Client
Whitbread
Location
Enfield
REMIT
RGP was instructed by Whitbread to provide transport planning advice with regards to a proposed 56-bedroom extension to the Premier Inn hotel at Solar Way, Enfield. RGP produced a Transport Statement and Travel Plan to support the planning application and a subsequent Appeal Statement of Case for submission to the Inspectorate.
BACKGROUND
Due to site constraints, the proposals involved the extension being built on stilts above a section of the car park. Car parking and service vehicle access were therefore key considerations from a transport perspective.
RGP was required to optimise the car park layout and provide a robust justification that parking levels would be sufficient post-development, whilst still retaining sufficient space for delivery vehicle access and turning. This was achieved, in part, through the application of RGP’s bespoke Premier Inn car parking database.
Although Enfield Council accepted RGP’s car parking evidence, their highway department objected to the scheme on grounds of perceived traffic impact, highway safety and a desire for the applicant to provide improvements to pedestrian and cycle infrastructure.
RGP’S APPROACH
During subsequent site visits RGP undertook peak hour queue length counts at local junctions, supported by photographic evidence, to demonstrate there were no highway capacity issues. A further review of pedestrian and cycle facilities was also undertaken, in context with the low number of additional pedestrian and cycle movements which the extension would generate.
In addition, RGP referred the Inspector to relevant highway design guidance, presented a swept path assessment of Whitbread’s delivery vehicle and undertook a highway safety review of local roads and junctions.
Through this work, RGP were able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Inspector that the proposals would be acceptable and entirely safe without the need for the improvement works sought by the Council.
