Should the SPD include guidance in relation to transport in Orpington Town Centre?

Positive

How important is walking, cycling and public transport for the success of town centres?

Improvements in walking, cycling and public transport infrastructure are vital for creating an attractive, healthy, sustainable and vibrant town centre.

What opportunities are there for new or enhanced walking and cycling routes in the town centre?

It's time to review the public realm and prioritise the health and wellbeing of people of all ages and mobilities based on Healthy Streets guidelines - https://healthystreets.com/ - and, in doing so, create/improve active travel routes to/from and within the Town Centre to embrace the Prime Minister's Gear Change vision - https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904146/gear-change-a-bold-vision-for-cycling-and-walking.pdf Maybe start by enhancing and improving existing routes along paths and streets so they are safe and attractive for 8 to 80 year olds to walk and cycle. The are many opportunities to make simple, inexpensive improvements that would make a big difference in the short term. Tackling severance at both ends of the high street is key to making the town centre an attractive destination to cycle to. Currently the War Memorial roundabout is hostile to vulnerable road users, the the one way system near Priory Gardens is designed for traffic flow rather than active travel.

Does car parking have a role in future? Should development in Orpington Town Centre be car-free?

Cars don't shop, eat in cafes and restaurants, or visit leisure venues, yet currently contribute to congestion, air and noise pollution in the high street which affects the health and wellbeing of visitors. Public realm currently occupied by parked vehicles should be used to enhance the High Street experience, with the exception of appropriate Blue Badge parking and space for delivery vehicles where necessary.

Are there any improvements to public transport that you would like to see? How can access to Orpington Station from the High Street be enhanced?

a) Frequent shuttle service between Orpington station and St Mary Cray station via Orpington High Street, Carlton Parade, Cray Avenue / Nugent Shopping Park may enable some rerouting of other buses to reduce congestion in Orpington High Street. b) Integrate (a) with fast bus link from Orpington station to Biggin Hill, including airport, forthcoming hotel and London Aerospace and Technology College. c) Plan new/improved bus services to Orpington's hinterland villages and catchment area including growing, new and emerging housing developments; e.g. Fort Halstead - https://www.jtp.co.uk/projects/fort-halstead - and Stonehouse Park - https://www.stonehouse-park.com/ - currently at planning application stage.

What do you think are the priority infrastructure requirements for Orpington Town Centre?

a) Healthy walking and cycling routes from Orpington Station to High Street require National Rail / Southeastern improvements to platform underpass and links to emerging Crofton Road upgrade (to create cycle network spine and safer pedestrian crossings) and Mayfield Avenue / Knoll Rise towards High Street and Priory Gardens. b) Review all existing walking routes and footpaths for improvements/upgrades and better signage for healthy routes in/around Town Centre c) Progress Orpington to Green Street Green Walking and Cycling Route improvements published in 2017 - https://cds.bromley.gov.uk/documents/s50051764/Proposals%20for%20improvements%20to%20the%20Orpington%20cycling%20and%20walking%20network.pdf d) Complete shared walking/cycling route from Crittalls Corner to Orpington Town Centre. It currently stops short of Carlton Parade.

Do you have any other comments in relation to transport and infrastructure in Orpington Town Centre?

Liaise with local people , residents associations and relevant organisations / stakeholders, e.g. Bromley Cyclists, Bromley Living Streets, Bromley Ramblers, EnBro.

Should the SPD include guidance in relation to transport in Orpington Town Centre?

Positive

How important is walking, cycling and public transport for the success of town centres?

1. What is SPD? 2. Given the age structure of the population, there has to be good bus access to the centre

What opportunities are there for new or enhanced walking and cycling routes in the town centre?

see below

Does car parking have a role in future? Should development in Orpington Town Centre be car-free?

see below

Are there any improvements to public transport that you would like to see? How can access to Orpington Station from the High Street be enhanced?

Idea - make High Street bus, taxi and pedestrian/cyclist only, and limit buses to a frequent shuttle service between Station and Nugent via High Street. Then start/finish other routes at Station and Nugent.

Should the SPD include guidance in relation to transport in Orpington Town Centre?

Mostly positive

How important is walking, cycling and public transport for the success of town centres?

Very important. Less car traffic through and around the town would be ideal. More and safer cycling opportunities, especially allowing for young people.

What opportunities are there for new or enhanced walking and cycling routes in the town centre?

Pedestrianise the high street. Create safe and quite cycle lanes - wide enough for children to use safely.

Does car parking have a role in future? Should development in Orpington Town Centre be car-free?

I live close enough to walk. If I lived further out I would prefer to use buses or trains to access local facilities, but these would need to operate very frequently and at all times.

Are there any improvements to public transport that you would like to see? How can access to Orpington Station from the High Street be enhanced?

Some sort of shuttle service

What do you think are the priority infrastructure requirements for Orpington Town Centre?

Pedestrian and cycling, then public transport.

Should the SPD include guidance in relation to transport in Orpington Town Centre?

Positive

Do you have any other comments in relation to transport and infrastructure in Orpington Town Centre?

There is a problem with motorists rat running at speed round some of the local roads close to the High Street such as The Greenway, where motorists speed round blind bends to avoid one set of traffic lights. This makes it dangerous for people who want to walk or cycle on what should be quiet residential back roads. There needs to be more done in terms of traffic calming and enforcement

Should the SPD include guidance in relation to transport in Orpington Town Centre?

Positive

How important is walking, cycling and public transport for the success of town centres?

Vital. Need to think about what would make people go to town centres in age of internet shopping. Business likely need to be ‘leisure experiences/services’. Getting there needs to be fuss free. When there, it needs to be pleasant. Keeping the high street car free is vital in doing this. Public transport and cycling and walking should tap into the large residential areas in the door step

What opportunities are there for new or enhanced walking and cycling routes in the town centre?

Better connection from station to high street. Huge congestion there. High street would aesthetically be better if pedestrianised and busses kept to drop offs at either end (plus middle, accessed from behind the Walnuts)

Does car parking have a role in future? Should development in Orpington Town Centre be car-free?

Cars should be discouraged. More parking = more congestion = less appealing

Are there any improvements to public transport that you would like to see? How can access to Orpington Station from the High Street be enhanced?

Bus hubs at periphery of hight street, rather than as a thoroughfare. Some way of unclogging the route to and fro the station. Perhaps dedicated shuttle busses down to war memorial. A cycle and scooter lane (with storage). If electric scooters get given legal go ahead, perhaps a scheme to have them available to get to and fro.

What do you think are the priority infrastructure requirements for Orpington Town Centre?

Creating easy linkage from station to high street without creating more traffic on that stretch of road. Pedestrianise high street. Link into local neighbourhoods with cycling lanes (perhaps muncipal bike scheme) to surround residential areas.

Do you have any other comments in relation to transport and infrastructure in Orpington Town Centre?

Petts Wood is extremely unfriendly to walkers and cyclist. Massive super junctions with multiple roads converging and various rat rubs make walking to the centre dangerous (Tudor way and St John’s, or Tudor way Petts wood road being exps). More cycle lanes on the residential streets, along with pedestrian crossings, traffic calming, would encourage people to the centre more. In tern, that could encourage people to get the train one stop to Orpington. Whilst some cycle lanes are on the major A-roads, more needs to be done to e courage commuters and school runs to ditch the car and walk and bike