Wilsons Auctions PROPOSED VEHICLE STORAGE COMPOUND, QUEENSFERRY, FLINTSHIRE. Transport Assessment VN60593

Transcription

1 Wilsons Auctions PROPOSED VEHICLE STORAGE COMPOUND, QUEENSFERRY, FLINTSHIRE Transport Assessment VN60593

2 REPORT CONTROL Document: Transport Assessment Project: Client: Job Number: File Origin: Proposed Vehicle Storage Compound, Queensferry, Flintshire Wilsons Auctions VN60593 N:\Vectos Job Data\2016\VN60593 Station Road, Queensferry\Docs\Reports\Station Road, Queensferry TA Document Checking: Primary Author Elliot Read Initialled: ER Contributor Initialled: - Review By Richard Whiting Initialled: RW Issue Date Status Checked for Issue First Draft FINAL 3 4

3 CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION Introduction Development Site and Location Proposed Development Scope of Assessment BASELINE CONDITIONS Introduction Surrounding Highway Network Collision Statistics ACCESSIBILITY BY SUSTAINABLE MODES OF TRAVEL Introduction Accessibility on Foot Accessibility by Bicycle Accessibility by Bus Accessibility by Rail EXISTING SITE OPERATION Introduction Existing Development Hours of Operation Deliveries Site Operation and Circulation Car Parking PROPOSED SITE OPERATION Introduction Proposed Development Hours of Operation Deliveries Site Operation and Circulation Car Parking Proposed Development Impact Upon Highway Safety CONCLUSIONS Introduction Transport Assessment Conclusions Transport Assessment N:\Vectos Job Data\2015\VN60593 Station Road, Queensferry\ Docs\ Reports\Station Road, Queensferry TA.docx i

4 PLANS Plan 1 Plan 2 Plan 3 Site Location Site Location (Local Context) Existing Vehicular Circulation Plan 4 Phasing Diagrams (Existing and Phase 1) Plan 5 Phasing Diagrams (Phase 2 and 3) Plan 6 AutoTRACK Assessment APPENDICES Appendix A Flintshire County Council s Highway Development Control Comments Appendix B Crashmap Data Transport Assessment N:\Vectos Job Data\2015\VN60593 Station Road, Queensferry\ Docs\ Reports\Station Road, Queensferry TA.docx ii

5 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction Vectos have been commissioned by Wilsons Auctions to provide transport and highways advice to support a change of use planning application for the development of a hardstanding vehicle storage compound at their site in Queensferry. The site lies within the jurisdiction of Flintshire County Council (FCC). 1.2 Development Site and Location The location of the site is shown in Plan 1, with Plan 2 then illustrating the site in a more local context The site is located to the north east of Queensferry and is bound to the east by the B5441 Station Road, a vacant petrol filling station and a car dealership, to the north by the Wales Coast Path, and to the south by a railway line. The western boundary of the existing development is mostly formed by an area of agricultural land which is subject to the development proposals, and thereafter further agricultural land. 1.3 Proposed Development The planning application proposes the development of approximately 1.67 hectares of agricultural land to the west of the site to provide approximately 16,500 sqm of new hardstanding area which would be used by Wilsons Auctions as additional vehicle storage parking The additional vehicle storage will provide the flexibility to enable business growth and will enable additional areas within the site to be utilised as customer car parking on auction days. This will provide a major safety benefit by addressing existing on street parking practices in the vicinity of the site which we understand are of concern to the local highways authority and local police The proposals include the provision of a 36 feet width access route to the south and east of the hardstanding area which will allow farm vehicle access to the adjacent Old Hall Farm. Transport Assessment 1

