The promotion and enabling of safe and convenient journeys by walking, cycling, public transport and car clubs should be prioritised in all projects within Ebbsfleet.

Objectives

  1. Supporting the set-up, operation, promotion and communication of sustainable travel networks and services within a project’s travel strategy, including public transport, walking, cycling, car clubs, bike share and any other emerging sustainable travel systems and technologies.

  2. Masterplanning to ensure the location and quality of facilities included within each site will help to enhance the perceived convenience and attractiveness of walking, cycling, public transport and sustainable travel in general.

  3. Developing Sustainable Travel Plans for projects that prioritise sustainable travel choices.

Guidance

 

walking Guidance

G1 Travel Strategy : The travel strategy should review current, planned and emerging sustainable transport services/technologies, and review how the project could adopt, support or contribute towards the use and growth of sustainable transport modes in Ebbsfleet.

G2 Pedestrian access : Sites should be masterplanned to ensure safe and attractive pedestrian access from every dwelling to the street network.

G3 Accessible : Aim to provide a wheelchair -accessible approach to all dwellings from a footpath which connects to the area’s wider footpath network.

G4 Doors onto streets : Locate all apartment blocks on a defined street designed in accordance with the Ebbsfleet Public Realm Strategy, with a communal front door accessible from the public street.

G5 Doors onto streets : Aim to provide a front door onto the street for all street-facing dwellings located on the ground floor of apartment blocks.

G6 Welcoming : Aim to provide an attractive and comfortable entrance area which aligns with EDC guidance on entrance areas.

G7 Use the Ebbsfleet Wayfinding Strategy, and incorporate appropriate wayfinding furniture ( as specified in wayfinding strategy), and use the placement principles, to locate signage in the optimum locations.

car clubs guidance

G8 Accessibility to a local car club has the potential to reduce the need for car ownership. Each project should review the proximity of existing or planned car club bays. The aim should be for every resident to have access to at least two car club parking bays within 5 minutes walking radius.

If no car club bays are currently available or planned within the neighbourhood, masterplanning should identify proposed locations for dedicated car-club parking bays.

The table below sets out the indicative level of car club provision for different sizes of residential development:

Carclubs.jpg

Bike share guidance

G9 Location : Each project should review the proximity of the nearest bike share hub.

If no hub exists within a 5 minute radius, applicants should test the project site to establish the optimum location for a bike share hub, as well as considering the number of trips as modelled through any overarching transport strategy / transport statement submitted to inform future reserved matters applications.

When a bike share hub location is identified within a scheme, a space with the minimum dimensions of 5m x 2m should be provided within a suitable location within the public realm. EDC can provide further guidance on the design of cycle share hubs.

Cycle storage in buildings guidance

G10 Location : Provide quality cycle storage in prominent locations at the front of buildings / sites . The location should be easily accessible from the main entrance, and support the number of trips as modelled in the Ebbsfleet Active Travel modelling.

G11 Attractive facility : The cycle store should be designed as a prominent facility using high quality materials to entrances , to highlight cycling as a key option for journeys. Carefully consider the design of doors, ventilation and openings into the cycle store to encourage it to be seen as an attractive place to leave bikes.

G12 Entrances : The access and entrance door(s) into cycle store should be generous and easy to use when wheeling a bike through.

G13 Lighting : The cycle store and associated access from the nearest street should be well lit. Sensors could be used outside the cycle store to allow hands -free activation. The high cost and portability of electric bicycle batteries means charging is likely to happen within the dwelling.

G14 Additional facilities : Consider provision of wash-down facilities (tap and drainage) within communal bike stores for residential buildings.

G15 Provide changing facilities for cyclists that are appropriate to the building / facility use, and the needs of the people using it. See Workplace Cycle Parking Guidance for further details.

See Transport for London’s Workplace Cycle Parking Guidance for further details.

Cycle storage in houses guidance

G16 Location : A storage area should be provided within the plot that accommodates a minimum of 1 adult bicycle per bedroom within the dwelling. This requirement could be satisfied by ;

  • Cycle storage provided within the garage (see garage design guidance for requirements)

  • Cycle storage provided within a garden shed that would have sufficient storage for both cycles and outdoor equipment and meets the requirements of G17.

G17 Shed cycle storage :

  • Shed should be tongue and groove construction, with minimum 18mm thickness.

  • Shed should be securely fixed to a concrete foundation and ground anchors provided.

  • Walls and floors should also be stout enough to allow the attachment of wall bars and stands fitted with anti-tamper fixings.

  • Doors must be secured by mortice locks and not padlocks.

  • At least 1m2 storage space must be provided within the shed, for garden equipment etc, in addition to that provided for cycle parking.

  • Where more than two bicycle spaces are required, the scheme should include either a ‘Sheffield’ stand or wall bars to provide a secure fixing point.

  • Aim for an access corridor from the rear garden to the front of the property greater than 1.2m in width.