improving accessibility 4 improving accessibility · 4 improving accessibility currently several...

ThroughtheimplementationoftheCountyCouncil’sAccessibilityStrategy,wearehelpingtoremovesomeofthebarriersassociatedwithusingpublictransportinEastSussex,tofacilitateimprovedaccesstoservicesinthecounty’skeycentres.

OurAccessibilityStrategyisfocusedparticularlyonpublictransportandweareundertakingdetailedlocalassessmentsinconjunctionwithpartnerorganisationstodevelopappropriateactionplanstoremovesomeofthebarrierspeoplefaceinaccessingkeyservicesandfacilities.Theseincludeplacesofemployment,education,healthcareandhealthyfoodshopping.Byremovingthebarriers,wearefacilitatingincreasesinbuspatronageacrossthecounty,whichisdemonstratedintheprogresswehavemadetowardsachievingrespectivetargets,assetoutinchapter11.ThisinturnfacilitatesimprovedcoverageofcommercialservicesoperatinginEastSussexbyincreasingthelevelofrevenuegeneratedbytheoperators.

ThestrategyisinformedbyouraccessibilitymodelknownasAccession.TheaccessibilityplotsitproducesarealsousedbytheplanningauthoritiestoinformLocalDevelopmentFrameworks.Theyprovideanassessmentofrelativeaccessibilityindifferentareasbypublictransport,helpingtoinformland-useprovision,andtheemergingBusandCommunityTransportStrategies.Theprocessisinformedbylocal

evidencebases–suchastheobjectivesoftheLocalStrategicPartnership,relevantLTP2LocalAreaTransportStrategies,villageactionplansanddatagleanedfromlocalsurveys–toidentifywhichservicesareimportanttocommunities,providingaclearfocusfortheAccessionmodellingschedules.

AprogrammeofdetailedAccessibilityStrategyLocalAssessments(ASLAs)hasbeenapprovedbytheCountyCouncil,andtheassessmentsareusedtoidentifyappropriateactionplansofmeasureswhichseektotackleaccessibilitybarrierstokeyservicesandfacilities.Theactionplanstypicallyidentifyacombinationofinformation-basedmeasures,‘smarterchoice’measuresandinsomeinstancesimprovedpublictransportwhichareimplementedmainlybytheCountyCouncil,althoughsomearebeingprogressedbyotherpartnerorganisations.

BusservicesTheCountyCouncilworkswithbusoperatorstocoordinateinformationaboutroutes,timetablesandcharges,andtherebypromoteastablenetworkofservices.TheobjectivesofthepassengertransportservicearewellalignedwithLTP2accessibilityobjectivestomeetthedailytransportneedsofallpeopleinthecounty,butespeciallypupilsgoingtoandfromschool,peoplewithmobilityimpairments,

4 Improvingaccessibility

East Sussex County Council LTP2 Progress Report 2008

Improving accessibility ��

Improveaccesstoservicesbyprovidinggreatertravelchoicesandinfluencinglandusedecisions


Improving accessibility��

theelderlyandthosewithoutaccesstoacar,particularlyinruralandmoredeprivedareas.Servicesandtimetablesarealignedtoallowpeopletoaccesskeycentreswheretheycanfindhealthandeducationservices,employmentopportunitiesandhealthyfoodoutlets.

TheCountyCouncilimplementsaconcessionaryfareschemeforchildrenandyoungpeopleintheformofFreedomandPathfindertickets,providingthemwithunlimitedbustravelonmostroutesinthecountyforadiscountedfare.

Riderbusservices,supportedbytheCountyCouncil,areoftentheonlypublictransportinruralandsuburbanareas.Faresarecompetitiveandreturnticketscanbeusedforareturnjourneyonotherlocalservicesinthesamearea,oranotherRiderservice.

TheCountyCouncilhascommissionedconsultantstoproduceaZeroBasedReviewofBusServices.Thiswillconstituteacomprehensive,strategicreviewlooking

atthewaytheCouncilfundsbusservicesandwillidentifyopportunitiesarisingfromnewlegislationtodevelopanewdraftBusStrategydesignedtogiverobustguidancetodecisionmakersatastrategiclevel.AsaresulttheCountyCouncilwillbeabletoprioritiseitsresourcesonthoseserviceelementswhichareessentialtodeliveringimprovedaccessibility.

ThePassengerTransportTeamworkscloselywiththeHighwaysDevelopmentControlTeamtoassessthetravelimpactofnewdevelopmentapplicationsandensureappropriatepassengertransportmeasuresareimplementedtomitigateunwantedimpactsofnewdevelopment.Thesehavetakentheformofcontributionstoimprovedfrequencyofbusservices,provisionofaccessiblebusstopsandwalkingroutes,andtheadoptionoftravelplans.

WesthamandPevenseyKickstartProjectandRuralBusChallengeInpartnershipwiththeWestham&PevenseyLocalTransportPartnership(WPLTP),asuccessfulbidwasmadetotheDepartmentforTransportforRuralBusChallengeandKickstartfunding.

TheKickstartschemeprovidedEastbourneBuseswithfundingtoextendaconventionalhourlybusservicefromEastbourneintotheruralhinterlandofWesthamandPevensey.ThisestablishedapublictransportlinkbetweentheruralcommunitiesandEastbourne.ThenewLocal5routereplacedalimitedbusservice,whichranfourtimesaday.

TheLocal5servicewasheavilymarketedandattractedasignificantincreaseinpassengers.Unfortunately,duetothechangingfinancialcircumstancesofEastbourneBuses,thecompanywasnotabletocontinuewiththeservicebeyondtheKickstartfundingperiod.However,anotherbuscompanydidtakeoverthe



weekdayserviceonacommercialbasisandthisarrangementisnowworkingsatisfactorily.

InrespectoftheRuralBusChallengeelement,withthefullinvolvementofstakeholders,aservicespecificationwasdesignedand,followingcompetitivetendering,EastbourneBuseswasawardedacontracttoprovideafullyaccessibledemandresponsivelocalbusservice.MarketedasRover6,theserviceoperatedMondaystoSaturdaysandalljourneysweresubjecttopre-bookingviaadedicatedTravelCallCentre(providedbyWestSussexCountyCouncil).

Rover6wasdesignedtofulfiltwoobjectives:

a)toincreasetheaccessibilityofthefixedroutebusservices(seeKickstartelementbelow)byprovidingtransportfromtheuser’shometoandfromthenearestbusstop,and

b)tomeetthoselocaltransportneedswithintheParishesofWestham&Pevenseynotcateredforbytheexistingconventionalbusnetwork.

Althoughtheserviceprovedtobeaveryusefulfacilityforasmallnumberofregularusers,itbecameclearthattake-upwasinsufficienttoenabletheservicetocontinueinthesameformbeyondtheRuralBusChallengefundingperiod.

However,theCountyCouncilandthePartnershipweredeterminedtoretainsomeofthebenefitsofRover6.Therefore,inlate2007andearly2008,theCountyCouncilandtheWPLTP,withsupportandadvicefromtheDepartmentforTransport,workedinclosepartnershipwiththeCuckmereCommunityBusorganisationtore-launchRover6asacommunitybuslinkstaffedbyvoluntarydriversandusingvolunteerstooperateahome-basedtelephonebookingservice.ThenewRover6commencedoperationsinmidFebruary2008,initiallyontwodaysperweekowingtothesmall

numberofvolunteers.

TheservicehasmanagedtoretainmostoftheclientsthatformerlyusedtheEastbourneBusesserviceandisnowbeginningtoexperienceasmallgrowthinpatronage.Thereareaspirationstoextendtheservicetootherdaysoftheweekasmorevolunteersarerecruitedandtrained.

Thisprojecthasbeenanexcellentdemonstrationofwhatcanbeachievedwhenthelocalauthorityworksinclosepartnershipwithlocalstakeholderstoprovideaself-helpsolutiontolocaltransportneeds.

Withthefullinvolvementoflocalstakeholders,theprojecthasassistedtheCountyCounciltomeetanumberofitskeyLTP2targetsbypromotingimprovedaccessiblepublictransport,accesstoservicesforthecommunity,andreduceddependencyonprivatecartransport,withtheconsequentimprovementinairqualityandreductionincarbondioxideemissions.

CommunityTransportStrategyRunningconcurrentlywiththeZeroBasedReviewofBusServiceswillbeaReviewofCommunityTransport.Thiswillprovideamodelforfuturedevelopmentofthisaspectoftransportprovisioninordertoensurecontinuedaccessandmobilityforruralcommunities.CommunityTransportmayplayagreaterroleinprovidingaccessibilitylifelinestocommunitiesinEastSussex,particularlyiftherearechangesinthelevelofsupportforlocalbusservices.OneoftherecommendationsoftheExecutiveReviewofPassengerTransportwastheneedtodevelopaclearCommunityTransportStrategywhichcomplementsexistingcommercialandsupportedbusservices,andtakesaccountoftheexperienceofpastandcurrentschemes.

TheCommunityTransportStrategy,alongwithanupdatedBusStrategy,willbefinalisedattheendof2008/09.


Improving accessibility�4

Currentlyseverallocalareasarecoveredbycommunitytransportwhichincludes:

Dial-a-Rideschemes

voluntarycarservices,and

vehiclessuitableforwheelchairaccess

TheCountyCouncilsubsidisesDialaRideservicesinLewesandSeafordanda‘TaxiRider’serviceinPolegate.Theseareparticularlysuitableforpeoplewhoareunabletoaccessnormalpublictransportservices.

BeaconLinkServiceRoyalMailannouncedthatitwouldbewithdrawingthePostBusServicewhichservedWadhurstandMayfieldinDecember2007.TheCountyCouncilorganisedareplacementserviceoperatedbyCommunityTransportfortheLewesArea(CTLA).InitiallyfundedbyESCCandtheParishCouncilsofMayfieldandWadhurstfor6months,theservicehasprovedsufficientlypopularforanextensionoftheservicetotheendor2008.Furthernegotiationswilltakeplacetolookatfutureprovision.

TheLocalTransportBillTheLocalTransportBillcurrentlygoingthroughParliamentwillgivelocalauthoritiesnewpowerstoimprovethequalityoflocalbusservices.Thisisinlinewiththeproposalsin‘PuttingPassengersFirst’whichwaspublishedbytheDfTin2006andfollowedanextensivereviewofbusservicesacrossthecountry.Thoseproposalswerewidelywelcomedbybusoperators,localauthoritiesandpassengergroups.TheBillwillpromotemoreeffectivepartnershipworkingbetweenlocalauthoritiesandbusoperators,allowinganewregimetodeliverbetterpunctualityandfurtherdevelopmentofthecommunitytransportsector.

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WealdenEasylinkThisisabookable,door-to-doortransportserviceforpeople,includingpeoplewhousewheelchairs,whofinditdifficultorimpossibletogetonandoffbuses,ortogettoabusstop.TheWealdenEasylinkserviceisrunbyCommunityTransportwiththesupportofCrowboroughTownCouncil,EastSussexCountyCouncilandHartfield,MaresfieldandWithyhamParishCouncils.TheservicecarrieschildrentoChaileyHeritageSchoolandHillsideSpecialSchoolandthenprovidesaserviceforelderlypassengers.Fundedbyacombinationoftownandparishcouncilsplusacontributionfromadistrictcouncil,itwouldcostsignificantlymoretomeetthetwoserviceneedsseparately.

TheWealdenEasylinkbusservesthenorthernpartsofWealdenDistrict,includingthecommunitiesofMaresfield,Nutley,ChelwoodGate,WychCross,Fairwarp,HighHurstwood,ForestRow,Coleman’sHatch,Hartfield,Withyham,Groombridge,LyeGreenandCrowborough.ItrunsonMondaystoFridays.Dependingontheday,servicesruneithertoTunbridgeWellsorCrowborough,providingopportunitiesforuserstovisitthetowncentresforshoppingorotherservices.

Thesingleminibusservicecarried3,600passengersin2006raising£6,200infaresie.40%ofitsrunningcosts.ThisiscomparabletothesubsidylevelprovidedbytheCountyCouncilfortheleastfinanciallyviablebusservices.Althoughpartofthefundingisprovidedbytownandparishcouncils,thissolutionisconsideredbytheoperatortobehighlyprecariousandverytimeconsumingtomaintain.Itshouldnotberegardedasareplacementforascheduled,conventionalservice,whichwouldmovesignificantlymorepeople.


Improving accessibility �5

LocalAreaAgreement(2008/09–2010/11)TheCountyCouncil’saccessibilitytargethasbeenincludedinthenewLocalAreaAgreement(LAA)forEastSussex.WhilstitutilisestheexistingindicatorinLTP2–namelytheproportionofthetotalpopulationofEastSussexwithin30minutesaccessbypublictransportforanarrivalatakeycentreby09:00–thetargetlevelhasbeenstretched.Wewillbeupdatingthisindicatorduring2008/09toadaptittotakeaccountofthereturntripelementofthejourney.ThiswouldallowarefreshedtargetleveltobeincludedintheLAAinJanuary2009.

AccessibilityStrategy/RuralAccesstoServicesProgrammeClearlinkageshavebeenidentifiedbetweentheEastSussexRuralAccesstoServicesProgramme(RASP)andthedeliveryoftheCountyCouncil’sAccessibilityStrategy.TheRASPisledbyActioninRuralSussex(AiRS)andhassuccessfullysecuredfundingfromSEEDAtothevalueof£100,000perannum(2008/09to2010/11inclusive)toimplementmeasureswhichcomplementtheobjectivesoftheLTP2AccessibilityStrategy.TheevidencebasegatheredthroughtheAccessibilityStrategyandtheASLAswill,inpart,beusedtodeterminewheretheactionsandinitiativesintheRASPwillbedelivered.FurtherdetailscanbefoundinthePartnershipWorkingsectionofthisreport.

