Road Improvements and Traffic Management
Policy PT1
The Council will grant consent for those
road works and traffic management measures under its control where
the proposal is supported by evidence of need and, in detailed
design, the proposal minimises adverse impacts on landscape and
amenity and on sites of nature conservation, archaeological or
historic value or other interests of acknowledged
importance.
4.7 Most public highways within the Plan area
are the responsibility of the County Highway Authority, with the
exception Motorways and all purpose Trunk Roads (M6 and A66). In
respect of these routes, which are the responsibility of the
Secretary of State for Transport, the following road programme has
been published:
A66 Temple Sowerby By Pass
The route of this scheme and that proposed by
the County Highway Authority for a by pass of Kirkby Stephen will
be safeguarded from development. Further intentions regarding road
improvement schemes are set out in the County Council's 'Transport
Policies and Programme', published annually. This Council will
assist these agencies in efforts to improve the efficiency of
traffic flows, and reduce the impact of through traffic on local
communities, through the promotion and implementation of various
improvement schemes.
Protected Bypass Routes
Policy PT2
Development proposals which are likely
to prejudice the preferred route of either the proposed Kirkby
Stephen or Temple Sowerby bypasses will not be
permitted.
4.8 The Department of Transport and County
Highway Authority have researched alternative routes for bypasses
at Temple Sowerby and Kirkby Stephen respectively. Their preferred
routes are shown on the proposals map. In order that the schemes
are not prejudiced before a decision is made on whether or not to
proceed with the projects the Council will resist development
proposals which would have an adverse impact upon the preferred
routes. This approach furthers the intention of Structure Plan
Policy 63 through which the environmental and safety benefits of
bypassing towns and villages is encouraged.
4.9 While responsibility for promoting
improvements to the A66 rests with the Secretary of State for
Transport, the County Council, supported by this Council, has
adopted as its first priority action to have the whole of the A66
east of Junction 40 improved to dual carriageway standard by 2006.
This Council will also seek to persuade the County Council as
Highway Authority to review the traffic flow situation in Alston as
a matter or urgency. Here all vehicles, including HGV's using the
A689 Alston to Weardale road and B6277 Alston to Teesdale road,
currently have to pass along the narrow and steep street through
the centre of the town. This causes considerable congestion and
damage to amenity.
Traffic Implications of Development
Policy PT3
In evaluating development proposals
consideration will be given to the impact of traffic generated upon
the road network and to any contribution by the developer to the
resolution of problems which may be identified. Proposals will only
be permitted where no significant adverse impact will
result.
4.10 Many parts of the local road network have
limited capacity to accommodate additional road traffic, especially
larger vehicles. Increased levels of traffic flow can also have a
substantial impact on the local environment, in both rural and
urban surroundings. Consideration must be given to these issues
when assessing applications.
Traffic Management
Policy PT4
The Council will support traffic
management schemes for the District's principal towns providing
these do not prejudice emergency access but will improve traffic
flows, enhance pedestrian safety and, through the use of
appropriate design and materials, will protect the historic
townscape. Development proposals likely to prejudice the
implementation of such schemes will not be permitted.
4.11 Reference is made in the Shopping chapter
of the Local Plan to the need for environmental improvements in
order that the District's principal centres continue to attract
shoppers in the face of increasing competition. It is considered
that the implementation of such proposals, including the formation
of pedestrian priority areas, where access and parking requirements
permit, would contribute to a substantial upgrading of the local
environment to the benefit of businesses, residents and visiting
shoppers. Any such proposals must respect the historic character of
the townscape, using designs and materials which are appropriate to
this context and will also will need to take into account
requirements for emergency access as well as delivery.
