SKM’s Transport Advisory Group are currently providing transport planning and traffic engineering advice as part of the £28m redevelopment of Chelmsley Wood town centre, Solihull, West Midlands. The aim of the redevelopment (in which Solihull MBC are joint development partners) is to improve the town centre environment, thereby encouraging further investment and economic activity. The redevelopment proposals comprise the provision of new food retail and non food retail units, a bus interchange, the re-provision of a number of existing facilities including a public library, Sure Start offices for Solihull MBC Education Department and the refurbishment of the shopping centre. Key components of our input to date have been:
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Provision of highways advice to the site masterplan, improving the pedestrian environment by removing barriers to movement and creating new pedestrian crossings;
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Conducting and publishing an interchange audit of existing bus interchange facilities in accordance with Institute of Logistics and Transport Guidance "Joining Up The Journey";
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Design of new bus interchange facilities, incorporating new bus layover arrangements;
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Extensive liaison with Centro, Solihull MBC and current public transport providers regarding the form and access arrangements associated with the proposed bus interchange;
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Production of a comprehensive Transport Assessment to support the redevelopment proposals, including the conducting and commissioning of traffic counts;
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Provision of advice relating to "Stopping Up" of highways; re-provision of town centre car parking facilities and on street disabled parking, future Green Travel Plan and replacement TRO regime;
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Provision of advice relating to the environmental impact of traffic issues associated with redevelopment.