Key Objections - Transport Assessment

Prepared by The Cunningham Consultancy Limited

1.0 Introduction and Background

1.1 The area has a variety of land uses including residential, retail, industrial, education and open space.

UfO suggest that most of these land uses indicate that the area is highly residential such as retail, education and open space.  All of these are expected where there is a high density of people living, schools for education, retail for the corner shops for shopping and open space for people to relax in.  The Lambeth UDP states that hotels should be placed in non residential areas.

2.0 Baseline Conditions

2.1 The rest of Kennington Oval and the roads off it (Vauxhall Street, Clayton Road and Bowling Green Street) are unclassified roads that are more residential in nature, and relatively lowly trafficked, even in peak periods and parking is restricted by Controlled Parking Areas.

This study supports UfO claims that the roads around the Kennington Park Estate are quiet residential roads.  The number of deliveries needed for a hotel (please see below for information on the delivery regime) will increase the number of vehicles on these quieter roads and the location of the access gate will therefore increase the traffic noise levels for Lohmann House.

2.9 During peak periods the bus services are well used.  However, site observations have indicated that these services are not saturated and that there is spare capacity on most of the bus services.

Are site observations by companies paid to produce a positive outcome for the hotel a good indication of whether the services are really able to cope with a sudden increase of passengers? Why were London Buses and the bus companies not contacted regarding spare capacity?

2.11 Some main line and Underground trains are at or close to capacity during the peak period htough some spare capacity is available on all the different lines.

Is this by observation again?  All those who use the Underground have by experience found that the Northern Line is during peak times so busy that one crams into the carriages in a very uncomfortable manner or lets trains go past without attempting to board as they are full.  What does Transport for London have to say about spare capacity?  Why were they not consulted by The Cunningham  Consultancy Limited?

2.12 The traffic calming and management measures on residential roads off Kennington Oval tend to reduce traffic volumes and speeds and thereby assist pedestrian access.

This statement agrees with what UfO say about the roads that delivery vehicles will use due to the location of the vehicular access opposite Clayton Street in that they are residential and that pedestrians already need measures on these roads to help them safely cross.  The introduction of delivery vehicles to these road will increase danger to pedestrians and traffic noise to residents.

3.0 Trip Generations and Modal Share

3.4 The assessment indicates that the proposed hotel would have a total of 781 one way trips during the day.

This is an increase of 781 vehicles around the Oval just for the hotel each and every day of the year.  All will have to use Kennington Oval to access the parking facilities and the vehicle delivery facilities.  Many will choose to use Clayton Street and Bowling Green Street for access into London using Kennington Road.  We need to ask Lambeth Council to protect our residential streets from such an increase of traffic.

3.9 A total of 36 one-way trips by goods vehicles were recorded which can be assumed to be 18 different deliveries during the day.  The highest flow of goods vehicles was recorded between 2300 -2400 hours, though in the new hotel the hours of delivery will be controlled.

An increase of 36 vans and lorries throughout the day driving in front of Lohmann House.  This will mean 18 reversing alarms when backing into the loading bays which Lohmann House will be able to hear as there is only a wall separating this area, it is not enclosed.  Let Lambeth Council know that in your view this is not acceptable, the change to the area with the current design is massive. 

Comparisons of three hotels showed that the highest flow of goods vehicles was between 2300 and 2400.  The study for this development state that the deliveries will be controlled. Has the SCCC ever not abided by past agreements such as Section 106's in the past?  Do we as neighbours accept that the controls will be abided by?  What will happen if they are not?  Have there been any agreements changed in the past to suit the SCCC at the detriment of the local community?

3.10 Overall there is a fairly consistent two-way flow of between 19 and 36 trips per hour throughout the day.  These flows will be insignificant to the number trips and even daily fluctuation in trips in the surrounding area.

While these vehicles may not be noticed by the general traffic they will be noticed by residents of Lockwood and Lohmann Houses and the entire Kennington Park Estate as decreased pedestrian safety and increased noise levels due to the location of the parking access and the delivery bays. This is not recognised by the Study as an impact. 

4.0  Impacts - Road Network

4.5  The Lambeth Development and Parking Standards require for 

The SCCC comply with Lambeth for the number of car spaces for a hotel.  It is part of the 'predict and provide' philosophy that the more car parking spaces provided, the more people will use their cars.  The SCCC however flaunt Lambeth Council's policy for Theatre and Leisure (which is the closest definition for the Cricket Ground).   Where Lambeth require that there be no parking spaces the SCCC are suggesting a reasonable provision would be 60 as it is what is currently available.  If the SCCC were really endeavouring to fulfill Lambeth's requirements they could meet them by reducing the number of parking spaces to zero however this indicates that they are not willing to do so.

Appendix: Travel Plan Arora International Hotel -  The Oval

Section 4 Travel Plan Policies: Indeed markets encouraging the use of coaches will be actively sought in the marketing of the hotel internationally minimising rooms available to other guests who might wish to come by car.

Section 6 Promotion and Awareness: For weekend and leisure guests the hotel will market itself for the overseas coach tour companies including Japan and the emerging coach based inbound market of China and Europe.

Only 2 coach parking spaces are to be provided.  2 coaches will not fill 170 rooms.  Where will all the rest of the coaches park?