Planning permission was granted in March 2019 under Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council planning reference DC/065826 for demolition of existing buildings and erection of a mixed-use development comprising 20 residential apartments and A1 retail floorspace.

Condition 36 of the permission decision notice states that approved development shall not be occupied until a travel plan for the development has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and has been brought into operation.

This Travel Plan is therefore being produced to meet the requirements of the above condition for the retail unit element of the mixed-use development. With a separate Travel plan prepared and submitted for the residential element.

The scale of the unit and intended operate lends the site to a convenience store serving the local community. A review of existing convenience/foodstore locations within Marple indicates that the proposed retail unit is situated more conveniently for residential areas located in the immediate vicinity of the site, primarily those accessed off Church Lane and residents situated to the south of the site

As part of the TA it was assumed that c. 30% of vehicular trips to the site would be secondary passby trips, associated with residents already travelling along Church Lane as part of an existing journey who would call into the site enroute before continuing their original journey.

in relation to the remaining 70% of vehicular trips, which would be primary trips the TA noted that around 54% of trips would be transferred trips, where the new store provides an alternative destination for an existing trip on the local highway network with the remaining 16% of trips being new to the local highway network.

The existing site comprises numbers 92 - 94 Church Lane and the premises of E & E Workwear. The south west

portion of the site is currently vacant.

E & E Workwear produce, and sell, a wide range of work clothing and other types of clothing such as leisurewear. The company also sells footwear and sundry items such as hats and work-related safety items. Numbers 92 and 94 are residential properties with ground floor shops that are currently vacant.

There is a car park to the rear of E & E Workwear with parking for approximately 6 cars that is accessed via Hibbert Lane and there are also parking areas to the rear of numbers 92 and 94 Church Lane which are accessed from Church Lane.

Stage 1 - Construction - In progress

Stage 2 - Fit Out period - 6 weeks

Store due to start trading / date of occupation - 27th November 2020

Management company overseeing the landlord commitments unit

Unit occupier (Co-op Food) as a tenant.

Residential Areas - Majority of Marple and Marple Bridge

Bus Stops - various stops within local area on Church Lane, Hibbert Lane and the B6101 Stockport Road

Railway Station - Rose Hill Marple and Marple

Footways are provided alongside highways in the vicinity of the site. Immediately opposite the development site, on the northern side of Church Lane, Market Street provides direct pedestrianised access to Marple town centre with various retail/commercial units provided along Market Street.

Pedestrian crossing facilities provided on Church Lane consist of uncontrolled dropped kerb and tactile paving crossing points, which ae considered appropriate based upon envisaged traffic/pedestrian movements with proposals providing improvements to these as part of the development offsite improvement works.

As part of the planning permission various offsite improvement works are required to be agreed with the local authority and implemented prior to occupation, including:

• Widening of the existing footway on Church Lane that abuts the site;

• Pedestrianisation of current vehicular route provided into the site from Hibbert Lane;

• Uncontrolled pedestrian crossings (dropped kerbs with tactile paving) provided at various locations along Church Lane, namely its junction with Derby Street, Willow Grove, Mount Drive and Waterside; and

4 short stay spaces adjacent to the store entrance

2 dedicated staff spaces located to the east of the unit.

Short stay spaces - 2 Sheffield style stands, located to provide convenient access form Church Lane with appropriate space provided for cyclists to safely manoeuvre / dismount.

Long Stay spaces - 1 Sheffield style stand, located in a secure and covered area to the east of the unit

Stagecoach Manchester 7-day Megarider (Adult) - Unlimited travel on Stagecoach and Magic bus services in Greater Manchester - £16:50

Manchester get me there Any Bus 7-day (Adult) - Any bus, anywhere in Greater Manchester - £19.50

As part of the development proposals existing bus stops on Hibbert Lane to the north of its junction with Church Lane, stops SG3606 (southbound) and SG3607(northbound) will be upgraded to Transport for Greater Manchester’s ‘Quality Bus Corridor’ standard.

These upgrading works will provide bus box carriageway markings at both stops and a raised boarding platform and bus shelter improvements at the northbound stop with these works completed prior to occupation of the development

Footways, regularly spaces street lighting, pedestrianised routes and crossing facilities provide convenient and safe walking routes between the site and nearby bus stops.

In relation to the Rose Hill Marple Station a direct pedestrian route via Church Lane and Stockport Road is provided, with appropriate footway provision and regularly spaced streetlighting providing access to the dedicated station pedestrian access from Stockport Road.