6 1.4 Scope of Assessment This Transport Assessment has been prepared in accordance with the Welsh Assembly Government s Planning Policy Wales Technical Advice Note 18 (TAN18) The scope of the Transport Assessment has also been informed by comments prepared by Flintshire County Council s Highway Development Control Manager. A copy of this correspondence is provided in Appendix A Following this introduction this report provides the following information: Section 2 Provides a review of baseline site conditions, including the surrounding highway network and accident statistics; Section 3 Provides a review of the site s accessibility by sustainable modes of travel; Section 4 Provides a detailed description of the existing operation of Wilsons Auctions; Section 5 Provides a review of the development proposals and how these will change the existing operation of Wilsons Auctions; and Section 6 Provides the conclusions of the report. Transport Assessment 2

7 2 BASELINE CONDITIONS 2.1 Introduction Section 2 of this report reviews the baseline conditions in the vicinity of the site, providing a description of the existing highway network and a review of personal injury accident data for the local highway network. 2.2 Surrounding Highway Network The application site is located on the western side of the B5441 Station Road. This road provides the sole point of vehicular access to the site via a priority controlled junction which is utilised by both customer and delivery vehicles. Approximately opposite this access is a priority controlled access to an Army Reserve Centre In the vicinity of the site Station Road provides a circa 9 metre carriageway width, with a single traffic lane in each direction together with an on street cycle lane. On street car parking is unrestricted in the vicinity of the site To the north of the site access Station Road bridges the River Dee, with the bridge including a 15 9 height restriction. Thereafter the B5411 (now renamed Welsh Road) continues to the northeast before forming the western and northern arms of a four arm priority controlled junction with the A548 to the east, and an off slip road from the northbound carriageway of the A From this junction the northern B5411 arm provides vehicle access to industrial and employment areas before forming a western arm of a large grade separated roundabout junction with the A548 to the east and west, the A550 Welsh Road to the north, and on and off slips to the A494 to the south. Thereafter the northern A550 arms of the junction provide connections for vehicles entering the northbound carriageway, or exiting the southbound carriageway, of the A The A494 then connects with the M56 motorway. Transport Assessment 3

8 2.2.6 Approximately 250 metres east of the B5411/ A548 roundabout the A548 forms a further priority controlled roundabout with Sealand Road to the east, an on slip to the southbound carriageway of the A494 to the south and the A548 to the north. The northern A548 arm of the junction then provides vehicle access to the RAF Sealand Base before terminating as the eastern arm of the aforementioned grade separated junction with the A To the south of the site Station Road provides vehicle access to a number of commercial and industrial developments, before passing under a railway line. The bridge has a 15 0 height restriction. South of this bridge Station Road provides vehicle access to residential areas of Queensferry before forming the eastern arm of a four arm signal controlled junction with the B5129 Chester Road East to the north and south and access to an Asda Supermarket and ARC Car Wash to the west From this junction the northern B5129 arm provides vehicle access towards Shotton, Connah's Quay and Flint, while to the south the B5129 forms the northern arm of a grade separated roundabout junction with the A494 on and off slip roads and the A550 Gladstone Way. From this junction the A494 travels towards Mold, as well as connecting with the A55 which provides links to further areas of North Wales and Chester. 2.3 Collision Statistics Traffic collision data has been obtained from Crashmap for the latest five year period. The data has been examined for Station Road in the vicinity of the site access junction. The raw accident data is provided in Appendix B The data indicates that only a single incident has been recorded on Station Road in the vicinity of the site access junction during this period, although notably this incident did not occur at the access junction itself. The incident that occurred was classified as slight in severity, although it is noted that the incident involved a pedal cyclist On the basis of this information it is concluded that there are no highway safety issues in the vicinity of the site access, including with the operation of the site access junction with Station Road. However it is our understanding that existing on street parking practices in the vicinity of the site have been raised as a safety concern by local police. Transport Assessment 4

