Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Plan Framework: Transportation Regional Policy Context

In the context of the Regional Development Strategy (RDS), the Northern Plan area includes the greater length of the Northern corridor connecting the main hubs of Limavady and Coleraine, and the local hub of Ballymoney with the Belfast Metropolitan area and with Londonderry in the north west. This corridor incorporates trunk roads (the A26 and A37) and a railway. A section of the Belfast Metropolitan Area to Londonderry corridor also passes through the south western part of the Northern area, with the A6 trunk road. The northern section of the Newry to Coleraine link corridor is also within the Plan area (trunk road A29). The Transportation Strategy of the Plan and specific policies and proposals are prepared within the context of the RDS and the Regional Transportation Strategy (RTS). Both of these strategies share the vision of a “modern, sustainable, safe transportation system which benefits society, the economy and the environment and which actively contributes to social inclusion and everyone’s quality of life” as a key factor for their successful implementation. The RTS was published in July 2002, and identifies what can be achieved over the next 10 years in moving towards this vision. The RDS provides the framework for the emerging Regional transportation proposals and policies. It sets down four strategic planning guidelines:

The RTS sets out indicative budgets and types of transportation measures which could be implemented during the period 2002/2003 - 2011/12. Current proposals are for the RTS to be delivered through a series of Transport Plans. The Regional Strategic Transport Network Transport Plan (RSTN TP) and a Sub-Regional Transport Plan (SRTP) both cover the Northern Plan area and will indicate how major increases in funding could improve transportation and upgrade local public transport, walking and cycling facilities. Provision has also been made within the RTS to improve the condition of the existing road network by substantially increasing expenditure on road maintenance in the Plan Area.

A number of key transportation measures, likely to be initiated in emerging transportation policies, will impact on land-uses. The RDS addresses strategic guidance on transportation and land use integration by including the reduction of demand for peak time travel among those factors which determine the spatial allocation of growth. It does so for example, by focusing a high proportion of growth into towns in the Plan area, and particularly into the main towns which have the greatest potential for investment in employment. The Plan also gives high priority to maintaining compact urban areas and safeguards routes which could be important in the continual development of transport infrastructure.

The Department’s current regional planning policies on the roads aspects of transportation policy are set out in Planning Policy Statement 3 (PPS 3), Access, Movement and Parking. This PPS sets out the Department’s planning policies for vehicular and pedestrian access, the protection of transport routes, and parking. It forms an important element in the integration of transport and land-use planning. It embodies the Government’s commitments to the provision of a safe, sustainable transport system, the improvement of mobility for those who are socially excluded or those whose mobility is impaired, the promotion of healthier living, and improved road safety. Applicants will be required to demonstrate, through a Transport Assessment, the impacts of their proposals on the transport network and be required to provide appropriate measures to address the impacts.

The Department for Regional Development has prepared Planning Policy Statement 13, (PPS 13):“Transportation and Land Use”, which flows directly from the Strategic Policy Guidelines within the RDS and forms part of the implementation process of the Strategy. The Statement also recognises the significance of the RTS in delivering the transportation vision of the Strategy. Its primary objective is to promote an integrated approach to the planning of transportation and development at all levels in the formulation of policy, and the policies set out in PPS 13 have been used to guide the development of the Plan.

Supplementary Planning Guidance is contained in Development Control Advice Note 15 (2nd edition): Vehicular Access Standards, August 1999.

Implementation of the variety of transportation measures proposed in the RDS/RTS and the encouragement and promotion given to the greater use of public transport, walking and cycling, for example through the Key Site Requirements listed as site development requirements, are intended to contribute to the change in travel culture which Government seeks.