Policy S23: Transport and Accessibility

Penultimate para, first sentence - A27 improvements (mitigation works) funding. Is proposed scope of contributing developments consistent with current Highways England approach that appears to seek financial contributions from all significant development proposals (e.g. including housing sites of <50 dwellings and major economic/business sites) which will impact on the A27 at Chichester?

Need to number paragraphs and sub paragraphs for ease of reference throughout Local Plan document where possible.

A27:J14 (Stockbridge);J15 (Whyke)
The PBA Report(pp67-68) states there will be banned right turns "...from the A27 onto Stockbridge Road" and "...from the A27 onto B2145 Whyke Road". This will be incredibly disruptive and inconvenient for all residents of the area.
Figs.7.5/7.6 also show arrows in North/South directions that imply there are no right turns onto the A27 . If this is not the case, the diagrams and/or text should be modified to ensure clarity and that meaningful consultation is permitted.
Whilst I understand that keeping the flow of through traffic is important, it should not be done to the detriment and inconvenience of local traffic.
Appendix F (Journey Times) to the PBA Report does not include a comparison of journeys impacted by the "No Right Turn" restrictions.

The Parish Council is not in favour of the proposals for junction improvements to the A27. For those wishing to leave the A27 and head towards Pagham, the option is to use the hamburger roundabout then a further 4 way junction between Bognor Road and Vinnetrow Road. This will add to journey times, as the previous option was to take the Whyke roundabout or use the existing Vinnetrow Road junction without the need to access A259. The alternative here is to leave the A27 via the new Stockbridge Link road and use the local road network. As stated previously, these roads are unsuitable for large volumes of traffic and are regularly congested. For those wishing to access the city, there are no right turns at Stockbridge and Whyke. This means that all traffic joining from A259 looking to access will need to cross straight over or travel down the A27 to the new Fishbourne roundabout, therefore encountering signalised junctions and a hamburger roundabout to access Via Ravenna into the city. This is a reduction of 4 access points to 2 and will inevitably lead to additional traffic on these routes. The additional journey time for those using Via Ravenna will not only be inconvenient, it will inevitably cause additional pollution as cars are held at the various traffic lights. This is particularly inappropriate given the existing issues at Stockbridge in terms of Air Quality.

The estimates given to complete these works will mean years of misery for those who use the A27 and local roads which relieve it when there are works or delays for accidents or events at Goodwood. These are unacceptable. In addition, this proposal appears to be for the advantage primarily of through traffic rather than local traffic. It is therefore not effective mitigation for the 1000+ new homes planned for the Manhood Peninsula, and in fact bears a striking resemblance to Option 3 from the Chichester ByPass Improvement Scheme consultation undertaken by Highways England in 2016. This was roundly rejected by the local community following the consultation.

The proposals for improvements to A27 will inevitably cause additional pollution as cars are held at the various traffic lights. This is particularly inappropriate given the existing issues at Stockbridge in terms of Air Quality. Planned improvements are contrary to this policy.

The proposals for the A27 junction improvements will inevitably lead to increased pollution. Are these junction improvements included within the requirements of this policy?

The Fishbourne to Birdham Rd link road will be cause traffic chaos throughout the Chichester area in Summer when West Wittering beach is popular - forcing Manhood traffic down this road including Selsey traffic, will cause bottlenecks and significant increases in Air Pollution. The modelling quoted does not appear to recognise the actual reality of summer traffic to the tourist hotspots.
More emphasis should be given to increasing cycling and focusing cycle improvements in Chichester City is not adequate - Selsey is still awaiting a decent cycle route to Chichester. The proposed link road will negatively impact the Salterns Way.

Principal emphasis here is on roads and car/lorry traffic. There needs to be much more thought given to and specific suggestions made on innovatory alternatives - some kind of light railway link from the Manhood Peninsula could be one example. Current studies increasingly indicate that road traffic will decrease, so more emphasis is essential on the alternatives people will want.
The £18 million (or should it be £38 million?) link road between the Birdham Road and A27 Fishbourne roundabout will be an environmental and landscape disaster and there is no chance of a developer funding it.

