Policy information sourced from Thurrock Core Strategy and Policies for Management of Development
CSTP14 - TRANSPORT IN THE THURROCK URBAN AREA
The Council will work with partners to deliver at least a 10% reduction in car traffic from forecast 2026 levels. To achieve this the Council and partners will:
- Phase the delivery of a network of walking and cycling core routes, with priority in growth areas. These will be supported by widespread provision of good quality cycle parking facilities. The core routes will improve access to education, healthcare, transport interchanges, employment, sports facilities, the riverside, Grays town centre, and Lakeside Regional Shopping Centre. They will also form an integral and substantial part of the Greengrid. In fulfilling this role the core routes will also provide sustainable access from the urban doorstep to both strategic and local green space. Wherever possible the design and route selection will assist to deliver biodiversity enhancement and habitat corridors.
- Implement widespread 20mph zones in residential areas in the Thurrock Urban Area. Priority will be in areas of deprivation, especially health deprivation, in order to create neighbourhoods that are safer for pedestrians and cyclists as well as residents.
- Deliver the National Cycle Network Route 13 by 2026.
- Improve public transport infrastructure in the Thurrock Urban Area through the phased delivery of the South Essex Rapid Transit (SERT) and other inter-urban public transport and bus priority, allowing fast and reliable services to the new Community Hospital and Learning Campus at Grays, Lakeside Regional Shopping Centre, and employment opportunities.
- Ensure new development promotes high levels of accessibility by sustainable transport modes and local services are conveniently located to reduce the need to travel by car.
- Employ Smarter Choices measures to change travel behaviour to achieve a reduction in forecast traffic and help to deliver better air quality and a better environment for job creation. Priority areas for Smarter Choices programmes include Grays and Lakeside.
- Identify priority areas such as Grays town centre and Lakeside Basin, for network efficiency improvement measures to address congestion and air quality issues. Other Air Quality Management Areas as well as growth/regeneration areas will undergo transport network improvements, including where improved access is required.
- Road space will be reorganised to improve the public realm and give further priority to sustainable modes at transport interchanges, with priority at Grays rail station.
- The maximum and minimum residential car parking standards and the maximum non-residential car parking standards will be reduced where accessibility is high. This would principally be in areas within the vicinity of transport interchanges, inter-urban public transport routes, and town centres.
New Lakeside Regional Centre
The Council supports the transformation of the northern part of the Lakeside Basin into a new regional centre. This will be achieved in policy through other Local Development Documents. Regeneration and remodelling of the wider Lakeside Basin and West Thurrock areas will be taken forward with the following guiding principles:
- Securing more sustainable movement patterns, reduced private motor vehicle dependence and complementary travel demand management measures including an area-wide travel plan.
- Improving local accessibility and connectivity by public transport and pedestrian and cyclist permeability throughout the area including consideration of ways to reconnect the north and the south of the area, a high frequency service rail station in the south, and a personal rapid transit system.
- Providing the necessary improvements to the local and strategic road network.
- Introduction of a car parking charging and management regime.
KEY DIAGRAMS AND MAPS
Key Diagram
Transport proposals will be included in the Site Specific Allocations and Policies DPD and on the Proposals Map, where appropriate.
For more information please see the Core Strategy and Policies for Management of Development