In relation to Marple Station several route options are available, with the most convenient considered to be via utilising Market Street and the canal path, although alternative variations are available to avoid stepped access if necessary.

As part of the development proposals existing bus stops on Hibbert Lane to the north of its junction with Church Lane, stops SG3606 (southbound) and SG3607(northbound) will be upgraded to Transport for Greater Manchester’s ‘Quality Bus Corridor’ standard.

These upgrading works will provide bus box carriageway markings at both stops and a raised boarding platform and bus shelter improvements at the northbound stop with these works completed prior to occupation of the development

Appropriate signage and management measures will be in places indicating duration of stay restrictions of 30 minutes for customers. The unit operator/site management will monitor use of the retail unit parking and if required considered additional measures to restrict abuse if necessary.

In relation to deliveries a dedicated loading bay will be provided adjacent to the store and does not obstruct car parking provision.

Church Lane is a local access road with a 30 mph speed limit and footways on both sides of the road. The road has a carriageway width of 6.5 metres along the site frontage and double yellow lines on both sides of the road to prohibit parking. There are short-stay parking bays and a disabled parking bay on the north east side of Church Lane.

Church Lane forms a 4-arm mini-roundabout with Hibbert Lane to the west. Hibbert Lane provides access towards Marple town centre and the B6101 to the north and Marple residential areas to the south whilst also providing onward travel towards High Lane and the A6.

The western arm of the junction is also Church lane but it is a one way road, permitting travel from Stockport Road to Hibbert Lane.

B6101 Stockport Road runs through the centre of Marple, providing access towards Stockport to the west and the nearby areas of Strines and New Mills to the east.

Station Road links to the B6101 in the vicinity of the Church lane / Stockport Road junction and provides a convenient vehicular route to Marple railway station, Marple Bridge and other residential areas to the north, including Romiley

Reduce staff private car travel trips when accessing the site, primarily single occupancy trips

Objectives 1 & 2

An 8% reduction in single occupancy vehicle usage over a 5 year period, compared to baseline 2011 Census Travel to Work data for the local area.

- Short term (Year 1) target = 2% reduction

- Medium term (Year 3) target = 5% reduction

A staff travel survey will be undertaken within 3 months of the occupation of the store, with annual staff travel surveys undertaken on or around anniversary of the initial staff travel survey to provide updated travel data, free of seasonal bias. Surveys would cease after 5 years providing objections and targets are being met.

The TPC will aim to maximise the staff travel survey response rates but a minimum response rate of 50% will be set.

Increase customer awareness/use of sustainable travel modes when accessing the site

Objectives 3 & 5

To reduce the number of vehicle trips generated by the unit over a 12-hour period (Weekday 7am to 7pm) by 5% compared to trip generation outlined within the Transport Assessment. Equivalent to:

• 40 fewer vehicular movements during a weekday between 7am and 7pm; or alternatively

• The unit generating a maximum of 746 vehicular movements during a weekday between 7am and 7pm

Multi-modal and parking demand surveys (car & cycle) would be undertaken by an accredited data collection company in Years 1, 3 and 5 of the Travel Plan. Surveys would cease after 5 years providing objections and targets are being met.

Additional ongoing monitoring of car and cycle parking demand

Aim to ensure that parking demand does not exceed the capacity of the store's car park

Objective 4

Parking demand associated with the retail unit not to exceed associated car park capacity (14 spaces) during standard site operation periods, negating the need for customers to park offsite on adjacent highway when accessing the site.

Parking demand surveys would be undertaken by an accredited data collection company in Years 1, 3 and 5 of the Travel Plan. Surveys would cease after 5 years providing objections and targets are being met.

Surveys to identify customers parking offsite (on Church Lane in the immediate vicinity of the site) to access unit.

Additional ongoing monitoring of car parking demand and car park management system/measures

A nominated Travel Plan Co-ordinator (TPC) will be appointed by the site management company to manage and implement the Travel Plan. The TPC will be in role prior to occupation of the development, to ensure that where required measures are in place prior to occupation of the retail unit.

The TPC will work closely with the retail unit management team to ensure support for and implementation of the various measures, considering any operator specific requirements.

Any change in the appointed TPC during the lifetime of the Travel Plan will be notified to the local authority and updated within the Travel Plan document and associated materials as appropriate.

The Co-op is committed to operating the Travel Plan so as to minimise the impact of the development on both the local community and wider environment

Once the plan has been agreed and passed to the operator senior management it will be passed on to the Area Manager and they will be informed that the plan must be adhered to.

