Download - Former Miskin Primary School, Miskin · redevelopment of the former Miskin Primary School, School Road, Miskin for residential use. 1.1.2 It is proposed to refurbish and extend the

Former Miskin Primary School, Miskin

Measures Only Travel Plan

Trivallis

15 May 2020

Document Reference: C20012/TP01

Former Miskin Primary School, Miskin Measures Only Travel Plan

Trivallis | Report Ref: C20012/TP01 | 15 May 2020 i

QUALITY MANAGEMENT

REPORT DETAILS

Issued by Apex Transport Planning Ltd 23-24 Park Place Cardiff CF10 3BA

Tel: 02920 619 361 [email protected] www.apextp.co.uk

Client Trivallis

Project Name Former Miskin Primary School, Miskin

Report Title Measures Only Travel Plan

Report Ref. TP01

Project No. C20012

Date 15/05/2020

ISSUE HISTORY

Issue No. Status Date Approved Revision Details

1 Draft 13/05/2020 DC First Draft for Review

2 Final 15/05/2020 DC Second Revision

NOTICE

This report has been prepared for Trivallis in accordance with the terms and conditions of appointment. Apex Transport Planning Ltd cannot accept any responsibility for any use of or reliance on the contents of this report by any third party.

The material presented in this report is confidential. This report has been prepared and is intended solely for Trivallis for use in relation to the Former Miskin Primary School, Miskin project.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.apextp.co.uk/


Trivallis | Report Ref: C20012/TP01 | 15 May 2020 ii ii

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 OVERVIEW 1

1.2 SITE LOCATION 1

1.3 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS 2

2. SUSTAINABLE CONNECTIVITY OF THE SITE 3

2.1 WALKING AND CYCLING 3

2.2 PUBLIC TRANSPORT 8

3. MEASURES AND INITIATIVES 10

3.1 INTRODUCTION 10

3.2 SITE PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL 10

3.3 HOME USER GUIDES 10

3.4 NOTICE BOARD 10

3.5 MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE WALKING 10

3.6 MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE CYCLING 11

3.7 MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE PUBLIC TRANSPORT USE 11

3.8 MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE CAR SHARING 12

3.9 REDUCING THE NEED TO TRAVEL 12

Tables

TABLE 2-1: PROXIMITY OF THE SITE TO LOCAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES .................................................................................................... 6

Figures

FIGURE 1-1: INDICATIVE SITE LOCATION PLAN...................................................................................................................................... 2 FIGURE 2-1: INTEGRATED NETWORK MAP – TALBOT GREEN AND SURROUNDS.......................................................................................... 4 FIGURE 2-2: KEY WALKING ROUTES FROM THE SITE TO FACILITIES OR RCT INM ROUTES .............................................................................. 5 FIGURE 2-3: LOCATION OF FACILITIES WITHIN PROXIMITY OF THE SITE ...................................................................................................... 7


Trivallis | Report Ref: C20012/TP01 | 15 May 2020 1

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview

1.1.1 This ‘Measures Only’ Travel Plan (TP) has been prepared by Apex TP on behalf of Trivallis for the

redevelopment of the former Miskin Primary School, School Road, Miskin for residential use.

1.1.2 It is proposed to refurbish and extend the existing building for a residential development of 11

affordable flats.

1.1.3 The main aim of the TP is to actively promote walking, cycling and public transport by the prospective

residents. In accordance with this aim, this TP has been prepared to encourage sustainable travel as

well as minimise the transport impacts of the development. It demonstrates the developer’s

commitment to sustainable travel.

1.1.4 The scope of the TP has been discussed with highway officers at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough

Council (RCTCBC) and been broadly set out in accordance with the Framework Travel Plan for

Residential Estates guidance. Considering the scale of the proposals a ‘Measures Only’ TP is considered

appropriate as ongoing management and monitoring would not be viable for a development of 11

residential units.

1.1.5 Research suggests that people are more willing to change travel habits when changing lifestyle such as

where they live. Therefore, this TP presents measures and initiatives to reduce single occupancy car

journeys and encourage sustainable modes of travel. This is in accordance with sustainable transport

policies in Planning Policy Wales 10 (PPW10), Technical Advice Note 18: Transport (TAN18), the

RCTCBC Local Development Plan (LDP) and the RCTCBC Access Circulation and Parking SPD.

