WAUNTYSSWG FARM

CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN

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5 July 2018

WAUNTYSSWG FARM

CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN

Our Ref: DA/adf/sjs/JNY8819-01B RPS 20 Western Avenue Milton Park Abingdon Oxon OX14 4SH Tel: 01235 432190 Fax: 01235 834698 Email: transport@rpsgroup.com

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QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Prepared by: David Archibald

Authorised by: David Archibald

Date: 2 July 2018

Project Number/Document Reference:

JNY8819-01B

COPYRIGHT © RPS

The material presented in this report is confidential. This report has been prepared for the exclusive use of Elgin Energy EsCo and shall not be distributed or made available to any other company or person without the knowledge and written consent of RPS.

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CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 1 2 CONSTRUCTION PROCESS ................................................................................................................. 3 3 CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC GENERATION .......................................................................................... 4 4 CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE ACCESS AND ACCESS ROUTES .......................................................... 7 5 MEASURES, MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL PROCESSES .......................................................... 10 6 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT MEASURES ........................................................................................... 14 7 CONSTRUCTION TRAVEL PLAN ....................................................................................................... 16 8 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ....................................................................................................... 20 APPENDICES APPENDIX A – SITE LAYOUT PLAN APPENDIX B – CONSTRUCTION COMPOUND APPENDIX C – SITE ACCESS APPENDIX D – EXAMPLE CONSTRUCTION COMPOUND LAYOUT

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 The proposed development comprises a ground mounted Solar Park with associated infrastructure on land at Wauntysswg Farm, Abertysswg, Rhymney, NP22 5BQ ("the Development").

1.2 This Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) has been prepared by RPS Planning and Development on behalf of Elgin Energy EsCo (the ‘Applicant’). It follows the receipt of pre-application comments from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (BGCBC) which suggested a CTMP be prepared. The site layout plan is attached at Appendix A and the red-line defines ‘the Application Site’.

Location

1.3 The Application Site is located within the administrative boundary of BGCBC and Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC). The Application Site is located approximately 2 km south-east of Rhymney and approximately 2.4km south-west of Tredegar.

1.4 There is one point of access to the site, from the eastern side of the B4256 to the south of the existing access road to Wauntysswg Farm, as shown at Appendix A.

Proposed Development

1.5 The application is for the installation of free-standing, static photo voltaic solar panels with a generating capacity of approximately 30 MW mounted on metal frames with associated infrastructure. All electricity produced will be fed into the national grid via a substation located in the northern part of the site.

1.6 In summary, the proposed development will include:

A series of ground mounted solar arrays incorporating Solar Panels arranged in rows running east to west across the site;

Inverter and transformer buildings;

Substation/DNO switchgear building;

Lattice tower;

Security fences surrounding the site;

A gated site entrance;

Underground electrical cabling connecting the arrays with the inverters;

Internal site access roads; and

A temporary construction compound.

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1.7 The proposed use is temporary and reversible and the land will be restored at the end of the parks life which is estimated to be 30 years following commissioning.

Context and Scope

1.8 The principal aim of this CTMP is to ensure that the construction works are organised and delivered in a manner that safeguards the highway impact, highway safety and amenity of the area surrounding the Application Site.

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2 CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

2.1 This section outlines the proposed indicative Development schedule, construction methodology and the way in which deliveries will be controlled with regards to the local highway network.

Development Schedule

2.2 The proposed construction is scheduled to last for up to 4 months (16 weeks). The construction can broadly be split in to the following phases:

Site Setup – including site tracks, perimeter fencing, site welfare, construction compound;

Solar Panel Frames – including setting out positions, installing piles, constructing frames;

Cabling and Ducting – including installing AC cables, DC mains, earthing system and ducts; and

Modules and Commissioning – including connecting LV DC and AC, installing modules and overall commissioning.

2.3 It should be noted however that the construction programme may be subject to change prior to work commencing on site.

Delivery of Plant and Materials

2.4 All materials and plant associated with the development process will be stored within the footprint of the Application Site. A site compound will be provided on the site access road, as shown at Appendix A where loading and unloading areas for plant and materials are provided within the Application Site to enable construction and to ensure such activities are undertaken off the public highway. It is anticipated that the majority of deliveries will be made via articulated low loader vehicles and rigid HGVs.

Working Hours

2.5 All work will be conducted during traditional construction working hours of 07:00 to 18:30 Monday to Friday with limited construction activities on Saturdays between 07:00 and 13:00. No construction activities will take place on a Sunday or Bank Holiday.

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3 CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC GENERATION

3.1 This section sets out the estimated volume and type of vehicles that will be generated throughout the construction phase of the development. This information has been used in subsequent sections that consider the geometry and safety of the adjoining highway networks, in order to inform the suite of management measures proposed.

3.2 It should be noted that the construction programme and corresponding construction traffic strategy may be subject to change following the appointment of a construction contractor and prior to work commencing on site. Any substantial changes in the build program and / or number of vehicular movements will be communicated to BGCBC and CCBC in advance of construction.

Construction Vehicles

3.3 The trip generation potential of the construction phase of development has been informed though discussion with the Applicant on the anticipated construction programme and is based on experience of delivering similar developments in the United Kingdom. The construction period is anticipated to last for up to 4 months. Table 3.1 below summarises the types of deliveries along with the estimated construction HGVs associated with the development.

Table 3.1: Construction HGVs Item Vehicle Type Number of HGV Movements

Solar Panels Rigid HGV

Average of 6 HGV movements per day (3 HGV arrivals plus 3 HGV departures per day).

