CITY PLAN PART TWO: ENVIRONMENT AND TRANSPORT ISSUES

Accessibility and Affordability are important transport principles. The Service, Maintenance, and general Work requirements of local residents and businesses also require that people are able to get around the City. It is also important for quality of life. These are key considerations when developing the City's transport strategy.

Environmental considerations should be at the heart of planning and transport policies. We need to encourage walking and cycling wherever feasible for short journeys whilst also encouraging the use of public transport and more eco-friendly car use.

DM33 SAFE, SUSTAINABLE AND ACTIVE TRAVEL (P98-101)

• Cycle Infrastructure and planning: Generally support the need to encourage cycle use with the provision of more safe cycle routes and cycle parking facilities within new developments.

• "Safe and inclusive travel" must be an important part of the City's Transport Policies to help meet the needs of a diverse range of people with different needs, including people who are older; people with longer-term health conditions and people with disabilities.

There needs to be a balance between the needs of motor vehicles (including motor cycles); buses; cyclists; and pedestrians. (Justification: Demographic Trends; Diversity; Preventing Discrimination)

• The introduction of experimental "courtesy crossings" should be considered, particularly at seafront locations, where usual pedestrian walkways intersect cycle lanes. This would avoid some common conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians. (Justification: Safety).

• Safer walking routes should also be encouraged with the provision of signposting, information points and seating areas at spaced intervals, especially on the Seafront and along the Valley Gardens areas. There should also be co-operation with Natural England and other organisations about the creation/maintenance of a safe, accessible and practical walking route along the seafront as part of their Coastal Walking Route.

(Justification: Health; Environment;Economy)

• There should be a thorough assessment of access, safety and traffic flow issues before cycle lanes are placed on main Transport routes through the City, especially "A" Roads. Wider Consultation is also important because those routes affect the whole area. It should be recognised that restricting road space can cause more congestion, traffic displacement and pollution. Also, that age, disability, weather conditions and the geography of the City can affect cycle uptake. (Justification: Safety, Employment,Access; Demographic Changes)

• Consideration should be given to the provision of a network of charging points for electric vehicles in partnership with other community and private organisations. These could be provided in larger new developments; on existing large Council Premises; with the private sector in Light-Industrial areas; and with existing or new fuel suppliers, including petrol stations. (Justification: Environment; Planning)

• Car Clubs and Car Sharing for electric vehicles should be encouraged and consideration should be given to a partnership scheme with one or more car hire companies to encourage people to use motor vehicles only for those journeys that are vital. (Justification: Lowering Carbon; Reducing Congestion and Parking Issues).

• Transport Planners should consider the needs of motor cyclists, recognising that many of these are more environmentally friendly. Safety consideration should always be considered along with the access and parking needs of motorcyclists. (Justification: Choice; Environmental; Safety)

• Local Rail and Bus Companies should be encouraged to provide and promote"all inclusive" linked tickets that enable Visitors to use train or long-distance bus tickets for local "go anywhere" bus travel. Travel Links from the main stations should also be better publicised and signposted (Justifiction: Sustainability; Choice; Local Economy)

• The Council should work with the Bus Companies to ensure that fares are kept as low as feasibly possible and subsidies should be considered for key routes that are important and/or can help reduce congestion/pollution (as identified by the Council's air pollution monitoring). (Justification: Environment; Quality of Life; Reducing Carbon;)

DM38 TRANSPORT INTERCHANGES

• 255 We strongly support an improved "Park and Ride" scheme to help reduce congestion in the City linking existing bus routes and train stations. The Council should also co-operate with neighbouring Local Authorities with the aim of securing some space for such a scheme in adjoining areas where these are close to bus and train interchanges.

• The Council should work with local bus companies to secure a new "circular route" for buses around the central areas, taking into account the proposals for new housing developments in some areas such as New England Road, New England Street and Davigdor Road, with the aim of reducing traffic congestion. (Justification: Sustainable Travel; Reducing Congestion; Local Economy)

DM37/38:-

• General Support for these sections. Reconsideration should be given to the boundaries of the Hollingbury Park Golf Course area in order to allow PART to be allocated for eco-friendly homes and allotments.
• It should be recognised that areas of eco-friendly homes can also help contribute to carbon reduction through the growing of trees, shrubs and other plants in small streets, gardens and pocket parks.

DM39:-

• Seafront Infrastructure and Coastal Defences should be checked thoroughly on a regular basis (preferably annually/minimum bi-annually) and after periods of severe weather conditions. The City's many miles of seafront must be assessed, monitored and maintained, in partnership with Agencies such as the Environment Agency. (Justification: Safety; Susyainability; Longer-Term Protection of Homes and Infrastructure)