9 3 ACCESSIBILITY BY SUSTAINABLE MODES OF TRAVEL 3.1 Introduction TAN 18 seeks to achieve an integration between planning and transport at all levels so that the negative impacts of travel on the environment and to human health are reduced and more sustainable transport choices such as walking, cycling, and using public transport are encouraged Given the nature of the operation on the site it is expected that customer travel would be focused upon motorised forms of travel, however, the following paragraphs identify the opportunities for both staff and customers to undertake trips to the site by the following modes: Accessibility on foot; Accessibility by cycle; Accessibility by bus; and Accessibility by rail. 3.2 Accessibility on Foot Walking is the most important mode of travel at the local level, offering the greatest potential to replace short car trips. The North Wales Regional Transport Plan (2009) discusses the opportunity for journeys to be undertaken on foot by the workplace population in North Wales, stating that: In North Wales 21% of the Workplace population live within 2km of their employment site, however, only 10.4% travel to work on foot. Whilst the opportunity to walk and cycle is available to those living in close proximity to work, few choose these options as modes of transport The site is well located to encourage journeys on foot, being located within an extensive pedestrian network which includes continuous street lit footpaths along the both sides of Station Road in the vicinity of the site Pedestrian movements across Station Road are assisted by a dedicated pedestrian crossing facility which is located approximately 350 metres to the west of the site. This facility provides safe pedestrian connections between the site and residential areas on the southern side of Station Road. Further pedestrian crossing facilities (both signal and priority controlled) are also provided at the Station Road/ Chester Road East junction. Transport Assessment 5

10 3.2.4 The Wales Coast Path is located approximately 50 metres to the east of the site access and runs parallel to the River Dee in both a north and south direction. This path provides an alternative car free walking route to residential areas to the north and south of the site as well as to Shotton Railway Station The site is therefore well located to encourage both employee and customer based trips to be undertaken on foot. 3.3 Accessibility by Bicycle An alternative mode of travel to the site would be achieved by bicycle The North Wales Regional Transport Plan (2009) states that 16% (of the Workplace population) live within 5km (of their employment site) and yet only 1.8% of the total workplace population choose to cycle to work. Whilst the opportunity to walk and cycle is available to those living in close proximity to work, few choose these options as modes of transport The site is well located for access by bicycle with an on road cycle route including dedicated cycle lanes running in both directions along Station Road in the vicinity of the site. This route provides safe connections for cyclists between the site and the centre of Queensferry, and also links with a traffic free cycle route that runs along the B5129 Chester Road To the east of the site National Cycle Route 568 runs along the northern side of the River Dee providing a traffic free cycle towards Chester City Centre, while National Cycle Route 563 runs parallel to the B5441 connecting Connah's Quay to Ellesmere Port In addition cycling is permitted on the Wales Coast Path which provides cyclists with a convenient and largely off road route between the site and Shotton Railway Station The proposed development is therefore considered to be accessible by bicycle. 3.4 Accessibility by Bus The site is well located for travel by bus. There are both northbound and southbound bus stops located approximately 55 metres southwest of the site access junction. Both stops include a flagpost and timetable information. Transport Assessment 6

11 3.4.2 A summary of the frequency of bus services operating in the vicinity of the site is provided in Table 3.1. Service No. Route AM Peak Approximate Frequency (services per hour) Mon Fri PM Midday Peak Evening 8 Mold Sealand Manor Mold Asda /10A Goldtyn Chester Holywell Deeside Industrial Park Sat D1 Parkway Garden SP1 Mold Ellesmere Port SP2 Mold Ellesmere Port T1 Greenfield Chester Table 3.1: Bus Services Operating Within the Site s Vicinity Sun Table 3.1 demonstrates that the services operating in the vicinity of the site provide 7 services during the weekday morning peak and 8 services during the evening peaks, as well as frequent services on weekends. These services provide links to destinations including Chester, Mold and Ellesmere Port, together with local stops Bus services operating in the vicinity of the site offer an excellent opportunity for customers and employees to utilise this mode of travel and therefore the site is concluded to be highly accessible by this mode. 3.5 Accessibility by Rail The site is located approximately 1.8 kilometres from Shotton Railway Station, which as previously described is accessible from the site via a predominantly traffic free route along the Wales Coast Path. Rail service operated from Shotton Railway Station are summarised in Table 3.2. Transport Assessment 7