TheRASPseekstoachievethefollowingobjectives:

1. todevelopuptofiveIntegratedServiceDeliveryHubswithincommunitybuildingsinkeyruralsettlementsinEastSussexasdemonstrationprojectsprovidingadditionalcommunityservices

2. toprovidespecificsupporttofourParishCouncilstoprovideaninformationandsignpostingserviceforindividuals,

businessesandorganisationsasapilot,trainingdevelopmentprogramme

3. toexplorethedevelopmentandfeasibilityofaruralkitemarkforthedeliveryofservicesinruralareasasawayforwardinpromotingruralserviceprovisionandtoraiseawarenessofthis

4. toimproveawarenessaboutsocialenterprisesandtoincreasethenumberofsocialenterprisesinthecountywhichareprovidinglocalruralservices

5. toassistinthedevelopmentofcollaborativeactionsbetweenexistingsocialenterprisestothebenefitofruralservicedelivery

Inaddition,AiRShasalsoprovidedaninputintothedevelopmentoftheactionplanscontainedintheASLAsbyworkingwithofficersattheCountyCounciltoensurethat,whereappropriate,themeasuresarecomplementarytothosedeliveredthroughtheRASP.SEEDAhaveawardedtheRASP£100,000perannumtoimplementRASPoverthenextthreeyears(08/09to10/11)andwewillbeworkingcloselywithAiRSwhenundertakingtheremainingASLAs.

TheAccessibilityStrategyisakeycomponentofLTP2,andseekstoovercomesomeoftheidentifieddeficienciesinaccessibilitytoservices,whethertheyarespatiallyinduced,transportrelated,serviceprovisionbasedorcommunityspecific.Ithasbeendevelopedinthewidersustainabletransportpolicyframework,whichisintegraltothevisionandobjectivesofLTP2,andtheAccessibilityStrategyinparticularhasastrongsocialinclusionfocus.

SustainableSchoolTravelStrategyInaccordancewiththedutyplacedonitbytheEducationandInspectionsAct2006,theCountyCouncilhasproducedaSustainableSchoolTravelStrategy(SSTS)whichlooksattheissuesaroundjourneystoschool.TheSSTSwillbecomeausefulreferenceforparentsandchildren



onthetraveloptionsavailabletothemwhenchoosingaschool.Italsoprovidesthecouncilwithadetailedpictureoftheissuespreventingpeopleusingsustainablemethodsoftraveltoandfromschool.

PartofthestrategyisanAssessmentoftheTravelNeedsofChildrenandYoungPeople.Thisisbasedoninformationgatheredfromthechildren,parentsandschoolstaffthroughSchoolTravelPlanswhicharenowproducedbyover86%ofallmaintainedschoolsinthecounty.Onequestiontheyareaskedisbywhatmethodtheywouldprefertotraveltoschooliftheycould.InformationalsocomesfromtheannualSchoolCensuswhichaskschildrenbywhichmethodoftransporttheytraveltoschool.

AfurtherpieceofworkwhichcontributestotheSSTSandtheCountyCouncil’sknowledgeofbarrierstosustainableaccesstoschoolswillbeanauditoftheinfrastructurewhichenablessustainabletravelsuchascycleroutes,busservices,safecrossingplacesonroads,adequatepavements,placestostorebicycles,shelteredplacesforwalkers,appropriatelightingetc.

Theissuesraisedthroughthisworkandtheresultingactionplanwillcontributetotheobjectiveofincreasingsustainableaccesstoplacesoflearning.

SchoolTransportCodeofPracticeTheCountyCouncilcurrentlyspendsaround£10milliononschooltransporteachyear,takingaround7000pupilstoandfromschool.Approximately60%ofthisbudgetisspentonSpecialEducationalNeeds(SEN)transport.

ThePassengerTransportTeam(PTT),workingalongsidecolleaguesinTransport&Environmentandspecialistsintheanti-bullying,childprotectionandSpecialEducationalNeeds(SEN)teams,areissuinganupdatedCodeofPractice.Thiswilladdressbehaviouralissues,conflict

resolutionandtheexpectationsofthevariousstakeholderswithintheSchoolTransportService(parents,pupils,drivers,operators,escorts,schools).Thecodewillbecommunicatedthroughleaflets,posters,webpagesandtrainingopportunities.

Theprincipleaimoftheupdatedcodeistoimprovethepassengerenvironmentonschooltransportservicesby:

increasingtheknowledgeofthevariousstakeholdersoftheSchoolTransportService

raisingawarenessofexpectedbehaviourforpupilsonschooltransport

remindingdrivers,operatorsandescortsoftheirresponsibilities,and

reducingthenumberoflocalcarjourneysandencouragingtheuseofpublictransport.

TheexpectedimprovementswillsupporttheemergingcorporateClimateChangeStrategyaswellasthedeliveryofSchoolTravelPlansandtheTravelChoiceprogrammebyhelpingtoreducelocalisedcongestion.

ReviewofSupportedLocalBusServicesandHometoSchoolTransportArrangementsinHastingsandRother(ImplementedOctober2006)ThisreviewincludedalargenumberofmainstreamschooltransportcontractsandalsomostofthekeyhourlysupportedlocalbusservicesinEastSussex.Theseservicescarrylargenumbersofpassengerseachday,includingschoolchildrenentitledtofreetransport.

Theworkinvolvedreviewingservicesandtenderingforcontractstoreplaceabout130existingcontractstothevalueofabout£3mperannum.Consultationwasundertakenwithlocalresidentsandorganisationstoidentifyanyparticularneedsthatwerenotmetbythecurrentbusnetwork.Itresultedinnewdirectservicesbetween

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Bexhill,BattleandtheConquestHospital,whichhavesignificantlyimprovedaccesstohealthservicesasidentifiedintheLTP2AccessibilityStrategy.

TransportandtravelinformationtoraiseawarenessofthetravelchoicesavailableLTP2recognisestheimportanceofgoodpublictransportinformation.TheCountyCouncilcoordinatesandproducestimetablesforallbusservicesinthecountyaswellasdetailedbusnetworkmapsforthelargertowns.TheseandlinkstotraininformationcanallbeaccessedviatheEastSussexwebsite.Wealsocompileandupdateserviceinformationfortheregionaltravelservice,Travelinewhichallowsresidentsandvisitorstoplantheirjourneysbybusandtrain.

RealTimeBusInformationinEastbourne(RTBI)–SystemlaunchedinJune2007TheintroductionofRTBIinEastSussexisakeyelementoftheCountyCouncil’sBusStrategy.Brighton&HoveCityCouncilalreadyoperateasuccessfulRTBIandBusManagementsystemwithinthecity,anditwasrecognisedthattherewouldbefinancialandoperationalbenefitsbyenteringintoagreementwiththeCityCounciltosharetheircoreRTBIsystem.

Earlyin2004,EastSussexCountyCouncilobtainedsupplementaryfundingtoprocureandimplementaRTBIsysteminEastbourne.ThiswasbaseduponasharedsystemwithBrightonandHoveCityCouncilandinvolvedprocuringequipmentfor57buses,24signs,oneradiobasestationandacontrolcentreattheEastbourneBusesdepot.

TheprojectincludedthedesignandimplementationofacommunicationsnetworkcomprisingaWideAreaNetworkandBTleasedlines,andanagreementwithEastSussexFire&RescueServicefortheinstallationoftheradiobasestationontheirpremises.Followingdelaysincurredbyradiointerferenceproblems,systemacceptancewasachievedinMarch2007.Thiswasfollowedbya3monthtrialperiodafterwhichthesystemwasformallylaunchedon1stJune2007.

ThewholeprojectinvolvedacloseworkingrelationshipbetweentheCountyCouncilandthefollowingcompaniesandorganisations:

Brighton&HoveCityCouncil(technicalsupport)

EastbourneBusCompany

Brighton&HoveBus&CoachCompany(operationalsupport)

Siemens,and

EastSussexFire&RescueService.

Althoughtherehavebeenafewteethingproblemswiththenewequipment,itisprovidingvaluableinformationtobususerswithrealtimeinformationbeingprovidedonthenewsigns.EastbourneBusesalsohavethebenefitofthebusmanagementsystemwhichenablestheircontrolcentreto‘see’exactlywherethebusesare.Shoulddelaysbeincurredbytrafficaccidentsorcongestionthenthebuscompanycantakeproactiveaction,suchasre-routingbusestoavoidtheproblem.Thisalsobenefitsbuspassengers.

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WhiletheCountyCouncilmanagedtheentireproject,thiswasachievedincloseconsultationwithEastbourneBuses.Theyprovidedvaluablesupport,liaisingwiththesupplierintheinstallationofthebusequipmentandcontrolcentre,gainingapprovalfromthestafforganisationinuseoftheequipmentandtheimplementationofstafftrainingonthesystem.

ProvisionofservicestoreducetheneedtotravelTheCountyCouncilworkedwithBTtorolloutaprogrammeofbroadbandprovisiontocoverthewholecounty.Thishasenabledfastinternetaccessforresidentsandbusinesseshelpingtoreducetheneedtotravel.

TheCountyCouncilhasaCommunicationsStrategywhichcoversallourmedia,graphicsandmarketingworkincludingthedesignandaccessibilityofourwebsite.ThewebsiteisrecognisedbytheSocietyofIT

Mangers(SOCITM)asoneofthetoplocalauthoritywebsitesinthecountry.IthasbeenawardedtheRoyalNationalInstituteoftheBlind‘SeeitRight’accessiblewebsitelogoandalsohasasectionforpeoplewithlearningdisabilities.In2006/07over5,000e-formrelatedsubmissionsweremadeforservicesviathewebsiteandthenumberofuniquevisitstothewebsitehasincreasedeveryyear.Whileitisdifficulttoquantifyhowmanyjourneysarebeingsavedthroughthis,itisgenerallyacceptedthattheneedtotravelcanbereducedbyprovidingelectronicallyaccessibleservices.

TheCountyCouncillibraryserviceprovidesinternetaccessandonlineservicesvitaltoruralareas.Thereisalsoamobileofficeserviceservicingsmallercommunities.

Informationcanberequestedandfaultsreportedthroughthewebsite.Weareworkinginpartnershipwithothertiersoflocalgovernmenttoprovidea‘onestopshop’enablingthepublictohaveonepointofcontactregardlessofwhichbodyprovidestheserviceandthuspreventingthefrustrationofbeingpassedfromoneauthoritytoanother.

LanduseandsustainabledevelopmentTheCountyCouncilworkswithDistrictandBoroughCouncilstoensurethatdevelopmentisappropriatelyandsustainablelocated,minimisingtheneedtotravelbyprivatecar.WeworkwiththeDistrictandBoroughCouncilsindevelopingtheirLocalDevelopmentFrameworks(LDFs)usingdetailedlocalaccessibilityassessmentstoinformthechoiceofsitesandoptions.WehavealsodevelopedSupplementaryPlanningGuidancetosecurebothonandoffsiteintegratedtransportimprovementsfornewdevelopmentinthecountyensuringthatappropriatetransportinfrastructureis‘designedin’atanearlystage.



Wilting FarmSeaspace,thedeliveryarmoftheBexhillandHastingsTaskforce,andthebodyresponsiblefortheregenerationprogrammeforthetwotowns,hascommissionedconsultantstoundertakeaninitialfeasibilityassessmentoftheproposalforanewstationatWiltingFarmtothewestofHastings.TheconceptofastationatWiltingFarmhasexistedformanyyearsbutithasgainednewrelevanceinthecontextoftheBexhill-HastingsLinkRoad.

ThepurposeofthestudyistoestablishwhetherthereisabusinesscaseandatechnicallyviableproposalforanewstationatWiltingFarm.Ifitdoesthenthiswouldhavethepotentialofbeingdevelopedintoafullscheme.TheoutcomesofthestudywillalsohelpinformHastingsBoroughCouncilandRotherDistrictCouncilonthescopefordevelopinglandintheWiltingFarmareaforhousingorcommercialpurposes.ThisisbeingconsideredthroughtheLocalDevelopmentFrameworkprocess.

MaintenanceTheauthoritymadespecialone-offrevenueallocationsforimprovementstothepavementnetworkinthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2.In2006/07anallocationof£0.2mwasmadeavailableandfor2007/08afurther£0.25mwasallocated.Aproportionofthisadditionalmoneyhasbeenutilisedtoimprovetheconditionofthelocalpavementnetwork.However,inthelargerurbanareastheadditionalfundshavealsobeentargetedatprovidingfacilitieswithinthepavementnetworkforuserswithdisabilities.Liaisonwithlocaldisabilitygroupshasensuredthatdroppedkerbsandtactilecrossingpointshavebeeninstalledonroutesrecognisedashavingastrategicfunction.

RightsofWayImprovementPlanIn2007EastSussexCountyCouncilpublishedits10yearRightsofWayImprovementPlan(ROWIP).Theplanassesses:

theextenttowhichthelocalrightsofwaymeetthepresentandlikelyfutureneedsofthepublic

theopportunitiesprovidedbylocalrightsofwayforexerciseandotherformsofoutdoorrecreationandenjoymentofourarea,and

theaccessibilityoflocalrightsofwaytoblindandpartiallysightedpeopleandotherswithmobilityproblems.

TheROWIPistheprimemeansbywhichlocalhighwayauthoritiesidentifythechangestobemadetothemanagementandimprovementoftheirlocalrightsofwaynetwork.Itprovidesanopportunitytoexpandroutestoprovideaccessonfoot,bybicycle,oronhorseback,toawiderrangeofdestinationsandtolinkrightsofwaywithothertransportnetworks.

Whileenablingmorepeopletoaccessthecountrysideforleisurepurposes,theplanalsosharestheobjectivesinLTP2forimprovingnetworksofpathsbothruralandurban,whichencouragepeopletotravelbyfootoronbicycleratherthanbycar.Therearelinksbetweenthisandtheobjectivesforaccessibilityandreducingcongestion,safetyandairquality.TheROWIPalsocontributestotheobjectivesofthewiderhealthagendatoreducetheincidenceofcoronaryheartdiseaseandobesitybyfacilitatingexercise.

TheROWIPseekstodevelopthecontinuityoftheRoWnetworkincludingtheprovisionofsafecrossingsonbusyroutes,linkingpathsalongsideroadsandtheprotectionofcountrylanesasapartoflongdistancebridleroutes.

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Improving accessibility�0

RightsofWayandLocalAreaTransportStrategiesInEastSussextheLTP2offersopportunitiestodeveloprightsofwaylinksviaLocalAreaTransportStrategies(LATS).

LATSaredevelopedinpartnershipwithDistrict,Borough,TownandParishCouncils,toconsiderallthedifferenttypesoftransportneedsinanarea.LATStakeintoaccountkeytransportandcommunicationlinksbetweencommunities.

