NOT TO BE PRINTED_Draft Final TAAP comments duly

Chisman Gary Highways Agency Bedford 13 Policy TH 9 Comment
Mr Andrew Codd Thetford 13 Policy TH 9 Comment
Mr Anthony
Poulter
Brettenham and
Kilverstone Parish
Council Thetford 13 Policy TH 9 Comment
Mr DM Hall Thetford 13 Policy TH 9 Comment
Mr Ed Chambers
Thetford Town
Council THETFORD 13 Policy TH 9 Comment
Mr Paul Leeming Carter Jonas Harrogate 13 Policy TH 9 Agree
Mr Stephen
Faulkner
Norfolk County
Council Norwich 13 Policy TH 9 Comment
The proposals set out in paragraphs 13.10-13.15 (p.54-55) seem
reasonable. It is noted that the TAAP proposes the implementation of
Real Time Information at all stops in the SUE under Policy TH 9,
which is considered a good proposal. Support noted. No further action.
My experience is that, in heavy traffic conditions, bus priority at
junctions only seems to move the bus about 12 cars ahead at any
given junction where it then has to queue like everyone else (as you
can see in Cambridge or Norwich). Reducing traffic volume only
serves to make the bus priority even less worth it. Therefore: In
general, where there is space of a bus lane, there must also be
space to improve the efficiency for all traffic which would be
beneficial to all and probably less costly. Please do not consider
adding such provision to the typically confined spaces at existing
junctions in the town.
With regard to bus priority, observations of behaviour are very
location dependent and can be subjective. As a rule we tend to
take road space away from general traffic and re-allocate it to
buses. This has the double effect of improving conditions for
buses and making conditions slightly less favourable for cars - in
the hope that they might decide to change mode. For already
congested junctions we will need to carefully consider whether
bus priority is appropriate or not. No further action.
Who is going to design the buses? Aren't we talking about bus
services? This policy is about bus facilities. TH8 is about bus services. No further action.
Bus stops every 400m will make journey times too long. People will
use cars.
The Committee urges the introduction of these standards within the
existing settlement.
Policy TH9 mentions bus stops within 400m of all properties
within the growth area only. The proposed bus boarders will
have the effect of holding cars behind the buses, so with
frequent bus stops very close to peoples houses, we do not
agree that bus journeys will be longer than car journeys and
favour driving instead of taking the bus. No further action.
Noted. The commitments paper recommends that similar
measures are retrofitted to the rest of the town to benefit the
existing residents.
No further action for the TAAP.
Potential for partners to take on this
issue.
Broadly the provisions of these policies correspond with the
measures put forward through the draft Masterplan (Policy TH7
Walking and Cycling, Policy TH8 Buses and Policy TH9 Bus Design
Principles) and transport strategy. Fundamental to the Masterplan
and transport strategy for the SUE is to optimise connectivity to the
remainder of the town and the facilities within it. It is intended that
the quality of the provision and frequency of services will enable
modal shift away from single occupancy car journeys alongside
softer measures and other demand management techniques. Support noted. No further action.
Policy TH9 Bus design principles - The Policy needs re-writing to
remove any ambiguity because the first sentence refers to the
Thetford Area extension, but the bullet points go on to refer to the
Thetford area and all bus stops. Generally we need to be mindful of
what can be delivered in terms of public transport infrastructure from
the public purse. Policy TH9 Bus design principles - Bullet point 1
Suggest rewording to "Bus priority measures at junctions where
appropriate" and similarly reword paragraph 13.10 to, "Bus priority
should be incorporated into the development where appropriate." Agree re removing ambiguity.
Mr Stuart Wilson Thetford 13 Policy TH 9 Agree Support noted. No further action.
Mr Stuart Wilson Thetford Society Thetford 13 Policy TH 9 Agree Support noted. No further action.
Mrs Patricia Poel Thetford 13 Policy TH 9 Comment Hopeful proposal. Noted. No further action.
Chisman Gary Highways Agency Bedford 14 14.01 Comment
Chisman Gary Highways Agency Bedford 14 Policy TH 13 Agree
The delivery of housing, jobs and other related facilities should be
balanced. Consideration should be given to limiting new housing
numbers and/or employment development such that this balance is
achieved as Thetford grows. For example, it would be inappropriate
for all housing to be built without any employment resulting in a
commuter town, irrespective of market demand for housing. The
proposed phasing of residential and employment development set
out in Table 11.2 is considered reasonable. Comments noted. no change
The proposed layout and design principles set out under (b) of Policy
TH 13 are considered reasonable. Comments noted. No change
reference to bus priority at junctions
on bus routes added.