID: 54-003-20141010
"What key issues should be considered in developing the transport evidence base to support the Local Plan? The key issues, which should be considered in developing a transport evidence base, include the need to:
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Paragraph: 011 Reference ID: 54-011-20141010
"Over how long a period should the assessment of the transport impact of the Local Plan cover? The assessment should ideally cover the period of the Local Plan, taking into account all the changes and improvements in, for example, technology and behaviour that is likely to happen in that time. Circular 02/2013 sets out provisions for the Strategic Road Network and assessment years at paragraphs 25 to 27." (Revision date: 10 10 2014) |
For major safety concerns with regard to Raleigh Park - please see the Raleigh Park page .
For PRG Papers and Correspondence - see below.
For PRG Papers and Correspondence - see below.
Slide show - click on thumbnails or use arrows!
PRG CorrespondenceCorrespondence with Dave Black, DCC Highways
Correspondence with Nick Harvey MP
Correspondence with Mike Kelly, NDDC Planning Manager
Latest letter from Brian Hensley, DCC Highways
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DCC Highways Papers
PRG PapersPRG report prior to DCC DM Cttee 22.10.14
PRG report prior to DCC DM Cttee 21.1.15
Cumulative Traffic Impact Report (March 2015)
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