Newquay Transport Strategy Development

Appendix D – Transport Strategy

September 2016

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Transportation Newquay’s Transport Strategy sits within the context of Cornwall Council’s overarching transport strategy, Connecting Cornwall (see www.cornwall.gov.uk).

Newquay exports a significant number of working age residents each day but

also has a high level of residents who both live and work in the town which creates an opportunity to maximise the use of sustainable transport for local trips. Localised congestion can be a problem particularly in Trencreek where high

volumes of traffic use the route as a rat run between the north and south of the town. The road is unsuitable for this level of traffic and the high number of

vehicles crossing the Trencreek level crossing is also of concern. Newquay’s regeneration could be constrained by highway infrastructure and

congestion issues unless a comprehensive package a transport measures is delivered. To enable the commercial and housing growth will require

improvements to the local transport network consisting of junction improvements, implementation of improvements to the walking and cycling network as part of the Cycling Demonstration Town, construction of the

Newquay Strategic Route and public Transport improvements.

The core priority for the Newquay transport strategy is the delivery of the Newquay Strategic Route (NSR). This is a major piece of infrastructure which will not only allow the significant planned housing and employment development in

the Growth Area (NQ-H1 and H2) to come forward but also perform an important strategic function in facilitating movement from the north and east of

the town and providing greater opportunities for sustainable travel. The full strategic route will help alleviate the traffic impact of growth, particularly through Trencreek, and enable the closure of level crossings at Trencreek and

Chapel, achieving significant safety benefits. The NSR is also important in both opening up sites within the growth area for employment use, but also connecting

the town with the Enterprise zone and new employment at Newquay Airport.

In summer, widespread congestion can be a problem at several key junctions including Porth Four Turns, Trevemper roundabout and Rialton junction. It is anticipated that localised congestion could become a common occurrence during

the rest of the year in the future if the town continues to grow without implementing any transport mitigation measures. The Porth Four Turns junction

in particular will require capacity improvements as well as complementary improvements to sustainable transport provision along the Henver Road corridor in order to avoid heavy congestion in the area. If left unchecked it is anticipated

that traffic levels could increase considerably over the next 20 years.

There is an opportunity to increase the level of trips by sustainable modes in Newquay as the town already has urban and interurban bus services which will see further improvements to 2030. It is proposed to increase the frequency of

some local town bus service to run half hourly, improving links between residential areas and the town centre and key employment sites.

Newquay’s status as a Cycling Demonstration Town, will see opportunities for improved cycle and pedestrian links and crossing points which will help connect

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new and existing housing developments to the town, schools and employment sites.

Figure 1 and Table 1 identify the high level transport strategy measures that will be

required in Newquay to support future development.

Table 1: Newquay’s Transport Measures

Scheme type Scheme

Junction

improvements/tr

affic

management

Newquay Strategic Route The Newquay Strategic route is the

priority transport scheme for the town.

It will unlock development and provide

a strategic function in managing traffic

across the town. Junction capacity

improvements will also be required

along the Henver Road corridor and at

Trevemper to accommodate increased

traffic movements.

Signage improvements will aid better

utilisation of both the A392 and A3059

for trips into Newquay

Porth Four Turns junction

upgrade

Trevemper roundabout

upgrade

Henver/Chester Road

junction upgrade

Zonal re-signing on the

strategic road network

into Newquay

Bus

improvements

Bus service frequency

improvements

To include increased service provision

on main inter urban routes and better

information for ease of use Bus infrastructure/Real

Time Passenger

Information

Rail

improvements

Station upgrade &

additional platform

Longer term strategy to improve station

facilities and encourage trips by rail

Future rail halt at

Nansledan

Walking/cycling

improvements

Town wide walking and

cycling network

Comprehensive improvements to create

a more integrated cycle network, with

the aim of being a Cycling

Demonstration Town. Pedestrian

improvements in Quintrell Downs to

improve access and address severance

presented by A392

Footway and crossing

improvements at Quintrell

Downs

Due to the cumulative impact of development across the town the whole

transportation strategy will need to be delivered to ensure future resilience of the town’s transport network. Therefore contributions will be sought from new

development for the wider town strategy. In addition to this and in line with current practice, applicants will also be expected to produce comprehensive travel plans as part of their planning application. These will identify the specific,

detailed on site improvements that may also be required as a result of more detailed transport modelling.

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Newquay Town Framework: Transport Strategy 2030

Newquay Strategic Route

A new strategic route that will serve the new housing and employment space proposed in the Growth Area and mitigate the impact of traffic growth on the surrounding network. The route will also accommodate measures for sustainable travel such as bus priority, cycle and footways.

Public Transport Enhancements

The One Public Transport System for Cornwall (OPTSC) project will deliver a high quality, accessible and integrated public transport network for Cornwall by December 2018. Work is underway to identify improvements to bus services, vehicles, infrastructure, information, ticketing and branding that will significantly improve the offering to both existing passengers and non-users, increasing the appeal of public transport to drive up patronage on bus and rail and make the network more financially viable.

Tackling climate change

Supporting economic prosperity

Connecting Cornwall objectives

Respecting and enhancing the environment

Encouraging healthy active lifestyles

Supporting equality of opportunity

Chester/Henver junction

Reallocation of road space to allow two approach lanes on Henver Road east, allowing the left turn its own short lane, thus alleviating congestion.

Henver Road/Porth Way

Junction improvement comprising signals will increase capacity at this location. However, in the longer term the strategy will need to increase alternative sustainable travel options to reduce car trips and congestion along this busy corridor.

Cycle Demonstration Town

The scheme aims to make the town more attractive to cyclists and encourage the high number of people in Newquay who both live and work in the town to switch from car to bike for trips within the town. Including extensions to existing cycle routes, dedicated cycle lanes, additional crossing points and cycle parking, better signage and promotion of the opportunities and benefits of cycling.

Newquay Signage Strategy

Amend signage on strategic routes into Newquay to achieve a better distribution of traffic on the highway network.ARCHIVED

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