1.1.6 A separate Transport Statement (TS) has been submitted as part of the planning application and this

informs some of the content of this TP in relation to the sustainable connectivity of the site. This also

provides full details of the site access, highway safety and traffic impacts.

1.2 Site Location

1.2.1 The site is located to the east of School Road in Miskin, Rhondda Cynon Taf, approximately 650 metres

to the west of the A4119 and 750 metres to the north of the M4. It is surrounded by residential uses to

the south and agricultural uses to the north and east.

1.2.2 A location plan showing the site in its local context, is provided in Figure 1-1.


Trivallis | Report Ref: C20012/TP01 | 15 May 2020 2 2

Figure 1-1: Indicative site location plan

Source: Google Maps

1.3 Development Proposals

1.3.1 The proposals are for a redevelopment of the existing building for 11 affordable residential

apartments. These would comprise 10no. one-bedroom apartments and 1no. two-bedroom duplex

apartment.

1.3.2 The proposals are for 11 allocated car parking spaces which equates to one space for each of the

apartments located at the rear of the site. The proposals would provide 6 secure and covered cycle

parking stands (12 spaces) within the car parking area at the rear of the site.

1.3.3 The vehicular access would remain as currently with access obtained from School Road via the

dropped kerb arrangement.

1.3.4 There is a separate pedestrian access route through the building to access the car park at the rear of

the site. As such, pedestrians will not need to walk along the vehicular access route to enter and exit

the site or to access the apartments.

1.3.5 Servicing would mainly relate to refuse collection which would be undertaken on-street from School

Road.

Miskin

M4

B4264

A4119 SITE

School Road

Ffordd Cefn-Yr-Hendy



2. SUSTAINABLE CONNECTIVITY OF THE SITE

2.1 Walking and Cycling

Routes and Infrastructure

2.1.1 The site is situated within an urban area which accommodates walking and cycling movements.

Suitable footways and informal crossings are provided throughout the local area. All local streets have

a footway on at least one side of the carriageway and vehicle movements are low and the local area

appropriately accommodates pedestrian (and to a lesser extent, cycling) movements. All surrounding

streets on the key pedestrian routes have street lighting along their length.

2.1.2 The site is connected to the surrounding area by continuous footways which run along School Road on

its western side. A footway is also provided along the site frontage on the east side of School Road,

although this ceases c. 20m north of the site and 45m south of the site. This footway allows

pedestrians to safely wait off-carriageway to cross to the footway on the western side.

2.1.3 The site has a historic use as a school with the extant use for office / employment therefore pedestrian

movements to and from the site have been established over a significant period of time. The routes

are appropriate and acceptable for the extant site use and therefore appropriate for the proposed

residential use.

2.1.4 The RCTCBC active travel mapping (Integrated Network Map (INM)) shows there are shared use

foot/cycle routes within close proximity to the site, running adjacent to the A4118 linking to Talbot

Green (RCT-INM-S14), as well as to the south of the site via School Lane linking to Pontyclun (RCT-INM-

S37). These also connect to other shared use routes providing access to locations and facilities in a

number of directions from the site.

2.1.5 The RCTCBC INM showing the active travel routes within the vicinity of the site has been reproduced in

Figure 2-1.



Figure 2-1: Integrated Network Map – Talbot Green and surrounds

Source: RCTCBC Integrated Network Map 10

2.1.6 The key walking routes from the site are mainly to the north with the closest bus stop on Heol Miskin

and the closest school being Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Gymraeg (Ysgol GGG), as well as further afield

routes to the Llantrisant Retail Park and Tesco Extra (via RCT-INM-514). To the south the key route is

along School Road linking to the bus stops on New Mill Corner and Hensol Road as well as to the

Miskin Arms public house. From this point, RCT-INM-S37 can be accessed which provides a route to

Pontyclun Rail Station and key walking and cycling facilities in Pontyclun village centre along

Cowbridge Road. The key routes to and from the site to these facilities or connecting with the existing

RCT INM routes are shown in Figure 2-2.

SITE



Figure 2-2: Key walking routes from the site to facilities or RCT INM routes

2.1.7 The pedestrian infrastructure is considered to provide good quality walking routes from the site to the

surrounding areas and local facilities and services. This will encourage potential future residents to

walk to and from the site and reduce the reliance on travelling by car.

