Land south west A696/West Ponteland Road - Site Access Optioneering

Site Access Optioneering

Whilst the Inspectorate recognised that an access is available from Oulton Close to the south, an assessment has been completed of the alternative site access options to assess their suitability and any subsequent impacts.

Access from A696

Highways Agency have confirmed direct access not feasible, primarily due to the close proximity of the A1/A696 roundabout and A696/Newbiggin Lane Dumbbell roundabout and associated concerns with weaving traffic between the junctions;
Introduction of a further junction would compound this issue;
Would require significant levels changes between the site and the A696 to safely connect onto a higher-speed classified road;
A696 would require speed limit changes and potentially additional measures to support speed reduction;
Substantial visibility splays would be required resulting in extensive tree and vegetation removal between site and A696;
A696 is dual carriageway and would require a left in and left out arrangement with vehicles routing around the A1/A696 interchange or A696/Newbiggin Lane Dumbbell roundabout;
Would create less attractive environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

Access via Newbiggin Lane

Access would be across third party land;
Access from Newbiggin Lane would need to be a T-Junction arrangement and would serve two development sites (possibly requiring a secondary point of access to the two schemes);
Alternatively access could be taken from the A696/Newbiggin Lane roundabout. This would require traffic signals or third party land to increase the size of the roundabout;
The levels between the two allocated sites would require a bridge structure to accommodate the road link between the two sites;
Bridge structure and road access would require significant tree removal north east of Greendyke Court with subsequent biodiversity impacts;
Access from Newbiggin Lane would have a better direct route to A696.

Access Via Haggerston Crescent/Etal Way

· Access would be taken from existing Etal Way estate road with a wide carriageway;

· Access would impact on the allotments with plots needing to be removed;

· Access forms a crossroads junction format with Shearwater Close which would be less favourable;

· Junction would also only be within 30m of the north east of the Haggerston Crescent;

· Overall junction spacing unlikely to be deemed suitable;

· Would require significant tree removal west of Swanton Close with subsequent biodiversity impacts.

Access from Malthouse Way/Oulton Close

Malthouse Way carriageway width exceeds the minimum requirements to serve existing housing and the new development
Malthouse Way includes a stub-end which suggests that Malthouse Way is intended to safeguard access to land to the north;
Access crosses Newcastle City Council land to north and open space
Access would require tree removal but less than other options available