The role of the TPC will include:

• Overall responsibility for the Travel Plan;

• Taking a lead role in the development, implementation and review of the Travel Plan;

• Updating and distributing promotional and travel information materials;

• Monitoring onsite facilities and infrastructure to ensure it is fit for purpose and investigate possible improvements/additional provision if required;

• Arranging / undertaking various ongoing and annual monitoring tasks; and

• Liaison with the Local Authority and third parties as necessary.

Developers planning to handover mid-October 2020

Store programmed to be handed over to the Operational Staff on the 23rd November 2020

Store due to start trading 27th November 2020

Suitable resources will be provided by the management company for the implementation of the Travel Plan and its associated measures and initiatives, including funding the TPC role as appropriate.

Certain measures/initiatives, including provision of cycle parking, noticeboards and staff welfare facilities will form part of the development construction/fitting out stages and as such, the associated costs are included within these stages.

The TPC role includes liaison with the local authority, public transport operators and other third parties as appropriate, including liaison in relation to a number of outlined measures where obtaining items such as cycle training and discounted public transport tickets is required.

With regards to promotional leaflets/posters and updated timetables/mapping information, costs associated with printing etc are envisaged to be funded through general administration costs or similar.

Staff Travel Survey - undertaken within 3 months of occupation and then annually on or around the anniversary of the initial (Year 1) survey to provide updated travel data, free of seasonal bias. The TPC will aim to maximise the staff travel survey response rates but a minimum response rate of 50% will be set.

Multi-modal Survey - undertaken within 3 months of occupation and then undertaken on or around the third and fifth year anniversaries of the initial (Year 1) survey.

Parking Demand Survey - undertaken within 3 months of occupation and then undertaken on or around the third and fifth year anniversaries of the initial (Year 1) survey.

Ongoing - The TPC will undertake ongoing monitoring, recording/addressing any pertinent information to be considered as part of the development of the Travel Plan. Ongoing monitoring would include:

• Customer and staff feedback relating to any concerns or comments regarding travel to/from the store and within the site;

• Ensuring internal pathways are kept clean and clear for pedestrian use;

• Condition and use of staff storage facilities;

• Counts of cycles parking onsite, including formal and informal locations; and

• The take-up of staff on any discounts/schemes promoted by the TPC, e.g. awareness events, cycle training, car share schemes and ticketing discounts.

Monitoring Report - Following the undertaking of the updated surveys, the TPC will compile a monitoring report for issue to the local authority outlining:

• Updated travel survey results/analysis;

• Measures and their impact over the previous period;

• Achieved targets against previously set targets; and

• Objectives and targets for the forthcoming period.

The monitoring report will be issued to the local authority within three months of completion of the updated travel surveys in order to refine and agree the measures/initiatives for the Travel Plan moving forward and to ensure that targets remain SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound).

Travel survey results and a summary of the monitoring report detailing key details, e.g. achieved modal split against set target, will be made available in store via the Travel noticeboard.

Monitoring reports / surveys will continue for 5 years following occupation, providing objectives and targets are being met

Ongoing monitoring will continue past this point indefinitely to ensure facilities continue to be fit for purpose and appropriate to accommodate demand.

Initial - Project manager / contractor

Ongoing - site management company

• Widening of the existing footway on Church Lane that abuts the site

• Pedestrianisation of current vehicular route provided into the site from Hibbert Lane

• Uncontrolled pedestrian crossings (dropped kerbs with tactile paving) provided at various locations along Church Lane, namely its junction with Derby Street, Willow Grove, Mount Drive and Waterside

Initial - Project Manager/contractor

Ongoing - Store manager & Travel Plan Coordinator

Initial - Project manager / contractor

Ongoing - site management company

Initial - Project Manager/contractor

Ongoing - Store manager & Travel Plan Coordinator

Details of local cycle training courses aimed at adults who have either never cycled before or who would require more confidence before cycling to work, will be displayed on the travel noticeboards, including where additional information can be obtained from.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) run free cycle maintenance courses across Greater Manchester, including Stockport. These include everything from group cycle training to ride leader training via one to one road rider courses. More information can be found at www.tfgm.com/cycling/training.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) run free cycle training courses across Greater Manchester, including Stockport. More information can be found at www.tfgm.com/cycling/training.

Alternatively, CERA Cycloan are a local organisation offering basic, intermediate and bespoke maintenance courses. More information is provided on their website www.ceracycloan.co.uk.

