We were commissioned by St Modwen Homes to prepare a Sustainable Transport Vision and Validate Study to support the delivery of a new mixed use community development at Lodge Farm, near Rugby in Warwickshire.
Scope
The Lodge Farm site was originally allocated as part of the Rugby Borough Local Plan (2011 – 2031), but was subsequently removed by the Planning Inspector for transport-related reasons. An alternative approach to developing the site is now being presented by St Modwen Homes, including investigation of the potential to expand the site.
The purpose of this study was to provide an updated evidence base for transport access to the site, and investigate the options for increasing the sustainability of the site through active travel routes and internalization.
City Science Approach
Baseline
Our Baseline Report included a review of the previous Lodge Farm Site documentation to understand the challenges with the initial promotion of the site, and identify the opportunities for a more sustainable approach to transport in the future. This was accompanied by a literature review to highlight any changes in policy or best practice.
Our initial evidence base review included extensive analysis of Census and land use data to understand current provision of services and transport behaviours such as mode share and employment types.
Cadence 360 was also used to produce isochrones for active modes to understand current potential for active travel from within the site.
An extensive review of public transport services was also carried out, alongside a discussion with Stagecoach to understand the potential viability of a new or re-routed service to the development in the future.
The baseline study was also accompanied by a site visit, to understand the opportunities and constraints for site access.
Site Access Note
A Site Access Note was developed to summarise active travel access opportunities identified during the initial baseline review. This was supplemented with a highway boundary analysis to look for further opportunities to add an active travel route adjacent to the roads around Lodge Farm. This would provide a direct route for active travellers to access Rugby and Daventry from the site.
Transport Vision Document
We contributed to the development of a Transport Vision Document, bringing together the baseline conditions, opportunities and constraints to develop a Sustainable Access Strategy. This was based on three strands:
- Internalisation: Ensuring sufficient on-site facilities, services and employment to reduce the need for people to leave Lodge Farm by private vehicle.
- Active Travel: Prioritising active movement both around and to and from the site.
- Public Transport: Investigation options for the provision of a comprehensive public transport service, including alternative models of ownership such as a community trust or on-demand service.