pedestrian and cycle movement plan - city of knox · pedestrian and cycle movement plan landdesign...

Westfield Knox Retail Expansion

PEDESTRIAN and CYCLE MOVEMENT PLAN

Prepared for

WESTFIELD DESIGN

LANDDESIGN PARTNERSHIP PTY. LTD. 52-54 Rathdowne Street,

Carlton,Victoria,3053 P.O.Box 1164,Carlton, Victoria 3053

Telephone: (03) 9348 2788, Facsimile: (03) 9348 1965 Email: [email protected]

March 2014


Pedestrian and Cycle Movement Plan

LANDDESIGN PARTNERSHIP PTY. LTD.

A. INTRODUCTION

As a key guiding document for ongoing development in the Knox Central area, including the Westfield Knox Retail Centre, the Knox Central Urban Design Framework outlines a range of aspirations and objectives for pedestrian and cycle movement and access pertaining to the Westfield Knox site. Some of these key objectives, which have influenced the detailed initiatives include: “Establishing the study area as the most accessible place in the municipality and in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne by public transport, by pedestrians, bicycles, and also by cars.... Placing priority on pedestrian and cyclist movements, and public transport accessibility, throughout the study area, in preference to cars.... Creating convenient attractive and safe pedestrian and cycle paths along all roads and open space throughout the study area, and along creek corridors that abut the area.... Providing safe and convenient pedestrian and cyclist links to surrounding residential areas in all directions...”.

Pedestrian and cycle movement initiatives associated with the current expansion proposal, influenced by these objectives, are summarised in this report. The report consolidates initiatives developed by a range of design disciplines including Landscape Architecture (Land Design Partnership), Transport Planning and Engineering (GTA Consultants, Architecture (Westfield Design)and Town Planning (Contour Consultants), and discusses pedestrian and cycle movement at four levels:

District Pedestrian / Cycle Network District Network to Site Entries Site Entries to Building Entries Retail Connection Between Entries

The initiatives outlined, while prepared in consideration of the regional context of the Westfield Knox site, relate only to the immediate site and its frontages. As the report deals specifically with pedestrian and cycle movement, for further detail related to associated Traffic Engineering and Landscape Architectural proposals, please refer to:

GTA Consultants’ Transport Impact Assessment (December 2013) GTA Consultants Response to Request for Further Information (Planning Application P/2013/6923)

(March 2014) Land Design Partnership’s Landscape Concept plan Report Rev 1 (March 2014)

The report has been prepared specifically in response to the City of Knox’s Request for Further Information letter dated 14th January 2014, and supersedes Section 5.2.2 of GTA Consultants’ Transport Impact Assessment (December 2013)


Landscape Concept B. THE DISTRICT PEDESTRIAN / CYCLE NETWORK

Drawing LSK06 illustrates key regional and district pedestrian and cycle connections to the site. These occur at three distinct levels: 1. Routes associated with major road reserves The VicRoads Principle Bicycle Network nominates bicycle routes along each of the major roads n the vicinity of the site – Burwood Highway, Stud Road, Scorseby Road and Boronia Road. The most significant of these are Burwood Highway and Stud Road, both of which contain formal shared paths supporting pedestrian and cycle access to the site. Key considerations associated with these routes include: The Burwood Highway shared path is located on the southern side of the road reserve, requiring users to

cross Burwood Highway to access the site. The Burwood Highway shared path is discontinuous, being broken between Lynne Avenue and Stud

Road. The Stud Road shared trail is located on the western side of the road reserve, requiring users to cross

Stud Road, at the intersection with Burwood Highway, to access the site. The section of Burwood Highway between Tyner Road and Capital City Boulevard, which is a VicRoads

Pedestrian Priority Route.

