ipswich.gov.uk
Policy DM56 Transport Proposals in IP-One
Comment
Draft Site Allocations and Policies (incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) Development Plan Document
Representation ID: 166
Received: 10/03/2014
Respondent: Associated British Ports
Agent: Associated British Ports
Development of Site IP037 does not require the provision of a Wet Dock Crossing. ABP will, however, support the Council in seeking to develop a feasible solution which addresses all safety, security and operational issues and avoids any adverse impact on port and marine operations, e.g. it should: avoid unacceptable impacts on existing vessel access to the Wet Dock; avoid adverse impact through traffic congestion; avoid affecting the railhead into the West Bank Terminal; allow the Port to meet the requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, and allow for navigation rights along the New Cut.
Redevelopment of Site IP037 - Island Site will most likely require road access from the West, via Mather Way, from the North via Bridge Street and St. Peters Quay and a pedestrian and cycle connection across the Wet Dock lock gates to connect to the town centre and the surrounding area.
These access improvements do not require the provision of a Wet Dock Crossing and, in our opinion, the Wet Dock Crossing is not required to deliver future development in the Waterfront area and the Core Strategy Growth.
Nevertheless, ABP is aware that the Wet Dock Crossing has been a longstanding aspiration of IBC to provide for through traffic and potentially provide relief from town centre traffic congestion (particularly on the Star Lane Gyratory). Whilst further work would be needed to fully assess the feasibility and impact of such a new crossing and whilst there are presently no clear delivery mechanisms available to deliver it, ABP welcomes the wording in the supporting text to Policy DM56 that the design of the Wet Dock Crossing shall maintain boat access through the lock and navigation along the New Cut.
ABP supports the principle of the new crossing and will assist the Council in seeking to develop a feasible solution which addresses all safety, security and operational issues and avoids any adverse impact on port operations. In particular, ABP is concerned to ensure that a Wet Dock Crossing:
1) avoids an unacceptable impact on existing vessel access to the Wet Dock via the Lock Pit to the detriment of continued port operations, commercial businesses and the vitality and viability of the Ipswich Haven Marina
2) avoids any adverse impact (e.g. through traffic congestion) on Cliff Road, which is the primary access onto Cliff Quay.
3) avoids a routing which would affect the existing railhead into the West Bank Terminal
4) does not prevent the Port from meeting the stringent security requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, and
5) allows for navigation rights along the New Cut
Object
Draft Site Allocations and Policies (incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) Development Plan Document
Representation ID: 428
Received: 14/03/2014
Respondent: Historic England
Legally compliant? Not specified
Sound? Not specified
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
We note that a new Wet Dock Crossing would facilitate access to the Island site and provide for through traffic, allowing for calming of the Star Lane Gyratory. We support the calming of the gyratory and its opportunities for linking the town to the Waterfront and encouraging the enhancement of heritage assets. However, care will be needed with the design of the crossing as it passes through the Island Site and Wet Dock conservation area. We would welcome further discussion of the scheme and recommend recognition of the heritage issues in the supporting text.
see attached
Object
Draft Site Allocations and Policies (incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) Development Plan Document
Representation ID: 649
Received: 07/03/2014
Respondent: Lafarge Tarmac
Legally compliant? Not specified
Sound? Not specified
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
LT are concerned regarding proposals to reduce Star Lane Gyratory to one lane in each direction following provision of the new Wet Dock crossing. This is likely to have implications for through traffic from Ipswich port. The implications of port traffic must, therefore, be appropriately considered in the absence of any other links to the A14.
See attached.
Object
Draft Site Allocations and Policies (incorporating IP-One Area Action Plan) Development Plan Document
Representation ID: 668
Received: 10/03/2014
Respondent: Suffolk County Council
Legally compliant? Not specified
Sound? Not specified
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
No options assessment has yet been carried out for the Wet Dock Crossing route, nor public consultation undertaken on the need for a crossing and potential routes. The Highway Authority recognises the aspiration for a crossing in the Local Transport Plan but is not currently promoting the scheme. Therefore, it does not require any particular route option to be safeguarded. Regarding the delivery of a Wet Dock Crossing/Star Lane gyratory, the County Council is committed to considering how the Waterfront Transport Study can be implemented, but decisions about the highway network will rest with the County Council as Highway Authority.
See attached.