Part Two: Centres and Site Allocations (Regulation 18)

Ended on the 22 December 2023

Pedestrian Access and Cycling

3.31 All developments should retain and improve existing cycle and pedestrian routes and provide new connections to facilitate access and allow for safe and easier movements around sites and the Town Centre.

(1) Policy DLPS8 Pedestrian Access and Cycling in Stourbridge

All appropriate existing pedestrian routes, especially the network of Public Rights of Way and existing subways under the ring road shall be retained and, where opportunities arise, improved.

New pedestrian links shall be created, particularly to link the Opportunity Sites and housing allocations with the Town Centre, the public transport hub and the Stourbridge Branch Canal and River Stour infrastructure. Wherever feasible these links shall incorporate cycleways, demarcated as distinct from the pedestrian paths. This includes:
1. Proposed new bridges over the canal and River Stour connecting any new housing sites (including Bradley Road) providing pedestrian and cycle linkages.
New surface level crossings across the Stourbridge ring road, suitable for cyclists and pedestrians, shall be provided at:
1. The eastern quadrant of the ring road at the junction with Birmingham Street
2. The north-west quadrant of the ring road (Opportunity Site 1)
Secure cycle parking shall be provided along the national cycle route (Sustrans Route 54) and within Stourbridge Town Centre, particularly in Lower High Street.
Other cycle routes shall be signposted, delineated, and marked out (where feasible), and the environment which these routes pass through will be enhanced:
1. Along the River Stour and Stourbridge Branch Canal, and routes which link into the green infrastructure network,
2. Routes which link to Sustrans Route 54,
3. Routes which access Mary Stevens Park and Wollaston Recreation Ground.

Justification

3.32 Pedestrian access across the ring road is currently via six subways and two surface level crossings. The subways provide safe and easy access between the Town Centre and surrounding areas, particularly for wheelchair users. However, these subways, which include the main passage from the Town Centre to the public transport hub, are not popular and often present poor-quality environments.

3.33 The subways are likely to have to remain as some are the primary or only means of accessing the town from the adjoining areas. However, most will require upgrades to make them safer and more inviting for users. Additional surface level crossings will also be considered to enhance greater permeability within the environment in general, lessen the visual and physical impact of vehicular traffic and provide direct links to the Town Centre.

3.34 A national cycle route (Sustrans Route 54 from Stourport to Derby) passes through the plan area, this Inset Plan aims to facilitate and sign these routes and enhance the environment of the corridors through which they run. This includes providing additional cycle stands, this will allow those using the national cycle route and residents cycling into the town to use the facilities offered by Stourbridge, as well as the provision of new tree planting.

3.35 It is important to continue to enhance the active travel offering in Stourbridge, this includes the development of new cycle and walking routes and the development of a Dudley Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

3.36 Enhancing the current pedestrian and cycle linkages around the Canal and River Stour in the Stourbridge Wharf area is important to promote active travel and create linkages within the communities. It is therefore important that new developments within these areas, such as Bradley Road East and West incorporate the development of new bridges to provide access to the surrounding areas and provide connections for residents on both sides of the canal and rivers to access surrounding infrastructure including, the Public Open Space, Riverside House, War Memorial Athletic Ground and Lion Health. While also providing better connection to the wider pedestrian and cycle network.

Figure 3.4: Transport and Movement Plan: Stourbridge Town Centre

This plan is for the transport and movement in Stourbridge Town Centre. It shows the River Stour corridor crossing the area from north west to south east and the key road network across the town centre. There is a proposed pedestrian and cycle price over the canal north of Stourbridge hospital. See Policy DLPS8 Pedestrian Access and Cycling in Stourbridge for more detail.

Stourbridge Town Inset Plan Area Site Allocations

3.37 Stourbridge Town Inset Plan Area contains three 'Opportunity Sites' which have been identified where redevelopment and regeneration would provide benefits to Stourbridge Town Centre. These represent mixed use sites, which may include residential development. The Opportunity Sites do not preclude or diminish the importance of investment or change elsewhere in the centre. They simply reflect the Council's wish to prioritise use of its resources to kick start and progress projects which will have a significant impact and act as a catalyst for wider change.

3.38 In addition to the opportunity sites, there are several sites which have been identified within Policy DLP10 as part of the overall housing land supply as summarised below.