2. Informal routes associated with local road reserves The City of Knox Cycleway Map directs users to a number of local roads as priority cycle connections. While a number of local streets provide access for pedestrians and cyclists to the site, the nominated streets provide for a more continuous connectivity across local neighborhood. None, however, provide access directly to the site. Rather, local streets to the south of Burwood Highway require crossing of the Highway, which local street to the north of the site generally need to connect with open space trails in order to reach the site. Key considerations with these local routes therefore include: Provision of appropriate opportunities to cross Burwood Highway Provision of appropriate open space linkages from designated local streets

3. Open space trails In addition to routes associated with road reserves, important pedestrian and cycle access is provided to the site by shared trails through local open spaces. Most significant is the Blind Creek Trail, which delivers trail users to the north of the site from the east, and to the Stud Road frontage from the south-west. In addition, local access is provided from adjoining northern neighbourhoods via Lewis Park perimeter trails. Importantly, the section of trail immediately east of Stud Road is located on the Westfield Knox site. These open space trails provide significant opportunities for high amenity access to the site in a manner clearly envisioned in the Knox Central Urban Design Framework. Key considerations associated with the open space trails leading to the site include: Identifying functional means of connection into the site Enhancing awareness of the site for trail users Enhancing existing open space trails on the site

LEGENDPATH WITHIN ROAD RESERVE(PRINCIPLE BICYCLE NETWORK)Shared trails located within major road reserves (Burwood Highway, Stud Road, Boronia Road, Scoresby Road) mainly in an ‘off road’ condition

INFORMAL ROUTE ALONG ROAD RESERVE(MUNICIPAL BICYCLE NETWORK)Informal bike routes along local road reserves, asnominated in City of Knox cycleway map

OPEN SPACE TRAILShared trail associated with open space (forming part of Principle Bicycle Network and Municipal Bicycle Network)

BURWOOD HIGHWAY

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WESTFIELD KNOXSITE

LSK06

PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTDISTRICT PEDESTRIAN/CYCLENETWORK

MARCH 2014

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C. DISTRICT NETWORK TO SITE ENTRIES While the expansion of the Westfield Knox centre does not include changes to the district network, it does make a series of recommendations about how this network interfaces with the site itself. Drawing LSK07 summarises key recommendations, which are outlined below: C1. The proposed new intersection providing access from Stud Road into the Westfield Knox site (refer GTA Traffic Impact Assessment report for detail) will also function as a new pedestrian and cycle connection into the site. The intersection design includes a signalised crossing on its northern side, providing for direct pedestrian and cycle connection between the existing Stud Road shared path and the existing Blind Creek Trail located along the northern side of the Westfield Knox site. This intersection will also provide for direct connection with the proposed shared path upgraded trail to be provided along the Stud Road frontage of the site (refer C2 below). C2. The existing footpath along the eastern side of Stud Road will be upgraded to a 3.0m wide shared path connecting the new crossing of Stud Road with the Stud Road / Burwood Highway intersection. The detailed design of this path will need to respond to Melbourne Water requirements in relation to both overland stormwater flows and the Blind Creek Main Drain. This shared path will also integrate with a new entry into the site, approximately halfway along the Stud Road frontage, leading to centre entries (refer D1 below). C3. The proposed shared path along Stud Road is to continue around the frontage of the existing 7-Eleven store at the corner of Stud Road and Burwood Highway, becoming an upgraded 3.0m shared path along Burwood Highway. This enhanced trail will replace the existing 1.2m wide footpath, thereby connecting both the Blind Creek Trail and the Stud Road Trail with the proposed new major entry from Burwood Highway into the expanded centre.

C4. The new intersection on Burwood Highway, providing vehicle access into the expanded centre, will also provide two new pedestrian entry points into the site. The first of these will be from the east, along the upgraded shared trail described above. This entry point will have direct connection into the new urban forecourt, and ultimately into the centre. The second entry will be integrated with the pedestrian crossing on the eastern side of the new intersection and will provide pedestrian and cycle access to the new forecourt from the southern side of Burwood Highway, connecting directly into the regional shared trail which ends at Tyner Road West. In relation to pedestrians crossing Burwood Highway at this access, it is noted that the pedestrian crossing location at Tyner Road is not expected to change. Further, the addition of a second right-turn lane into the site does not pose any reduction in the width of the existing median. Regardless, pedestrian movements across Burwood Highway are proposed to remain unchanged i.e. movements will not be staged, but will have sufficient pedestrian green time provided to cross the entire Burwood Highway carriageway. Further detail regarding the signal timing and phasing has been provided in GTA Consultants Response to Request for Further Information (March 2014)




C5. The existing 1.2m footpath along the northern side of Burwood Highway is proposed to be upgraded to a 3.0m wide shared path from the western-most site access to Melbourne Street. In addition to providing a consistent high quality trail along the northern side of the road, this enhancement will make up for the break in the shared path along the southern side of the road.