12 Destination Max. Frequency (Peak Periods) Monday to Friday Frequency Duration Bidston to Wrexham Central 1 hour 37 mins Llandudno Manchester 1 hour 1 hour 30 mins Piccadilly Table 3.2: Rail Services Operating from Shotton Railway Station Table 3.2 demonstrates that frequent rail services are operated from Shotton Railway Station to Manchester Piccadilly and Wrexham Central. Rails services also stop at more local destinations such as Neston, Hawarden and Buckley Rail services from Shotton Railway Station are operated by Arriva Trains Wales. The operator allows bicycles on their trains (although spaces are limited). The potential therefore exists for customers and staff to undertake linked rail/ cycle journeys when travelling to or from the site It is therefore considered that the site is accessible by rail for both customer and employment based trips. Transport Assessment 8

13 4 EXISTING SITE OPERATION 4.1 Introduction Having reviewed the accessibility of the site by sustainable modes of travel Section 4 of this report provides a summary of the existing operation of Wilsons Auctions. 4.2 Existing Development Wilsons Auctions is a family owned auction business which includes offices in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Queensferry site currently employs 23 members of staff, 13 on a full time basis and 10 on a part time basis It is estimated that the site can currently accommodate approximately the following number of vehicles: Number of Vehicles Land in Ownership Leased Land Vehicles in Auction Area Vehicles in Storage Commercial and Plant 103 Total Table 4.1: Existing Site Capacity (Vehicles) Therefore it is estimated that in total the existing site can accommodate approximately 622 vehicles and items of plant. 4.3 Hours of Operation Wilsons Auctions is currently open for public viewings between 0900 and 1700 on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 0900 to 2100 on a Tuesday. The site is closed at weekends Table 4.2 below provides a summary of auctions held at the site. As this highlights a number of auctions are only held on a fortnightly or monthly basis and therefore the table below represents the single busiest week of any month. Transport Assessment 9

14 Day of the Week Auction Time Monday No Auctions N/A Tuesday Car Auction Wednesday No Auctions N/A Thursday Friday Plant Auction (first Thursday of every month) Commercial Sale (fortnightly) Car Auction Saturday Closed N/A Sunday Closed N/A Table 4.2: Weekly Auction Timetable (Busiest Week) Wilsons Auctions have advised that between 400 and 500 customers typically visit the site across the course of an auction day. Customer arrival and departure times are generally staggered with customers arriving to view vehicles before the auctions and then departing once their interested lot has finished On non auction days it is expected that between 25 and 50 customers will visit the site across the course of the day Due to the scheduled timing of the auctions the development has very little traffic impact during highway network peak hours, as customers typically arrive or depart the site outside of these. 4.4 Deliveries The site currently receives up to delivery movements per week (Monday to Sunday) which equates to 4 to 6 deliveries per day. The deliveries are currently received across the day between 0700 and 2200 daily, and therefore on average the existing development would be expected to receive a delivery every 3 to 4 hours Importantly there are no planning restrictions on the hours that the site can receive deliveries. Transport Assessment 10