Mounting System Rigid HGV

Prefabricated Buildings Articulated Low Loader

Unloading Buildings 80 tonne Crane

Cables Rigid HGV

Fencing Rigid HGV

Small Deliveries Rigid HGV

Plant Delivery 10t-20t HGV

(normally Rigid HGV)

3.4 The construction period is estimated to last for up to 4 months (16 weeks), with deliveries fluctuating within this period. It is envisaged that the majority of movements would be Monday to Friday with only a limited number of movements on a Saturday.

3.5 Deliveries will vary in amount per day during the construction period with an average of three deliveries (three inbound plus three outbound movements) per day over the 16 week period.

Construction Vehicle Types

3.6 It is noted that a variety of vehicles will need to access the Application Site during construction. These will include low loaders, rigid HGVs and an 80 tonne crane associated with delivering the requisite materials (including aggregate, mounting frames and the solar panels) and prefabricated buildings. The dimensions of the vehicle types are shown below.

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Figure 1: Vehicle Dimensions

Dwell Times

3.7 Delivery vehicles are likely to attend the Application Site for approximately one hour per vehicle. There will be sufficient space within the curtilage of the Application Site to ensure that no vehicles would have to wait on the surrounding highway network.

3.8 Further measures that will be employed to control the number and frequency of vehicles arriving at the Application Site are detailed further below.

Construction Staff

3.9 During construction, there is a balance to be made between the intensity of on-site activity and the duration of that activity.

3.10 Experience of similar developments elsewhere suggests that car sharing promotion by the contractor will reduce the number of cars. This will be achieved through management of staff travel patterns and actively encouraging car sharing as set out further in Section 7.

3.11 All staff are anticipated to arrive at the site during the 30 minute period preceding the start of the operating day (i.e. 06:30 to 07:00 Monday to Saturday) and depart during the 30 minute period that follows the end of the operating day (i.e. 18:30 to 19:00 Monday to Friday and 13:00 to 13:30 on Saturdays). Staff trips are likely to travel to / from different origins / destinations and hence spread their movement across the highway network.

3.12 Provision will be made to enable all vehicles to park on site to avoid obstruction to the operation of the public highway and this shall be strictly enforced. A construction compound will be provided on the site access road as shown at Appendix A. Appendix B shows the construction compound in more detail and shows the available space for parking on site whilst being able to accommodate a low loader (the largest vehicle to enter the site) turning within the compound and retaining space around the perimeter for staff facilities and storage etc. The compound is large enough to accommodate all parking demand created by construction staff.

3.13 Section 7 sets out full details on construction worker trips and also contains a Construction Worker Travel Plan that seeks to minimise construction workers travel.

Maintenance

3.14 Once operational, the proposed Development will not require significant maintenance, with the exception of occasional visits made by 4x4 vehicles or panel van vehicles.

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3.15 The impact of maintenance vehicles is considered to be negligible given the low and sporadic nature of the maintenance visits.

Decommissioning

3.16 The proposed use is temporary and reversible and the land will be restored to agriculture at the end of the parks life which is estimated to be 30 years. After the expected life of the project, the park can be dismantled and the components can be recycled. The site can be reclaimed and returned to its original state.

3.17 The decommissioning of the proposed Development will be expected to generate a similar (or fewer) number of trips as the construction phase since there is not the same requirement to transport the material separately and the same level of care does not have to be taken with the equipment given that its use would be redundant. The traffic associated with the decommissioning phase will be discussed with the Highway Authority prior to commencement, and appropriate measures will be agreed as necessary at that time.

3.18 The decommissioning phase is expected to take less time than the construction and will consist of the exact opposite construction sequence: starting with disconnecting the plant from the grid, removing the substations, inverters, opening of trenches to remove DC and / or AC cables, disconnecting all solar modules, and dismantling the modules and supporting structure.

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4 CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE ACCESS AND ACCESS ROUTES

4.1 The Application Site is accessed from the eastern side of the B4256, to the south of an existing access to an adjoining farm. An access design has been prepared, a copy of which is attached at Appendix C, which demonstrates the ability of low loaders to turn into and out of the site appropriately. Given the low number of movements, and to reduce unnecessary land requirements, low loaders will utilise the width of the access track.

4.2 There is a 60 mph speed limit along the B4256. There is a brow on the hill to the south of the site access (to the left) which restricts visibility to 2.4m x 150m. Visibility splays of 2.4m x 215m and 2.4m x 160m both cross the field on the western side of the B4256, which although is outside of the adopted highway, provides a relatively unobstructed view.

4.3 In view of the visibility, it is proposed that temporary signage be located in the vicinity of the site access during the construction period to warn drivers of the site entrance, as shown on Plate 1.

Plate 1: Temporary Signage at Site Access

Access Route

4.4 The B4256 routes broadly east to west between Tredegar and Rhymney respectively. BGCBC have raised a concern about HGVs routeing through Tredegar, particularly under the Gwent Shopping Centre and so access will be taken from the west along the B4256.

4.5 The construction vehicle route to / from the west (A469) via Rhymney is shown in Plate 2.

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Plate 2: Construction Vehicle Route to / from A469 Overview of Route

Route Through Rhymney

4.6 Construction vehicles would depart the A469 or the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road at the southern dumbbell roundabout onto the B4257 and travel south through Rhymney, turning left onto the B4256 Hill Street which continues to the site access. Construction vehicles exiting to the west would travel along the above but in the reverse direction.