OnceaRightsofWayschemehasbeenidentifiedwithintheLATS,whichrequirescapitalfunding,theyaresubjecttotheBalancedScorecardprocesswhichisusedtoassesstheschemeagainstLTP2objectivestodeterminesuitabilityforinclusionintheIntegratedTransportCapitalProgramme.TheCountyCouncilalsoimplementsRightsofWaymeasuresthroughaspecificROWIPfundingprogramme.

InlinewiththeCountyCouncil’spolicyofmaintainingcurrentassets,fundinghasbeenallocatedforacountywideprogrammeofbridgereplacementonRightsofWayroutesinEastSussex.Thiscommencedin2007/08with£200,000allocatedperyearfortwoyears,alongsideacomplementaryprogrammeofsurfacingworksat£70,000peryearcommencingin2008/09.

RightsofWaySchemesPerhapstheroutewithgreatestpotentialforutilityusagecontributingtoLTP2objectivesistheCuckooTrailwhichrunsfor13milesfromHeathfieldtoEastbournePark.ItpassesthroughHoram,Hellingly,HailshamandPolegateandformspartofNationalCycleNetworkroute21.Workhasbeencompletedtoresurfacethepathmakingaccesseasierforwalkersandcyclists.Evidencefromsurveysshowsthatthenumberofusershasgraduallyincreasedoverrecentyears,withincreasesinwalkersandcyclistsinroughlyequalmeasure.

Also,theincreaseinlocaljourneysoverthewintermonthsinparticularimpliesthattheincreaseislikelytobeinutilityjourneysratherthanrecreationaljourneys.

WorkhasalsotakenplaceontheCuckooTrailtoreducethegradients,takingoutthesteepestpartsofthepathsothataccessiseasierforpeoplewithdisabilities.

SussexOuseValleyWayThankstothecooperationofalocallandowner,wewereabletoprovideapathalongsidetheA275toenableasafercrossingpointandtoavoidwalkershavingtowalkalongthenarrowestpartofthatbusyroadwheretherewasnoverge.

RoutestoschoolInsomeareas,inbothurbanandruralsettings,parentsandchildrenmakeuseofthepathwaysontheRightsofWaynetworktotraveltoandfromschool.InthevillageofGroombridge,parentstoldusoftheirpreferenceforwider‘kissing’gatestoenablethepassageofbuggieswhenaccompanyingchildrentoschool.

New ramp on the Cuckoo Trail



DisabilityDiscriminationAct(DDA)ThisnewlegislationhasbeenthedrivingforcebehindseveralimprovementschemestoincreaseaccesstothecountrysideandtheRightsofWaynetworkforpeoplewithlimitedmobility,wheelchairusersandpushchairs.WherepossiblestilesarereplacedbygatesandinseveralpartsofthecountypurposebuiltpathshavebeenprovidedthroughInterregfundingforpeoplewithspecialneeds.

TargetsummaryThefollowingLTP2targetscontributetotheachievementoftheaccessibilityobjective:

toincreasetheproportionofthepopulationthatcanaccessakeycentrewithin30minutesbypublictransportby9.00am

toincreasethenumberofwalkingtripsinthecounty

improvedbuspunctuality

toincreasethenumberofcycletripsinthecountyasawhole

toincreasethenumberofcycletripsinthegreaterEastbourne/Bexhill/Hastingsarea

toincreasebussatisfaction

toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinthecountyasawhole

toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinEastbourne,and

toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinHastings

ForfulldetailsofprogressagainsttargetsseeChapter11.

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Strengths1. Aheadofthetargettrajectoryfor

accessibility

2. InclusionofindicatorinLAAemphasisesimportancetoESCCandpartners

3. StrongworkingrelationshipwithActioninRuralSussex(AiRS)oncomplementaryagenda

4. Concessionaryfaresschemeenablinggreateraccessibilityfortargetedgroups

5. IncreasedpotentialforsecuringDevelopmentContributionstowardsinvestmentinsustainabletravelmodes.

Weaknesses1. TheCountyCouncil’srevenuebudget

forPassengerTransport,usedtosupportservices,isunderpressure

2. Negativeattitudestopublictransport

3. CountyCouncil’sdirectabilitytoreducecaruse

Opportunities1. WorkingwithAiRStoimplementthe

RuralAccesstoServicesProgrammewithSEEDAfunding

2. Increasedroleofthecommunitytransportsector

3. DeliveryofAccessibilityStrategy

4. UsingevidencebasefromAccessibilityStrategytosupportprovisionofsustainabletransportsolutionsatnewdevelopment

Threats1. Higherfuelcostsarehavinga

significanteffectonbusoperatingcosts(resultinginwithdrawalofcommercialbusservicesandhighercontractprices)

2. HighoperatingcostinflationinpassengertransportsectorthreatensviabilityofservicesandESCC’sabilitytosupport

3. LanduseplanningdecisionsnotwithincontrolofCountyCouncil



RisksandopportunitiesStatus: GREEN


Demand management ��

DemandmanagementManagingdemandandreducingtheneedtotravelbycarisanimportantlocalpriorityandiskeytoachievingthenationalsharedprioritiesofreducingcongestion,improvingairqualityandmakingtheroadnetworksafer.TheCountyCouncilworkshardtoensurethatlanduseplanningandtransportpoliciesareintegratedtoensurethattheneedtotravelbyprivatecartoaccessgoods,servicesandopportunitiesisminimisedasfarasispossibleinalargelyruralarea.

Severalareasofworkcontributetotheachievementofthispriority.Inparticular:

parkingmanagementandenforcement

workplaceparkingchargesandtravelplanning

schooltravelplanning

promotionoftheTravelChoicebrandandcarsharingschemes

implementationoftheConcessionaryFaresSchemeonbuses,and

supportingcyclingandwalking.

Thesearecomplementedbyanapproachwhichseekstomakealternativeandmoresustainableformsoftransportsuchaswalking,cyclingandpublictransportmoreattractiveoptionsthanthecar.Theimpactofthisworkisdemonstratedbythefactthattrafficgrowthacrossthecountyisontargetnottoexceedtheprojectedincreaseof10%by2010/11.

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5 Demandmanagement

Managedemandandreducetheneedtotravelbyprivatecar

InLewestherehasbeenconsiderablepromotionofalternativemodesoftravel.TheCountyCouncilisworkinginpartnershipwithNetworkRailandthetrainoperatingcompanies(TOCs)toinstallimprovedcycleparkingfacilitiesatthestation.Asthelargestemployerinthetown,theCountyCouncilhasatravelplanforCountyHallwhichhasresultedinaveryeffectivecarsharescheme,improvedcycleandshowerfacilities,subsidisedconcessionsonbustravelfromBrightonandotherareasandsubsidisedrailtravelfromthecoastaltowns.Reducedcongestionhasalsoincreasedbusreliabilityonroutesthroughtownwithacommensurateincreaseinbuspatronageandthenumberofpeoplewalking.

ParkingmanagementandenforcementEffectivecivilparkingschemesarenowwellestablishedinbothHastingsandLewesusingacombinationofparkingchargesandenforcementinconjunctionwiththepositiveenhancementofalternativemodesoftransport.ThereductionintrafficflowinthetwotownsisincontrasttotheincreaseinEastbournewheredelayinimplementationoftheCivilParkingEnforcement(CPE)schemehasfrustratedfurtherworktoprovidetheinfrastructureandstrategiestoenhancetheattractivenessofalternativemodesandreapthefullbenefitofsuchschemesthathavealreadybeenimplemented,suchas


Demand management�4

realtimebusinformation.

Busoperatorsreportthattheabsenceofanyeffective,strategiccontrolovertravelchoiceisafactorintheirinabilitytoperformtothestandardtowhichtheyaspire.Whilerealtimebusinformationisinstalledandthedevelopmentofsomebuscorridorproposalscontinues,theabsenceofCPEmeansthatthesehavenothadamaterialeffectonmodalchoice.ThisisabarriertheCountyCouncilhopestoovercomeinthenextfewmonths.

AparkingcontrolschemeisoneelementofawiderregenerationprogrammefortheQueen’sRoadareaofStLeonardsinwhichtheCountyCouncilisapartner.Wearedeliveringchangestothestreetsceneandpublicrealmwhich,togetherwiththeintroductionofparkingcontrols,willimprovetheenvironment,helptoreducefearofcrimeandcontributetotheeconomicregenerationofthearea.Thedetailoftheschemehasbeenverycontroversialandhascauseddelayinimplementationbut,throughlengthyconsultation,thedifficultieshavebeenovercomeandtheschemecannowbetakenforwardasakeyelementintheregenerationofthearea.

PassengerTransportThegreatestpotentialforachievingmodalshiftandmanagingdemandforroadspaceisbyprovidingareliablepublictransportsystem.TheCountyCouncilworkswithbusandtrainoperatorstomaintainandimproveservices.Ourtransportstrategyincludestheimplementationofbusprioritymeasurestoimprovejourneytimes,safetyandreliability.SchemeshavebeenimplementedinHastings,EastbourneandontheA259betweenBrightonandNewhaveninpartnershipwithBrightonandHoveCityCouncil.

TheCountyCouncilhasworkedwithDistrictandBoroughCouncilsinEastSussexandneighbouringauthoritiestosecure(inEastSussex,WestSussexandBrighton&Hove)aregionalconcessionaryfaresschemewhichcameintoeffecton1April2007.Therehasbeenasignificantincreaseinbuspatronagesincethescheme’simplementation,andwhilemanyofthejourneyswillbe‘extra’,thereisassumedtobeasubstantialmodalshift.(seeChapter11fordetailedfiguresonbuspatronage)

HastingsQualityBusPartnershipTheHastingsQualityBusPartnership(QBP)hascontributedtotheincreasedabilityofthepeopleofHastings,Bexhillandthesurroundingareastoaccesskeyservicesandcentresbypublictransport.ThisvoluntarypartnershipagreementbetweentheCountyCouncil,HastingsBoroughCouncilandStagecoachinHastingshasworkedsuccessfullytoimprovebusservicesinthetown.Thishasresultedinanumberofthepartnership’soriginalandchallengingtargetsbeingmetorexceeded.

TheQBPpartnerscommissionedareviewoftheHastingsQBPin2005.Independentconsultantsexaminedthemostappropriatewaytotakethepartnershipforwardandpresentedvariousoptions.Ithasbeenagreedtocontinuethepartnershiponavoluntarybasiswithnewobjectives

incorporatedinarevisedActionPlanpublishedinMarch2008.PunctualityandreliabilitywerespecificissuesraisedintheQBPreviewandthesewillbeaddressedbyallpartnersthroughtheintroductionofthePunctualityImprovementPartnership(PIP).

TheworkoftheQBPhasbeenaugmentedbyacontinuingprogrammeofbusstopimprovementsandotherbusmeasuresacrossthetown:

nearly100stopsonthecoreArrowsroutesnowhavehighaccesskerbs

158stopsnowhaveshelters

awestboundbuslaneontheapproachtoWarriorSquarehasbeenintroduced

trafficsignalshavebeeninstalledontheA259withparticularemphasisonimprovingpunctualityandreliability,and

theupgradingoftheBusSCOOTsystem(Splitcycleandoffsetoptimisationtechnique)atanumberofkeytrafficsignalcontrolledjunctionsacrossthetown.

Theseinterventionshaveclearlycontributedtothehigherthanaveragepassengergrowthof25%since2003andthesignificantimprovementinpassengersatisfactionintheQBParea.Asurveyundertakeninsummer2007fortheHastingsQBPActionPlanshowsanincreaseinpassengersatisfactionfrom59%in2005to76%in2007reflectingrecognitionofgenuineprogressonthegroundasaresultoftheQBPandtherebyremovingsomeofthebarrierstousingpublictransport.

EastbourneQualityBusPartnershipThefurtherdevelopmentoftheEastbourneQBPhasbeencomplicatedbythecompetitiveactionsofanewentranttothebusmarket,CavendishServices.Overallpassengernumbersaregrowingasaresultofhigherfrequenciesandlowerfares(includingtheintroductionsoffreefarestoover60sfromApril2006).

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SlowerthananticipatedprogressontheimplementationofCivilParkingEnforcementinEastbournehashadanegativeimpactontheEastbourneQBP.However,worktointroducebusprioritymeasuresonSeasideRoadisstillprogressing,anddetaileddesignofthebuslaneiscomplete.TherealtimebusinformationsystemhasbeenintroducedandwentliveinJune2007.Twentyfourelectronicinformationsignshavebeeninstalledatbusstopsacrossthetown,providingpassengerswithuptotheminuteinformationaboutbusarrivaltimes,andallowingEastbourneBusestoactivelymanageoperationaldelaystobuses.DiscussionsarecurrentlytakingplacetoincludetheCavendishoperatedbusservicesintherealtimebusinformationsystem.

AppropriatelocationofdevelopmentTheCountyCouncilisworkingcloselywiththeDistrictandBoroughCouncilstodeveloptheirLocalDevelopmentFrameworks(LDFs).TheseprovidethespatialpolicyframeworkstoguidethelocationoffuturedevelopmentincludingthehousingallocationsrequiredbyGovernmentandtheeconomicregenerationdrivenbythevisiontoincreasetheprosperityofEastSussex.TheframeworkswillneedtobeinconformitywiththepoliciesoftheRegionalSpatialStrategy(RSS)andtheSouthEastPlan,whichplaceastrongemphasisonsustainabledevelopmentwithanurbanfocusasameansofminimisingtheneedtotraveland,inparticular,theneedtotravelbyprivatecar.

TheCountyCouncilwillbeworkingtoensurethat,asfaraspossible,developmentisplannedtobeclosetoexistingorplannedtransportinfrastructurewiththecapacitytosupporttheincreasedtrafficandcapableofbeingservedbypublictransportservicestoallowmodalshifttobearealisticoption.Co-locationof


Demand management �5

employmentandresidentialsitesthroughmixedusedevelopmentshouldalsoenablefewertripstobemade.Thedevelopmentofemploymentsiteswithinthecountyshouldalsoassistinminimisingthenumberoftripsmadebyprivatecartoemploymentintownsandcitiesoutsidethecounty.

WorkplaceparkingchargesandtravelplanningWorkplaceparkingchargeswereintroducedforemployeesoftheCountyCouncillocatedatCountyHallinconjunctionwithotherincentivessuchaspriorityparkingplacesforcarsharersandconcessionaryfaresonbuses.Acomparisonofthreemonthsticketsalesfrom2007to2008showsasignificantincreaseintakeupamountingtosome132%.

