Policy 23 requires developments to ensure safe and efficient transport use, avoiding adverse impacts. It applies to major planning applications and new developments. The council will support projects improving transport infrastructure and connectivity.
Plain-English summary of the adopted policy text below. The full text is the rule; this is the gist.
The Council will support and encourage developments in Havering in the locations that are most accessible by a range of transport options.
The Council supports development which ensures safe and efficient use of the highway and demonstrates that adverse impacts on the transport network are avoided or, where necessary, mitigated. Major planning applications will require a transport assessment in line with TfL’s Transport Assessment Best Practice Guidance.
When bringing forward a planning application full Travel Plans or Travel Plan Statements will be required for development reaching certain thresholds as set out in Transport for London’s (TfL) latest Guidance on Travel Plan requirements.
The Council will work with its partners, including developers, the Mayor of London and central government to improve transport infrastructure and the connectivity of the borough by: i.
Maximising the development opportunities supported by Crossrail as well as the benefits for local businesses and residents; ii.
Lobbying for an increased train frequency and greater capacity on the Essex Thameside (C2C) line serving Rainham, Upminster and the proposed Beam Park stations;
iii. Lobbying for peak time ‘fast’ services serving Romford Station;
iv. Progressing improved north to south public transport connections in the borough, improving access to the Romford and Rainham and Beam Park Strategic Development Areas and Queens Hospital v.
Improving bus connections to/from key trip generators such as Queens Hospital;
vi. Enhancing strategic transport links across the borough;
vii. Improving road safety in the borough, especially in the vicinity of schools and KSI “hotspots”;
viii. Providing residents with options to travel sustainably and enabling walking and cycling
ix. Working with partners to provide sustainable access to key employment areas across the borough including Rainham Employment Area and Queens Hospital; x.
Requiring new development to optimise sustainable access and other future transport connections, wherever applicable;
xi. Tackling key congestion “hotspots” through remodelling of Gallows Corner and Romford Ring Road to improve motor vehicle traffic flow and improve air quality;
xii. Promoting the benefits of active travel to schools, local businesses and developers and supporting the development, delivery and monitoring of school, residential and workplace travel plans;
xiii. Ensuring good sustainable access between new developments and public transport interchanges in the borough to promote active travel;
xiv. Supporting new developments that include shared use routes for people walking and cycling which lead to public open spaces and parks to promote active recreational activities;
xv. Taking an active role in the A127 Corridor for Growth project through cross borough engagement with Essex County Council and seeking improvements to the A127 that will facilitate growth along this corridor; and
xvi. Working with neighbouring authorities to better co-ordinate highway works.
xvii. Working with partners including the port of London Authority to explore opportunities for utilising the River Thames for freight and passenger transport to reduce traffic congestion and support local businesses.
The Council will work positively with those who share its ambition to deliver these key transport infrastructure improvements and will support development proposals that are able to contribute to their delivery.
London Borough of Havering Local Plan 2016-2031 Adopted 2021
10 Connections 10.1.1
Havering has good access to the rest of London, Essex, Kent, and the rest of the South East via its strategic transport connections and routes. Congestion, north-south connectivity and air pollution are some of the key issues affecting Havering’s transport network.As new development generates new trips, proposals are expected to be accompanied by a transport assessment or statement which sets out how adverse impacts will be avoided or mitigated. Travel Plans submitted through the planning application process will be reviewed and monitored to ensure that developers are meeting their targets for modal shift. The Council will engage with local business to encourage the use of travel planning to increase modal shift to/from work away for the private vehicle.
10.1.2
It is recognised that the scale of growth in the wider sub-region will have a cumulative impact on the road networks within the region. The Council is committed to working with its subregional partners to mitigate these impacts and is already engaging with key partners such as TfL, the GLA, Essex County Council and neighbouring boroughs including the establishment of an inter-borough group reviewing the A127 corridor.
10.1.3
Policy 23 addresses a wide range of transport issues and contains a number of priorities to make the borough more accessible for its residents and visitors. The Council supports projects that improve the frequency and capacity of public transport trips towards central London and will continue to lobby train operating companies for such improvements. It will continue to press for a significant improvement to Romford Station by working closely with the stakeholders who have a role in, or responsibility for, the station. The Council is also committed to optimising the transport connections to essential services across the borough for those who do not have access to a car. New development is expected to seize opportunities to contribute to the projects listed within policy, including by design.
10.1.4
Positive discussions are currently taking place with the GLA concerning securing Havering’s key strategic transport aspirations of remodelling of Gallows Corner, the Romford Ring Road and improving north south public transport connectivity. Havering sees these projects as key to the successful delivery of good growth within the borough. Havering is actively progressing this work and a feasibility study is currently being conducted looking at options for a new north south public transport link to support growth within the Strategic Development Areas.
10.1.5
Through Havering’s Local Implementation Plan Annual Spending Submission, the Council will continue to deliver initiatives that enable sustainable and active travel across the borough and help to meet its statutory targets and support the Mayor's Healthy Streets agenda. New funding opportunities will be sought to assist with delivering Havering's strategic transport intervention aspirations.
10.1.6
New developments will provide an opportunity for the Council to seek financial contributions that can improve public transport access and deliver highway improvements where necessary.
10.1.7
Where developments propose the adoption of highways by the Council, developers will be subject to the requirements of a separate 'section 38 agreement' (s38 of the Highways Act 1980). The Council is not required to adopt private roads but may agree to do so if the highway is built to an adoptable standard and a commuted sum towards its ongoing maintenance is secured. Where developers seek to carry out works on the public highway a section 278 agreement s278 of the Highways Act 1980) will be needed and supervision fees will be required to be paid.
10.1.8
The 2004 Traffic Management Act requires boroughs to “secure the expeditious movement of traffic on the authorities’ road network”. The policies set out above will provide residents and visitors with alternative options to travelling by car and will help to meet this duty.
10.1.9
Promoting sustainable alternatives to the car can help to reduce congestion, reduce air pollution, and improve the health and wellbeing of Havering residents. There may be scope to provide longer routes for walkers and cyclists where these have the potential to connect to similar routes outside Havering.