4.7 This route to / from the west along the B4257 and the B4256 is a bus route with buses regularly travelling along all sections throughout the day and turning around the bends and through the junctions. Construction vehicles would do so in the same manner.

4.8 There are other potential routes, however, these have been discounted. Moriah Street routes between the B4256 and the B4257 and would provide a shorter route to the A469 to the south of Rhymney. However, the geometry of the Moriah Street / B4256 junction is substandard in terms of visibility and radii and this route is inferior in comparison to the route above.

4.9 Jerusalem Street routes between the B4256 and the B4257 and would provide a shorter route to the A469 to the south of Rhymney. However, Jerusalem Street is a one-way road (north east to south west) and its junction with the B4256 is narrow and unable to accommodate construction vehicles turning through it. This route has therefore been discounted.

4.10 Where the B4256 Hill Street meets the B4257, construction vehicles could route directly to the A469 to the south of Rhymney instead of continuing northbound. However, this junction is angled and construction vehicles are unable to undertake these turning movements without crossing onto the opposite side of the carriageway. This route has therefore been discounted.

4.11 Carno Street routes between the B4257 and the A467. However, it is lined with residential properties fronting directly onto a narrow footway and there is on street parking which restricts the available width for vehicles to pass along what is already a narrow single carriageway road. In comparison to the remainder of the above route, it is considered inferior.

4.12 Queens Crescent routes from the B4257 onto Carno Street which in turn routes onto the A467. However, Queens Crescent is a narrow carriageway where it meets the B4257 and unable to accommodate construction vehicles turning through it. This route has therefore been discounted.

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4.13 Tre-York Street routes west from the B4257 onto The Terrace and Glan-Yr-Afon onto Carno Street. However, there is a 7.5 Tonne weight restriction along Tre-York Street and so this route has been discounted.

Highway Safety

4.14 An investigation of Personal Injury Accident data on the local network has been undertaken using www.crashmap.co.uk. Personal Injury Accidents for the latest available 3 years (2015 to 2017) have been assessed.

4.15 There were five injury accidents during this period along the access route. All of these occurred at different locations to one-another with four resulting in slight injury and one resulting in serious injury. There were no fatal injury accidents.

4.16 The serious injury accident occurred on the B4257 to the east of the A469 and appears to have resulted from a single vehicle losing control. The four slight injury accidents all occurred at different locations and do not appear to have any consistent contributory factors relating to the highway layout or its geometries.

4.17 Based on the recorded injury accident data there is not considered to be an undue road safety problem within the vicinity of the Application Site.

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5 MEASURES, MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL PROCESSES

5.1 This section sets out the measures, management structure and control processes that will be put in place to implement, monitor and manage the CTMP. The Site Manager will be responsible for the site works which will ensure that the control processes are efficiently communicated and implemented.

Road Condition Survey

5.2 A road condition survey will be undertaken at the site access junction and the immediately surrounding parts of the access route to determine if any abnormal damage has occurred as a result of the construction activities. A condition survey will be undertaken prior to any construction activities in liaison and in agreement with Highway Officers at CCBC and will be repeated post construction, in accordance with Section 59 of the Highways Act 1980.

Public Right of Way

5.3 Restricted Byway 339/24/1 routes broadly north to south through the eastern side of the site, as shown at Appendix A. An approximate length of 400m of this Restricted Byway will be diverted under Section 257 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1990, as is also shown at Appendix A.

5.4 The diversion would retain the general north to south alignment but it would be offset to its existing alignment so that it runs parallel and offset by approximately 10m to 50m.

5.5 There would be no significant deviation to the Restricted Byway and users would be able to continue its use without any noticeable difference.

5.6 The Order would be made and the diversion undertaken prior to any construction works in the vicinity of the Restricted Byway commencing.

Ongoing Review of Access Routes

5.7 It is considered appropriate to avoid routes where scheduled road works and construction vehicles could conflict. In this respect the Site Manager will keep up to date on scheduled roadworks in the area using roadworks.org and www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/resident/highways-cleansing/roadworks-updates. Any major roadworks on the access routes that result in the deviation of the route will be agreed with officers at CCBC and BGCBC in advance where feasible.

Transport Co-ordination

5.8 The Applicant will appoint a Site Manager for the project and the details will be provided to BGCBC and CCBC once confirmed. The Site Manager for the project will undertake the transport co-ordination role for the site. In this respect, their main responsibilities will include:

Managing the implementation of the CTMP;

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Vehicle scheduling;

Checking for scheduled road works on www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/resident/highways-cleansing/roadworks-updates and roadworks.org;

Checking for scheduled refuse collections with BGCBC and CCBC to avoid conflict with HGV deliveries within built up areas;

Handling any complaints; and

Acting as a point of contact for employees, contractors and the general public.

5.9 The Site Manager will ensure that there is adequate liaison between the following key stakeholders throughout the construction period:

The Contractor;

The Applicant;

Site neighbours;

Other local stakeholders such as emergency services or local transport providers; and

BGCBC and CCBC.

5.10 Regular review meetings and telecommunication will be held between the Site Manager, BGCBC and CCBC if requested. It is envisaged that update meetings / telecommunication will be held on an ad-hoc basis as required. Furthermore, the Site Manager will provide any monitoring data, delivery schedules, complaints or breaches of agreements to BGCBC and CCBC if requested.

Booking System

5.11 On a weekly basis the Site Manager will evaluate details of the daily profile of deliveries proposed for the upcoming week. Through discussions with hauliers the Site Manager will, as far as practicable, ensure that the deliveries are spread out across the week and across the day to minimise any potential disruption.

