Planning for cycling in Horsham December 2012

Why plan for cycling? It is a relatively cheap way of providing mobility It makes efficient use of space It can cut death and injury on the roads It keeps people fit and healthy It helps energy conservation and is zero emission It is a quick means of transport Local people want to cycle It can help the local economy - cyclists spend money in shops! It is a reliable means of transport Government & HDC say we have to

Cycle provision needs to be ‘designed in’ from the start It doesn’t happen Or else…..

A new railway bridge was built to carry the A264 Horsham bypass

Plenty of space for a foot and cycle path underneath… …but it was never built.

Cycle provision needs to be ‘designed in’ from the start Or else…… It doesn’t work:

New cycle route near Tanbridge House School There are several problems with this route: one is that it floods regularly. YouTube still from ‘HorshamCyclist’

Cycle provision needs to be ‘designed in’ from the start Or else…… It makes things worse than before:

Bad cycle facility more dangerous than none at all…. North Parade, Horsham as seen by Google Streetview

Existing guidance and policies There’s plenty of it!

National guidance Manual for Streets KEY DOCUMENT doing things differently within existing policy Build for people not just cars – quality places Design standards & lots more National Planning Policy Framework KEY DOCUMENT FOR HDC Requires ‘sustainable development’ Includes transport. Integrating Cycling Into Development Proposals (Cycling England) Cycle Infrastructure Design (DfT 2008) Cycle-friendly design and planning (CTC) Lots more!

Horsham Cycling Review A first-class document – yet to be implemented.

HDC policies Some general statements on sustainable transport, but little clear guidance. HDC has an objective to reduce reliance on the private car (CP19) HDC has guidance that new development “will be expected to embrace the needs of people before the ease of traffic movement” and All new development should:  Give importance to safe and adequate access  Reduce the length and number of motorised journeys  Encourage alternative means of travel (to the car)  Reduce reliance on the private car (HDC Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document)

County guidance West Sussex Design Principles (West Sussex Design Commission 2007) Some clear statements here on mobility and accessibility, but is the document accepted by HDC? Routes for pedestrians first Consider design speed to roads to be 20mph - or less for 'Home Zones'. Access design to encourage sustainable travel "Fully consider" access on foot, by cycle etc Dead ends and culs-de-sac should be avoided And more…...

More County Guidance WSCC supports the approach set out in Manual for Streets (with local interpretation). Any type of Masterplan development should thoroughly consider all the West Sussex Design Commission Design Principles. (WSCC Local Design Guide Supplementary Guidance for Residential Development Proposals)

All the official policy is right behind us, so what’s going wrong? Local guidance has some indicators for change on cycling, but almost no specific requirements [‘motherhood and apple pie’]. Where is a clear requirement, changes do happen: “Proposals for cycles must demonstrate that cycle storage is safe, convenient to access and covered” (WSCC Local Design Guide Supplementary Guidance for Residential Development Proposals) The result: local planning applications now routinely specify proposals for cycle storage. We can then see what is proposed and have grounds for objection if it’s not good enough.

No cycle store means no planning permission… …so the developers included it when they submitted their plans

Just think how powerful it would be if the same applied for all the other aspects needed for good cycling provision.

Where to now? – HDC, WSCC HDC & WSCC to give more overt guidance to promote sustainable travel in new developments (based on Cycle-friendly design and planning, CTC, October 2012 and Manual for Streets. HDC to refer clearly to cycling and walking in key documents - eg in the new local plan. WSCC and HDC to upgrade existing roads and facilities during routine maintenance and when or other changes are made. Ensure expertise is ‘bought in’ where necessary.

A way forward – Cycle Forum Work with the council to adopt specific guidance for cycling (based on CTC guidance). Work with the council and developers to consult on proposals, including before planning application made. Work with council to facilitate access to the wealth of detailed knowledge on best practice for cycle design: - HDCF to act as a ‘resource bank’ - compile a portfolio of good and bad practice (with maps and pictures) - take officers/members on a ‘tour’ of Horsham to view first-hand the challenges for cyclists. Review local planning applications, referencing existing guidance.

Current opportunities Big new junction design on A24 (by Tanbridge School) – can we see/influence the plans? New roundabout being built by Newbridge Nursery – can we see/influence the plans? Development next to Tanbridge School – consultation happening now. Further major development West of Horsham and possible major development North of Horsham – chance to get in before it’s too late.