15 4.4.3 The largest delivery vehicles which require access to the site are 11/ 12 vehicle car transporters. Delivery vehicles enter the site via the Station Road access junction and then undertake a turning manoeuvre adjacent to the Hawarden Castle Hotel before vehicles are unloaded or loaded Existing delivery/ collection vehicle circulation movements are shown in Plan 3. This plan indicates that while sufficient space is provided to accommodate required vehicle movements, the area as a whole lacks formality Due to bridge height restrictions on the local highway network all delivery vehicles arrive and depart the site via Station Road to the north. 4.5 Site Operation and Circulation The operation of the site is divided into three main phases. Once transported to the site, vehicles are held in a storage area (shown in blue on the Existing Auction panel of Plan 3). Vehicles are then moved to the pre auction preparation area (highlighted in yellow), before being transferred to the sales area for the auctions (as shown in green) The Existing Layout panel on Plan 4 illustrates the current movement patterns of vehicles between the respective areas on the site. Upon delivery vehicles are moved to the storage area on the western side of the site via the central hard standing area. A secure gated access is used to separate the central hard standing area and storage area. Vehicles are then transferred in the reverse direction to the area to the rear of the Hawarden Castle Hotel where they are cleaned and prepared for auction Finally, having been prepared vehicles are transferred via the customer car park to the sales area surrounding the auction building. Vehicles can be transferred up to 20 minutes prior to an auction being held and therefore conflict can occur between vehicles being transferred to the sales area and customers parking within the site. This can cause delays to vehicles entering the site. 4.6 Car Parking The development currently provides 110 customer car parking spaces. These are predominantly located in a secure area immediately to the west of the site access junction, although a small number of spaces are also available in front of the Hawarden Castle Hotel Existing customer circulation around the car parking area is shown in Plan 3. Transport Assessment 11

16 4.6.3 It is our understanding that some on street car parking can occur on Station Road at peak auction times. While such practices are not in contravention of highway law it is our understanding that this is of safety concern to the local highways authority and local police, in particular because parked vehicles can obstruct the on street cycle lane. Transport Assessment 12

17 5 PROPOSED SITE OPERATION 5.1 Introduction Having reviewed the existing site operation Section 5 of this report provides a summary of the development proposals and how these will alter the operation of the site. 5.2 Proposed Development The application site forms a roughly rectangular area of circa 16,700sqm and is currently agricultural land The planning application proposes the development of this land as a hard standing area to be used for vehicle storage. The area will be surfaced in permeable free draining compacted hard core hardstanding material appropriate for vehicle circulation and car parking. There are no changes to the existing vehicle access to the site from Station Road proposed as part of the planning application It is not proposed to formally mark out parking bays across this new storage area, although the attached plans demonstrate an informal but orderly pattern in which it is expected vehicles would be arranged such that it would allow appropriate circulation for vehicles Although the planning application proposes the change of use of the entire 16,700sqm site area, it is not envisaged that this entire area would be converted for vehicle storage from the outset. Rather it is suggested that the implementation of this hard standing area be phased to coincide with the company s operational requirements. The attached plans provide an illustration of how this phasing could occur In addition some areas of land currently occupied by Wilsons Auctions are leased from other parties. These areas are shown on the accompanying plans. The development proposals therefore offer the opportunity to transfer vehicles stored in these areas to the new storage area as and when lease arrangements allow The development proposals will also allow the reconfiguration of the existing layout of the site to achieve a more efficient movement of vehicles around the site. This will be described in greater detail in the following paragraphs. Transport Assessment 13

18 5.2.7 Table 5.1 below provides an estimate of the approximate number of vehicles the site will be able to accommodate following the development proposals. As outlined above this information accounts for the proposed phased implementation of the new storage area, and also illustrates the potential for Wilsons Auctions to reduce their reliance on land under lease. Number of Vehicles Vehicles in Auction Area Vehicles in Storage Commercial and Plant Land in Ownership Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Leased Land Land in Ownership Leased Land Land in Ownership Leased Land Total Table 5.1: Existing Site Capacity (Vehicles) Therefore following the development proposals it is estimated that the site will have the potential to accommodate 1,054 vehicles and items of plant. As Table 5.1 highlights, while the proposals will allow a small increase in the number of vehicle held in the auction area and commercial and plant equipment, the vast majority of this increase in capacity on the site will relate to the storage of vehicles With regards employees Wilsons Auctions have advised that they anticipated the development proposals resulting in a small increase in employees, with the number of part time staff increasing from 10 to Hours of Operation It is not proposed to change public viewing hours as a result of the development proposals The development proposals will support a level of organic growth which Wilsons Auctions anticipate will be experienced in a variety of ways. However, as Table 5.1 indicates the number of vehicles held in the auction area (which includes the pre sales/ prep area and the sales area) does not materially change as a result of the development proposals. Transport Assessment 14