5.12 The proposed deliveries will be checked against the weekly delivery schedule. This will be overseen by the Site Manager to ensure that construction deliveries are managed in an efficient manner with minimal disruption and delays.

5.13 The proposed construction compound (Appendix B) could provide an area for waiting for an additional vehicle if required. Hauliers will be required to contact the Site Manager to give an indicative delivery time to ensure that the delivery space and banksmen (if required) are ready for their arrival onsite.

5.14 Where possible sufficient time will be given between deliveries to allow for any delays as a result of the delivery vehicle getting stuck in traffic or the loading / unloading taking longer than expected and to avoid any vehicles waiting.

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5.15 The Applicant will provide banksmen to assist with the manoeuvring of delivery vehicles in to and out of the construction compound, as well as internal movements throughout the Application Site.

5.16 Where possible, all deliveries by goods vehicles (>3.5 tonnes) will be undertaken outside of the highway peaks of 08:00 to 09:00 and 17:00 to 18:00. Vehicle restrictions may also be applied to afternoon school pick-up time. All vehicles ready to depart the Application Site during these periods shall be held back within the compound area until the appropriate time has passed. Any vehicle on-route and likely to arrive during the restricted period will be required to park in the nearest layby or service station, until the restricted period has passed, drivers legal driving hours permitting.

Route Compliance

5.17 Use of the agreed vehicle route shall be included as a contractual requirement of the Contractor and will be communicated to all drivers. This will include information on the times of operation, delivery routes and the vehicle booking system.

Construction Compound

5.18 The construction compound area within the Application Site will be located on the site access road, as shown at Appendix A. It will provide an area for loading and unloading of vehicles and will provide a turning area to allow vehicles to exit the site in forward gear. All delivery drivers and construction workers will be advised of the construction route prior to making their delivery or commencing work.

5.19 The vehicle compound will be capable of accommodating a turning vehicle whilst at least one vehicle is parked, to allow for vehicles to be held back during restricted periods and to ensure no vehicles wait on the public highway. Appendix B shows a low loader (the largest vehicle to access the site) entering the compound, turning and exiting in forward gear.

5.20 The entire compound area shown at Appendix B measures 100m x 30m. The western side of 39m x 30m is provided for parking to accommodate 50 cars. The eastern side of 61m x 30m is provided as the main compound to accommodate a low loader (the largest vehicle expected) turning and being loaded / unloaded whilst retaining space around the perimeter for storage and staff facilities.

5.21 A typical example layout of a construction compound measuring 30m x 40m is attached at Appendix D and shows the site facilities, turning area and parking areas. That construction compound is capable of comfortably accommodating 16 parked cars. There will be no parked cars in this main compound and these will all be located in the western area, which is designated solely for parking. This main compound would therefore have an increased area in comparison to the example shown at Appendix D, plus this one will be 61m long in comparison to 40m long, thus providing even more space.

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Site Fencing

5.22 A security fence will be constructed around the site prior to any significant construction works taking place. The security fence will be erected on the inside of any hedgerows, so that it will be screened by any such hedgerow in views from the surrounding area, further mitigating any visual impact.

5.23 The fencing of the site will protect members of the public from the ongoing construction works as well as preventing unauthorised personnel accessing the site. The fencing will also ensure that construction vehicles do not enter any root protection areas.

5.24 The fencing of the site will also have environmental benefits in terms of reducing the impact of dust generated on the surrounding environment and reducing noise pollution from the site. Mandatory safety signage will be displayed for construction staff entering the site along with contact details for the Site Manager. The fencing will be kept clean and tidy at all times.

Communication Strategy

5.25 As identified above, the Site Manager will be responsible for ensuring that there is adequate liaison between all stakeholders throughout the construction period.

5.26 Prior to any works starting the contractor shall inform neighbours which may be affected by noise, dust or vehicular movements arising from the construction work of the nature of the works, proposed hours of work and their expected duration. In addition to this a notice will be placed at the main entrance to the site informing site neighbours of the hours of work.

Complaints Procedure

5.27 Whilst the Site Manager will use reasonable endeavours to ensure that site neighbours are informed of the construction programme and associated impacts it is possible that complaints may be raised by site neighbours about the programme of works. The Site Manager will therefore be available to meet and explore issues with concerned neighbours directly via appointment.

5.28 Complaints shall be taken seriously and addressed immediately by the construction team. All complaints that are received will be reviewed in weekly site meetings to ensure that any required actions are communicated to all employees.

5.29 The Site Managers contact details will be provided to BGCBC and CCBC prior to work commencing on site. Contact details for the Site Manager will also be displayed at the site entrance.

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6 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT MEASURES

Context

6.1 It is important that construction impacts in relation to issues that may arise along the local highway network, as well as increases in vehicle emissions and waste attributable to the proposed scheme, are addressed. Suitable mitigation measures aimed at reducing these impacts with specific regard to transport are identified below.

Air Pollution, Dust and Dirt Control

6.2 During works the main air pollution emissions are the dust generated when building materials are broken up and the fumes from machinery. The contractors will use high pressure hoses to saturate all bulk materials with water during the process and whilst loading the waste materials for disposal. Machinery exhaust emissions will be kept as low as is practicable by using well maintained vehicles and machinery at all times.

