Government policies and strategies recognise the need to reduce travel demand and to encourage other forms of transport, including by active travel modes (walking and cycling) and sustainable transport modes (public transport).
The Sustainable Places Stage 2 work provides detailed baseline information on Runnymede’s mobility and transport infrastructure, including a description and analysis of rail stations, bus frequency and connectivity; public footpath and cycle link infrastructure and connectivity; availability of electric vehicle charging infrastructure; pedestrian and cycling collision data; air quality impacts from road transport; and extent of vehicular congestion.
Please refer to this evidence which paints a picture of Runnymede’s current and future situation regarding mobility and transport-related issues.
What does this mean for the Local Plan?
The new Local Plan should, as far as it is able to do so, and without repeating national decision-making policies (NDMPs), retain, strengthen and/or include policies/actions which reduce the need to travel by car, seek opportunities to improve access to and connectivity with services/facilities/employment by active/sustainable modes of travel and transport hubs.
The Local Plan should also include policies/actions which seek delivery of new/improved transport infrastructure, EV charging points and other innovative technologies where appropriate and set parking standards.
Whilst not within Runnymede itself, Heathrow Airport lies approximately 4km to the north-east and is a major international hub airport. A third runway (aimed for delivery by 2035) will significantly increase the number of passengers using the local road/sustainable transport network. A new Local Plan evidence base will need to consider the implications of this for managing land use in Runnymede.
Sources of further baseline information:
Detailed baseline information on Runnymede’s transport infrastructure and trends, and how this information will inform the new Local Plan, can be found in Chapter 13 of the SA Scoping Report.
Sources of other useful information:
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