Part One: Spatial Strategy and Policies (Regulation 19)

Support

Representation ID: 1047

Received: 28/11/2024

Respondent: TfWM and WMCA

Overall, we support this plan with many of the proposals referenced, fully assisting with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) goals and aspirations as well as those within the agreed Core Strategy of the new West Midlands statutory Local Transport Plan (WMLTP5). We especially welcome the positive ambition for improving transport within Dudley, which outlines new opportunities within the coming years, and its bold intent for improving the transport system.

Support

Representation ID: 1048

Received: 28/11/2024

Respondent: TfWM and WMCA

Where development is located and how it is designed plays a critical role in shaping people’s travel choices and behaviours as well as the ability of the transport system to support and make viable options for sustainable modes. Therefore, we welcome that the Local Plan will focus growth on locations which are well served by public transport, cycling and walking infrastructure and other services and focus on approaches to maximise densities to make efficient use of land and to support more local services and facilities. This will help to deliver against the LTP’s vision for a 45-minute region of well-connected neighbourhoods.

The approach around supporting Behaviour Change through information, support and resources is supported and welcome. In addition to the measures listed it is also important to note that there is a need to promote changing travel behaviours in response to unplanned travel disruptions as week as in response to planned events and in particular where disruption could be prolonged e.g. during infrastructure improvements. This would ensure smooth travel experiences for the residents.

The Borough will need to develop its existing transport networks ensuring that they provide an effective, efficient, and comprehensive public transport system, high quality routes and environments for pedestrians and cyclists, and efficient road network and modern digital infrastructure. In addition to improvements to its internal connections, the Borough will need to secure its further improvements in connectivity with surrounding areas, to the rest of the country and internationally in order to attract investment and support access to jobs. Also, attention must be given to mitigating the impact of large transport infrastructure projects on the affected areas encouraging sustainable travel and public transport uptake.

The TfWM Behaviour Change Team will continue education engagement with schools and colleges within Dudley MBC, promoting sustainable and active travel to primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges. Additionally, we will promote any travel incentives to encourage a modal shift for those who attend or work in educational settings.

The TfWM Travel Demand Management team support and influence travel behaviour during times of disruption out on the local and regional network. By analysing data, evidence and operational insights we create bespoke communications and initiatives to change the way people travel away from individual vehicle use and prioritise travel options promoting net zero targets such as shifting to public transport and cycling and walking as well as to reducing and removing journeys. We celebrate the work proposed within the Dudley Local Plan and in partnership with Dudley MBC will assist in promoting journeys for everyone in areas of development.

Support

Representation ID: 1049

Received: 28/11/2024

Respondent: TfWM and WMCA

It is positive to see Active Travel England (ATE) referenced in the document. ATE is now well- established as a Statutory Consultee on planning applications and has published a range of tools, including for new developments. The Plan should refer to the requirements of ATE for providing or contributing to walking and cycling infrastructure.

Generally, the plan refers positively to modal shift in several places which is welcomed. This would be strengthened and clarified if the plan also stated a clear objective of reducing motor vehicle traffic on the network, as this will then directly support the wider aims of the plan such as decarbonisation and reducing road casualties. We welcome the focus on Active Travel priorities as set out in Policy DL67. With regards to point 3, we would feel that the developments responsibility falls beyond the red line, with a focus on delivering high quality walking and cycling routes connecting the development to offsite destinations such as local facilities, education, and employment. This would provide a dense network of active travel infrastructure alongside that being delivered as part of the LCWIP

Comment

Representation ID: 1050

Received: 28/11/2024

Respondent: TfWM and WMCA

Part one – Dudley Local Plan Regulation 19 – General Comments

o The local plan makes no reference to residential streets being designed and restricted to 20mph.

Comment

Representation ID: 1051

Received: 28/11/2024

Respondent: TfWM and WMCA

Part one – Dudley Local Plan Regulation 19 – Policy DLP69

o This policy should have a greater focus on Vision and Validate principles, to reflect the changing nature of how we assess developments.
o This policy should specifically reference the Active Travel England Planning
Application Assessment Toolkit.
o Point 3 in this policy should include the requirement of an audit of active travel routes to key local destinations (nearest school/shop etc) and request that design recommendations are put forward where deficiencies on the network are identified.
o Reference should also be made to designing for permeable walking and cycling networks within new developments.

Support

Representation ID: 1055

Received: 28/11/2024

Respondent: TfWM and WMCA

TfWM welcomes the policies in the Draft Local Plan which seek to support and encourage the use of bus including securing investment from developers where appropriate. Decisions on where and how new development is designed alongside measures to provide priority and reallocate road space can support the region achieve its ambitions to improve bus services and grow bus use in the region. Should the region choose to pursue bus franchising it can provide an opportunity to improve how the bus network is planned and integrated with new developments.

The table related to Policy DLP67 The Transport Network should have a heading for Bus and the West Midlands Core Bus Network and Cross-city bus packages should be referenced under this heading

Paragraph 16.8. should include the following text in red and read as follows: “It is vital that new development has access to high quality sustainable/active travel and public transport infrastructure and services from the outset as this will ensure that people travelling to and from these areas do not establish unsustainable travel patterns”

Paragraph 16.9 should also reference the West Midlands Core Bus Network

Whilst the plan refers to the National Bus Strategy and West Midlands Vision for Bus, there is no reference to the West Midlands Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). For example, Sandwell’s Local Plan states the following: “Therefore, work on the key corridors identified in the West Midlands Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) will play a significant role in delivering this requirement, through a partnership of TfWM, Local Highway Authorities and operators”.

Paragraph 16.26. should include the following text in red and should read as follows:
“Improvements will be made to meet the agreed performance specification for
the links and junctions involved to support bus services, road based rapid transit proposals
such as SPRINT (Bus Rapid Transit) and Metro”

Paragraph 16.26. should include the following text in red and should read as follows: “All improvements to support cycling should seek to adopt the principles contained in Local Transport Note (LTN) 1/20 and infrastructure improvements to support bus services should seek to adopt the principles on how to deliver priority for bus services contained in Local Transport Note (LTN) 1/24.

The document has one plan showing Transport and Movement Key Diagram and another plan showing Active Travel routes. There should be a plan showing the West Midlands Core Bus Network in Dudley as done in the Sandwell Local Plan.

Support

Representation ID: 1057

Received: 28/11/2024

Respondent: TfWM and WMCA

Whilst representing a smaller proportion of trips overall, rail remains important in terms of access to central Birmingham and the regional rail network provides links between most of our strategic centres and their inner and outer suburbs and the wider journey to work area.

We broadly support the rail elements of the Draft Dudley Local. This West Midlands Rail Investment Strategy includes Midlands Rail Hub and also outlines further future improvements to local, regional and national rail services serving Dudley.

Comment

Representation ID: 1058

Received: 28/11/2024

Respondent: TfWM and WMCA

Planning policy has a role in helping to reduce the need for people to own a private car by encouraging new development, infrastructure investments and changing land uses to create more sustainable travel behaviours. Shared mobility is a key measure to provide options for travel where traditional public transport is not available or an appropriate option. As such the references to Mobility Hubs/Local Travel Points, car clubs and the West Midlands cycle hire scheme is welcomed. However, we would welcome a stronger reference to the role and approach for encouraging shared mobility in the Transport Chapter.