6.3 The three main instances of air pollution emissions during construction works are the use of compressors, generators and portable petrol cut off saws. Any compressors and generators used will be of the latest design available with low emission ratings. All machinery will be switched off when not in use to minimise emissions as well as noise. Any portable petrol cut off saws needed will be operated with an automatic water applicator. The water application is designed to dampen any arising debris and dust as well as reduce wear to the blade. Use of cut off saws without water attachments will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

6.4 Burning of materials on site will not be permitted in order to prevent smoke emissions.

6.5 Mud and debris on the road is regarded as one of the main environmental nuisances and safety problems arising from construction sites. A wheel washing facility will be provided for the duration of the construction works to ensure levels of soil on roadways near the Application Site is minimised. The wheel washing facilities will be in the form of a hose down point located adjacent to the construction compound. All vehicle wheels will be cleaned whenever a vehicle leaves the site.

6.6 The contractor will ensure that the area around the Application Site including the public highway is regularly and adequately swept to prevent any accumulation of dust and dirt.

Noise Control

6.7 Noise generated by the construction process will be considered and its impact on neighbouring properties mitigated. Suitable mitigation measures to be used include:

Standard construction hours;

The use of quieter alternative methods or mechanical plant, where reasonably practicable;

Locating plant, equipment, site offices, storage areas and worksites away from neighbouring properties where practical;

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Machines and equipment in intermittent use will be shut down or throttled down to a minimum when not is use; and

Maintaining and operating all vehicles, plant and equipment in an appropriate manner, to ensure that extraneous noise from mechanical vibration, creaking and squeaking is kept to a minimum.

Fuel Consumption / Emissions

6.8 The appointed Construction Contractor will strive to procure local contractors for the project, thereby minimising transport costs and impact on the local environment. The use of the booking system for deliveries will also help to ensure that the construction site is serviced in an efficient manner which will help to minimise the number of vehicle movements that would be generated.

6.9 A further measure that will be employed is encouraging all delivery vehicles to switch off engines as they are waiting at the site, thereby preventing unnecessarily idling vehicles.

Waste Management

6.10 In order to seek to reduce the number of HGV trips that are generated, aggregates generated on site during any works will be re-used wherever practical.

6.11 All waste materials will be collected and stored in suitable receptacles before they are taken off site. Waste materials will not be allowed to accumulate because of the fire/vermin risk. The waste will be separated into recycling types and general waste in designated general waste and refuse and recycling stores.

6.12 Whenever deliveries are undertaken, banksmen will be used to ensure that materials are transferred into the site as soon as possible to ensure that no dirt or rubbish is left on the public highway.

6.13 The manufacturer supplying the solar panels for the site have a unique system in place where the packaging is 100% recyclable. The packaging material is collected during construction by the installation team and collected by the solar panel manufacturer upon completion for re-use.

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7 CONSTRUCTION TRAVEL PLAN

Introduction

7.1 A Travel Plan is a package of measures aimed at promoting greener, cleaner travel choices and reducing reliance on the private car. It enables employers to reduce the impact of travel on the environment, whilst also bringing a number of other benefits to the organisation as an employer and to staff.

7.2 This Travel Plan seeks to address activities related to the construction of the Application Site which includes commuter journeys for construction workers, material supplies and deliveries. By successfully addressing these different types of travel by promoting travel via sustainable modes and sourcing labour and goods locally, the Travel Plan objectives can be achieved.

Trip Generation

7.3 The Applicant estimates that there will be up to 100 staff on site per day. Table 7.1 below is calculated from dataset DC7602EWla of the 2011 Census, which is method of travel to work by industry, and shows the method of travel to work for construction workers within Blaenau Gwent. This shows the likely mode share of workers travelling to and from the Application Site.

Table 7.1: Potential Mode Share Method of Travel Proportion of Trips Number of Trips

Motor Vehicle (Driver) 79.5% 80

Motor Vehicle (Passenger) 15.1% 15

Public Transport 1.2% 1

Walking 2.7% 3

Cycling 0.4% 0

Other 1.2% 1

Total 100% 100

7.4 As Table 7.1 shows, if journey to work mode shares of the local area for all types of construction

sites were to be assumed in this instance, it could be anticipated that 15 trips to the Application Site would be undertaken as a passenger with a further one trip undertaken by public transport and three trips undertaken on foot.

7.5 The applicants experience of similar developments elsewhere suggests that car sharing can reduce the number of car movements over and above the local proportion presented above to 50. This will be achieved through management of staff travel patterns and actively encouraging car sharing. As such the Site Manager will actively promote the use of car sharing as the primary method for construction workers to access the Application Site.

7.6 Section 2 has calculated that during the construction phase the Development would generate an average of approximately three deliveries (three inbound / three outbound movements) per day over the 14 week period.

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Existing Conditions

7.7 The Application Site is located approximately 2km south-east of Rhymney and approximately 2.4km south-west of Tredegar. There is one point of access to the site, from the eastern side of the B4256 to the south of an existing access to an adjoining farm.

7.8 The B4256 is a single carriageway road routeing broadly east to west between Tredegar and Rhymney. Within Tredegar and Rhymney there are footways on both sides of the carriageway, streetlighting and 30 mph speed limits. Between Tredegar and Rhymney there is no streetlighting, no footways or cycle facilities but traffic flows are not high.

7.9 The contractor, where feasible, will seek to recruit construction workers from the local area. This will help maximise the potential for construction workers to walk and cycle to the site.

7.10 The nearest bus stops to the Application Site are located approximately 400m to the south of the site on the B4256 outside Tredegar and Rhymney Golf Club.

