Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 14792

Received: 22/08/2025

Respondent: CPT Midlands and South

I&O_15343
Executive Summary Any new residential or employment developments, should be designed with public transport in mind and include strategic public transport connections to ensure passengers can access education, employment, leisure activities, retail outlets and other essential services Developing a reliable and resilient public transport network will reduce emissions, make travel easier, and create a great place to live and visit Bus services can be supported by introducing bus priority measures, which remove buses from congestion and deliver faster, reliable journey times. This is turn leads to more passengers, and cheaper fares Coaches provide a comfortable and accessible travel option for many vulnerable passengers and others who would struggle to travel – coach travel can be supported by ensuring sufficient coach parking with space to manoeuvre, safe pick up and drop of points for passengers and driver facilities We encourage engagement with local bus and coach operators to ensure that the best locations for bus stops, priority measures, coach parking and are identified

Comment

Representation ID: 14793

Received: 22/08/2025

Respondent: CPT Midlands and South

I&O_15344
Proposed Additional Development Sites for Residential and Employment We appreciate the demand for housing and employment land is always increasing, meaning it is now more important than ever to ensure we are optimising the available road space and infrastructure as much as possible to enable and encourage sustainable travel options. The bus and coach sector are well placed to provide affordable, accessible, reliable, and sustainable transport options for all passengers. Buses provide vital services connecting people to education, employment, medical appointments, retail outlets and much more, and coach provide essential services for vulnerable passengers and sustainable travel to multiple destinations across the country. Our response outlines how to harness the full potential of bus and coach to deliver environmental and economic benefits across Cheshire West and Chester.

Comment

Representation ID: 14794

Received: 22/08/2025

Respondent: CPT Midlands and South

I&O_15345
Planning and Infrastructure We believe that adopting a ‘bus first’ approach to all planning and placemaking decisions is vital to challenge excessive car dependency and make public transport the preferred option of communities. By ensuring any new development sites are connected to the strategic bus network, by including new bus stops, or where appropriate a travel hub which provides greater connectivity across travel modes, we can increase model shift, which will deliver environmental, economic, and social benefits.

Comment

Representation ID: 14795

Received: 22/08/2025

Respondent: CPT Midlands and South

I&O_15346
Bus Priority Measures Bus priority measures are designed to improve journey times and connectivity for passengers and to help provide a more reliable service. There are a number of different measures that could be introduced including; Bus lanes and gates Bus only roads Smart traffic lights Changes to road layout, including bus priority at junctions and traffic lights Park and Ride schemes All these measures will keep buses out of congestion and improve bus speeds. This will improve journey times, keep fares low and ensure buses are reliable – all factors we know are vital for passengers and the popularity of bus travel. Investing £200m a year in bus priority measures such as the ones mentioned above, would generate £1bn a year in economic benefits, reducing the need for public funding6. Coach Coaches are often forgotten from inclusion in Local Transport Plans, however they provide a comfortable and accessible travel option and help those who would otherwise struggle to travel. Coaches provide a wide multitude of services to ensure people can get to where they need to, including rail replacement services, vulnerable group transport, home to school and work transfer services. As well as significantly reducing emissions, congestion and contributing to the local economy, it is important that any development plans consider the needs of coach. We are therefore encouraging all Local Transport Plans to include measures to support coach travel where possible. This includes sufficient parking for coach trips, with safe drop of and pick up access, plenty of space to manoeuvre and the provision of driver facilities.

Comment

Representation ID: 14796

Received: 22/08/2025

Respondent: CPT Midlands and South

I&O_15347
Coach Friendly CPT’s coach friendly accreditation is awarded to areas that have introduced measures that supports coach travel by providing designated coach park areas to increase the number of coach visits to the area. It is a valuable way for a local area to increase their earning potential, reduce congestion, improve air quality and the environment whilst continuing to develop tourism. You can find more details on the scheme and how to apply on our website.

Comment

Representation ID: 14797

Received: 22/08/2025

Respondent: CPT Midlands and South

I&O_15348
Conclusion It is important that any new developments are built with public transport in mind, bus and coach provide green and sustainable travel options, with one double decker bus able to remove up to 75 cars off the road, and a coach 50 off the road which not only significantly reduces congestion but the associated emissions. They provide essential services connecting passengers to education, employment, leisure activities, retail outlets and reduce social exclusion. We encourage Cheshire West and Chester Council to engage with local bus operators and coach operators to ensure that any plans include strategic public transport connections and ensure all benefits are achieved.