Cycle Routes

2.1.8 There are no dedicated cycle routes within the vicinity of the site, although the RCT active travel

mapping indicates that INM routes are suitable for shared walking and cycling. School Road is lightly

trafficked, relatively flat in nature and should be suitable for cycling on-carriageway. This would link

with the INM route to the south which in turn links to Pontyclun and a significant number of facilities

and employment areas to the west. On this basis it is considered that there is some potential for

travelling to and from the site by cycle.

Facilities and Services

2.1.9 Based on Welsh Government and CIHT guidance, it is considered that suitable walking distances could

be up to 3.2km but journeys within 2km have a greater potential to be made on foot. A 2km distance

equates to around a 25 minute walk travelling at 3mph (4.8kph).

2.1.10 It is considered that journeys of up to 8km are within a suitable cycling distance. A cycling journey of

8km would equate to approximately a 25 minute travel time.

SITE

Route 1 Route 2

Route 3

Potential Alternative Route 1



2.1.11 Facilities within appropriate distances which are accessed via suitable and established routes have

been summarised in Table 2-1. These facilities have been summarised based on approximate travel

distances from the site access via appropriate routes, not straight line distances. The location of these

facilities in the context of the site are shown in Figure 2-3.

Table 2-1: Proximity of the site to local facilities and services

Facility / Amenity Distance from site access (metres)

Walking Travel Time (minutes)

Cycling Travel Time (minutes)

Community Facilities

All Hallows R C Church 120 2 0

St Davids Church 350 4 1

Hidden Gem Hair and Beauty 1500 19 5

The Old School Surgery 1800 23 6

Pontyclun Post Office 1800 23 6

Dental Surgery 1800 23 6

Dragon Savers Credit Union 2000 25 6

Pontyclun Public Library 2200 28 7

Bus Stops

Heol Miskin 350 4 1

Hensol Road 400 5 1

Miskin Arms 400 5 1

New Mill Corner 400 5 1

Pontyclun Rail Station 1800 23 6

Retail

Corner Park Garages - Cardiff 1200 15 4

Greggs 1900 24 6

SPAR Pontyclun 1900 24 6

Tesco Express 2000 25 6

Llantrisant Retail Park 2000 25 6

Tesco Extra 2000 25 6

Talbot Green Shopping Park 2400 30 8

Education

Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Gymraeg Llantrisant 1300 16 4

Pontyclun Primary School 2100 26 7

Y Pant Comprehensive School 2200 28 7

Penygawsi Primary School 2200 28 7

Leisure

Miskin Arms 400 5 1

Sports Pitch 1200 15 4

The Castell Mynach public house 1600 20 5

Pontyclun RFC 1600 20 5

The Windsor public house 1800 23 6

Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club 2100 26 7

Pontyclun Athletics Club 2200 28 7

Miskin Manor Hotel & Health Club 2200 28 7

Pontyclun Playground 2300 29 7

Employment

DVSA 1200 15 4

Mwyndy Cross Industrial Estate 1200 15 4

Ely Valley Business Park 2000 25 6

Royal Mail Group 2200 28 7

Leekes - Llantrisant 2300 29 7

Beeches Industrial Estate 3100 39 10 * Based on walking speeds of 80 metres per minute and Cycling Speeds of 320 metres per minute



Figure 2-3: Location of facilities within proximity of the site

Source: Google Maps (Link to Online Map) Note: Numbers and colours correlate to Table 2-1

Pontyclun High Street

(Cowbridge Road)

SITE

https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?state=%7B%22ids%22%3A%5B%221vSemCD2RfIIS48f2V0XIbOyVB8MDpw99%22%5D%2C%22action%22%3A%22open%22%2C%22userId%22%3A%22102787438567990736815%22%7D&usp=sharing



2.1.12 Table 2-1 and Figure 2-3 show there are a number and range of facilities and services situated within

walking and cycling distances which can be accessed via suitable active travel routes. All facilities are

within Welsh Government guidance walking and cycling distances.

2.1.13 The closest shop is situated a 1.2km walk from the site via walking route 2 then the footway adjacent

to the A4119. The closest bus stops are within 350 metres and the closest school within 1.3km. There

are also key employment locations within a 2km walking distance including the Driver and Vehicle

Standards Agency, Mwyndy Cross Industrial Estate and Ely Valley Business Park. Also within 2km is

Pontyclun Village Centre with banks, shops, restaurants and services as well as Pontyclun Rail Station.