7.11 Harris Coaches operate the number 4 service between Tredegar, Tredegar and Rhymney Golf Club, Rhymney, Abertysswg and Pontlottyn hourly throughout the day and bi-hourly during the evening Monday to Saturday.

7.12 This service provides access to wider bus services particularly within Tredegar and Rhymney as well as rail services at Rhymney railway station, which is located 2.7km from the Application Site and is within a reasonable cycling distance.

7.13 Due to the distances between the Application Site and available public transport and the frequency of the services, there are opportunities for the construction worker trips to be undertaken by public transport.

7.14 There is great potential for construction workers to car share to work, especially given the fact that some sub-contractors are likely to be travelling from the same origin (their local residence) to the same destination (the Application Site).

7.15 Car sharing represents a relatively convenient form of travel offering a significant potential to reduce overall private mileage of construction workers. It is this mode of transport which often forms one of the most convenient methods of sustainable travel for construction workers.

7.16 The Site Manager would promote a car-sharing scheme throughout the construction program. The Site Manager would also make construction workers aware of existing car sharing schemes such as liftshare.com/uk.

7.17 The Site Manager will determine construction staff members’ willingness to car share. Furthermore, looking at workers home / local residence postal addresses it would become evident whether there are any area groupings of people that would make the principle of car sharing a reasonable prospect of being successful. The Site Manager will then investigate setting up a database of construction workers willing to share journeys, including information such as their home / local residence addresses and could try and match suitable car sharers.

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7.18 The construction site will provide facilities in accordance with requirements set out in HSE guidelines. As such the Application Site will provide a drying room, storage facilities, toilets and offices within the welfare area. This will further encourage people to travel to the Application Site by sustainable modes whilst having the added benefit of reducing the number of trips made off site during lunch breaks.

Aims and Targets

7.19 The trip generation (above), using local data, calculates up to 80 members of staff could travel to the Application Site by single occupant private vehicle. However, given the fact the Application Site is a construction site, then sustainable transport measures will be adopted. The applicant considers that through car sharing, there would be 50 car arrivals per day. It is therefore considered there is good potential to reduce single occupancy car trips through car sharing with some trips transferred to cycle or public transport.

7.20 The car parking area will principally be able to accommodate up to 50 vehicles with additional space able to be made available if required. Construction worker parking at the site will be monitored, controlled and recorded by the site manager to ensure that single occupancy car use is minimised. The site manager will ensure there is space made available for any overspill parking during the early periods of construction.

7.21 This CTMP and Travel Plan will be communicated to all construction workers as part of their induction / training process. An up to date copy of the Travel Plan will always be available for consultation.

Measures

7.22 As indicated above there is potential to for construction workers to car share or travel by bicycle or public transport to the Application Site. It is therefore deemed appropriate to promote the local services available as well as the following measures to promote sustainable travel by construction staff.

7.23 Include local public transport timetables and route maps within the on-site compound for construction staff to review:

Providing changing and storage facilities for construction staff;

Assist in matching car sharers; and

Minimise, where possible, the number of contractors on site at any one time to reduce trips generated and promote car sharing.

7.24 Further to this the following measures are to be promoted to minimise the environmental impacts of HGV trips generated by the Development:

Initiate a weekly booking system for the delivery of plant and materials to the site;

The Applicant will strive to procure local contractors for the project, thereby minimising transport costs and impact on the local environment;

19 rpsgroup.com/uk

All delivery vehicles will be required to switch off their engines as they are waiting at the site, thereby preventing unnecessarily idling vehicles;

Use of the agreed vehicle routes shall be included as a contractual requirement of the Contractor and will be communicated to all individuals associated with the works; and

Provision of wheel washing facilities at the Application Site entrance / egress.

7.25 The Department for Transport (DfT) have published guidance relating to the efficient use of freight on the network. “Review of Low Carbon Technologies for Heavy Goods Vehicles” (2009) sets out a number of HGV technologies with the potential for reducing carbon emissions. Within this DfT report it assesses a number of vehicle technologies and driver behavioural styles for reducing the environmental impact of HGVs. Some of these measures could be incorporated into the vehicle fleet in order to reduce the environmental impact of generated traffic. Such measures would include:

Aerodynamic improvement to Trailers – Reduce the aerodynamic drag of the vehicle;

Spray Reduction Mud Flaps – Reduces Spray and Provides Aerodynamic Benefits;

Low Rolling Resistance Tyres – Can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 5%;

Automatic Tyre Pressure Adjustment – Automatically monitors and adjusts tyre pressures which could provide CO2 reductions of around 7-8%;

Predictive Cruise Control – Improves fuel efficiency of vehicles; and

SAFED Driver Training Scheme – Aims at improving accident prevention and reduction and improved fuel consumption.

Residual Impacts

7.26 A booking system will be initiated to ensure that construction deliveries are managed efficiently with minimal disruption and delay. Local residents will be informed of the commencement of the construction process. The initiation of the Travel Plan measures alongside the targets will therefore minimise impacts upon the operation of the local highway network as well as reduce environmental impact.

20 rpsgroup.com/uk

8 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

8.1 This CTMP has been prepared by RPS Planning and Development on behalf of the Applicant and relates to a proposed Solar Park and associated infrastructure on land at Wauntysswg Farm, Abertysswg, Rhymney. The CTMP provides information to ensure that the development works are organised and delivered in a manner that mitigates and safeguards the highway impact, highway safety and amenity of the area surrounding the Application Site.

