Draft Regulation 18 Sandwell Local Plan
Safeguarding the Development of the Key Route Network (KRN)
11.23 The West Midlands Key Route Network (KRN) caters for the main strategic demand flows of people and freight across the metropolitan area whilst providing connections to the national Strategic Road Network (SRN). Highway capacity will be used to effectively cater for movement by rapid transit and core bus routes, the Metropolitan Cycle Network, lorries, vans and private cars. This will involve the reallocation of road space where appropriate to provide reliable, fast, high volume public transport and an enhanced role for traffic management using new technology via the West Midlands Regional Traffic Control Centre (RTCC).
Policy STR2 – Safeguarding the Development of the Key Route Network (KRN)
- Sandwell will, in conjunction with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and other neighbouring local highway authorities, identify capital improvements and management strategies to ensure the KRN meets its strategic functions.
- Land needed for the implementation of improvements to the KRN will be safeguarded to assist in their future delivery.
- Where new development is expected to result in adverse impacts on the KRN, appropriate mitigation measures will need to be identified through transport assessments and provided through planning obligations.
- When working with neighbouring authorities, sub-national transport bodies, infrastructure providers and statutory bodies, there will be a focus on reducing the impact of private car use on the KRN and delivering a net-zero transport system.
Justification
11.24 The West Midlands Key Route Network not only serves the main strategic demand flows of people and freight across the metropolitan area and provides connections to the national strategic road network. It also serves large local flows which use main roads and will need to provide good access for businesses reliant on road-based transport. The network will use highway capacity effectively to cater for movement by rapid transit and core bus routes, the Metropolitan Cycle Network, lorries, vans and private cars. This will involve the reallocation of road space where appropriate to provide reliable, fast, high volume public transport and enhanced cycling facilities.
11.25 The Key Route Network has been defined on the basis of a Combined Authority definition agreed with the seven highway authorities, in consultation with neighbouring highway authorities. The KRN features agreed performance specifications drawn up for different types of link in the network in accordance with their role for movement ("link"), and their role as a destination in its own right e.g., a suburban / town centre high street ("place").
11.26 Improvements will be performed to meet the agreed performance specification for the links and junctions involved to support road based rapid transit proposals such as SPRINT (Bus Rapid Transit) and Metro. Improvements will take into account guidance contained in the National Bus Strategy and the West Midlands Vision for Bus. Where routes also form part of the Metropolitan Cycle Network, the standards contained in Local Transport Note 1/20 will be applied.
11.27 Capital scheme improvements will be identified where appropriate, but it also is vital that this network is managed efficiently through the collaboration of all four authorities in their role as LHA.