2.1.14 In addition to the facilities shown, the site will also be situated within c. 2.4km of the centre of the

approved Talbot Green village centre scheme which is proposed to include a cinema, Sainsburys,

Department Store and a new Leekes store, although the timescales on delivery for this scheme are

uncertain.

2.2 Public Transport

Bus

2.2.1 The closest stops to the site are located on Heol Miskin approximately 350m from the site with further

stops situated within close proximity of the Miskin Arms within 400m of the site.

2.2.2 The closest stops are served by bus services 122 and 320.

• Service 122 is operated by Stagecoach providing an hourly frequency of service from Monday to

Saturday between Cardiff, Miskin, Pontyclun, Talbot Green and Tonypandy. The services also

link to the Royal Glamorgan Hospital. The journey time is 10 minutes to Talbot Green and 40

minutes to Cardiff. The first service departs Miskin at 0700 and the last service returns from

Cardiff at 1845.

• Service 320 is operated by NAT Group providing one bus every two hours from Monday to

Saturday between Cardiff, Miskin, Pontyclun and Talbot Green. The journey time is 45 minutes

to Cardiff and 10 minutes to Talbot Green. The first service departs Miskin at 0715 and the last

service returns from Cardiff at 1810.

2.2.3 The combined frequency is therefore 1-2 services per hour from Monday to Saturday to Talbot Green

and Cardiff. Both services would also provide a route to the Lanelay Road / Beeches Industrial Estates

as well as providing appropriate operating hours for commuting for full-time employment in Cardiff.

Service 122 would provide a route to the Pontyclun Rail Station, with a short walk for interchanging.

2.2.4 Bus services have been restricted during the lockdown period (when this TP was drafted) and as such

the frequencies stated are those available at the current time. Frequencies may be increased if

lockdown measures are relaxed.

2.2.5 Potential future residents can access bus services which could be used for commuting purposes to

Pontyclun, Talbot Green and Cardiff. The bus services provide a feasible option for people working full

time in these areas. They can also be used to access destinations for leisure, retail and health

purposes as well as connecting to additional rail services from Pontyclun.

2.2.6 It is considered that the site has reasonable accessibility by bus and this offers a realistic travel option

for potential future residents of the site.



Rail

2.2.7 The nearest station is Pontyclun Rail Station, located approximately 1.8km to the west of the site

which is a c.23 minute walk or 6 minute cycle. Pontyclun Rail Station is situated on the Maesteg Line

with services operating between Cardiff and Maesteg.

2.2.8 Residents can use bus service 122 to access Pontyclun Rail Station in 10 minutes (five minute walk to

the Miskin Arms bus stop, three minute bus journey and a two minute walk when interchanging

between the Pontyclun bus stop and the rail station). This offers some potential for a combined bus

then rail journey as Pontyclun provides twice hourly services in each direction to local and regional

destinations such as Bridgend (14 minutes), Cardiff (14 minutes) and Newport (30 minutes) with an

hourly train extending to Swansea.

2.2.9 As such, allowing for a ten minute interchange and walk between bus and rail services, it would be

possible to travel to Cardiff or Bridgend via Pontyclun in c. 25 minutes. It is feasible to use these

services for commuting purposes, although they are also likely to be attractive for other journey

purposes such as leisure, retail or business journeys.



3. MEASURES AND INITIATIVES

3.1 Introduction

3.1.1 This section sets out the proposed measures and initiatives which would be implemented to advise

residents of the benefits of using sustainable transport modes, promoting their use and discouraging

the use of the car.

3.2 Site Promotional Material

3.2.1 To ensure that potential residents of the site are informed about the TP and its goals from the earliest

stage, any promotional material for the development will include details of access by sustainable

travel modes.

3.2.2 The TP and sustainable location of the site would be shown as an asset of the development and key

concepts relating to accessibility included in material, where applicable.

3.2.3 The site benefits from being connected to established walking and public transport routes. These are

positive features of the development which will be emphasised to prospective residents. Information

and promotion from the outset ensures greater buy-in from future residents who may see it as an

opportunity to plan changes in their choice of travel as and when they relocate to the site.

3.3 Home User Guides

3.3.1 Home User Guides will be provided to the first tenants of the households, these will include a travel

fact sheet (TFS) to ensure that residents are fully informed of the travel choices available from the

outset.

