Integrated Public Transport Strategy - Worcestershire County Council

Land-Use Planning
Existing problems occur where commercial businesses requiring access by large HGV's
have either:
● grown organically, requiring bigger and more frequent deliveries (e.g. rural commercial
farms) or
● residential or commercial developments have been developed surrounding existing
operating companies, leading to difficulties in the haulier negotiating parked cars, and
restricted width carriageways.
These problems will be addressed through the Structure Plan, which provides a long term
strategy for development within the County. The main policies relating to the transfer of
freight within the Structure Plan are:
Policy T.15
The transfer of freight, waste and secondary aggregates from roads to other forms of
transport such as rail, water and pipeline will be promoted. In order to reduce the impact
on the highway network and the environment:
● the location of new industrial and warehouse development will be sited such, that
access to railways and/or waterway and pipeline termini is maximised; and
● where freight is still required to be transported by road, it will be concentrated on the
Lorry Route Network except where access is required.
Policy T.17
District Planning Authorities should include policies in the review of their Local Plans to
secure the retention of rail property for future rail related uses, including potential
passenger and freight services and/or improved rail facilities. Where, following discussions
with relevant bodies, it is concluded that the land is clearly no longer required for rail
purposes, the land may be used for alternative transport uses.
Policy T.18
The improvement of the River Severn up to Worcester for freight transport, where it is
environmentally and ecologically acceptable, will be supported.
Cross Boundary Issues
Although this strategy focuses on the source or end of the freight journey, there is a large
proportion of freight transport on Worcestershire's road network that is simply passing
through the County. This is dominated by freight traffic on the M5 moving between
Birmingham, The North and The South West. The County will continue dialogue through
the Regional Transport Group with the West Midlands Local Government Association, and
neighbouring authorities to ensure the strategic freight strategy meets the needs and
aspirations of Worcestershire.
The strategy also recognises the roles of West Midlands regional distribution centres,
most notably Hams Hall and Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal, and will identify
opportunities to interface with these centres through strategic routing of freight.
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Chapter 16 – Freight Strategy