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HIGHWAY SERVICES DIVISION Partial Bus Layby, Kirk Michael - PLANNING STATEMENT OF CASE - Highway Services Department of Infrastructure
Department of Infrastructure September 2021 HW/3561 Partial Bus Layby, Kirk Michael Planning Statement of Case Document Number: HW3561/SC/001 Author: Blair Acheson Owner: Blair Acheson Status: ISSUE Document Revision Record
| Version | Date | Author | Checked | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 01/02/22 | B Acheson | Redacted | Initial Version |
Approvals
This document requires the following approvals;
| Name | Signature | Title | Date of Issue | Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Robinson | Redacted | Highway Services Director | 11/05/2022 | 1 |
| Version | Date | Author | Checked | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 01/02/22 | B Acheson | Redacted | Initial Version |
| Name | Signature | Title | Date of Issue | Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Robinson | Redacted | Highway Services Director | 11/05/2022 | 1 |
Department of Infrastructure September 2021 HW/3561 Partial Bus Layby, Kirk Michael Planning Statement of Case
CONTENTS
Chapter 7 – Overall Scheme Summary
Department of Infrastructure September 2021 HW/3561 Partial Bus Layby, Kirk Michael Planning Statement of Case
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Its aim is to demonstrate why a partial bus layby would provide value to the community of Kirk Michael and those traveling to and from the village.
The current use of the proposed site is agricultural consisting of a field bounded by a sod bank hedgerow. The hedgerow and vegetation is to be removed and a new field gate access created. The visibility splay contains 13No elm and sycamore trees with hawthorn hedge making up the remaining vegetation. Further detail on the intended vegetation for removal is identified on drawing P002 Arboracultural Assessment.
Adjacent to the field in question runs the A3 primary road from Ramsey to Castletown which also forms part of the TT course.
The aim of this project is to introduce a partial bus layby opposite the EVF petrol station and replace the vegetation removed. Planting areas will be created adjacent to the bus layby in order to provide an aesthetic appeal to those entering or leaving the village. It will complement the traffic calming scheme currently being carried out in the village.
The works include:
Department of Infrastructure September 2021 HW/3561 Partial Bus Layby, Kirk Michael Planning Statement of Case
Chapter 2 – Why the Improvement is Needed
Currently the bus shelter is covered by vegetation either side, restricting visibility. There is evidence from UK bus operators that bus passengers will not travel to a bus stop if they cannot see the stop or the arrival of the bus.
Infrastructure wise, the bus shelter does not meet modern standards. The shelter itself is positioned on a slab of concrete, approximate 90mm upstand with no footway provision, and no dropped kerbs on either side of the road. Motorists would likely be unaware of a shelter at this location or the likelihood of someone crossing.
Kirk Michael, demographically speaking, contains a large number of elderly residents and several with disabilities. Likely this would mean that they would be vulnerable users of public services and as such the provision of dropped kerbs and a segregated footway to the bus shelter would assist them greatly.
Department of Infrastructure September 2021 HW/3561 Partial Bus Layby, Kirk Michael Planning Statement of Case
Chapter 3 – Planning Policy
The objectives support making the optimum use of existing and planned infrastructure and services, protect, maintain and enhance the built environment, high quality development throughout the Island protect the individual character and identity of settlements and promote urban regeneration.
Improved access to buildings, spaces and services for less-able people is critical.
The proposals meet the relevant strategic objectives by enhancing the built environment to bring benefit to sustainable forms of transport. The improvements in particular focus on social well-being, quality environment and sound infrastructure.
The proposed partial bus layby and relocation of the field gate access lies outside the conservation area but just within the extents of Kirk Michael village. The site is located within a semi-rural setting and contains 13No. C class trees which are also young. These would need to be removed in addition to a predominantly hawthorn hedge.
The proposed partial bus layby will also include the installation of trees and reinstatement of a hedge to maintain its current identity and to mitigate the effects of the vegetation to be removed. Furthermore the layby will provide some open green spaces for low level planting to enhance the biodiversity
Department of Infrastructure September 2021 HW/3561 Partial Bus Layby, Kirk Michael Planning Statement of Case
and public amenity. The planting will be of native wildflowers. The scheme hopes to have no negative effect on the environment and the improved public transport network facility will encourage greater use of a form of environmentally friendly travel.
Passage is possible but it is far from ideal or safe, passengers currently have to wait in the road when using the bus stop and the current situation lacks dropped kerbs, kassell bus stop kerbs, footway provision or any other measures which would be suitable for the less-able to use the current bus shelter. As previously noted, this stop is located 450m away from the next nearest bus stop meaning that difficulties may be encountered by those at the northern end of the village, meaning they might be forced to travel to use a less-ideally positioned stop.
