Persimmon Homes, Gilbertfield Road, Cambuslang

THE CHALLENGE

Persimmon Homes West Scotland wished to submit a planning application for a proposed 440 unit residential development at Gilbertfield, Cambuslang. The site was designated within South Lanarkshire Council’s Local Development Plan as contributing to their future housing land supply.

While allocated within the Plan, the site is located within a relatively rural area of Cambuslang and therefore, does not currently have the benefit of established walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure in the immediate area.

Providing a sustainable development was a critical requirement of the recently consented planning application, in order to reduce the additional traffic that would be generated onto a road network that is already under pressure to accommodate high volumes of traffic during the peak periods.

SYSTRA’S ROLE

SYSTRA were commissioned to prepare a Transport Assessment (TA) to support the planning application in accordance with Scottish Planning Policy and guidelines. The proposed development was assessed using sustainable principles, focusing upon an integrated transport provision that will provide alternatives to the private car.

SYSTRA was able to identify a balanced transport strategy and improvements to local infrastructure that would create strong walking and cycling connections to the surrounding area and existing facilities including parks, schools, local shops and Cambuslang Main Street. Measures included new footway provision, a signal controlled pedestrian crossing to improve links to the local secondary school, on-street cycle provision, public transport improvements and traffic calming on a number of existing streets.

The TA was supported by a comprehensive traffic modelling exercise that demonstrated the residual car based trips could be accommodated by the upgrade of traffic signal equipment to support MOVA on A724 Main Street.

SYSTRA continue to support Persimmon at Gilbertfield by preparing the detailed highways design package for road construction consent.