TheCountyCouncilhasalsoworkedinpartnershipwiththeHastingsHealthCareTrusttosetupacarshareschemeforemployees.Ithasalsosuppliedhelpandinformationtouniversitiesandcollegessettingupcampaigns,oftenwithstudentcontributions,toencouragesustainabletravelamongthestudentandstaffpopulations.

PromotionoftheTravelChoicebrandandcarsharingschemesTheCountyCouncilcontinuestomarkettheTravelChoicebrandandtherearenowinexcessof900registeredusersofthecarsharedatabase,13separategroupsand31%matchedjourneys.Combinedwiththeprovisionofprioritycarparkingspacesforcarsharersbysomeemployersandimprovedawarenessofandaccesstopublictransport,thisinitiativehashadamarkedeffectonreducingsingleoccupancyvehicles.

Bytargetingthosegroupsandorganisationsmostopentoinfluence,suchasmajoremployersinthehealthandeducationsectors,togetherwithareaswheretherehavebeeninfrastructureimprovements,thecouncilhasmadethemosteffective

useofitsresourcestoachievechangesinbehaviour.

InpartnershipwithlocalauthoritiesinEastSussexandbeyond,theCountyCouncilhastakenaleadroleintrainingandworkshopprogrammestopromotetheTravelChoicebrandandfacilities.Otherrelatedprojectsinclude:

theChoiceandChoice+IDcampaign.Thisisacampaignfocusingonimprovingawarenessofandaccesstoconcessionarybusfaresforthepre16and16-19yearagegroups

theSharecampaignisanextensionoftheTravelChoicecarsharedatabasewhichtheCountyCouncilhasdeveloped.Thisisaprogrammefocusingonincreasingawarenessofsustainabletravelamongstthestudentpopulationthroughadedicatedmarketingcampaignwhichissupportedbyadedicatedcarsharedatabase,and

theCountyCounciliscurrentlydevelopingarangeofpublicationsaimedatimprovingunderstandingoftheschooltravelservice.Theseareaimedatincreasingawarenessamongstoperators,drivers,parentsandpupils

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Demand management��

ofthelevelofserviceandstandardsofbehaviourthatareexpected.Byimprovingtheconfidenceofparentsandpupilsintheservice,morepupilswillusetheserviceandlocalcongestionrelatedtotheschoolrunwillbeimproved.

TheCountyCouncildevelopedacountywideprogrammeofawarenessandactivitiesundertheEastSussexStreetsAheadbrandwhichranbetweenSeptemberandOctober2008.TheprogrammefurtherpromotedtheTravelChoicebrandandsupportedtheworkofpartnerorganisationsincludingpublictransportoperators,schools,employers,healthcareagenciesandvoluntarygroups.InparticularitmadelinkstonationalandEuropeanactivitiesincludingInTownWithoutMyCar,EuropeanMobilityWeek,UrbanDesignWeekandWalktoSchoolWeek.

SchoolTravelPlans(STPs)Significantprogresshasbeenmadeoverthepasttwoyearstowardsthe2010targetofestablishingapprovedSTPsat100%ofEastSussexmaintainedschools.Currently,86%oflocalauthorityschoolsinthecountyhaveproducedanapprovedSTP,resultinginover£930,000ofcapitalgrantpaymentsfromGovernmentfortheseschoolstospendonphysicalmeasureswithintheirsitesthatencouragesustainabletravel,suchassecurecyclestorageorparentwaitingshelters.

TheSTPsarealsoencouragingschoolstoparticipateinothersustainabletravelinitiatives.Therearenow35WalkingBusschemesinregularoperationacrossthecounty,usedbyaround300childreneachday.Schoolsarealsonowregularlyparticipatingintwice-yearlyWalktoSchoolWeeks,withover8000pupilstakingpartina“Passport”initiativeinOctober2007torecordtheirdailymodeoftraveltoandfromschool.

TheCountyCouncilhasproducedaSustainableSchoolTravelPlanwhich

providesparentsandchildrenwithinformationonalternativestotheuseofaprivatecarforschooljourneys.Byencouragingalternative,sustainableformsoftransport,theCountyCouncilisworkingtowardsitstargetofreducingthenumberofchildrentravellingbycarandtherebyreducingdemandforroadspace.

CycletraininginschoolsIn2006,theCountyCouncilwasawardeda£7000bursaryfromCyclingEnglandtotrain15cycletrainerstobecomeNationalStandardsQualified–oneofthefirstthreeauthoritiesinEnglandtodoso.Consequently,theCountyCouncilhasbeenabletotrain:

2820Year6pupilsin2006/07,and

2671Year6pupilsin2007/08.

TheannualSchoolsCycleCompetitionorganisedbytheCountyCouncilisnowattendedbyaround50schoolseachyear.Thiseventisanopportunityforkeenyoungcycliststodemonstratetheircyclingskillsatachallengingbutfunevent.

Childpedestriantraininginschools(Footsteps)TheFootstepsinitiativeisextremelypopularwithPrimarySchoolsacrosstheCounty,withnearly4000pupilsreceivingpracticalroadsafetyskillstrainingattheroadsidelastyearalone.

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3338pupilstrainedin2006/07and

3944pupilstrainedin2007/08.

TheFootstepsprogrammeisdeliveredbyspecialisttrainerswhoareabletoteachvital,life-savingskillstoKeyStageOnepupilsthatwillhelpthemtostaysafewhencrossingtheroadwiththeirparents.TheFootstepsteamnowalsoprovidesadditionaltrainingtoolderKeyStageTwopupilswhoareabouttomovetosecondaryschools,whichwillhelppreparethemformakingjourneysindependently.

SupportingcyclingandwalkingIn2007aScrutinyReviewofCyclinginEastSussexwasundertaken.Thereviewboardtookevidencefromexpertwitnessesfromprofessionalorganisationsandmadecomparisonwithotherauthorities.TheScrutinyBoardmadeclearrecommendationsmostnotablypromptingashiftincyclepolicyemphasistowardsutilitycyclingasitfeltthishasthegreatestpotentialtocontributetowardsLTP2targets.Asaresultofthis,theCyclingStrategywillberevisedandupdatedduring2008/09toreflectthechangeinemphasis.

ThefollowingextractfromtheScrutinyreportwillhelptoprovidethefocusandrationaleforthenewupdatedstrategy.

“Cyclingisauniqueactivityincontributingtotheaccessibilityoftowns,villages,centresofemploymentandrecreation;itcanhelptoeasetrafficcongestionwhilstsavingCO2andimprovingairquality;ithelpspromoteandsupporteconomicandsustainabledevelopmentandhasapotentiallymajorpositiveimpactonpublichealth.”

ScrutinyReviewofCyclinginEastSussex

OneelementoftheBexhillHastingsLinkRoaddevelopmentisprovisionofa‘greenway’alongsidetheLinkRoad.Thiswillbearouteforcyclists,pedestriansandequestrianswhich,whilefacilitatingaccess

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tothecountryside,willalsoprovideasaferouteforcycleaccesstoBexhill,Hastingsandtheareasofnewdevelopment.

Harbour Road, Rye – cycle and pedestrian improvements Phase2and3constructed.Phase4tobedeliveredin2010/11

BeforetheimplementationofthisschemetherewasnosaferouteforpedestriansandcycliststotravelalongthemajorityoftheHarbourRoad,andtherehavebeenanumberofaccidentsinvolvingvulnerableroadusers,includingin2004,afatalityinvolvingacyclist.Itisnotedthatalargenumberofpedestrianstendtowalkonthebusyroad,sosafetywasclearlyanissue.

Thesharedfootpath/cyclewayis4kminlengthandcomprisesa3metrewidetrackofadensesurfacecourseofmacadamwithsubconcreteedginganda0.5metregrassvergeonthesouthernedgeofthefoot/cyclewayandacurb/drainage(environcurb)combinationboundingthecarriageway.

Theschemeprovidesasaferouteforbothpedestriansandcyclistsalongabusyunrestrictedroad,separatingthemfromanyvehicularmovement,reducingtheneedtotravelbycarandpromotingenvironmentallysustainablemodesoftransport.ItalsoimprovesaccessibilityfromRyeHarbourvillagetothetownofRye.

TheCountyCouncilworkedwithlocalbusinesseswhohavededicatedlandtothecouncilallowingworktocontinueonthenexttwophasesofthepath.ImplementationofPhases1to3oftheroutewascompletedinApril2008,anddesignwillprogressonthefinalphaseduring2008/09.


Demand management��

Connect2HastingstoBexhillpedestrianandcycleschemeTheCountyCouncil,workinginpartnershipwithnationalcyclingcharitySustrans,putforwardthisproposalforanewcoastalcycleandpedestrianroutelinkingBexhillandHastingswhichwillhelptocompletetheNationalCycleNetwork(NCN2)inEastSussex.ItwillprovideanalternativesustainabletravelalternativetotheA259,facilitatingnoncartravelatacongestion‘hotspot’andinanAirQualityManagementArea.Afeasibilitydesignhasbeencompletedandthenextstepwillbetoundertakedetaileddesignworktoenabletheschemetoprogress.

TheschemewaspartofawinningbidbySustransfora£50millionBigLotteryFundgrant.Asoneof79routesnationally,whichmakeupSustrans’Connect2project,theHastingstoBexhillCoastalConnectionwilltakea£380,000share.

ThebidwassupportedlocallybyActiveHastings,RotherDistrictCouncil,HastingsBoroughCouncil,HastingsUrbanBikes(HUB)andFreedomLeisure.Connect2,includingtheHastingstoBexhillsection,competedagainstthreeotherorganisations,inanationaltelevisionvoteonITV,theBigLotteryFund’s‘ThePeople’s£50Million’contest.

Worktopromotevotingfortheschemeincluded:

areceptionorganisedbyHUBandheldatSpinCityCycles,Hastings,tomarkthelaunchofonlinevotingattendedbyMPMichaelFoster

70,000leafletsdistributedtoBexhillandHastingsresidents,aswellasleafletsleftatallthemajorbikeshops,and

largebannersdisplayedatalltheFreedomLeisurecentresinHastingsandBexhill.

Thephotobelowdemonstratesthehugelevelofcommunitysupportfortheeventintherun-uptothevote.

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TargetsummaryThefollowingLTP2targetscontributetotheachievementoftheobjectiveofmanagingdemand:

toincreasethenumberofcyclingtripsinthecountyasawhole

toincreasethenumberofcyclingtripsinthegreaterEastbourne/Bexhill/Hastingsarea



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toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinEastbourne

toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinHastings,and

toreducepeakperiodtrafficflowinEastbourne.


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Strengths1. Concessionaryfaresschememeans

bustravelreplacessomecarjourneys

2. Revisedbusstrategyasoutcomeofzero-basedreviewofpassengertransport

3. Developmentofcommunitybusstrategy

4. CommitmenttoCPEinEastSussex

Weaknesses1. Concessionaryfaresscheme,through

itssuccess,takesupfarepayingcapacityonbusnetwork

Opportunities1. ImplementationofCPEinEastbourne

andotherareasinEastSussex

2. Risingcostoffuelmakesalternativesustainablemodesmoreattractive

3. BikepurchaseschemebyESCCasemployer

4. SpreadofbroadbandandICT

5. Increasedroleofcommunitytransportsector

6. PartnershipworkingwithrailindustryandSussexCommunityRailPartnership

Threats1. Fundingconstraintsforsupportingbus

services

2. Fundingconstraintsfor‘SMART’measurestoencouragesustainabletravelmodes

3. Culturaloppositiontousingsustainabletravelalternatives

RisksandopportunitiesStatus: AMBER


Demand management�0

TheRoadSafetyStrategyforEastSussexisbasedontheguidancegivenintheformerDepartmentofEnvironmentTransportandtheRegions(DETR)document,‘Tomorrow’sroads:saferforeveryone’publishedin2000.Itisbasedaroundninethemeswhichcanbebroadlyplacedunderthethreemainheadingsof;

Engineering(includingsaferinfrastructureandsaferspeeds)

Education,and

Enforcement.

EngineeringSaferInfrastructureTraditionally,LocalSafetySchemeshavebeenidentifiedwithinthreegroups,namelyhighcrashsinglesites,lengthsofroadwithahighcrashrateandurbanareaswithahighcrashnumber.Thedefinitionsforeachcategoryareshownbelow:

ahighcrashsinglesiteisdefinedasanysitecomprisinga50metrex50metresquarewith4ormorecrashesinvolvingpersonalinjuryina3yearperiod.

aroadwithahighcrashrateisany‘A’or‘B’classroad(betweenmajorjunctions)havinganannualaveragedailytrafficflowinexcessof5,000vehiclesandanaccidentrateabovethenationalaveragefortheclassofroad,and

anareawithahighcrashnumberisonecomprisinga1kmx1kmsquarewith40ormorecrashesinvolvingpersonalinjury

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ina3yearperiod,excludingcrasheson‘A’and‘B’roads.

OnthebasisofthelatestcrashdatafromSussexPolice,EastSussexcurrentlyhas112highcrashsinglesites,88lengthsof‘A’and‘B’roadwithahighcrashrateand2areaswithhighcrashnumbers.

DuringthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2theCountyCouncilhasimplemented19localsafetyschemes,7trafficcalmingschemes,and5newpedestriancrossingfacilities.Thethreeyearcumulative‘before’casualtytotalforthosesiteswas225anditishopedthatthe‘after’threeyearperiodwillshowasignificantreductioninrecordedinjurycrashes.

WhentheBexhilltoHastingsLinkroadiscompleteitwillprovideasaferalternativetotheA259andothercurrentlyinappropriatepartsofthenetworkbeingused.Therearehighaccidentratesontheseroadspartlybecausetheydonot


Making roads safer ��

6 Makingroadssafer

Improveroadsafetyandreducefearofcrimeincommunities

havethesamesafetystandardsthatthenewLinkRoadwillhave.

SaferSpeedsInAugust2006theGovernmentissuedrevisedguidelinestoLocalHighwayAuthoritiesforthesettingofLocalSpeedLimits.TheprincipalchangesrelatedtothenewdefinitionforavillageandaSpeedAssessmentFrameworkforsettingspeedlimitsonrural‘A’and‘B’classroads.Forvillages,theGovernmenthasstatedthatwhereappropriate,aspeedlimitof30mphshouldbethenormandalsothatall‘A’and‘B’roadsshouldbereviewedby2011foralowerlimitandanychangesimplementedbythatdate.