19 5.3.3 This suggests that the size of the auctions held is unlikely to materially differ from present as a result of the proposals. On this basis it is anticipated that the number of customers visiting the site on auction days, and therefore the developments traffic generation, is unlikely to materially increase As such it is anticipated that organic growth will be experienced in the following ways. Additional Auctions Firstly there is the potential for an additional auction to be held during the week, potentially either on a Monday or Wednesday. Should this occur then the auction would either be held at a similar time to the Tuesday or Friday auctions, meaning that customers would arrive and depart the site away from network peak hours as they do at present. Consequently should an additional auction be held it is not considered that this would have any material impact upon the local highway network or operation of the site access junction. Longer Auctions Secondly there is the potential for auctions durations to be slightly lengthened. Wilsons Auctions have confirmed that this would be achieved by starting the auctions earlier than they do at present. Given the existing schedule should auctions commence at an earlier time this would have no impact upon the local highway network peak hours, and therefore it is not considered that this proposal would have any material impact upon the operation of the local highway network Typically customers to an auction arrive and depart in a staggered manner, viewing cars pre auction and then departing once their interested lot(s) have finished. Therefore it is not considered that lengthening auctions would result in a surge in traffic movements at any one time compared to the existing situation, and therefore not considered that lengthening auctions would have any material impact upon the operation of the site access junction. Increased On Line Sales Finally Wilsons Auctions anticipate a material increase in on line sales. This would occur either as live bids submitted during an active auction, or dealer direct auctions which provide an on line timed auction (lots last 72 hours) which allow motor trade professionals to purchase stock on a daily basis. Clearly this form of organic growth will have no impact upon the traffic generation of the site. Transport Assessment 15

20 5.3.9 It is also anticipated that the site would experience an increase in customer viewings as a result of the development proposals. However, given the site currently experiences at most around 50 viewing per weekday between 0900 and 1700 (or 0900 and 2100 on a Tuesday) it is not anticipated that any increase in customer viewings would have a material impact upon the operation of the local highway network or site access junction. 5.4 Deliveries The additional storage area will result in an increase in the number of deliveries to the site, although there will be no increase in the size of vehicles beyond the 11/ 12 vehicle car transporters The increase in delivery vehicles is currently unknown and will ultimately be subject to demand. However, to provide the highways authority with a degree of comfort an assessment of the increase in delivery vehicle movements has been undertaken on the worst case assumption that deliveries increase in line with the increase in vehicle storage area (i.e. a 70% increase) On this highly robust basis the site would be expected to generate between 50 and 68 deliveries per week, which would equate to between 7 and 10 deliveries per day. This equates to an increase of between 3 and 4 deliveries per day, or approximately one delivery every two hours Such an increase in delivery vehicles will not alter the operation or safety of the local highway network, particularly given the number of developments in the vicinity of the site which already generate large vehicle movements, and the proximity of the site to the strategic highway network Following the development proposals it is still proposed that delivery vehicles undertake a turning manoeuvre and unloading to the west of the Hawarden Hotel building. However, the proposals, in particular the fence around the new overspill car park, will allow a more formalised space to be provided to assist vehicle turning movements and unloading Delivery vehicles will continue to arrive/ depart the site via Station Road to the north, and enter the site via the existing Station Road access junction The circulation of delivery vehicles is shown on Plan 3 with an AutoTRACK assessment demonstrating the turning movements of an 11/ 12 vehicle car transporter shown in Plan 6. To provide a robust analysis the track assessment has been undertaken assuming another 11/12 vehicle car transporter and a flatbed truck are already present on site. Transport Assessment 16

