The existing traffic flows on Ramsey Road immediately to the east of the site access is 602 two-way vehicles trips, to which the development will add 531 two-way vehicle trips. The development will also add vehicle trips on Ramsey Road to the southwest of the site. The total existing traffic flows at the Ramsey Road junction is 13 vehicles a minute, which the development will increase to approximately 16 vehicles a minute.
Based on the Upwood and Raveley’s car ownership statistics a development of approximately 650 new homes would deliver 1040 new vehicles to the site. In addition, some homes will have no cars as they will be residential retirement accommodation. A proportion of the housing will also be affordable, which traditionally have lower levels of car ownership. Not all of these cars will be used daily and at peak times.
The development seeks to deliver facilities on and adjoining the site to reduce the need to travel by car. These are likely to include a primary school, neighbourhood shop and community assembly facility all within walking distance. In addition the mixed use nature of the scheme, incorporating employment and residential, will also reduce the need to travel by car.
The transport vision for the proposed development fits into the overall vision of providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly development seeking to become carbon-neutral in the future.
The transport vision includes a reduction in the overall need to travel, with minimal car use amongst residents and employees, and maximum use of sustainable travel modes, both internally within the development, and externally into and out of the development.
In addition, new safe pedestrian routes and cyclepaths in the local area will encourage trips by sustainable modes.
In order to mitigate the impact of the new traffic the following is proposed:
Bus service improvements – bus services to Huntingdon Peterborough every 30 minutes- Bus infrastructure improvements – the provision of new high quality bus stops with real-time travel information, covered waiting areas
- Traffic calming – two new roundabouts are proposed at the two entrances which will act as a natural traffic calming solutions. In addition we will seek to have speeds reduced near the schools and increase drive awareness of the existing pinch point on the High Street in Bury.
- Junction improvements – A signalised junction is proposed at Burton Garage to improve the operation of the junction and introduce controlled pedestrian crossings
- Pedestrian improvements – widening the footpath from the Upwood primary school to Tunkers Lane and including a toucan crossing
- New cycleway – from Upwood to Tunkers Lane.
These will include:
- New roundabout junction to access residential and separate access for employment development, this will also reduce vehicle speeds
- New traffic signal controlled crossing of Upwood Road near Tunkers Lane to improve the safety of crossing Upwood Road
- New traffic signal controlled junction at the Upwood Road/High Street junction to improve the capacity, operation and safety of the junction
- New footway/cycleway from Upwood to Tunkers Lane to improve the accessibility of the site
- New footway from Tunkers Lane to tie into the existing footway in Bury to improve the accessibility of the site
- New road signs and gateway feature along Upwood Road to reduce speeds
- New road signs on High Street to improve driver awareness of the existing pinch point on the highway.