Thurrock - PMD9 – ROAD NETWORK HIERARCHY

PMD9 – ROAD NETWORK HIERARCHY

The Council will only permit the development of new accesses or increased use of existing accesses where:

There is no possibility of safe access taken from an existing or proposed lower category road
The design of the development minimises the number of accesses required.
The development makes a positive contribution to road safety or road safety is not prejudiced.
The development preserves or enhances the quality of the street scene.
The development avoids causing congestion as measured by link and junction capacities.
Measures are taken to mitigate all adverse air quality impacts in or adjacent to Air Quality Management Areas.
The development will minimise adverse impacts on the quality of life of local residents, such as noise, air pollution, and the general street environment.
The development will make a positive contribution to accessibility by sustainable transport.

These criteria apply to routes of all levels (1, 2 and 3). The following principles also apply to particular levels:

Level 1 Routes - Corridors of Movement.

There is a presumption against new accesses or the increased use of an existing direct access onto a Corridor of Movement. Development served by side roads connecting to a Corridor of Movement will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that the Corridor of Movement will not be adversely affected in terms of highway safety and traffic capacity.
Development will not be permitted where it impacts adversely on capacity and safety.
Where the Corridor of Movement comprises an Inter-urban Public Transport Route or provides access to one or more of the Borough’s ports, new accesses must not have an adverse impact on the free flow of traffic.
Exceptions will be made only for developments of overriding national importance, strategic sites allocated in this Local Development Plan, and strategic public transport facilities.

Level 2 Routes - Rural Roads only

The establishment of new accesses or increased use of existing direct accesses will not normally be accepted for Rural Level 2, except where the access is for small-scale uses permissible in the Green Belt which do not adversely affect road safety or limit capacity.
The Council will require that the provision of accesses is consistent with the Layout and Standards SPD. In all cases any access that is proposed should meet current design standards.
Exceptions to this policy will be made for the working of minerals to recognise that minerals can only be worked where they occur. In such cases, road improvements may be sought from developers.