Policy T4 2017

Policy T4: Residential Storage for Cycles and Mobility Aids

Residential development proposals should provide storage facilities for cycles and mobility aids as follows:

T4.1: A minimum of two covered, secure cycle parking spaces should be provided per residential dwelling, with step-free access convenient for the front of the property. The space and access must also be suitable for storage of other mobility aids, including powered wheelchairs, mobility scooters, children’s buggies and prams. Electric power must be available to allow recharging of powered mobility aids and e-bikes.

T4.2: Where cycle parking is provided communally for a number of dwelling units (such as in the case of apartment blocks or purpose-built student accommodation) then the provision may be reduced to 2 spaces per 5 occupants. The travel plan should include a commitment to active management of communal storage spaces and provision of additional space when needed.

4.209 In houses with garages, cycle and mobility aid storage may be catered for simply by providing extra garage space. In other properties, cycle storage may be provided through dedicated cycle lockers, but then particular attention will need to be paid to the storage of other mobility aids. Multi-storey occupancy buildings must provide storage facilities on the ground floor or in a basement of the building, or in an adjacent secure building or lockable shelter. In all properties storage areas should be easily accessible, and any ramps should comply with guidelines for wheelchair accessibility. Buildings (including garages) should be designed to enable access to and from the storage unhindered by parked cars or other stored items. Cycle parking and mobility aid storage should be at least as conveniently located as any secure car parking provision.

4.210 Note that the Durham County Council Parking and Accessibility Standards (Durham County Council, 2014b) also require visitor cycle parking to be provided at purpose-built student accommodation at the rate of one space per 20 residents. It should be located near the main entrance(s) to the accommodation to promote awareness and security of the facility.

Justification

4.211 A policy requiring provision of residential cycle parking formed part of the 2003 ‘Durham County Council Accessibility and Parking Guidelines’ but was not included in the 2014 ‘County Durham Parking and Accessibility Standards’ (Durham County Council, 2014b). The justification for the omission of the residential cycle parking policy in 2014 is not clear. On page 21 of the Sustainable Transport Strategy (Durham County Council, 2016g) it is stated that higher provision of high quality cycle parking within developments is required, including in residential development within the city, and suggests that this be formalised within planning policies. ‘The National Travel Survey’ (Department for Transport, 2016, Table NTS0608) shows that for adult age bands around 40% of people own or have use of a bicycle, dropping to about 20% only for the 60+ age bracket. However, for the older age brackets use of other mobility aids would take the place of the need for cycle storage. In the absence of local data the scale of provision in policy T4 takes its cue, therefore, from the level of need identified nationally. Facilities for recharging for electric equipment are important for mobility aids, but also for e-bikes. The Department for Transport’s recommended ‘Propensity to Cycle Tool’ predicts that, because of the hilly nature of the city, wider uptake of e-bikes would have the potential to almost double cycling trips in Our Neighbourhood. This policy therefore seeks to ensure that lack of storage, or poor storage design, is no obstacle to uptake of sustainable travel modes in Our Neighbourhood, and that residential properties are adapted to the changing mobility needs of individuals and families at different stages in their lives.

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