8.2 The construction period is anticipated to last for up to 4 months (16 weeks). It should however be noted that the construction programme and corresponding construction traffic strategy may be subject to change following the appointment of a construction contractor and prior to work commencing on site. Any substantial changes in the build program and / or number of vehicular movements will be communicated to BGCBC and CCBC in advance of construction.

8.3 Construction HGVs will route to the site from the A4048 from the east or the A465 / A469 from the west via the B4256. Access will be taken from the eastern side of the B4256 where a new access junction is proposed to the south of the existing access to an adjoining Farm.

8.4 The Applicant estimates that the Application Site may have up to 100 staff on site at different phases of the construction. The Travel Plan seeks to minimise travel by single occupancy vehicle.

8.5 All materials and plant associated with the development process will be stored within the temporary construction compound to be provided at the Application Site.

8.6 Deliveries will vary in amount per day during the construction period with an average of approximately three deliveries (three inbound / three outbound movements) per day over the 16 week period.

8.7 The scale and volume of vehicle movements associated with the development construction period is not considered to have any significant impacts on the operation of the local highway network. It is anticipated that the majority of deliveries will be made via low loader vehicles and rigid HGVs.

8.8 The Site Manager will evaluate details of the daily profile of deliveries proposed for the upcoming week. Through discussions with hauliers the Site Manager will ensure that the deliveries are spread out across the week and across the day to minimise any potential disruption. All deliveries will then be met by a member of staff who will assist vehicles entering, exiting and manoeuvring around the site.

8.9 The construction process will be managed by the appointed Site Manager employed by the contractor. The Site Manager’s responsibilities will include acting as a point of contact for the local authority, stakeholders and members of the public. Further to this, the Site Manager will also be responsible for delivery scheduling, construction route compliance and managing other contractors employed on-site.

21 rpsgroup.com/uk

8.10 To further control the environmental impacts of the Development, measures to be employed include covering any skips and vehicles to prevent overspill, wheel washing facilities, mitigation measures for noise, employing local contractors and the implementation of a waste management strategy.

8.11 Overall it is considered that the measures and control processes outlined in this CTMP are appropriate to overcome the identified constraints associated with the Application Site.

rpsgroup.com/uk

APPENDICES

rpsgroup.com/uk

APPENDIX A – SITE LAYOUT PLAN

1.65-1.95m

1.65-1.95m

S

O

L

A

R

A

N

G

L

E

O

F

1

5

°

GROUND SLOPE VARIES

25.0°

2 PANEL IN PORTRAIT

ORIENTATION

POST EMBEDMENT TBC

(CIRCA 1.5m)

0.8m Min.

2m-6m

2.4m-3m

S

O

L

A

R

A

N

G

L

E

O

F

1

6

°

N

DUE SOUTH MODULE

ORIENTATION

T

IC

IC

T

IC

IC

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

I

C

I

C

T

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C

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C

T

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C

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C

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C

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T

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C

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C

T

I

C

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C

T

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C

I

C

SITE ACCESS POINT

DNO Substation

Client Substation

15m Lattice Tower

Restricted Byway

Proposed Restricted

Byway Diversion

SITE COMPOUND, CAR PARKING AND TURNING AREA

Timber Post

Tensioner

Tension Spring

HT Tension wires

Hi-Tensile Wire Mesh

Client

Title

Status

Date CreatedScale @ A0

PM/Checked byDrawn By

Drawing NumberRev

Project

Job Ref

rpsgroup.com/uk

c 2016 RPS Group

Notes

1. This drawing has been prepared in accordance with the scope of RPS’s

appointment with its client and is subject to the terms and conditions of that

appointment. RPS accepts no liability for any use of this document other than

by its client and only for the purposes for which it was prepared and provided.

2. If received electronically it is the recipients responsibility to print to correct scale.

Only written dimensions should be used.

Park House, Greyfriars Road,

Cardiff, CF10 3AF

T: +44(0)2920668662 E: rpsca@rpsgroup.com F: +44(0)2920 668622

ELGIN ENERGY EsCo

WAUNTYSSWG PV

SITE LAYOUT PLAN

PLANNING GG AL

JPW0622 1:2000

MARCH 2016

JPW0622-WAU-002 I

Rev Description Date Initial Checked

A Revised layout 30-01-17 GG AL

B Amended Layout with updated topo 21-02-17 GG AL

© Crown copyright, All rights reserved. 2017 License number 0100031673

LEGEND

SITE BOUNDARY

HALF SOLAR PANEL

FULL SOLAR PANEL

3.5m ACCESS TRACK

INVERTER SUBSTATION

5m STANDOFF FROM

WATERCOURSE / HEDGE

CABLE ROUTE

SECURITY FENCE

T

I

C

I

C

C Amended red line, cable route and road access 30-03-17 GG AL

D

Relocation of Sub Station 15-06-17 GG AL

E

Removal of panels to the south 31-10-17 GG AL

F

Addition of panels 16-11-17 GG AL

G

Addition of Lattice tower and PROW 29-11-17 GG AL

TYPICAL INVERTOR SUBSTATION ABB PYS800-MWS SHOWN

DIMENSIONS: 7m x 2.5m x 3m HIGH. ALL SUBJECT TO FINAL DESIGN

PROPOSED LATTICE TELECOMS TOWER

TYPICAL ONE USED IS SLP2

H

Additional track and layout change 06-02-18 GG AL

I

Addition of Compound car parking & turning area 01-07-18 GG AL

rpsgroup.com/uk

APPENDIX B – CONSTRUCTION COMPOUND

Low

Loader

39m

30m

61m

Parking for 50 cars

Rev Description Date Initial Checked

N

NOTES

1. This drawing has been prepared in accordance with the

scope of RPS’s appointment with its client and is subject to

the terms and conditions of that appointment. RPS accepts

no liability for any use of this document other than by its

client and only for the purposes for which it was prepared

and provided.

