Rother Local Plan 2020-2040 (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 27914

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

Overall, we are pleased to see active travel featuring so prominently within the over-arching objectives (Live well locally). This is supported and very much reflects the user hierarchy in the draft East Sussex Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) 2024 - 2050 which was subject to public consultation in late 2023/early 2024 and will be considered for adoption by the County Council in early October 2024. The LTP4 user hierarchy outlines how consideration will be given to the needs of different transport modes and prioritises vulnerable users and ‘active modes’ over other users and forms of transport.

Comment

Representation ID: 27915

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

Whilst a ‘vision-led’ Plan is supported, it will be important that some elements that you would expect to find in a Local Plan are not overlooked. For example, although priority should quite rightly be given to active travel modes, improvements to the highway may also be required to mitigate the impacts of development and/or to help facilitate improvements for sustainable modes. Currently, there is no clear mechanism/policy within the Local Plan to capture this potential need for securing and delivering development generated highway interventions.

Comment

Representation ID: 27916

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

There is some duplication in the Plan and it would help the user if some of this was consolidated. As an example, there are currently two separate policies which need to be considered to understand the parking requirements for residential development.

Comment

Representation ID: 27918

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

There should also be a stronger reference given to the draft East Sussex LTP4 with the key principles embedded in the RLP. Stronger reference should also be given to the existing East Sussex Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) and the forthcoming review of the LCWIP due to commence in late summer/early autumn 2024 will allow for consideration to be given to active travel connections to the emerging Local Plan allocations.

Comment

Representation ID: 27919

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

There appears to be less dialogue and reference to rail services within the draft Plan. The need for rail service and infrastructure improvements to enable people to travel for business and leisure is important. RDC will need to work in partnership with ESCC, Network Rail and the train operating companies (TOCs) (Southern and Southeastern) – and as and when rail reforms take place with Great British Railways - at the appropriate times to support not only improved rail services and infrastructure, but also ancillary aspects such as cycle parking (to ensure it is sensitively considered in respect of the locality), supporting walking, wheeling and cycling links to/from stations, lobbying for improving access for all in rail stations etc. The current Network Rail led East Coastway and Marshlink rail study is an opportunity to raise rail related issues and opportunities along this part of the rail network through Rother.

Comment

Representation ID: 27920

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

There are also opportunities to utilise vacant rail buildings for local community purposes which could, for example, link in with policy HWB4 in which existing disused spaces could be utilised communities for other purposes. TOCs have been open to this in the past and continue to be.

Comment

Representation ID: 27921

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

1. Introduction, Geography and Population, p11-16; Consider adding the following new paragraphs to set out the context for ‘transport connectivity’:

‘The A27/A259 corridor through the district forms part of the Strategic Road Network (SRN) and is the main east-west road link along the coast. The A21 north of Hastings also forms part of the SRN and provides the main north-south road link from Hastings to Tunbridge Wells and London. Several key junctions and roads on these corridors are either reaching or at capacity, with congestion and delay during peak hours. There are no sections of the Major Road Network in the district.’

‘With varying levels of public transport, active and sustainable travel accessibility across the district, some of the key transport challenges include the need to improve public transport infrastructure, journey times and service frequency’.

Comment

Representation ID: 27923

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

Suggest revision to say: ‘…Sensitive, sustainable, *accessible* and well-designed…’

Comment

Representation ID: 27924

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

Suggest revision to say: ‘…often by walking, *wheeling*, cycling and public transport’

Comment

Representation ID: 27925

Received: 22/07/2024

Respondent: East Sussex County Council

Suggest stronger links are made with the Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) by rephrasing this section: ‘Residents will be able to live well locally within safe, balanced and age-friendly communities. *We want to connect people to places* where residents and visitors can reach the facilities and services they need, often by walking, cycling and public transport.