There are no accepted proposals to improve traffic flow on the A27, apart from some improvements to junctions. Already condemned during the HE A27 consultation. Improvements funded by developers will take 15 years to complete
In addition, the A286 is a busy road at all times,especially during the summer, it becomes completely gridlocked. There have been 2 traffic fatalities in Birdham on the A286 in the last 2 years. Considerable loss of jobs from the peninsula over the last few years, so most residents of newly built houses using the A286 to travel to work, increasing the road burden.

Air Quality: this is a crucial issue. Stockbridge roundabout has consistently been well above the recommended guidelines for almost 7 years. Fact: Chichester High school is located within 100m of this zone. Fact: there has been a noted increase in childhood asthma and related respiratory conditions directly linked to poor AQM both locally and further afield in the UK. Fact: Chichester Free school is located within 100m of Whyke roundabout which now carries an increased load due to children and staff driving to/from school. Adapting these roundabouts to choke traffic by reducing freedom of movement at junctions will increase, not improve, the AQM. Cycle access: this will work IF the links are sustainable for safe riding from city centre to outlying housing areas: there is currently no capacity for this on either of the single-track link roads to the Manhood peninsula.

Strategic site AL6 is situated immediately adjacent to the Chichester Harbour AONB. This cannot possibly meet the requirements of Policy DM19. The commercial part of this site is located between the Fishbourne and Stockbridge roundabouts, two of the most congested and polluted roundabouts on an already congested road, which contravenes Policy DM8: Transport, Accessibility and Parking. The location of this site should be moved to the east of the city, where there are already substantial commercial developments. Another possible location is around the Goodwood Race Track, which would act as a noise barrier to protect local housing in the area.
This disregard for the Chichester Harbour AONB is further evidenced by the proposal to build a link road between the Fishbourne Roundabout and the A286. This road will be within 300 metres of the AONB and will be elevated because of the low lying ground which it crosses. This will ruin the view of the Cathedral from the harbour and generate large amounts of noise and pollution, thus disturbing the harbour, and further cut off the harbour from the city.

The proposal for a new road from Birdham to Fishbourne roundabout is totally unacceptable. Not only was it rejected by a large majority at the recent Highways England consultation but it would inevitably lead to an extension of the Chichester settlement area out to this road with huge damage to the Chichester Harbour AONB.
Highways England described such a road as a short term solution. 5-6 years as I recall.
Financing the road out of s106 and s278 monies will lead to very protracted construction periods with unacceptable disruption for years.
Any new road scheme must be part of a long term strategy to separate local traffic from the east-west flow. In my view a northern bypass for the benefit of all commuties along the south coast is eventually inevitable and should be assumed in the Local Plan.

I object to the new road connecting Birdham Road to A27 Fishbourne roundabout

The road would impact views of the cathedral from inside the AONB including the sea (Fishbourne Channel), Salterns Way and the Apuldram area.

The link road would need to be raised over the flood zone and would increase noise pollution in a very sensitive area. Increase emissions pollution and light pollution.

The run off from the road would risk entering the water at the river Lavant and also running into the harbour.

The link road would impact on important migratory bird species.

Traffic lights replacing roundabouts at Stockbridge and Whyke junctions will dangerous increase pollution. Stockbridge is already an established Air Quality Management Area.

Road layout changes on the A27 round Chi will cause more traffic and more pollution.

Pollution around the A27 past Chi is already unacceptable. The proposed changes to the A27 and the raised link Road at Stockbridge/Donnington/Fishbourne will make an already disastrous situation worse.

It is not clear what junction improvements are actually proposed for the A27 but anything that restricts the movement of north-south traffic will have a significant impact on local roads with an increase in cars using them as rat runs. Introducing left turns only at Stockbridge and Wyke will force traffic to drive through the city to reach the A27 and through the very narrow road at North Mundham past the primary school. Implementing these changes would then be used as the reason for a new link road.
Proposed changes to junctions have already been consulted on and rejected.