2. If received electronically it is the recipients responsibility to

print to correct scale. Only written dimensions should be

used.

1:500

c 2018 RPS Group

20 Milton Park

Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4SH.

T: +44(0)1235 432 190 E: transport@rpsgroup.com F: +44(0)1235 834 698

Client

Title

Status

Date Created

Scale @ A3

Checked by

Drawn By

Drawing Number Rev

Project

Project Number

rpsgroup.com

Crown Copyright, All rights reserved. RPS Group license number 0100039993

Draw

ing R

ef: P

:\JN

Y8819 - W

AU

NT

YS

SW

G F

AR

M\H

IG

HW

AY

S\D

RA

WIN

GS

\JN

Y8819 - 03A

C

OM

PO

UN

D A

ND

P

AR

KIN

G LO

CA

TIO

NS

.D

WG

P

lotted D

ate: 7/3/2018 5:50 P

M

Elgin EsCo

Wauntysswg PV

Compound and Parking Location

PreliminaryJG

DA

JNY8819 03.07.2018

JNY8819-03 A

13.475

6.04

Max 90° Horiz

Max 10° Vert

9.857 1.31 0.757

4.23

1.37 2.5 1.32

Low Loader

Overall Length 16.154m

Overall Width 2.520m

Overall Body Height 3.393m

Min Body Ground Clearance 0.318m

Max Track Width 2.500m

Lock-to-lock time 6.00s

Curb to Curb Turning Radius 6.990m

Site Boundary

A 100m compound split to 39m and 61m. Parking areashown.

3.7.2018 JG DA

rpsgroup.com/uk

APPENDIX C – SITE ACCESS

B

4

2

5

6

B4256

3.5m

4.3m

R9m

R27m

R9m

R27m

R27m

Rev Description Date Initial Checked

As Shown

N

NOTES1. This drawing has been prepared in accordance with the scope of RPS’s

appointment with its client and is subject to the terms and conditions of thatappointment. RPS accepts no liability for any use of this document other thanby its client and only for the purposes for which it was prepared and provided.

2. If received electronically it is the recipients responsibility to print to correctscale. Only written dimensions should be used. DO NOT SCALE.

c 2016 RPS Group

140 London Wall

London, EC2Y 5DN

T: +44(0)20 7280 3300 E: transport@rpsgroup.com

Client

Title

Status

Date Created

Scale @ A1

Checked by

Drawn By

Drawing NumberRev

Project

Project Number

rpsgroup.com

Crown Copyright, All rights reserved. RPS Group license number 0100039993

Elgin EsCo

Wauntysswg PV

Junction Layout and

Visibility Splays

HNDA

JNY8819 16.02.2018

JNY8819-01

2.4 x 215m Visibility Splay

2.4 x 160m Visibility Splay

2.4 x 215m Visibility Splay

2.4 x 160m Visibility Splay

2.4 x 40m Visibility Splay

(Tangential)

KEY

Proposed kerb line

2.4 x 150m Visibility Splay

(Brow of the hill)

B

4

2

5

6

Visibility Splays

Scale 1:1000

Junction Layout

Scale 1:250

2.4 x 43m Visibility Splay

2.4 x 43m Visibility Splay

3.5m

4.3m

R9m

R27m

R9m

R27m

R27m

3.5m

4.3m

R9m

Low

Loader

R27m

R9m

R27m

R27m

3.5m

4.3m

R9m

R27m

R9m

R27m

R27m

3.5m

4.3m

Low

Loader

R9m

R27m

R9m

R27m

R27m

Rev Description Date Initial Checked

1:200

N

NOTES1. This drawing has been prepared in accordance with the scope of RPS’s

appointment with its client and is subject to the terms and conditions of thatappointment. RPS accepts no liability for any use of this document other thanby its client and only for the purposes for which it was prepared and provided.

2. If received electronically it is the recipients responsibility to print to correctscale. Only written dimensions should be used. DO NOT SCALE.

c 2016 RPS Group

140 London Wall

London, EC2Y 5DN

T: +44(0)20 7280 3300 E: transport@rpsgroup.com

Client

Title

Status

Date Created

Scale @ A1

Checked by

Drawn By

Drawing NumberRev

Project

Project Number

rpsgroup.com

Crown Copyright, All rights reserved. RPS Group license number 0100039993

Elgin EsCo

Wauntysswg PV

Swept Path Analysis

Low loader

HNDA

JNY8819 16.02.2018

JNY8819-02

KEY

Proposed kerb line

VEHICLE PROFILE

13.475

6.04

Max 90° Horiz

Max 10° Vert

9.857 1.31 0.757

4.23

1.37 2.5 1.32

Low Loader

Overall Length 16.154m

Overall Width 2.520m

Overall Body Height 3.393m

Min Body Ground Clearance 0.318m

Max Track Width 2.500m

Lock-to-lock time 6.00s

Curb to Curb Turning Radius 6.990m

Vehicle entering from South

Vehicle entering from North

Vehicle exiting to South

Vehicle exiting to North

rpsgroup.com/uk

APPENDIX D – EXAMPLE CONSTRUCTION COMPOUND LAYOUT

rpsgroup.com