CONTEXT AND JUSTIFICATION
National Planning Policy Guideline 17: Transport and Planning (NPPG 17) states that, "Planning Authorities, in selecting appropriate sites for development, should establish accessibility profiles for public transport ….. in order to determine which sites meet the policy goals set out in the NPPG".
In accordance with this advice, accessibility profiles have been developed for this Plan to define four accessibility zones (See Map):
(a) City Centre - a sub-area of the high accessibility zone.
(b) High Accessibility - indicates a high standard of service that facilitates use without a timetable, with minimum waiting times and with little impact from service disruptions.
(c) Base Accessibility - indicates the provision of a minimum acceptable level of service.
(d) Below Base - the remainder of the City not covered by the above zones.
Accessibility has been measured at peak (8-9am), in one direction, according to 3 criteria:
quality (e.g. reliability, comfort); and
walk-in distance (catchment).
The frequency and catchment levels set for each mode reflect the difference in quality provided by bus and rail (in terms of comfort, reliability and timetable stability). This enables the High and Base Accessibility Zones to be defined as follows:
High Accessibility
- Buses 12+ per hour with 300m catchment
- or Trains 6+ per hour with 500m catchment
- or Underground 12+ per hour with 500m catchment
Base Accessibility
- Buses 6+ per hour with 300m catchment
- or Trains 2+ per hour with 500m catchment
- or Underground 12+ per hour with 500m catchment
The accessibility zones are used in the Plan to direct high trip generating uses/higher density development to the High Accessibility area and to direct development away from locations achieving Below Base Accessibility (unless measures are taken to adapt the public transport network).
Accessibility Zones at April 2000