The proposals will bring the bus shelter provision up to modern standards by introducing a 1.8m wide segregated footway for user safety, 1.5m of landscaping to enhance the public realm and dropped & Kassel bus stop kerbs for accessibility.
The proposals will increase passenger safety by making public transport more accessible, the proposals will have a negligible impact on the environment due to the reinstatement of the hedgerow and planting works included.
Department of Infrastructure September 2021 HW/3561 Partial Bus Layby, Kirk Michael Planning Statement of Case
Chapter 4 – Design Standards
It suggests that: “Improving and establishing more equitable access is critical in the development of our transport infrastructure.” And follows up with “Assumptions that improved transport infrastructure must result in increased vehicle travel speeds and shortened journey times are out-dated. The focus should be instead be on greater accessibility and better connectivity.”
By installing this partial bus layby we intend to improve safety for passengers by enhancing the connectivity and accessibility of public transport within this northern end of Kirk Michael village. Primarily, this should assist those with mobility constraints or who would otherwise have trouble accessing the bus shelter in its current location, additionally will provide benefits to all users.
It notes: "The underlying theme when designing streets... is catering for movement. The movement framework is important for a number of reasons. It can affect how much people walk or cycle, the level of public transport use, the sustainability of the community and its environment, and quality of life."
The proposed partial bus layby will provide environmental benefits by encouraging public transport and aesthetic benefits to the community with planting and the re-instatement of the vegetation that was there previously. This proposed bus layby will complement the existing village gateway feature, motorists, noting the change in environment, will be discouraged from driving faster.
TfGM indicates a minimum kerb height at bus stops to be 160mm, Bus Vannin requires a greater upstand of 180mm to suit their bus fleet that is in operation. This partial bus layby will comply with the 180mm requirement.
It states that “Bus drivers can experience difficulties when pulling out of laybys to re-join the traffic flow. This can cause delays to the bus service and may lead to bunching of busses.” A partial bus layby has been chosen to assist bus drivers in re-joining the traffic flow.
Department of Infrastructure September 2021 HW/3561 Partial Bus Layby, Kirk Michael Planning Statement of Case
• Bus Vannin - Liaisons have been ongoing to ascertain the requirements of a partial bus layby for Bus Vannin, the proposals will satisfy their requirements.
6.0 General The proposed partial bus layby has been road safety audited to stage 1 &2 by an independent provider. There was found to be no issues with the proposal. See Appendix D for details.
Department of Infrastructure September 2021 HW/3561 Partial Bus Layby, Kirk Michael Planning Statement of Case
Chapter 7 – Overall Scheme Summary
6.0 General The Statement of Case has explained the development of the proposed partial bus layby for the northern end of Kirk Michael village.
The proposal provides an opportunity to increase bus passenger safety for those wishing to use this bus stop. The proposal represents a means to combine accessibility with connectivity for pedestrians using public transport. In addition, the partial bus layby will compliment existing traffic calming features to those entering the village, reminding motorised vehicles users of the change in environment as they transition from rural to urban.
Through good design the proposals will introduce landscaping areas to complement the reinstatement of hedgerow and tree planting. This will seek to mitigate the loss of vegetation needed for the works. Environmentally sustainable forms of transport should be encouraged and promoted and this proposal should eliminate some of the barriers that hinder people from making that choice.
It is considered that the design of the proposed scheme satisfies the relevant planning policies, design guides and best practice guidance. The layout will enhance the character and functionality of Kirk Michael by strengthening a pedestrian link to public transport.
It is vital to improve the infrastructure of the islands villages after years of decline and deterioration. The proposal will play a supporting role in improving safety and accessibility for this gateway into this historic village.
Department of Infrastructure September 2021 HW/3561 Partial Bus Layby, Kirk Michael Planning Statement of Case
APPENDIX B – PHOTOGRAPHS OF EXISTING SITE
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APPENDIX D – Road Safety Audit
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| Revision | Date | Originator | Checker | Approver | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 31.08.21 | J. Donkey | T. Blamey | J. Donkey | First Issue |
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Department of Infrastructure September 2021 Partial Bus Layby, Kirk Michael __________Planning Statement of Case
Department of Infrastructure September 2021 Partial Bus Layby, Kirk Michael __________Planning Statement of Case
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| Ref | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Appendix 2 | Road Safety Audit brief and checklist | July 2021 |
| HW3561/C017 | Partial Bus Layby General Arrangement | July 2021 |
| HW3561/C018 | Partial Bus Layby Public Utilities and Ducting | July 2021 |
| HW3561/C019 | Partial Bus Layby Site Clearance | July 2021 |
| HW3561/C020 | Partial Bus Layby Typical Details | July 2021 |
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