Issue and Options 2023

Yes

Yes

i. The route safeguarding of the railway south of Stratford upon Avon station to Honeybourne is supported and consistent with National Planning Policy Guidance, 2021, para 106. ii. Stratford District Council, (together with Wychavon, Cotswold, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham Councils), has consistently safeguarded the route of the former Stratford-Long Marston-Oxford/Worcester/Cheltenham railway line, for reinstatement of the railway in its Local Plan since 1992, in which the western half of the former trackbed was protected for reinstatement of a single track railway and the eastern half for the cycleway/pedestrian Greenway. iii. The Stratford Core Strategy Inspector’s Report, 2016, considered that reinstatement of the southbound rail link would:- “provide a long-term solution to the town’s traffic congestion.” (248-257). “There can be no question that the service would provide a sustainable alternative to the use of the private car for many residents and Visitors.” iv. The South Warwickshire Local Plan therefore needs to be proactive and actively support reinstatement of the Stratford-Honeybourne railway. To do otherwise would be against the Core Strategy Inspector’s Report Recommendations. v. A key objective of the Local Plan must be to reduce the car dependency by south Warwickshire residents to access these rail services and a key objective of the Stratford Transport Strategy, 2018. Restoration of the southbound rail link from Stratford-upon-Avon to the North Cotswold Line must be a key priority of the South Warwickshire Local Plan to achieve this objective. vi. The ‘Long Marston Airfield Garden Village – Expression of Interest, July 2016’, Stratford DC/Cala Homes, contained 12 positive references to the benefits of reinstatement of the Stratford-Honeybourne rail link. It formed the basis for the Government’s subsequent granting of Garden Village status in 2017. It will deliver 3,500 homes/8,750 people. The Stratford-Honeybourne corridor, already has a committed population of 25,000 people. vii. Road transport is already responsible for 80% of Nitrogen Dioxide emissions, which kill over approximately 29,000 deaths UK pa are linked with air pollution associated with road traffic. Rail accounts for 1.6%. viii. Road traffic currently accounts for 72% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport (73% of passenger-kilometres), aviation accounts for 14% (8% of passenger-kilometres), and rail accounts for less than 1% (6% of passenger-kilometres).* * European Environment Agency (2019), ‘Share of transport greenhouse gas emissions’, data visualization.

The emissions data does not appear to accurately reflect the environmental benefits of rail transport over road. Road traffic currently accounts for 72% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport (73% of passenger-kilometres), aviation accounts for 14% (8% of passenger-kilometres), and rail accounts for less than 1% (6% of passenger-kilometres).* * European Environment Agency (2019), ‘Share of transport greenhouse gas emissions’, data visualization.

Yes

Yes

Comment: S5.2 Yes, provided they are based on rail corridors Comment: S5.3 Yes, agree. Road traffic currently accounts for 72% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport (73% of passenger-kilometres) and rail accounts for less than 1%. Bus services do not secure modal change. Development based on rail is therefore essential in an area with high car ownership.

The emissions data does not appear to accurately reflect the environmental benefits of rail transport over road. Road traffic currently accounts for 72% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport (73% of passenger-kilometres), aviation accounts for 14% (8% of passenger-kilometres), and rail accounts for less than 1% (6% of passenger-kilometres).* * European Environment Agency (2019), ‘Share of transport greenhouse gas emissions’, data visualization.

Appropriate strategy

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Comment: E7.2a Support investment at Major Investment Sites and specifically at Long Marston. Issue E7 correctly identifies the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre(LMRIC). The presence of Porterbrook Train Leasing company at LMRIC since June 2021, offers major investment and employment potential, having already invested £3m in the site and development of Hydroflex trains. It will also put Warwickshire on the global map for rail innovation and expertise. As the UK’s only looped test track and with its connection to the national rail network, providing a unique opportunity to act as a catalyst for growth in the rail technology sector. Long Marston Airfield Garden Village will also offer employment sites in addition to LMRIC.

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Comment: W2a. Support. Warwickshire Local Transport Plan - Key themes consultation, January 2021, points out, transport emissions account for 28,000-35,000 premature deaths pa in the UK. As a council that has declared a Climate change emergency, its transport policies need to be radically changed accordingly, so that alternatives to road construction are prioritised. As stated, Road transport is responsible for 80% of Nitrogen Dioxide emissions and rail just 1.6%, yet the District and County Councils are still focussed on road transport as its transport investment priority. Investment in rail over major road investment needs to be a key policy change in the South Warwickshire Local Plan. Road traffic currently accounts for 72% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport (73% of passenger-kilometres), aviation accounts for 14% (8% of passenger-kilometres), and rail accounts for less than 1% (6% of passenger-kilometres).* * European Environment Agency (2019), ‘Share of transport greenhouse gas emissions’, data visualization.