Followingreceiptofthenewguidance,theCountyCouncilrevieweditspolicyforsettingspeedlimits.Assettingspeedlimitsisanemotiveissue,itwasagreedthatanypolicychangesshouldhavethebroadsupportofthelocalcommunity.Forthatreason,duringthelatterpartof2006andtheearlypartof2007,extensiveconsultationwithallinterestedpartieswascarriedoutculminatinginaSpeedManagementConferenceinApril2007inUckfield,towhichallParishandTownCouncilswereinvited.AftermuchdebateanewpolicyforsettingspeedlimitswasapprovedbytheCountyCouncilinSeptember2007.

A27SafetyWork–HighwaysAgency.AspartoftheSussexSaferRoadsPartnership,theHighwaysAgencyislookingtomakesafetyimprovementstotheA27trunkroadbetweenBeddinghamandPolegate.Theimprovementsrelatetoareviewofthenationalspeedlimitalongtherouteandwherelimitsarereduced,toenforcethelowerspeedlimitwithmean-speedcameras(SPECsystem).Theuseofmean-speedcamerasontheA27willbethefirsttimetheyhavebeenusedinSussexandtheywillbemonitoredverycarefullywithaviewtotheirpotentialuseonotherroutes.

Villages

Fromamapbasedsearch,some265settlementswereidentifiedinEastSussexaspossiblymeetingthenewdefinitionforavillageandhavingaspeedlimitof40mphorgreater.Allthesiteswerenotedandplacedonalistforasitereview.Thatreviewhasnowbeencompletedandallthosesettlementsmeetingthenewdefinitionforavillagei.e.‘20ormorepropertieswithinaminimumdistanceof600metresandallclearlyvisibletoadriver’havebeennoted.Speedmeasurementshavebeentakenandagreementreachedonwhatadditionalmeasuresarerequiredtosupportalowerspeedlimitof30mph.


Making roads safer��



Reviewof‘A’and‘B’RoadsAsanumberof‘A’and‘B’roadsrunthroughbothEastandWestSussexitwasagreedthatacommonapproachtothe‘A’and‘B’Roadreviewwouldbeappropriate.Meetingshavebeenheldbetweentheauthoritiesandagreementreachedonamethodofassessmentbasedonaroute’soverallaccidentrateandseverityrate.Tohelpestablishthemethod,theA26andA272wereusedastrialsites.Theagreedmethodofworkingisthatlengthsofroadhavingacrashrateabove35personalinjuryaccidents(pias)per100mvehiclekilometresand/oraseverityrateabovethecountyaveragefortheclassofroadwillbenoted.AsitevisitwillthenbemadeinconjunctionwithSussexPoliceandagreementreachedonwhetherandwherealowerlimitwouldbeappropriate.

ThewayforwardInordertoprogressthereviewofspeedlimits,itwasagreedtoco-ordinatethereviewofvillagesandthereviewof‘A’and‘B’roadsandtakethemforwardtogetheracrossthecounty.Onewayofdoingthisistodealwithoneareaatatime,basedonelectoraldivisions,andrankeachoftheminpriorityorderbasedontheKSIfiguresforthelastthreeyearsandthenreview/actioneachareaatatime.

ThisassessmentsetoutinTable1,showsthatthereare18ruralelectoraldivisionswithinEastSussexwithForestRowhavingthehighestcasualtyrate.Theproposal,therefore,isthatallthesettlementsidentifiedasmeetingthenewdefinitionforavillageandlocatedwithintheForestRowareabenoted.Inadditionalltherural‘A’and‘B’roadswithintheForestRowareawillalsobeassessedandthoselengthsjustifyingalowerlimitwillalsobenoted.Alltheworkidentifiedwillthenbeplacedinaprogrammeforimplementationin08/09.

Astheworkon‘A’and‘B’roadsmustbecompletedby2011,itisproposedthattheworkbeevenlyspreadoverthenextfouryearswithfiveareasbeingdealtwithin08/09and09/10andthenfollowedbyfourareasin10/11and11/12.SeeTable2.

Table1-KSICasualties(excludingtrunkroads)byElectoralDivision2004to2006

Rural Electoral Divisions 2004 2005 2006 Total1 ForestRow 17 18 15 50

2 Alfriston,EastHoathlyandHellingly 14 19 11 443 BuxtedMaresfield 18 13 11 424 HailshamandHerstmonceux 13 12 15 405 Wadhurst 14 13 11 386 BattleandCrowhurst 9 9 18 367 RingmerandLewesBridge 11 13 12 368 FramfieldandHoram 13 6 15 349 Chailey 10 7 11 2810 NorthernRother 5 13 10 2811 BredeValleyandMarsham 8 10 9 2712 Heathfield 8 5 14 2713 Polegate,WillingdonandEastDean 6 5 14 2514 OuseValleyEast 4 10 6 2015 RyeandEasternRother 9 7 3 1916 NewhavenandOuseValleyWest 3 5 6 1417 PevenseyandWestham 7 3 4 1418 RotherNorthWest 6 3 3 12


Making roads safer�4

Table 2 - Programme Year

Rural Electoral Division 2008/09 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 Budget Forest Row n Alfriston, East Hoathly and Hellingly

n

Buxted Maresfield n £400,000Hailsham and Herstmonceux n Wadhurst n Battle and Crowhurst n Ringmer and Lewes Bridge n

Framfield and Horam n £400,000Chailey n

Northern Rother n

Brede Valley and Marsham n

Heathfield n

Polegate, Willingdon and East Dean

n £400,000

Ouse Valley East n

Rye and Eastern Rother n

Newhaven and Ouse Valley West n

Pevensey and Westham n £400,000Rother North West n

RoadsideMemorialsIn2006theCountyCouncilapprovedapolicyonthelayingoffloralandothertributesatthesiteoffatalcrashes.Theincreasingtrendtowardsthelayingoftributesandtheestablishmentofmorepermanentmemorialshassafetyimplicationsforroadusersandpedestriansduetothepossibledistractingeffectondrivers.Theremayalsobedangerstothebereavedvisitingthesiteswhereaccidentshaveoccurredwhentheyareonparticularlydangerousstretchesofroad.

ApolicywasdevelopedbytheSussexStrategicRoadSafetyGroup(EastandWestSussexCountyCouncils,BrightonandHoveCityCouncil,HighwaysAgencyandtheSussexFireandRescueServices)andisbeingimplementedinasensitiveandconsiderateway,takingintoconsiderationthewishesofresidentsandthebereaved

family.Thepolicyallowsthetemporarylayingoffloraltributesforuptotwelveweeksaslongastheyarenotinahazardouslocation,butitdoesnotallowpermanentroadsidememorialstobeestablished.


Making roads safer �5

MotorcyclistsTheGovernment’sMotorcyclingStrategywaspublishedinFebruary2005andsetoutaplanofactiontoimprovethesafetyofmotorcyclistsbyfacilitatingmotorcyclingasachoiceoftravelwithinasafeandsustainabletransportframework.

TheInstituteofHighwayIncorporatedEngineers’Guidelines for Motorcycling,publishedinApril2005,followupandcomplementthestrategy.Theygivepracticaladviceonhowthedifferentcharacteristicsofmotorcyclescanberecognisedandaddressedinhighwayandtrafficdesignandmanagement.

TheCountyCouncilconsiderstheneedsofmotorcyclistswhendesigningandimplementingschemesandmaintenanceprogrammesandappreciatesthevulnerabilityofthisgroupofroaduserswhenundertakingsafetyaudits.Particularcareistakenoverissuessuchasthelocationofservicecoversinturningareas,visibilityofcentralislandsandthesurfacequalityofthecarriageway.

InputtoDfTnewtechnicalguidancenoteforspeedmanagementApproximately12monthsago,theDfTcommissionedconsultingengineersHalcrow,todevelopanewtechnicalguidancenoteforLocalHighwayAuthoritiesonspeedmanagement.Aspartoftheirwork,HalcrowinvitedEastSussexCountyCounciltoattendaworkshopinLondonwherewewereabletooutlinetheCountyCouncil’sapproachtospeedmanagementandparticularlyhowrequestsfortrafficcalmingareprioritised.

TheguidancenoteisnownearingcompletionandtheDfThasapproachedtheCountyCouncilforpermissiontoincludewithinthedocument,asacasestudy,ourpolicyonhowwedealwithtrafficcalmingrequestsandthemethodologyforassessingschemesandplacingtheminpriorityorder.Itmustbeassumedfrom

thisrequestthattheEastSussexapproachisbeingheldupas‘bestpractice’andwillthereforeinfluenceandsupportotherlocalauthoritiesinthisimportantareaofwork.

CyclingdesignworkshopOneoftherecommendationsoftheScrutinyReviewofCyclingwastoorganiseatrainingdaytoensuregooddesignpracticeinordertoencouragecyclingandtoenableacycleaudittobeundertakenoneveryschemeestablishingitspotentialimpactoncyclistsanddeterminingwhetherpotentialadditionstotheschemecouldbenefitcyclists.ThetrainingdaytookplaceinApril2008andwasdeliveredbyCyclingEngland.Itwasattendedbyofficersworkingintransportandhighwaydesign,transportstrategyandroadsafetyteams.Theagendaincludedaspectsofgooddesignpracticeandtrainingonhowtocarryoutacycleaudit.ThetrainingdayprovedhighlyeducativeandtheresultingexpertisehasfedbackintodesignsforIntegratedTransportschemes.

FollowingtheCyclingEnglandworkshopwewillbeadoptingtheCOPECATcycleauditprocedureasusedbytheGreaterManchesterPassengerTransportExecutive(GMPTE)andendorsedbyCyclingEngland.Thiswillbeundertakenbyallschemedesignersandpromotersandshouldresultinallschemesbeingmore‘cyclefriendly’.

EducationTheRoadSafetyEducationTeamdeliversarangeofpractical,research-based,trainingprogrammestoawidevarietyofroadusersinEastSussex.Childpedestrianandcycletrainingcoursesdeliverpractical,life-savingskillsforprimary-agedchildren.Youngdrivereducationcoursesinsecondaryschoolsandcollegestargetpre-driversandnewdrivers,byfocusingonthebehaviouralandattitudinalelementsofsafedriving.TheSpeedAwarenessCoursewillprovidetheoreticalandpracticalretrainingforlow-riskoffenders,whilstour

establishedDriverImprovementCoursesprovidecoachingandstrategiesforhigher-riskoffenderswhohavebeeninvolvedin‘drivingwithoutduecare’incidents.

SlowDown“Commitment”projectBytheendofthe2007/08periodover17,000driversacrossEastSussexhadsigneda“commitment”toslowdown,observespeedlimitsandgivespacetootherroadusers.Beingaruralcounty,driversinEastSussexareremindedthroughthiscampaignthattheiractionsimpactgreatlyoncertainotherroadusers,inparticularcyclists,walkersandhorseriders.

“SlowDownBeltUp”CommunityRoadSafetyWeeksRoadSafetyWeeksarenowwellestablishedinEastSussex,withtownsandparishesregularlyrequestingtotakepartinthisinitiative.Eachcommunityisrequiredtodemonstrategoodlocalsupportfortheweek,includingparticipationbylocalschoolsandcommunitygroups.Inreturn,theTraffic&Safetyteamwillprovideafullrangeofschool-basedroadsafetyactivitiesincludingpostercompetitions,vehiclespeedchecks,seatbeltsledgedemonstrations,cycletrainingandpedestrianskillstraining.TheRoadSafetyWeeksarealsosupportedbySussexPolicewhocarryoutspeedandseatbeltchecks,aswellasaninputtoschoolassemblies.InthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2,theCountyCouncilhasorganised:

fourRoadSafetyWeeksinAshdownForestvillages,MaynardsGreen,NewickandSacredHeartSchool,Hastingsin2006/07and

fourRoadSafetyWeeksinAshdownForestvillages,Ticehurst&Flimwell,SirHenryFermorSchool,Crowborough,AllSaints&StRichard’sPrimary,andHeathfieldin2007/08.

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SpeedIndicationDevices(SIDs)TheRoadSafetyTeamworksinpartnershipwithcommunitiesinvillagesandtownsandSussexPolicetoimplementthisinitiative.Aboutoneinthreefatalorseriousinjurycrashesarecausedbyexcessiveorinappropriatespeedfortheconditions.Thisinitiativerequiresacoordinatorfromthelocalcommunitytoformaworkinggroupwiththelocalschool,parents,ParishCouncilandotherinterestedgroups.TheycanthenworkwithSussexPoliceandtheRoadSafetyTeamtousetheSpeedIndicatorDisplaysigntoalertdriverstravellingtoofastandencouragethemtoslowdown.

TheimpactoftheseprojectswasassessedafterfourpilotweeksinBattle,Kingston,MaresfieldandNutley.TheyfoundtheSIDstobeaneffectivetoolinencouragingdriverstoslowdownandresultedinfundingfromtheSussexCameraSafetyPartnershipforaSIDcoordinator,5SIDsandoperatorstoworkacrossthecounty.InthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2,theSIDshavebeenusedwidelyacrossthecounty:

793deploymentsmadein2006/07,and

320deploymentsmadein2007/08.

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ThenumberofSIDdeploymentsreducedin2007/08partlyduetoareductioninthebudgetfromtheSussexSaferRoadsPartnershipandtheSIDTeambeingtemporarilyreducedtooneoperator.Newfundingfor2008/09hasbeensecuredandasecondoperatorhasbeenrecruited.

TheSIDunitscontinuetobepopularandeffective.RecentdatacollectedfromtheSIDmachinesclearlydemonstratetheireffectivenessinreducingtrafficspeeds(byanaverageof5.5mph).Thegraphshowsvehiclespeedsatdetection(150metersaway)andagainonpassingtheSID.

SpeedAwarenessCoursesTheCountyCouncilhasbeenworkingwiththeSussexSaferRoadsPartnershipinsettingupanewSpeedAwarenessCourse.Thecoursewillbeofferedtomotoristswhoaredetectedonspeedcamera,travellingover36mphina30mphlimit,andwillbeofferedasanalternativetoafineandpointsontheirlicence.