21 5.5 Site Operation and Circulation The post development division of the site into storage, vehicle preparation and sales areas is shown on the Proposed Auction pane on Plan This plan emphasizes that the development proposals will not materially change the number of spaces allocated to sales vehicles (and consequently the size/ duration of auctions), but does indicate the introduction of a new vehicle prep area, the implications of which are discussed below Vehicle circulation through the site following the development proposals is shown on Plan This plan indicates the proposals will allow a direct route to be provided from the vehicle unloading area to the new hardstanding storage area. This is preferable to the more convoluted route currently used. A gate will be used to provide secure vehicle access to the new storage area The proposals also include the introduction of a new pre sales area adjacent to the auction building. While some vehicles may still be prepared to the rear of the Hawarden Hotel building, the majority of vehicles will be prepared in this new area. This new pre sales area is conveniently located to allow vehicles once prepared to be moved directly into the sales area Therefore the proposals remove the requirement for the majority of pre sale vehicles to be taken through the customer car park, as is currently the case. This existing movement of vehicles has been known to cause operational difficulties both for vehicles within the customer car park, and at times for vehicles waiting to enter the site As such it is predicted that the proposals will provide an operational benefit for both the car park and site access junction (and therefore by association traffic flows on Station Road). 5.6 Car Parking The introduction of a new storage area will permit additional space within the site to be repurposed as customer overspill car parking. Transport Assessment 17

22 5.6.2 As indicated on Plan 3 it is proposed to introduce an additional area of overspill car parking on the west side of the current customer provision. This area will provide parking for around 51 vehicles, taking the total parking provision on site after Phase 1 of the development to 161 spaces. It is not proposed to formally mark out this overspill area with parking bays, however, attendants will be provided at times when the car park is in use to ensure vehicles park in an efficient manner In addition, once further hard standing storage areas are developed the opportunity will exist to relocate further storage vehicles to this area and thereby provide additional over spill parking at the centre of the site. This is indicatively shown on the Phase Three drawing on Plan 5, which shows how another circa 32 overspill parking spaces could be provided taking the total parking provision on site to 193 spaces The circulation of customer vehicles around the car parking areas is shown on Plan The provision of this additional car parking will help to address existing on street parking issues on Station Road in the vicinity of the site which have been a matter of concern for the local highways authority and local police. In particular the additional parking should help to address the existing problem of cars parking in the on street cycle lane. 5.7 Proposed Development Impact Upon Highway Safety It has been demonstrated that there are no existing accident blackspots on the highway network in the vicinity of the site access It has further been demonstrated that the proposals will not result in an increase in customer or delivery vehicle numbers which would be expected to materially alter the operation of the local highway network or site access junction with Station Road However, the proposals will result in more car parking being provided on site and therefore a reduction in on street car parking in the vicinity of the site, including in the on street cycle lane which will be to major benefit of cyclists. The only accident which has occurred on the highway network in the vicinity of the site in the last 5 years involved a cyclist so the proposals will help to address this safety issue. Transport Assessment 18

23 5.7.4 Furthermore the reduction in pre sales vehicles passing through the customer car park is likely to improve the operation of the car park, and thereby reduce the potential for queuing or delay at the site access It is therefore concluded that the proposals will be of safety benefit to the local highway network and vulnerable roads users. Transport Assessment 19