I am writing to Object to CDC Local Plan. The Plan as it stands , is not a Local Plan. It is a plan to destroy large areas of Chichester's historic and environmentally sensitive areas in the South, east and west,whilst leaving the Northern part of the city completely untouched. Chichester Harbour has the same protection afforded to as the SDNP and yet there has been absolute no regard to its preservation. In fact that exact opposite. The plan aims to build on the flood plain and right up to the Chichester Harbour boundary with no viable detail or acknowledgement of just how destructive this would be. The inclusion of AL6 Apuldram/Donnington link road and proposed development is tanter mount to vandalism of the highest degree and I am appalled that it is even being considered. The fact that there is no detail or consultation within the document to show the required consultation with Highways England that should have taken place prior to it's inclusion just shows what an inaccurate and shoddy piece of work this plan is. AL6 is on a category 3 Flood Plain that according the Governments own recommendations should never be built on because of the environmental damage that can ensue, never mind the risk to flooding of any buildings on such a site. The suggested link road would have to be raised to at least 4 mtrs in order to alleviate the risk of flooding this would then lead to a complete eyesore and desecration of historic views of the Cathedral from the sea (the only one in England ) towards the Downs, something that the Local Plan states must be protected at all cost. There is no mention of the increased traffic, air pollution, noise and light pollution that such a development would cause. Councillor Dignum has lied, " NOT...embracing any 2016 options for the A27", but this plan clearly has. Where is his integrity and impartiality ? I allege that he has shown time and again that he has a much greater interest in preserving the North to the detriment of all other areas of Chichester !!! AL6 should be removed with immediate effect.Unless this is adequately addressed in future iterations of the plan, then I will raise it with the examiner at the appropriate time.
The plan also fails to address/acknowledge the huge increase in traffic volume now and in the future. There is no viable transport data/ study included within the Plan. The only reference is the Peter Brett Assoc report which was issued in 2010 and has been shown to be incorrect. It is also now completely useless as it is so outdated and claims there is no risk of air pollution from vehicles. We all know that Chichester has one of the worst hotspots for car pollutants/air quality on the South coast. Unless this is addressed in any future iterations of the plan then I will raise this with the examiner at the appropriate time.
I OBJECT to the CDC Local Plan in its present form and unless the Plan is rewritten to take into account the huge inaccuracies and biased, in future iterations then I will be raising it with the examiner at the appropriate time.

The proposed road joining Fishbourne to the A286 is inappropriate given its proximity to the AONB and the impact on the views across the countryside to the South Downs and Chichester Cathedral. The road and development will be detrimental to the natural environment, increase traffic and pollution and cause additional congestion on the A286; this will be particularly dangerous during the summer period.

I object to the Stockbridge relief road on environmental grounds. This will cause increased air pollution, destroy vital wildlife habitat and is in conflict with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