Appropriate signage and management measures will be in places indicating duration of stay restrictions of 30 minutes for customers. The unit operator/site management will monitor use of the retail unit parking and if required considered additional measures to restrict abuse if necessary.

Number of parking spaces onsite have been developed in line with local parking standards and envisaged operational demand, not providing excessive levels of parking onsite is envisaged to be consistent with the unit providing for the local community and promote non-car travel modes

The TPC will provide promotional material to employees to raise awareness of the cost benefits of car sharing in addition to where to find further information and frequently asked questions. Staff will be provided with details of a local car share scheme, such as CarShareGM (www.carsharegm.com) allowing them to simply and securely find car share partners for regular trips in addition to occasional leisure journeys outside work.

As part of the development proposals existing bus stops on Hibbert Lane to the north of its junction with Church Lane, stops SG3606 (southbound) and SG3607(northbound) will be upgraded to Transport for Greater Manchester’s ‘Quality Bus Corridor’ standard.

These upgrading works will provide bus box carriageway markings at both stops and a raised boarding platform and bus shelter improvements at the northbound stop with these works completed prior to occupation of the development.

Information and details of available generic local ticketing offers, such as weekly, monthly and annual ticket options which offer cheaper travel for longer term tickets will be put on display.

Additionally Co-op colleagues can get discounts on Manchester public transport with a 10% discount on annual metro link passes and discounts on Stagecoach bus services. Details of how to claim these Co-op colleague discounts will be highlighted to staff by the TPC.

Co-op colleagues can get an interest-free loan to buy an annual season ticket for trains, buses and trams. Availability and details of this scheme will be highlighted to staff by the TPC.

Development proposals include pedestrianisation of current vehicular route provided into the site from Hibbert Lane, providing a dedicated/improved pedestrian route to bus tops located on Hibbert Lane.

Staff recruitment will be targeted within the local area, where sustainable modes of travel are a more viable alternative for travel to work, providing benefits for both staff and the store. Staff located nearby provide a more flexible workforce in order to meet operational demands, for example covering sickness, short notice shift changes, overtime etc.

As part of the staff recruitment process the aims and objectives of the Travel Plan and sustainable travel options available will be highlighted and promoted.

Travel information and promotional materials will be provided on a noticeboard in an appropriate/prominent location within the building and will be regularly updated with information about travel options and events, including:

• A summary of the Travel Plan objectives and targets;

• Health, financial and environmental benefits of utilisation of sustainable travel;

• National and regional sustainable travel campaigns/events such as Walk to Work week, National Bike Week, and National Car Free Day;

• Appropriate information/leaflets showing local walking/cycling routes and public transport timetable information;

• Details of the benefits of car sharing and appropriate websites;

• Useful travel/journey planning websites such as my.tfgm.com and Personal Travel Planning, available via the local authority website (www.stockport.gov.uk/create-your-personal-travel-plan); and

• A list of local taxi companies’ contact details, which provides an alternative means of transport for trips when other modes of transport may not be available/preferable.

Contact details for the TPC will be on display so that staff can contact them with any issues/concerns or suggestions on additional content regarding travel to/from the store.

Noticeboards - Project manager / contractor

Material - Travel Plan Coordinator

Noticeboards - included in store fitting out costs

Materials - minimal associated with administration & printing

Initial - Project manager / Contractor

Ongoing - Travel Plan Coordinator / Store manager / Management Company

The Travel Information Noticeboard will include a summary of the purpose of the Travel Plan, including its objectives and targets in particular in order to ensure all staff are aware of the existence of the Travel Plan and the role of individuals in achieving its aims/objectives.

As appropriate, the TPC or a nominated representative will attend staff team meetings or provide appropriate materials for distribution to promote the Travel Plan and its associated measures. Staff will be requested to highlight any current issues or suggestions in relation to the Travel Plan or travel to/from the site in general.

Travel will be raised as an agenda item at regular staff team meetings. Given the nature of the business, this is considered to be most appropriate for the site rather than a separate Steering Group. The group will discuss how best to improve and implement the Travel Plan, as well as other issues relating to travel to and from the store that may occur.

Sustainable travel modes will be promoted to customers through promotional material within the store and include:

• Health, financial and environmental benefits of the utilisation of sustainable travel;

• Appropriate information/leaflets showing local walking/cycling routes and public transport timetable information;

• Useful travel/journey planning websites; and

• Clearly signing cycle parking facilities available at the store.

Relevant promotional material provided to staff, such as car share schemes and local/national awareness events will also be made available to customers.