Theaimofthecourseistohighlighttodriversthedangersofspeeding,andtohelpthemchangetheirdrivingbehaviourandtakeresponsibilityfortheiractions.Thecoursewilltakeplaceoverafulldayandincludeclassroombasedelementsaswellasapracticaldrivingsessionwithahighlyqualifieddrivinginstructor.

Itisanticipatedthatinthefirstyearssome4,000driverswillattendthecourse,manyofwhomarelikelytobehighrisktakersandbydefinitionmorelikelytobeinvolvedincrashes.

Speedawarenesson-linepaymentsInordertofacilitatethedeliveryofSpeedAwarenessCourses,theRoadSafetyTeamhasworkedtoestablishasystemfordriverstobookandpayfortheircourseplaceson-line.ThisnewsystemwillrepresentgoodpracticebymodernisingandexpandingtherangeofcommunicationoptionsforcustomersinEastSussex.

NationalDriverImprovementSchemeDriverswhohavebeeninvolvedinablameworthycrashorincidentandhavebeenconvictedofdrivingwithoutduecarearegiventheopportunitytoattendaDriverImprovementCourseasaconstructivealternativetoprosecution.Theaimofthecourse,runinpartnershipwithSussexPolice,istoreducethenumberofroadcrashesbyimprovingdrivers’attitudesandskills.Thecourselastsforoneandahalfdaysandcombinesamixtureofdrivingtheorywiththelatestthinkingonhowdriverscanreduceandcontrolroadriskthroughmoderncoachingmethodsandonroaddefensivedrivingcoachedbyanexpert.

In2006/07,125driversweretrained,and

in2007/08,156driversweretrainedthroughthescheme.

DrivingatworkTheCountyCouncilencouragesresponsibledrivingamongitsownemployeesanddriverassessmentisrequiredforallusersofcouncilvehicles.ThekeygroupsarethosethatusetheCountyCouncil’sleasecars,poolcars,minibusesandlandroversoncouncilbusiness.MoreintensivetrainingisalsobeingtargetedatthosedriverswhocoverhighmileageintheirownvehiclesonCountyCouncilbusiness,astheserepresentahighriskgroupduetotheirgreaterexposuretopotentialincidents.

Minibusdrivertrainingforschools,socialservicesandvoluntarygroupsThesesessionscoverminibusriskmanagementanddriverawarenesstrainingandgivemanagersanddriverstheopportunitytolearnhowtoidentifythehazardsinvolvedinminibustransport,

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evaluatetherisksanddevelopcontrolstrategiestominimiseaccidentrisk.

In2006/07,20MinibusTheoryCoursesweredeliveredfor321drivers,and

in2007/08,21MinibusTheoryCoursesweredeliveredforafurther290drivers.

Researchshowsthatdrivererror,lapsesinconcentrationandviolationssuchasdrivingwhentired,drivingtoofastandtooclose,givingchaseandracingaswellasdrinkinganddrivingcontributetoover95%ofallroadaccidents.Learningriskmanagementanddefensivedrivingtechniquescanhelpreducetheriskofbeinginvolvedinroadtrafficcrashes.

BikesafeInpartnershipwithWestSussexCountyCouncilandBrightonandHoveCityCouncil,EastSussexCountyCouncilrunsaschemeforriderscalledSussexBikesafewhichgivesridersanopportunitytohavetheirskillsassessedandtoseethetechniquesusedbythepoliceadvancedtrainedriders.

Althoughmotorcyclistsrepresentonly2%ofroadtraffictheyaccountfor25%ofdeathsandseriousinjuries.Thiscourseconcentratesonbikehandlingskills,positioningintheroadandhazardawarenessandenablesriderstoachieveahigherlevelofcompetence,safetyandawareness.

YoungDriverEducationTheRoadSafetyTeamcarryoutyoungdrivereducationprogrammesinsecondaryschools,collegesandyouthgroupsaspartofthestrategytoreducethecasualtystatisticsinthecounty.ThecoursesfocusondriverattitudesandbehaviourandarebasedontheBSMandTRL‘AlexieSayleDrivePacks’.Bothareusedthroughoutthecountyandareresearchbased.FortycourseshavebeendeliveredinthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2.

Thecoursesprovideanopportunityforyoungpeopletoexplorethecausesof

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crashesandhowtoavoidthem.Studentsalsodiscussthesocialinfluenceswhichmotivateunsafedrivingandlearnaccidentavoidanceskillsandstrategiestocopewithnegativepeerpressure.

Drivereducationtopicscoveredinclude:

causesofcrashes

accidentavoidanceskills

alcoholanddrugs

hazardperceptiontraining,and

theorydrivingtest

SchoolTravelPlans(STPs)Significantprogresshasbeenmadeoverthepasttwoyearstowardsthe2010targetofestablishingapprovedSTPsforallofEastSussexschools.DuringthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2:

in2006/07,69newSTPswereapproved,and

in2007/08,29newSTPswereapproved.

Seepage27formoredetail.

Whenschoolsdeveloptheirtravelplanssafetyisusuallyahighpriority.Congestionaroundschoolentrancesatpeakhoursisacommoncauseofconcerntopupils,parents,staffandlocalresidents.TheaimofSchoolTravelPlansistoreducethenumberofstaffandpupilstravellingtoandfromschoolbycarandthereforeimprovesafetyonroadsandfootwaysinthevicinity.

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SchoolCrossingPatrolServiceTheCountyCouncilworksveryhardtoensurethatasmanySchoolCrossingPatrol(SCP)sitesacrossthecountyaspossiblearestaffedatalltimes.Between2006and2008,91%ofSCPsitesinEastSussexwerestaffed.ThisisagainstanationalbackdropofdecliningrecruitmentforSCPs.TheSCPsupervisorsprovideahighlevelofsupporttoallEastSussexSCPsbyensuringthattheyarewell-trained,havethelatestuniformandequipmentandthatanyoftheirconcernsabouttheircrossingsitesarequicklyaddressed.

ChildpedestriantrainingTheFootstepspedestriantrainingschemeforyoungchildreniscarriedoutinoversixtyschoolsperyear.InthiswaytheCountyCouncilprovideschildrenwithanopportunitytogainvaluableexperienceneededtokeepthemsafeonthecounty’sroads.

CycletrainingCycletrainingcourseshavebeendeliveredtoovertwoandahalfthousandYear6childreninthefirsttwoyearsofLTP2.Infact97%ofEastSussexprimaryschoolstakeuptheofferofyear6cycletraining.Thechildrenaretaughtsafecyclingskillsenablingthemtomanoeuvresafelyandmanagedifferentroadandtrafficconditions.EastSussexCountyCouncilwasoneofthefirstinthecountrytohaveallitstrainerstrainedtotheNewNationalStandardsandwehaverun2pilot‘Bikeability’coursesandintendtocarryoutriskassessmentsformorepilotcoursesin2008.

EastSussexSustainableSchoolTravelStrategyTheCountyCouncilhasproducedaSustainableSchoolTravelStrategywhichbringstogetherintoasinglestrategythevariousstrandsofservicedeliveryrelatingtoschooltransportandsignpostsfutureworkthatwillbeundertakenindevelopingitfurther.Thisstrategywillbecomeanimportantsourceofinformationtoparentsonthetraveloptionsavailabletothemwhenexpressingtheirpreferencesforschools.Itdrawsontheinformationschoolshaveincludedintheirtravelplanswheresafetyisemphasisedasapriorityissue.

SaferWealdenPartnershipTheSaferWealdenPartnershipismadeupofrepresentativesfromWealdenDistrictCouncil,SussexPolice,EastSussexFireandRescueServicesandEastSussexCountyCouncil.ItsaimistoreduceroadaccidentcasualtiesintheWealdenareathroughcollectiveworkingandfocusingprimarilyontwomaingroups,namelyyoungdrivers(16to25yearolds)andmotorcyclists.Inadditionthegroupisalsofocusingonalcoholrelatedcasualtiesandpromotingroadsafetymessagesbye-mail.Anactionplanfor2008-09hasbeenagreedinvolvingallthepartnersandissetoutbelow.



Targets Lead Agency & Partners

Summary of progress and future

Target Date

1.Reducethenumberofalcoholrelatedcasualties.(Averageof67p.a.over2004-6period)

ESCC/WDC

WDC

Re-runtheDEScampaignviaPubwatchandLicensingOfficersusingcoasters&posters.

Lookintoincludingamessageinthecounciltaxleaflets.

Summer2008

Spring20082.Reducethenumberofcasualtiescausedby16-25yearolddrivers.

ESFRS/SussexPolice

SussexPolice

ALL

SafeDrive,StayAlivecampaigntotieinwithNationalRoadSafetyWeek.

FirstRITEcoursewasheldinJulywhichchangedtoaLIFEcourseinNov07

CommunitySpeedwatchhasbeensetupfora3monthstrialinMaresfield/Nutley/BuxtedareawithaviewtorollingoutacrossWealden.

RoadsideeducationRoadSafetyWeeksUseCommunityContactbyEmailasamechanism

Nov07

July07Oct/Nov07

March08

OngoingOngoing

3.Reducethenumberofmotorcyclistskilledandseriouslyinjured.(Averageof64p.a.over2004-6period)

ALL

SussexPolice

BikeSafe–Lookatinitiativesaroundmotorcyclistsfornextyear:

MayDayBHrunfromLondontoHastings–SetupajointinitiativebetweenESFRSandSussexPolice

Ongoing

May2008

4.MediaStrategytopromoteroadsafetymessagesateveryopportunity.

ALL ConsiderusingCommunityContactbyEmailasamechanismfordisseminatingroadsafetyinformationinthefutureoncemembershiphasincreased.

March2009


Making roads safer40

EnforcementEnforcementiscarriedoutbySussexPoliceonbehalfoftheSussexSaferRoadsPartnership(SSRP)andincludestheprovisionandmonitoringoffixedaswellasmobilecameras.CurrentlyEastSussexhas17fixedspeedcamerasitesacrossthecountyandatanymomentintime,approximatelyfivewillhavealivecamerainoperation.Inaddition,therearealsofivemobile,handheldlaserspeeddetectiondevices,whichareoperatedbyNeighbourhoodPolicingTeams.

Allspeedcamerasitesareregularlymonitoredandthelatestdatashowsthatoverallthenumberofcollisionsatcamerasiteshasreducedbyover50%.

Inadditiontocameraenforcement,SussexPolice,onbehalfoftheSSRP,isalsooperatinganunmarked,sportsmotorbike,withancillaryequipmentincludingaportableSpeedDetectionDeviceandhelmetcamera.ItishopedthatthroughtheSSRPitwillbepossibletodemonstrateaunitedfronttospeedmanagementandwhereareducedspeedlimitisbeingimplementedinvillages,thiswillbebackedupwithmobileenforcement.

TheCountyCouncilisamemberof,andworkscloselywith,theSussexSaferRoadsPartnershipwhichwaspreviouslycalledtheSussexSafetyCameraPartnershipbuthasbeenextendedtoincludetheFireandRescueandAmbulanceservicesandnowhasaremittoimproveallaspectsofroadsafety.ThereisalsoastrongpartnershipwithSussexPoliceworkingonsafetyissuesandcasualtyreduction.

FuturePlansSussexSaferRoadsPartnership-COSTinitiativeThroughtheSussexSaferRoadsPartnership,oneofthekeyinitiativesbeingtakenforwardoverthenextyearistheCOSTinitiative.COSTstandsforCompany

OperatorsSaferTransportSchemeandisaimedatreducingthehighnumberofpeoplewhoarekilledorseriouslyinjuredincrasheswhilstdrivingatwork.

Theprimaryobjectiveoftheschemeistoengagewithbusinessesandreducethenumberofcollisionsinvolvingcompanycardriversby5%,bytheendofthefirstyear,mainlythroughenforcementandeducation.TheprojectisbeingfundedthroughaDepartmentforTransport(DfT)grantof£156,000,whichwassuccessfullybidforbyWestSussexCountyCouncil(WSCC)onbehalfofthepartnership.Theschemewillinclude:

SussexPolicemarkedandunmarkedcarspatrollingrouteswherethereisahighvolumeofbusinessusers

seminarsforbusinessdirectors,fleetmanagersanddrivers

freeinformationpacks,and

letterswrittentoemployersfollowingdetectionofadrivingoffencecommittedbydriversactingontheirbehalf.

EastSussexCountyCouncilhasextensiveexperienceinthisarea,havingsetupitsownpoliciesandprocedurestocoveroccupationalroadriskinrelationtoallitsleasecar,minibus,vanandpoolcardrivers.Theaim,therefore,istobuildonthisworkandinvitecompaniestoengageandbettermanageworkrelatedroadsafetyandproducetheirownoccupationalroadriskpoliciesandprocedures.Inaddition,apartfromreducingcasualties,itishopedthattheinitiativewillsavecompaniesmoneythroughlowerinsurancepremiumsandreducedfuelandrepairbills.

ReducefearofcrimeThecontributionofLTP2toreductioninfearofcrimeislinkedtoimprovementsinroadsafetyandthereductioninthenumberandseverityofroadaccidents.

TheCountyCouncilanditscontractorhaveperformedverywellinrespondingandrepairingstreetlightsforwhichwe

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Making roads safer 4�

areresponsibleinanefforttomaintainlightedareasandpreventshadedareaswherethereistheperceptionofdangerandthepossibilityofcrime.The‘FearofCrime’agendainformsseveralaspectsoftheservicesdeliveredthroughLTP2.Qualityofdesignofthestreetspace,layoutofestatedevelopmentandplacementoflightingtogetherwithtimelymaintenancethatprotectsthefabricofthenetworkallcontributetotheeconomicvibrancyofanarea,thenumberofpeopleoutandaboutinthestreets,theactualreductionofcrimeandtheconsequentperceptionoffear.

A259 / Hill Rise, Seaford – junction improvementSchemecompletedNovember2006

ThisjunctionwasidentifiedashavingapoorcasualtyrecordaspartoftheCountyCouncil’sannualprocessformonitoringcasualtyrecordsandhighlightingsiteswithahighpriorityforaction.

AdetailedstudyoftheincidentsatthejunctionidentifiedapatternofcrashesassociatedwithvehiclesturningrightoutofHillRiseontotheA259,aheavilytraffickedroadsubjecttothenationalspeedlimit.Whilsttherewasaghostedrightturnlaneatthejunctionwithasmallpedestrianislandthisprovidedlittleprotectionorassistancetodriverswishingtoturnrightatthejunctionnordiditprovideadequateprotectionforpedestrianswishingtousethecoastalbuslinks,stopsforwhicharelocatedoneithersideoftheA259atthislocation.

