Access and parkingTravel and transport are an intrinsic part of urban and rural life, supporting regeneration and economic growth. Transport systems have to balance economic and environmental objectives, while satisfying the need to travel, and operating in a sustainable way.Local Transport Plans are a requirement of every local transport authority outside London, under the Transport Act 2000. The Plans set out a local authority’s local transport strategies, policies and implementation programme over a 5-year period. Local Transport Plans have also seen the introduction of Accessibility Planning Strategies. These require consideration of the ability of people, especially those who are disadvantaged, to reach jobs and key services such as healthcare, education and food shops. Through accessibility planning, town-centre strategies might consider whether someone is able to reach the services and opportunities they need, such as new employment in the evening economy, and that everyone is able to get home safely. The Secretary of State is currently in the process of issuing Guidance on Intervention Criteria he proposes to use to determine whether authorities are properly performing their duties. This guidance is being developed for English local authorities and came into force in March 2007. These additional powers have numerous benefits and will help local authorities:
For more information on the act and guidance refer to www.opsi.gov.uk and www.dft.gov.uk The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 requires service providers (e.g. businesses and local authorities) to make changes that are ‘reasonable’. To comply with the Act there are four key stages:
Tools for Delivery and SuccessMore information on Local Transport Plans is available at www.dft.gov.uk Guidance on accessibility planning is available at www.accessibilityplanning.gov.uk Network Management Duty guidance offers a source of good practice techniques for network management. It can be downloaded at www.dft.gov.uk The Department of Transport provide Local Transport Notes (LTNs) for use when addressing access. In town centre areas the best advice about providing for cyclists is the Local Transport Note 1/87 Getting the Right Balance. In addition DfT have new LTNs in preparation on providing for cyclists and pedestrians and a further LTN in draft on Cycle-friendly Infrastructure. Traffic Advisory Leaflet 9/93 also gives advice on providing for cyclists in pedestrianised town centres. LTNs are available from www.dft.gov.uk Urban Traffic Management Control (UTMC) and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) has guidance and information on improving a network’s operation and how to promote pedestrians rather than vehicles. Case studies and more information is available at www.utmc.uk.com Footway maintenance management examines the overall maintenance system and sets out the objectives of footway maintenance: to provide a safe environment and to prevent deterioration as well as encouraging walking with a satisfactory surface quality. Further advice and guidance can be found at www.footways.org Provisional guidance on bus lane (including tramway) enforcement in England outside London gives information and advice on establishing and operating an effective and efficient civil enforcement system. It can be downloaded from www.dft.gov.uk. Transport for London and London Councils advise about enforcement within London - see www.tfl.gov.uk and www.londoncouncils.gov.uk (It is expected that a harmonised England-wide scheme under the Traffic Management Act 2004 will supersede the current arrangements during 2008). Streetwise has been developed by the National Joint Utilities Group (NJUG) Through utilities and highways working together, it offers practical steps to minimise disruption. For more information please see www.njug.co.uk The Safer Parking Scheme is part of the Secured by Design initiative of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). It is a status mark that is awarded to parking facilities that have put measures in place to deter crime and anti-social behaviour. In order to receive the Park Mark® status, facilities must undergo an appraisal by the police. For more information please visit www.britishparking.co.uk For practical guidance on how to implement and enforce against nuisance parking see the Abandoned and Nuisance Vehicles Knowledge Bank available from www.encams.org |
