ANGUS LOCAL PLAN REVIEW FINALISED PLAN - Angus Council

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS2.91 Accessibility to jobs, services and facilities is a key issuethroughout Angus where the network of towns, villages andcountryside generate a variety of travel patterns and range of traveldemands reflecting the geography of Angus and its transport andcommunications links with other areas.2.92 Key elements of transport and communications infrastructure inAngus include the A90 Trunk Road, A92 and other public roadstotalling 1750 km, 37 public car parks, East Coast Main Railway Linewith four rail stations and three rail halts, Arbroath Bus Station,Montrose Port and Arbroath Harbour. In addition to local and nationalrail links, the public transport network is mainly bus based overlayingparts of the strategic and local road network. The National CycleRoute also passes through the coastal towns and mainly follows minorroads. As elsewhere in Scotland, telecommunications infrastructurehas developed rapidly in Angus with the Scottish Executiveemphasising the economic and social necessity to maintain themomentum in continuing network development.2.93 In encouraging sustainable, integrated and inclusive transport,this Local Plan aims to promote a pattern of development thatsupports a choice of travel throughout Angus and to other areas.Complementing the Angus Local Transport Strategy, this includesland use planning measures that facilitate travel by foot, cycle andpublic transport and, where possible, reduce the need to travel by car.Alongside this there is a need to secure a balance between thedemands of the telecommunications industry and the protection andenhancement where possible of the local environment.Walking and Cycling2.94 Walking and cycling are healthy, environmentally friendly meansof transport suitable for short trips across a broad range of travelpurposes, including journeys to work and school and for shopping,social and leisure trips.2.95 There is considerable scope to enhance the links betweenwalking/cycling and public/private transport, including combined trips,as part of a more integrated approach to meeting accessibility needsof everyone in the Angus towns.2.96 In addition to ensuring that the needs of pedestrians and cyclistsare catered for as part of development proposals, measures will becarried out to encourage more use of walking and cycling throughoutAngus for journeys to local facilities as well as for informal recreation.These are directed towards improving the safety, attractiveness andconvenience of journeys by foot and cycle within and around townsand villages and in the Angus countryside. This includesimprovements to existing routes, the provision of missing links and thedevelopment of new ones. Key elements of the Finalised Draft AngusCountryside Access Strategy set out in paragraph 2.82 play animportant role in this respect.Angus Local TransportStrategyKey Objectives:-• To maintain and improveaccessibility to jobs, servicesand facilities for all membersof the Angus Community inthe most sustainable way;• To promote greaterintegration within andbetween transport modesand across transport, landuse, social, economic andenvironmental policiesaimed at reducing the needto travel;• To widen travel choicesand improve theconvenience and efficiencyof transport services for thebenefit of Angus residents,visitors and businesses;• To take full account of theeffect of transportmovements on theenvironment and to reduceadverse environmentalimpacts;• To reduce accidentcasualties associated withthe transport network,improve road safety andassist safe travel throughoutAngus.Dundee and Angus StructurePlan: Transport Policy 3:Sustainable Transport – Inorder to promote and enhancean efficient, attractive andsustainable transport systemthrough Local Plans and Localtransport Strategies, thisStructure plan supports andrequires measures which will:-• maintain and improvefacilities for public transport;• promote new and attractivepedestrian and cycle priorityroutes which link toestablished routes wherefeasible;• promote the enhancementof integration andconvenience betweendifferent modes of transport;• provide for freight terminalfacilities at locations whichare convenient andaccessible to the railnetwork, ports and airport;• improve accessibility tofacilities for people withrestricted mobility; and• encourage opportunities forelectronic communication.Angus Local Plan Review48Finalised Plan