Accessibility
 Click here to see the suggested Issues and Options for this theme
Improving accessibility
is the key to tackling many of the issues identified under our other
planning themes. Accessibility means physical access to jobs,
services and other facilities, either through travelling or by
locating ‘customers’ and ‘suppliers’ close to one another to reduce
the need to travel. This theme concentrates on the issues affecting
more urbanised parts of the area but also click onto ‘Sustaining
rural areas’ if you are interested in rural accessibility.
The three authorities, with the county council, are responsible for
identifying the accessibility issues facing all communities and
formulating solutions through the Local Transport Plan and the Local
Development Framework.
Growing businesses need to be able to access markets, and customers
need to be able to access businesses and services. Employers need
access to competent and qualified staff, and employees need to be
able to get to work quickly and easily. Vibrant, successful city and
town centres need easy access from broad catchment areas to remain
competitive.
Preston City Centre and the major employment areas currently attract
many employees who commute from within the city and from other
areas. Many residents commute out from the Central Lancashire City
area, mainly to jobs in Greater Manchester and Merseyside by public
transport and car. Access within the city and out to other places is
beginning to suffer as a result of inadequate public transport
services and congestion on roads, river crossings, and motorways.
What do we need to do to improve accessibility throughout the
Central Lancashire City area?
Reducing the need to travel
Working patterns are changing. Many people commute long distances to
jobs and others are adopting more flexible working practices like
home working. The location of many jobs is fixed by the employer’s
building and staffing requirements.
Depending on where they live, people may have greater or lesser
choice over where they access health and education services and
leisure facilities. The choices made may involve travelling some
distance.
The role and form of city and town centres is changing and
specialising. Large supermarkets and retail parks are located and
designed for easy access by car, whilst access to traditional city
and town centres is often restricted. Internet shopping and banking
is reducing the need for businesses to have an outlet on the high
street.
Most jobs, services and facilities are currently accessible from all
parts of Central Lancashire City by car, but this is becoming more
difficult because of increased congestion, lack of parking and
tougher parking controls. Access by public transport is less
convenient, especially away from main routes and at certain times of
day.
What can we do to reduce the need to travel to work and services
within the Central Lancashire city area?
Promoting more sustainable means of travel and reducing
dependency on cars
The Central Lancashire City area has a very high proportion of car
owners and users. Public transport systems often do not meet the
needs of the travelling public. New roads and motorways built over
the last 40 years are reaching capacity, especially at peak times.
In some parts of the area it is difficult to move from A to B
without being delayed by congestion or restrictions.
Over recent years, new development has mainly been located on
previously developed land within existing urban areas. This allows
new roads and public transport facilities to be planned, and quality
footpaths and cycle routes to be built and extended.
It is currently quite easy to travel around the Central Lancashire
City area by car and using main public transport routes, which makes
all jobs, services and facilities readily accessible. Travel by
walking and cycling is easy within local areas, and cycling longer
distances may become more viable as more, safer routes are created.
However, travel is likely to become more difficult as congestion
increases due to growing car use, and growing demand for travel
generated through population increases and new development in
locations such as the city and town centres.
What should we do to create the conditions for more sustainable
travel patterns in the Central Lancashire City area?
Achieving transport improvements
Many parts of the Central Lancashire City’s road network suffer from
peak time traffic congestion, with major hotspots on the entrances
to Preston City Centre from the motorway network and at the crossing
points over the River Ribble. There is often local congestion around
city and town centres, schools and hospitals.
The national motorway network that gives access to other towns and
cities (the M6, M61, M65 and M55) is regularly congested. However,
these motorways and the railways running through the area are an
integral part of national networks. They also provide direct access
to air and sea ports for international passenger travel and freight.
Transport improvements aimed at cutting congestion by reducing car
use include park and ride facilities, parking controls and improved
bus routes. Public transport reduces some congestion, but the
general preference for car use is likely to cause increased
congestion in the future. Given the limited funding available, we
need to set realistic priorities to make the most of our chances for
improving the transport network.
What ideas do you have for achieving transport improvements in the
Central Lancashire City area?
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