Noticeboards - Project manager / contractor

Material - Travel Plan Coordinator

Noticeboards - included in store fitting out costs

Materials - minimal associated with administration & printing

All employees will be provided with a Travel Information Pack. The Travel Pack will highlight the existence of the Travel Plan, in addition to providing all the information an individual will need in order to make an informed choice on the mode of travel to be used for any local journeys.

The Travel Information Pack will include, but not limited to the following:

• A summary of the Travel Plan objectives and targets;

• Details of walking and cycling facilities and routes in the local area;

• Local public transport (bus / train) information;

• Details of the benefits of car sharing and appropriate websites;

• Other resources available e.g. cycle training, personalised travel planning etc;

• Employer specific schemes e.g. Cycle to Work, travel discounts/offers; and

• Details for the nominated store TPC.

Travel Pack information will be checked and updated annually by the TPC. Spare copies of the Travel Pack will be kept by the TPC, if required by staff.

This Travel Plan has been produced to meet the requirements of a planning condition for the retail unit element of a proposed mixed-use development at 92-94 Church Lane in Marple, SK6 7AR.

The primary objective of the Travel Plan is to reduce unnecessary vehicular trips, in particular single occupancy trips through increasing the awareness of staff and customers to the availability and benefits of sustainable modes of transport and introducing measures to facilitate their use. In additional to maximising sustainable travel use when accessing the site the objectives also aim to ensure parking demand onsite does not exceed capacity, hence negating potential overspill onto the adjacent local highway network.

The Travel Plan and its obligations will become effective upon opening of the retail unit and be operated at all times that the development is occupied, although annual monitoring/surveys would cease after 5 years subject to objectives and targets having been met.

The proposed development of a new retail unit provides an opportune time in which to develop a Travel Plan, in particular due to new staff accessing the site with no current favoured travel choice.

The proposed development use (A1 Retail convenience store) and associated local residential catchment area provides opportunity for a high proportion of trips to the site to be undertaken via sustainable travel modes, in particular via walking, cycling and public transport with existing infrastructure and improvements provided as part of the site development facilitating safe and convenient access via these modes.

Appropriate levels of parking provision has been provided onsite in line with local requirements, with this level of parking considered appropriate to accommodate expected demand, with the Travel Plan in combination with the site car park management systems aiming to ensure this level of provision continues to be appropriate to accommodate demand into the future.

In relation to travel for staff accessing the site from further afield, in particular local cycling routes and frequent public transport services serving stops within an appropriate walk of the site provide access to key built up areas outside of Marple.

The primary objective and associated targets of the Travel Plan have been chosen to encourage the utilisation of sustainable modes of travel when accessing the site and in turn reduce unnecessary vehicular trips, primarily single occupancy private car travel, where suitable alternative modes of travel are available. In turn this is expected to directly impact upon the level of parking demand onsite to ensure onsite parking capacity associated with the retail unit continues to appropriate to negate potential overspill onto the adjacent local highway.

Promotion of sustainable modes of travel provides benefits for staff, including possible health, fitness and monetary benefits, in addition to improved accessibility assisting staff recruitment, flexibility and retention.

In addition, utilisation of sustainable modes also benefits the customers, employer and the local community through freeing up spare capacity within the car park, improving environmental credentials for the store in addition to a healthier/more productive workforce and reducing traffic levels and the associated impact this may have both within the site and upon the local highway network.

Targets set as part of the Travel Plan are considered ‘SMART’ (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound) , being linked to predicted vehicular trip outlined within reports submitted alongside the original planning application and local census data.

A range of physical, managerial and awareness measures have been outlined that will be implemented in order to promote and facilitate use of sustainable modes of travel when accessing the store. This list is non-exhaustive, with the TPC free to investigate other potential measures/initiatives.

The measures outlined within the Travel Plan particularly aim at making staff and customers aware of the potential benefits / advantages of utilise sustainable modes of travel in addition to opportunities available to utilise sustainable modes of travel to access the site supported by a package of physical and managerial measures to encourage/facilitate travel by sustainable modes.

Annual and ongoing monitoring would be undertaken as appropriate to ascertain the impact various measures have upon travel mode usage when accessing the site, in particular against set targets.

The Travel Plan is not a fixed document and the strategy and measures herein are expected to require reviewing over the period of the Plan to accommodate changes in circumstances which are beyond the occupants’ control, although the objectives of the Plan will not change.

If the TPC believes that there is a justifiable reason to undertake a review of the Travel Plan and its associated objectives, targets or measures the TPC will liaise with the local authority accordingly.