Aschemewasdevelopedtoprovideawidecentralislandprovidingasafewaitingareaforvehiclesturningrighttomakethemanoeuvreintwostageswhilstatthesametimereducingthecrossingwidthforpedestriansandprovidingthemwithasaferrefugeinthecentreofthecarriageway.Inordertoachievethis,andtoreducethecomplexityofthemovementsatthejunctiontherightturnfromtheA259intoHillRisewasbannedandhasbeenphysicallypreventedbythenewjunctionlayout.

Inthethreeyearsbeforetheschemewasimplementedthereweresixcrashesinvolvingfourteencasualtiesincludingonefatality.Inthe12monthsaftertheimplementationofthescheme,SussexPolicehasrecordedthreeslightcrashesresultinginfivecasualtiesatthejunction.However,afull3yearafterperiodwillneedtohaveelapsedbeforeitcanbedeterminedwhethertheschemehasbeensuccessfulornot.

Upperton Road / The Avenue, Eastbourne – junction improvementSchemecompletedApril2007

ThetrafficsignalswerereprogrammedtoallowaseparaterightturnphaseforvehiclesturningrightfromUppertonRoadintoTheAvenue;thiswasidentifiedasthedominantpatterninthedetailedstudyofcrashesatthejunction.ApedestrianfacilitywasprovidedacrossTheAvenuewithawidestaggeredcentralisland,droppedkerbsandtactilepaving.ThetrafficsignalswereadaptedtoincludeapedestrianphaseacrossTheAvenuetoimprovepedestriansafety.Atthesametime,theopportunitywastakentocarryoutoutstandingmaintenanceworkatthejunctionincludingimprovementstotheroadsurfacing.

Inthethreeyearperiodbeforetheimplementationoftheschemetherewere


Making roads safer4�

calmingschemecoincidedwiththeParishCouncilproducingtheirParishPlansowewereabletoworkcloselytogethertoachievecommongoals.

Becauseofthenatureoftheroute,thetypeofmeasureswhichcouldbeusedtocontrolvehiclespeedswereseverelyconstrained.Roadhumpswereruledoutasinappropriatebecausetheroadcarrieslargenumbersofheavyvehiclesandbuses,andthescopeforchangestothealignmentislimitedbytheneedtocaterforthelargestofvehicles,includingagriculturalvehicles.ItwasalsoclearfromearlydiscussionswiththeParishCouncilthateveryeffortshouldbemadetominimiseanylossofon-streetparking,notonlybecausethissupportslocalbusinesses,butalsobecause,duringtheday,itisoneofthemosteffectiveformsoftrafficcalmingthroughthecentreofthevillage.

ApublicexhibitionandconsultationwereheldinNovember2005andtheschemecompletedinMarch2007.Thefinalschemeincludedchangestothespeedlimit,gateways,zebracrossingneartheschool,VehicleActivatedSigns,amini-roundaboutandfootwaybuild-outs.

Inthe3yearperiodpriortotheschemebeingconstructed,therewerefiveinjurycrasheswhichresultedintencasualtiesofwhichthreewereserious.Inthe12monthsaftertheimplementationofthescheme,SussexPolicehasrecordedfiveslightcrashesresultinginninecasualties.

ninecrashesinvolvingsixteencasualtiesatthisjunction.Weanticipateasignificantreductioninthenumberofcrashesasaconsequenceofthisschemeandwillmonitorthesituationclosely.

A271 Herstmonceux – traffic calmingSchemecompletedJanuary2007

TheA271throughHerstmonceuxwasselectedasaprioritysitefortrafficcalmingin2004usingtheCountyCouncil’sannualassessmentprocedure.Theprocedureassignspointstofactorsincludingthetrafficflows,vehiclespeeds,pedestrianandcyclingactivity,proximitytoschools,thelevelofdevelopmentandtheinjurycrashrecord,whichcarriesahighpointsweighting.

ApreliminaryschemewasdevelopedinconsultationwiththeLocalMembers,ParishCouncilandotherstatutoryconsultees.Thetimingofthistraffic


Making roads safer 4�

Howeverthisisarelativelyshortperiodandwenormallyallowaminimumofthreeyearstodeterminetheimpactofascheme.

Hastings Old Town Pedestrian improvementsSchemepartiallycompleted

TheimprovementswereidentifiedasaresultofasurveyconductedbytheHastingsOldTownResidents’Association(HOTRA)in2004toidentifythekeypedestriansafetyissuesinthearea.Anumberofissueswereraisedincluding:

theneedforpavementwideningintheOldTownHighStreet(fromGeorgeStreettoCourthouseStreet),and

considerationoftheupgradingorrepositioningofpedestriancrossingsontheA259(betweenLondonTraderandTorfieldAllotments)andanadditionalcrossingpointatRockANore.

TheCountyCouncildevelopedproposalsinresponsetotheissuesraisedbythelocalcommunity.ThesewereconsulteduponlocallyatapublicexhibitionheldinJune2006.Overalltherewasahighlevelofsupportfortheproposals.AsummaryofconsultationresponsesandtherecommendedwayforwardwasapprovedattheLeadMemberforTransportandEnvironmentdecisionmakingmeetinginNovember2006.

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During2007/08,threephasesoftheschemehavebeenimplementedincluding:

theupgradeofTorfieldandRoebuckStreetzebratoa‘Puffin’crossing

developmentoftheCourthouseStreetpedestrianzoneandupgradeofexistingcrossingsfromZebratoPuffin,and

HighStreet/CourthouseStreetjunctionandwesternsideoffootwayalongtheHighStreet.

Furtherphaseswillbere-evaluatedinlightofdevelopmentsaroundtheproposedStadeandJerwoodprojects.TheimprovementshavebeenachievedbyworkinginpartnershipwiththeCountyCouncil,HastingsBoroughCouncil,HastingsOldTownResidentsAssociation(HOTRA)andHastingsOldTownTradersAssociation(HOTTA).

RoadoverrailincursionsitesInaccordancewiththeguidancein“ManagingtheAccidentalObstructionoftheRailwaybyRoadVehicles”producedbyDepartmentforTransportandNetworkRail,theCountyCouncilhasinspectedallsiteswherearoadcrossesarailwayline.Everysitewasriskassessedandmitigationmeasureshavebeenimplementedtopreventtheincursionofvehiclesontotherailwaylineatallhighrisksites.Insomecasesparapetshavebeenstrengthenedwhileontheapproachesextrasafetyfencinghasbeeninstalled.ThesesitesincludeDitchling,CrowboroughandHastings(describedbelow).Somesiteswithalesserdegreeofriskhavealsobeenadaptedforgreatersafety.

HarleyShuteBridgecarriestheB2092overtherailwaylinetothewestofHastings.Thesitehadbeenidentifiedasbeingatriskfromvehicleincursion.Toprovidetherequiredprotection,theapproachestothebridgehavebeenprotectedbysingleanddoublerailsafetyfences.

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Making roads safer44

TargetsummaryThefollowingLTP2targetscontributetotheachievementoftheobjectivetoimproveroadsafetyandreducefearofcrime:

toreducethenumberofpeoplekilledandseriouslyinjured

toreducethenumberofchildrenkilledandseriouslyinjured

toreducethenumberofpeopleslightlyinjuredinroadaccidents

toensure100%ofsignalisedpedestriancrossinghavefacilitiesfordisabledpeople,and

toensurethatstreetlightingfaultsforwhichweareresponsiblearerepairedwithin5½workingdays.


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Harley Shute Bridge

Strengths1. InclusionofindicatorinLAA

emphasisesimportancetoESCCandpartners

2. Welltargetedroadsafetyeducationinitiatives

3. Clearprioritisationprocessforsafetyandtrafficcalmingschemes

4. Goodrecordofrepairingdangerousdefectstoroadandfootwaynetwork

5. Soundrecordofcommunityengagementonspeedreductioninitiatives

Weaknesses1. ManyfactorsoutsidetheCounty

Council’scontrolwhichaffectnumberofKSIs(eg.driverbehaviour)

2. Sub-standardtrunkroadnetworkinthecountywithdisproportionateaccidentnumbersoccurringasaresult.Thisalsoleadstosomelonger-distancetrafficdivertingontoinappropriateCountyroadsandanincreasedaccidentrateasaconsequence.

Opportunities1. CloserworkingwithHighwaysAgency

throughLAAtotackleaccidentsontrunkroadnetwork

2. Speedlimitreviewwillidentifyprioritiesforaction

3. ImplementCompanyOperators’SaferTransport(COST)schemetotargetbusinessdrivers

Threats1. Fundingpressuresforengineeringand

educationmeasures

2. FactorsbeyondcontrolofESCCsuchasalcoholintake,speeding,stressetc

3. Potentialincreaseinmotorbikeusebyinexperiencedridersasfueleconomymeasure

RisksandopportunitiesStatus: AMBER


Making roads safer 45


Tackling congestion4�

7 Tacklingcongestion

Reducecongestionandimprovetheefficiencyofthetransportnetwork

EastSussexisaruralcountywithnomajorpopulationcentres(over250,000)andconsequentlydoesnotsufferfromthescaleofcongestionoftenfoundinmoreurbanareasofthecountry.Howeverthereare‘hotspots’ofcongestionacrossthecounty,particularlyonthestrategiceast-westroutessuchastheA259bothgoingeasttowardsHastings(GlyneGap)andwesttowardsBrighton(Peacehaven,SaltdeanandRottingdean).Oneeffectisthattraffictendstodivertontolessappropriatepartsofthenetworkandcausecongestionproblemsfurtherinland.

Congestionimpactsonmanyaspectsofpeople’slivesincludingtheirabilitytoaccessservicesrelatedtohealthandeducation,reliabilityofjourneytimeforprivatevehicles,freightandbusservices,airquality,andqualityoflifegenerally.Italsohasanimpactonthelocationofbusinessesandtheeconomicperformanceofaregion.

Theperceptionofresidents,businessesandotherstakeholdersisthatreducingcongestionandmakingstrategictransportimprovementsshouldbeahighpriorityfortheCountyCouncil.Itisalsoanimportantelementinfacilitatingregenerationinthecoastaltowns.

NetworkManagementTheCounty’sstrategyforachievingareductionincongestionisspearheadedbyourobligationsundertheTrafficManagementAct.Thepreferredapproachincomplyingwiththeact’srequirementtoreducecongestionisthroughthepro-activemanagementofthecounty’sroadspaceinordertosecuretheexpeditiousmovementoftrafficontheroadnetwork.ThisincludesplanningforfutureeventssuchasmajorroadworksoroccasionscausingincreasedtrafficlevelssuchastheEastbourneAirbourneshow.Italsonecessitatestheprudenthandlingofproblemsarisingfromcompetinginterestswhichmightincludeutilitycompanies,businessesortheemergencyservices.

TheTrafficManagerhasproducedaNetworkManagementPlanbasedontheroadhierarchyandlinkingtotheTransportAssetManagementPlan.Thisenablesafullyinformedapproachtakingaccountofroadusage,freightroutes,wintersaltingroutesandthedifferenttypeofroaduserandtheirneeds.TheresultisthattheCountyCouncilhasbeenverysuccessfulinmanagingthenetwork,preventingcongestionwherepossibleandlimitingitbysuchmeasuresasnighttimeworkingforroadworksonstrategicroutes.

AfullreportonnetworkmanagementdutiescanbefoundatChapter17.


Tackling congestion 4�

CivilParkingEnforcementParkingisakeyfactorinthecompetingdemandforroadspaceandconsequentlycontrolofparkingisacrucialelementintheCountyCouncil’sabilitytocontrolcongestionandallowthefreeflowoftrafficoverthenetwork.TheintroductionofCivilParkingEnforcement(CPE)inHastingsandLeweshasprovedhighlyeffectiveatreducingthevolumeoftrafficinthetown.Thiscanbeanabsolutedecreaseorsimplythatfewervehiclescirculateroundthetownlookingforavailableparking.Ineithereventtheresultisareducedincidenceofcongestionwhichbenefitsroadusers,residents,businesses,theeconomicviabilityofthetownasawholeandtheurbanenvironmentparticularlyinregardtoairquality.

ThedelayinimplementationofCPEinEastbournehasmeantthattheCountyCouncilisunabletoeffectivelycontrolthegrowthintrafficinthetown.Asaconsequence,buspunctualityisnotasreliableasotherareasofEastSussexandthenumberofvehiclesenteringthetowninthepeakmorninghourshasincreased.TheCountyCouncilhopestorectifythissituationnowthatDfThasapprovedtheapplicationforCPE.ImplementationoftheschemebeganinOctober2008andoncetherelatedschemesforimprovingbusinfrastructurearecompletetheoverallbenefitstothetownintermsofreducedcongestionwillbecomeapparent.

RoadHierarchyTheCountyCouncilhaslong-standingconcernsaboutthelackofappropriatestrategictransportinfrastructureinEastSussex–bothroadandrail.WhilsttheopeningoftheA27Beddinghamimprovementhashelpedtoimprovestrategicaccessibilitywithinthecounty,aswellasrelievingastrategicbottleneck(whichwasidentifiedintheSouthCoastCorridorMulti-ModalStudy),moreinvestmentisrequiredtoremovetraffic

fromresidentialareas,andinappropriateroutes,whereairquality,safetyissuesandlocalisedcongestioncanbeaparticularconcern.

TheRegionalTransportStrategypolicy,‘ManageandInvest’hasbeeninfluentialinallowingustoidentifythosecongestionhotspotsonboththestrategicandlocalnetworkswhichrequireintervention.Thestrategicschemeswereputforwardinthe2008refreshoftheRegionalTransportPrioritisationprogrammeinorderthattheymaybeassessedandincludedintheregionalprogramme.Seechapter14forlistofschemes.

RailServicesinEastSussexPromotingtheuseoftherailwaysandencouragingagreaterproportionofEastSussexresidents(andthosevisitingEastSussex)touserailserviceshasmanybenefitsandcancontributepositivelytotheachievementofLTP2targetsandobjectives.