1. Whilst 'Planning to achieve timely delivery of transport infrastructure needed to support new housing, employment and other development identified in this Plan' may appear to be a laudable aim, in reality much of the highway network, especially around the junctions with the A27, is already at capacity. The Transport Study makes clear that National Guidance and accepted practice is for mitigation measures only to address the additional traffic generated by the development proposals. The underlying problems can only be addressed therefore by Highways England under its' responsibility for the Strategic Road Network. The draft plan acknowledges that there is no approved scheme to improve the A27 around Chichester, neither is there money allocated in the Government's forward programme. A long term solution is required to meet local needs to access Chichester, as well as the needs of businesses and of traffic using the A27. Tinkering with the A27 Junctions with unwanted minor improvements at the expense largely of developers is a complete waste of money and these construction work will greatly inconvenience and delay all road users whilst delivering little if any, real long term benefit. Online improvement of A27 is not the preferred option of the local authorities or local population. The Local Planning Authority has a duty to its residents to ensure that no development will be permitted to take place until the A27 has been improved, unless it can be clearly demonstrated that such development will not lead to an increase in traffic at the junctions with A27.
2. The Transport Study is not sufficiently accurate and robust as it takes for its base the 2014 study, updated by computer modelling i.e. a desktop exercise, to take account of policies and strategies in the approved Local Plan. The real world has moved on since 2014, one example being the increased use of internet purchasing with its consequent increase in traffic movements by delivery vehicles. The climate has also continued to change and get warmer since 2014. The Local Authority is aware of particular pressures on the highway network from visitors to the beach at West Wittering and the numbers of vehicles and frequency of of logjam on A286 has increased since 2014. This is too great a problem simply to be dismissed because the Transport Study has looked only at morning and evening rush hour traffic on a weekday when the schools are open. Additional housing in East Wittering and Bracklesham will simply add to the congestion. Traffic surveys are needed to fully understand and address the problems of access to and from the Manhood Peninsula.
3.The link road proposed from Birdham Road to A27 Fishbourne Roundabout will not provide a solution for access to and from the Manhood Peninsula, but will instead simply move the problem of congestion further along the A286. It will become a rat run for all those wanting to avoid the A27 south of Chichester to the Bognor Roundabout, encouraging longer distance traffic to use Wophams Lane and other local roads. It will also encourage westbound traffic from Selsey and Bognor Regis heading for the A27. At Fishbourne Roundabout, it is already difficult to emerge from Fishbourne Road because of the volume and speed of traffic travelling west on A27 and it is impossible to see how an additional junction can be added to the roundabout successfully.
4. The strategy should be more proactive in the delivery of segregated cycle routes between settlements. A286 is for the most part unsuitable for cyclists because of the volume of traffic and visibility issues, leading to tailbacks of traffic unable to get past.

Regarding: New road connecting Birdham Road to A27 Fishbourne roundabout (Policy AL6).
I cannot see how adding additional traffic volume onto a roundabout that is already intimidating, complex to navigate and dangerous now is a good idea without mitigating measures.

The volume and delays from the Stockbridge roundabout will simply be transferred to the fishbourne roundabout causing further delays from anyone attempting to exit fishbourne from the A259 or Cathedral way, as well as interrupting the flow through on the A27. Further detail on how this will realistically be managed should be made available before being approved.

Furthermore, the impact of additional traffic on Clay Lane (a small country lane, national speed limit and national cycle route) should be assessed given the tendency from most people in fishbourne and other east/west corridor service villages to use the road to access Chichester and locations west of Chichester in order to avoid the A27 and fishbourne roundabout.

Donnington residents will be hugely disadvantaged by proposed changes to A27 access arrangements under Policy S23 and the Peter Brett Associates report - effectively no access to Donnington unless they use the new link road and double back on themselves. Additional traffic from Hunston and Mundham will be forced onto the unsuitable country roads in and around Donnington and the wider Manhood Peninsula. who would previously have turned right at Stockbridge and Whyke roundabouts will need to use local back roads through Donnington to reach their destinations, increasing traffic levels on unsuitable rural roads. Traffic travelling along the A27 wishing to access the City from the east will have only two points of entry, (Fishbourne roundabout or Bognor Road roundabout), compared to the current 4 accesses. Important infrastructure such as the train and bus stations are reached most easily by these roundabouts so this will add to journey times to these destinations.
The additional queuing times generated by traffic lights vs roundabouts at Stockbridge and Whyke junctions will lead to increased levels of pollution in an area which, in the case of Stockbridge, is already an established Air Quality Management Area.
The Peter Brett Associates (PBA) report states in the Executive Summary:
Air Quality (page xvii) that ...&quot;Within existing AQMAs, with the Local Plan traffic in place, there are no predicted exceedances of NAQOs.&quot;
In Appendix G: Air Quality Assessment of the same report, Tables 4.1 and 4.6 show that the levels of NO2 at Stockbridge have consistently exceeded maximum levels since 2012.
On page xvi of the Executive Summary, Table 1 shows that Stockbridge ranks 5th in priority of construction. Therefore, it will be many years before any expected improvement in Air Quality at Stockbridge.
Each of the five junction modifications will require three years of work. This means 15 years of misery for Chichester residents whilst the junction works take place. We all remember the chaos caused by the replacement of one footbridge in Stockbridge, bringing gridlock to the area. (Policy S23 and Peter Brett Associates Transport Assessment)
Overall, the plans for improvements to the junctions are to the advantage of through traffic not local residents. The proposals bear a marked similarity to Option 3a from the Highways England Improvements to the Chichester A27 Bypass consultation, which were emphatically rejected by the local community - in Donnington and across the whole of Chichester. (Policy SP23 and Peter Brett Transport Assessment). These improvements need to be re-thought.

