Transport & Access Proposals 

Berkham Oaks Dementia Care has already undertaken specific pre-application engagement with the Highway Authority. As a result of this engagement the access for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians will operate via a newly proposed ‘priority T’ access junction from New Road (B4506). This will be located within the area of New Road which has an existing speed limit of 30mph and appropriate visibility splays will be provided along with a new safe pedestrian crossing for New Road, which will improve on the current situation.

 

Within the site, a new access road will be created with a carriageway width of 5.5m to safely accommodate larger vehicles, including emergency and refuse vehicles.

 

A new walking connection will be created along New Road, in line with Hertfordshire County Council standards, including a new pedestrian crossing on New Road near to the new access junction. This will allow pedestrian access into the site via a new landscaped woodland footpath within the site, much of which will be openly accessible to the public as a benefit of the proposed scheme. The security and safety of nursing home residents will be achieved by a new fence and gate within the site.

 

In line with adopted Parking Standards, 24 parking spaces will be provided on site, including 2 allocated disabled spaces and an ambulance bay. Sufficient EV charging points (25% of the total spaces) are also included within the proposals. Furthermore, 10 cycle stands are proposed on site for staff and visitors, which exceeds the minimum requirements set out in Parking Standards.

 

The development will encourage both staff and visitors to access the site via sustainable modes of transport. To ensure this can be achieved, a travel plan has been prepared, which will be agreed with Hertfordshire County Council. The travel plan will set out the nursing home operator’s commitment to sustainable travel and the mechanisms by which this can be both monitored and enforced.

 

To summarise, measures that will be put in place to reduce car travel include the following:

 

• Avoid over-providing car-parking spaces and focus on the level of parking that is essential;

• Promote walking and cycling through providing a new safe crossing on New Road as well as providing sufficient secure cycle storage as well as shower facilities for staff and details of cycle and walking routes from key destinations;

• Promote use of public transport through improved safe connectivity to existing bus stops near the site and by seeking to secure a new on-site stop for the ‘Herts Lynx’ ‘travel on demand’ service to maximise convenience for staff and visitors;

• Provision of an electric minibus for nursing home use, including collecting/dropping off staff at Berkhamsted Railway Station;

• Promote car sharing for staff through use of a recognised online app/service.