WecontinuetoworkwiththerailindustrytosecurecapacityandserviceimprovementstotherailwaynetworkinEastSussex.AnumberofrailbasedschemeswereincludedintheRegionalPrioritisationrefresh.

PlansforimprovedcycleparkingatstationsarebeingdevelopedwithNetworkRailandthetrainoperatingcompanies.TheCountyCouncilhasalsoproducedleafletsspecifictoindividualtownsdetailingbothbusand



trainservicesandtimetablestoencouragepeopletousethesesustainablemodesoftravelandreducethenumberofvehiclesontheroadnetwork.

Congestion‘hotspots’CongestionoccursregularlyattheA259junctionatGlyneGap.Theeffectsofthisbottleneckcanimpactontheroadnetworkthroughoutthecountyandevenbeyondtothechannelports.TheBexhillHastingsLinkRoadisdesignedtorelievethis,takingtraffictothenorthwestofHastings,soimprovingaccesstothetownandtostrategicroutesbeyond.

TheimprovementstotheA27atBeddingham,involvingaflyoverreplacingthelevelcrossingovertherailway,haveincreasedcapacityandwilldeliverrelieftotheC7inparticularandotherroutesaffectedbydisplacedtraffic.

ThereallocationofroadspacetocreateaqualitybuscorridorontheA259betweenBrightonandNewhavenwillsignificantlyimprovejourneytimesbetweenSeaford,NewhavenandBrightonaswellasmakingbusservicesanattractivealternativetothecar.TheschemehasbeenjointlydevelopedbytheCountyCouncil,Brighton&HoveCityCouncilandBrighton&HoveBusandCoachCompany.

PublicTransportEffectivepublictransportiscrucialtoreducingcongestioninEastSussex.ThroughourAccessibilityStrategy,weareseekingtoremovesomeofthebarrierspeoplefacetousingpublictransport,andtoprovideagenuinealternativetotheprivatecar.Themeasuresweimplementarevariedintype,manyofthemareinformation-based.WealsoencouragegreaterawarenessofandaccesstopublictransportthroughtheTravelchoicebrandandthecarshareschemeinordertoreducesingleoccupancyvehiclesandtherebyreducecongestionontheroadnetwork.

Theintroductionofconcessionaryfaresonbusesfortheover60sanddisabledhashadtheeffectofmarkedlyincreasingbuspatronage.Manyofthesejourneyswillbe‘extra’journeysbutequallyaproportionofthemwillbereplacingjourneysbycartherebyreducingthenumberofcarsontheroadandreducingthelikelihoodofcongestion.

WehavesuccessfullyintroducedrealtimeinformationforbusesinEastbourneinvolvingradioequipmenton57busesand24signsatbusstops.ThesystemhasenabledEastbourneBusestomanagetheservicenetworkmoreefficientlyandhasprovidedpassengerswithreliableinformationonwhichtobasetheirtravelchoices.

ImprovingtravelchoicesanddemandmanagementSmartmeasuressuchasthecarshareschemeandthecontinuedsupportoftheTravelChoicebrandareencouragingalternativemodesoftravelandcontributingtothebehaviouralchangethatcanleadtoreducedcongestion.

OursuccessfulbidforlotteryfundingwillenableustotakeforwardthedevelopmentoftheBexhilltoHastingssectionofNationalCycleNetworkroute2.Itishopedtobeginconstructionin2010/11.

FreightInApril2007,ajointroadsafetyandfreightconferencewasheldwithParishCouncilsinEastSussex.Theconferencehighlightedtheproblemsandissuesregardingfreightinthecounty,inparticulartheincreaseduseofsatellitenavigationsystemsandtheenvironmentaldegradationofruralroads,andhowthecouncil’sfreightstrategywillseektoaddresstheseissues.Thisincludes:

understandingtheextentoftheproblembyundertakingfreightsurveys

talkingtooperators

workingwithOrdnanceSurveyonimprovingthemappinginformationprovidedto“SatNav”systemsonroadswhicharesuitableandlesssuitableforlargegoodsvehicles,and

developingFreightQualityPartnerships.

Inresponsetolocalconcernsaboutthenumberoflargegoodsvehiclesusinglesssuitableroadsandcausinglocalisedcongestionespeciallyinvillagesandhistorictowns,theCountyCouncilhasundertakensurveysoffreightmovementsinBattleandRotherfield,andPevenseyandWesthamoverthelasttwoyears.Thesesurveyshavehelpedquantifytheextentoftheproblemandinformedthediscussionswithlocalcommunitiesonthemostappropriatemeansofreducingthenumberoflargegoodsvehiclesonroadswithinthevillagesandtowns.

SustainableSchoolTravelStrategyInaccordancewiththedutyplacedonusbytheEducationandInspectionsAct2006,theCouncilisdevelopingaSustainableSchoolTravelStrategywhichbringstogetherthevariousstrandsofservice

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CyclingTherecommendationsagreedfollowingtheScrutinyReviewofcyclingwillformthebasisofanupdatedcyclingstrategyforEastSussexwhichwillfocusparticularlyonutilitycycling.ThiscomplementsthepolicysetoutinLTP2whereencouragingandfacilitatinganincreaseincyclingisoneelementintheachievementofreductionincongestionbyreplacingcarjourneyswithmoresustainabletraveloptions.Cyclingcanprovideasustainableandrealisticalternativetotravellingbyprivatecarandprovisionofhighqualityutilitycyclinginfrastructureisproventoreducethedemandforcartravel.

TheCountyCouncilcontinuestoprovideappropriatecyclingfacilitiesandpromotetheuseofcyclewayswithinEastSussex.TwocyclebridgeshavebeenconstructedduringthelasttwoyearsincludingawoodenbridgeontheBerwickWaycyclewayandasteelbridgetothecyclewayatElmGroveontheoutskirtsofEastbourne.

deliveryrelatingtoschooltransportintoasinglestrategywhichwillinformthemeasuresthatcanbetakentoaddresstheemergingissues.Thepurposeofthestrategyisinparttogiveparentsandchildrenasmuchinformationandsupportaspossibletoencouragethemtousesustainablemodesoftransporttogettoandfromschoolratherthantousetheprivatecar.

ThisareaofworkisstronglysupportedbytheworkoftheSchoolTravelPlan(STP)teamwhichhasnowhelped86%ofthecounty’smaintainedschoolsproduceaSTP.Dataobtainedfromtheannualschoolcensusshowthatin20071%fewerchildrentravelledtoschoolbycarthanthepreviousyear.WewillcontinuetoworktoreducethatpercentagefurtherandfundinghasbeensecuredfromtheDepartmentforTransportandtheDepartmentforChildren,SchoolsandFamiliesforthenexttwoyears(to2010)tocontinuetoemploytwoSTPadvisers.TheSTPadviserswillbeworkingtoengagetheremaining14%ofschoolswithoutanapprovedSTP.

A259 Bus Corridor from Brighton to Newhaven CongestiononthebusyA259SouthCoastRoadhasbeenaproblemforanumberofyears,withRottingdeanjunctionbeingthemaincauseofdelay.QueuesstretchbackinthemorningpeakfromRottingdeanintoPeacehaven.Intheeveningpeak,thequeuereversedandstretchedbackfromRottingdeanwestwardstoOvingdeanroundaboutandbeyond.FormanypeoplelivingbetweenRottingdeanandNewhaven,theA259istheonlyviableroutetoBrighton.Publictransportdoesnotofferarealalternativeasbusesarealsoheldupinthequeueswithothervehicles.CruciallymanyofthetripsalongtheA259are‘local’innaturethussupportingthecasefortheimplementationofaQualityBusCorridor.

TheobjectiveoftheA259BusCorridorprojectistoimprovethereliabilityofpublic

transportmakingitaviableandattractivealternativetotheprivatecar.ThisprojectwasakeycomponentinthedevelopmentofadditionalhousinginthePeacehavenarea.ItinvolvedthedesignandconstructionofbusprioritymeasuresacrosstheboundarybetweenBrighton&HoveandEastSussex.TheprojectwasundertakeninpartnershipwiththeBrighton&HoveCityCouncilwiththeCountyCouncilleadingonallstages.Theprojectissplitintotwophases,thefirstinvolvingthestretchofA259betweenOvingdean(inBrighton&Hove)toTelscombeCliffs,thesecondphaseextendingbeyondTelscombeCliffsasfareastasNewhaven.

Phase1oftheprojectinvolvedtheconstructionofawestboundbuslanebetweenTelscombeCliffsandRottingdeanandaneastboundbuslanebetweenOvingdeanandRottingdean.Includedwithintheprojectwasanoffroadcyclelane,busstopimprovementsandtheconstructionofpelican/toucancrossingstofacilitateaccesstothewestboundbusstopsandcycleway.

ThisphaseoftheprojectinvolvedimprovementstotheroadnetworkwithintheauthorityofEastSussexandBrighton&Hove.AlthoughEastSussexCountyCounciltooktheleadonthisphaseoftheworkacloseworkingrelationshipwasachievedwithBrighton&HoveCityCounciltoensurethattheirconsiderationsweretakenonboardandthatconsistencywasachievedonaspectsofdetail.Brighton&HoveBus&CoachCompanyareakeypartnerandhaveinfluencedthedesignstagesoftheprojecttoensurethattheiroperationalneedsweretakenaccountofregardingbusstops,shelters,buslay-bysandpedestriancrossingsandtheycontributedvaluableinformationonagreatmanyconsiderations.

ApublicexhibitionwasheldinJuly2004outofwhichcamevaluablefeedbacktogetherwithsupportforthebuspriorityproposals.


Tackling congestion50

TheprovisionofbuspriorityalongtheA259SouthCoastRoadisakeybenefittothebusoperatorwhosebuseswerecaughtupinthesamelongqueuesasothertraffic.Thecommitmentbybothauthoritiestoconstructabuslanehasenabledthebusoperatortoincreasethefrequencyofbusesalongthisbusybuscorridor.Theyarealsoconsideringtheprovisionoflimitedstopservicesoncethebuslanesareinplace.Thisiswelcomenewstoexistingandpotentialbususersandhighlightsthebenefitsofworkinginpartnershipwithbuscompaniesandotherlocalauthorities.

Phase2ofthisprojectiscurrentlybeingdesigned,althoughthepotentialforintroducingbusprioritymeasuresalongtheA259throughPeacehavenislimited.TheprincipalbenefitstopublictransportalongtheA259SouthCoastRoadarelikelytobeachievedthroughPhase1.

TargetsummaryThefollowingLTP2targetscontributetotheachievementoftheobjectivetoreducecongestionandimprovetheefficiencyofthetransportnetwork:



toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinEastbourne

toincreasethenumberofbuspassengerjourneysinHastings


toincreasetheproportionofthepopulationabletoarriveatakeycentrewithinhalfanhourbypublictransportby9.00am

toincreasethenumberofcycletripstakeninthecountyasawhole

toincreasethenumberofcycletripsinthegreaterEastbourne/Bexhill/Hastingsarea

tomaintainorreducetheamountoftrafficenteringEastbourneinpeakmorninghours

torestrictthegrowthincountywidetraffictobelow10%

torestrictthegrowthintrafficinEastbourne,Lewes,Bexhill/HastingsandtheSouthernCoastalTowns

toincreasethenumberofwalkingtripstakeninthecounty,and

toreducethenumberofjourneystoschooltakenbycar.

ForfulldetailsofprogressagainsttargetsseeChapter11

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RisksandopportunitiesStatus: GREEN

Strengths1. Trafficgrowthcontainedwithin10%

growthtarget.

2. StrongprojectmanagementofBexhillHastingsLinkRoad

3. IntroductionofCivilParkingEnforcementtourbancentresinEastSussex

4. Strongworkingrelationshipwithtrainoperatortoimplementimprovedcycleparkingatstations

5. Increasedbuspatronage,partlyasaconsequenceofintroductionofconcessionaryfaresschemeandpartlyasaconsequenceofeffectiveQualityBusPartnership(QBP)

6. Greaterfocusonfacilitatingutilitycycling

7. SuccessfulcontinuationoftheHastingsQBP

8. EffectiveimplementationofNetworkManagementDuties

9. SchoolTravelPlansadvocatingmoresustainabletravelandmodalshift

Weaknesses1. ESCCisnotincontrolofkeyfactors

influencingcongestione.g.land-useallocationsforhousingandemploymentandimprovementofthestrategictransportnetworkincludingrailandthesub-standardtrunkroads

2. TheCountyCouncil’srevenuebudgetforPassengerTransport,usedtosupportservices,isunderconstantpressurefromothercompeting,highpriority,serviceneeds

3. NospecificcyclingbudgetidentifiedinCapitalProgramme

4. Culturaloppositiontousingsustainabletransport,andconcernsoversafety&securityofchildrentravellingindependently

5. Conflictingpoliciesintermsofparentalfreedomofchoiceofschoolsandproximityofschoolstowherepupilslive

6. Concessionaryfaresschemeonbusesreducescapacityforotherfarepayingpassengers,andinhibitsgrowthofcommercialservices

7. OppositiontoBexhillHastingsLinkRoad

8. Buspatronagegrowthmay‘plateau’

Status: AMBER



Opportunities1. Harnessopportunityofraisedpublic

awarenessofclimatechangeagendatoencouragemodalshift

2. GreaterinfluenceonbusoperatorsthroughtheprovisionsoftheLocalTransportBill/Act

3. Harnessopportunityprovidedbyrisingfuelandlivingcoststoencouragemodalshift

4. ImplementationofCPEinEastbournewillallowprogresstobemadewithQualityBusPartnership

5. MaintainmomentumfromConnect2fundingwinforNCN2cyclepathandrelatedpublicity

6. Lewesdeclarationasa‘Transitiontown’withsustainabilityagenda

7. Abilitytolinkhealthbenefitsofsustainabletransport(e.g.walking&cycling)withlearningattainmentofchildren

Threats1. Risingcostsofconstructionindustry

2. PotentialdelaysinconsiderationofBHLRapplication

3. Insufficientfundinglevelstoallowboth‘hard’andSmartmeasurestomakeadifference

4. ContinueddelayinimplementingCPEinEastbournepreventingprogressonQBPandrelevantLTP2targets

5. Longer-termincreaseinaffluenceresultsincommensurateincreaseincarownership

6. InsufficientfundingtoprogressmanyoftheproposedmeasuresidentifiedinSchoolTravelPlansandtheEastSussexSustainableSchoolTravelStrategy



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