Stockbridge already exceeds the recommended Air Quality levels and the proposed improvements to the A27 do nothing to change or improve that. There are now 3 schools along the route of the A27 which suffer from the poor air quality and the increase in traffic from the housing proposed will add to this. A northern relief road is the only viable solution , not 15 years of work on the existing route building Hamburger junctions.

The proposals for the A27 do not address the need of local traffic , only through traffic. The Hamburger junctions will cause major delays at peak times plus additional miles in order to travel eastwards from south of the A27. The similar scheme in the 2016 consultation was firmly rejected by the community. The northern relief route as proposed by SYSTRA consultants is the only viable solution to separating through and local traffic.
Construction of new junctions could last for up to 15 years , a ridiculous prospect for all road users.

The link road from the Fishbourne Roundabout would go straight though a flood plain Level 3 and a site of environmental significance impacting on the AONB and the views to the SDNP nad Chichester cathedral.
There are no robust plans to demonstrate that cycling or walking routes will be enhanced, air quality improved or increased congestion mitigated. Car sharing clubs and electric charging points, although sound strategies, are a drop in the ocean and will do very little to ameliorate car journeys. A fully funded public transport . Plans in this policy are vague and wooly.

the impact on residents of Donnington and Apuldram resulting from these developments will be considerable, particularly the proposals for access to the A27. it is not clear what the co-ordinated series of improvements to the A27 roundabouts consists of but if it includes no right turn proposals, even with the proposed new road (ON A FLOOD PLAIN !!) it will be intolerable.

Donnington residents disadvantaged by the proposed changes to the A27. There will be even more congestion. This is a version of Option 2 that residents voted out in the previous consultation. Pollution levels are ALREADY exceeded in the Stockbridge area and all the current Options for the A27 will only cause more damage to quality of life for local people in the areas surrounding the A27.
After seeing the Stockbridge Footbridge debacle when ONE footbridge went over budget and took a whole YEAR. These so called &quot;improvements&quot; would bring years of misery for local residents.

Proposed plans for the A27 and AL6 will further deteriorate Air Quality.
Stockbridge already EXCEEDS the recommended air quality levels.
The Council should be looking at REDUCING the pollution levels rather than increasing them to the detriment of the local population.

Although the plan contains proposals to deal with congestion at the A27 junctions, there is nothing to address the congestion caused by railway crossings. We are not convinced that the proposed junction improvements proposed as mitigation measures will fulfil the requirement. The mitigation proposed can not be achieved without a significant deleterious effect on the travel options for the population south of the A27. They merely perpetuate proposed solutions that have already been overwhelmingly rejected by the local population.

Although a resident of Stockbridge Road my property only has vehicular access at the rear via Queen's Avenue. The PBA Report(pp67-68) which states there will be banned right turns "...from the A27 onto Stockbridge Road" and "...from the A27 onto B2145 Whyke Road" supports this Policy (S23) severely disadvantages residents such as myself and those in Queen's Gardens.
For example, a driver proceeding from, say, Donnington Parish Hall to Queen's Ave would have to proceed west to Fishbourne and then east to Bognor roundabout before returning west. The alternative via the B2201 is equally inconvenient.