3.3.2 The TFS will contain (this list is not exhaustive):

• Walking and cycling maps (where available) showing safe routes to local facilities, services and

amenities based on those shown in Section 2

• Links to journey planner websites such as www.tfwrail.wales/journey-planner,

www.travelinecymru.info and www.google.co.uk/maps

• Public transport service provider contact details, links to websites and summary of fare costs

• Car sharing information, including potential cost savings and links to liftshare

(www.liftshare.com/uk)

• Links to cycle training and maintenance advice

• Links to local and national events in relation to sustainable travel

• Details on the cycle parking facilities

• Information on discounts available for outdoor clothing and cycling shops, if any have been

obtained

3.4 Notice Board

3.4.1 A notice board will be provided within the communal area of the development with information such

as bus and rail timetables / maps and walking / cycling maps displayed.

3.5 Measures to encourage Walking

3.5.1 Residents will be provided with information and advice concerning safe walking routes to local services

and facilities as part of the TFS. In addition, residents will be provided with information promoting the

http://www.travelinecymru.info/

http://www.liftshare.com/uk



health benefits of walking and details of key amenities which are located within walking distances

(alternatively these may be provided on the notice board).

3.5.2 The developer would contact local outdoor clothing shops prior to the site being occupied, seeking to

secure a discount on clothing for residents of the development to encourage walking. Any such

discounts would be included within the TFS.

3.5.3 Through the developer’s Community Benefits programme, they will provide five high visibility jackets

(or equivalent) to the local primary school for children participating in walking buses to help increase

visibility and safety.

3.5.4 Local and national travel awareness campaigns and events relating to walking will be promoted to

residents via the notice board and TFS, such as walk to work week and national walking month

(Livingstreets).

3.6 Measures to encourage Cycling

3.6.1 Cycle parking will be provided on the site with one space provided per bedroom to encourage cycling.

3.6.2 Residents will be provided with information and advice on appropriate cycling routes to local services

and facilities as part of the TFS or on the notice board on a map showing distances to these facilities.

This will also include information promoting the health benefits of cycling.

3.6.3 The TFS will provide links to Cycle to Work initiatives and salary sacrifice schemes. These would be

applicable to some residents who work within a reasonable cycling distance from the site, in

employment, and their employer has signed up for a scheme. Providing information will highlight

potential eligibility for the scheme and may increase uptake.

3.6.4 Cycle training and cycle maintenance training (including Dr Bike) are provided by some companies

within the local area including BikeAbility and Cycle Training Wales. Links to these services would be

included within the TFS and/or the notice board to provide residents with more information on how to

access this training if they should wish to do so.

3.6.5 The developer would seek to secure discounts with local cycle shops (including Ride Bikes Wales) for

residents of the site to encourage cycling. Any such discounts would be included within the TFS.

3.6.6 A mini-toolkit containing basics such as a puncture repair kit will provided to the first occupants of

each household upon moving in.

3.6.7 The TFS and notice board will include promotional material covering cycling advice for residents. This

will include the promotion of:

• Sustrans (www.sustrans.org.uk) which includes cycle network maps and cycling advice

• Rhondda Cynon Taf Walking and Cycling information (www.rctcbc.gov.uk)

• Health benefits associated with cycling

• Relevant apps including Strava

3.6.8 Local and national travel awareness campaigns and events relating to cycling will be promoted to

residents via the TFS.

3.7 Measures to encourage Public Transport use

3.7.1 Information on public transport routes and timetables, as well as service provider contact details and

fares will be provided in the TFS and/or on the notice board including details of key public transport

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/

http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/



websites. This will include the NAT Group, Stagecoach, Traveline Cymru and Transport for Wales travel

planning websites.

3.7.2 Information would also be provided within the TFS showing the location of nearby bus stops and the

routes served from each stop.

3.7.3 Real time information public transport mobile apps and websites will be promoted to residents via the

TFS, where these are available at the time of site occupation. This will assist with improving the user

experience and reduce waiting times at stops encouraging the use of services.

3.8 Measures to encourage Car Sharing

3.8.1 Information on car sharing will be provided in the TFS and/or notice board which will include details of

operators such as liftshare www.liftshare.com and information on cost savings which can be made

from car sharing.

3.8.2 Residents will also be encouraged to car share with neighbours on an informal basis. This will be

promoted on the notice board and the TFS.

3.9 Reducing the Need to Travel

3.9.1 Providing residents with the measures required to work from home will reduce their need to travel. To

encourage homeworking, all apartments will be provided with broadband and telephone points.

http://www.liftshare.com/