24 6 CONCLUSIONS 6.1 Introduction Vectos have been commissioned by Wilsons Auctions to provide transport and highways advice to support a change of use planning application for the development of a hardstanding vehicle storage compound at their site in Queensferry The planning application proposes the development of approximately 1.67 hectares of agricultural land to the west of the site to provide approximately 16,500 sqm of new hardstanding area which would be used by as additional vehicle storage parking The additional vehicle storage will provide the flexibility to enable business growth and will provide a major highway safety benefit of allowing additional areas within the site to be utilised as customer car parking on auction days Vehicle access to the site is to be retained from a priority controlled junction with the B5441 Station Road The following conclusions can be drawn from the report: The development is accessible by sustainable modes of travel including walking, cycling and public transport. A review of historical collision data has demonstrated that there are no existing accident blackspots in the vicinity of the site. By virtue of the increase in car parking provided on site, and the anticipated improved operation of the car park as a result of a new pre sales area, the proposals have been concluded to be of safety benefit to the local highway network, including for cyclists. The development proposals will result in an increase in vehicle storage of approximately 432 vehicles. However, it was demonstrated that the capacity of the vehicle sales area would not increase significantly. Transport Assessment 20

25 The proposals are intended to support the organic growth of Wilsons Auctions. It was demonstrated that this growth could occur in a number of forms, but that none of these would be expected to materially increase the traffic generation of the site, in particular during network peak hours, and therefore would not be expected to have a detrimental impact upon the operation of the local highway network or site access junction. The proposals would result in an increase in delivery vehicles. However, even assuming that delivery vehicle movements were to increase pro rata with the increase in vehicle storage, it has been demonstrated that the proposals would result in only between 3 and 4 additional deliveries per day. Such an increase would not have a material impact upon the operation of the local highway network or site access junction. The development would provide an additional 51 overspill car parking spaces, with the potential to increase the total provision on site to 193 customer spaces. This increase in provision would address existing on street car parking practices and improve safety for cyclists. The development would allow vehicle movements within the site to be undertaken in a more direct and efficient manner. In particular the reduction in sales vehicles passing through the customer car park would improve the operation of the car park and therefore the potential for queuing to occur at the site access junction. 6.2 Transport Assessment Conclusions The development site is in a highly sustainable location and the development proposals would not have a material detrimental impact upon either the operation or safety of the local highway network or site access junction Therefore based upon the findings of the Transport Assessment it is concluded that there are no material reasons why the development should not be granted planning consent on highways or transportation grounds. Transport Assessment 21

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32 PLAN 6 Ordnance Survey Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Licence No REV. DETAILS DRAWN CHECKED DATE Notes: DRAWN: CHECKED: DATE: SCALES: DRAWING NUMBER: REVISION:

33 APPENDICES

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38 Crash Report including Vehicle and Casualty Information Crash Date: Friday, December 02, 2011 Time of Crash: 4:50:00 PM Crash Reference: M Highest Injury Severity: Slight Number of Vehicles: 2 Number of Casualties: 1 Highway Authority: Flintshire OS Grid Reference: Local Authority: Flintshire County Road Number: B5441 Road Type: Single carriageway Weather Description: Fine without high winds Road Surface Description: Dry Speed Limit: 30 Junction Control: Not Applicable Light Conditions: Carriageway Hazards: Junction Detail: Junction Pedestrian Crossing: Darkness: street lights present and lit None Not at or within 20 metres of junction No physical crossing facility within 50 metres Vehicles involved Vehicle Ref Vehicle Type Vehicle Age Driver Gender Driver Age Band Vehicle Maneouvre 1 Car (excluding private hire cars 2005 onwards) -1 Female Vehicle proceeding normally along the carriageway, not on a bend 2 Pedal cycle -1 Female Vehicle proceeding normally along the carriageway, not on a bend For more information about the data please visit: and 4/5/2016 1:38:40 PM Supporting the United Nations' Decade of Action for Road Safety Page 1 of 2

39 Crash Report including Vehicle and Casualty Information Casualties Vehicle Ref Casualty Ref Injury Severity Casualty Class Gender Age Band Pedestrian Location Pedestrian Movement 2 1 Slight Driver or rider Female Unknown or other Unknown or other For more information about the data please visit: and 4/5/2016 1:38:40 PM Supporting the United Nations' Decade of Action for Road Safety Page 2 of 2