C6. Between the existing Target entry off Burwood highway and Melbourne Street are four separate pedestrian paths to the existing car park. As none of these paths leads to a direct linkage to the centre, it is proposed to focus upon the central path to link to and enhanced access through the existing car park to centre entry (refer D3 below).

C7. A new 2.5m wide shared path is proposed along the northern edge of the northern car park, providing local pedestrian and cycle connection to the existing site entry at the northern end of Melbourne Street. As well as providing improved access to the centre, this path will also be an enhancement to the local open space trail network, providing a more direct link between the Blind Creek Trail to the north-west and north-east of the centre. This path would be located immediately along the northern edge of the existing car park, with detailed design ensuring that existing trees would remain and be integrated with the path alignment.

C8. It should be noted that none of the proposed modifications to the intersections leading into the Westfield site will compromise the current level of service given to pedestrians crossing Burwood Highway or Stud




Road. In all cases, modelling has been undertaken with no staging of pedestrian movements, with pedestrians given suitable cycle time to complete manoeuvres across both Burwood Highway and Stud Road. In terms of enhancing bicycle movements at signalised intersections, where shared paths meet intersections, it is proposed to provide bicycle lanterns at these crossings and ensure that crossings are of adequate width. Movement across each of the main road intersections leading to the Westfield Knox site is highlighted on Drawing LSK10 following.

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New intersection to provide direct pedestrian/cycle connection between Stud Road shared trail and Blind Creek Trail, as well as new entry to site from Stud Road.

Upgraded shared trail along eastern side of Stud Road, connecting Blind Creek Trail with Burwood Highway. This trail will also integrate with a new entry into the site, leading to centre entries.

Existing path to be upgraded to 3m width to provide shared trail connection to new centre entry, and provide formal connection to stud raod entries.

New intersection design to maintain pedestrian crossing on eastern side, connecting new entry and upgraded path to on southern edge of Burwood Highway.

Existing path to be upgraded to 3m width providing consistent shared trail connection to southern site entries. Shared trail width extends to Melbourne Road.

Existing entry nominated as point of focus.

New path to connect with existing 2.5m path.

LOCAL PATH 1200MM WIDE

DISTRICT SHARED TRAIL 3000MM WIDE

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LEGEND

EXISTING SITE ENTRY - Point of entry to site from district cycle/pedestrian network as illustrated on LSK06

EXISTING ROUTE - Existing condition to be retained

NEW SITE ENTRY - New point of entry to site from district cycle/pedestrian network

NEW/UPGRADED ROUTE - New path to be provided or current path upgraded as noted.

Bicycle Lanterns at crossings

LSK07

PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTREGIONAL NEWORK TO SITE ENTRIES

MARCH 2014

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D. SITE ENTRIES TO BUILDING ENTRIES

Sections B and C above demonstrate that Westfield Knox is well served by regional and district pedestrian and cycle paths and trails, and that there are a number of initiatives proposed as part of the retail expansion which will enhance the accessibility of the site by pedestrians and cyclists. Importantly the retail expansion also proposes a number of initiatives aimed at providing clearer and higher amenity pedestrian and cycle access from site entries to key building entry points, and other points of pedestrian and cyclist focus. Drawing LSK08 summarises key recommendations, which are outlined below:

D1. A new shared link is proposed across the new Stud Road car park, leading pedestrians and cyclists from the upgraded shared path along the eastern edge of Stud Road, to the two existing ground floor centre entries noted on Drawing LSK08. This link will be a minimum of 2.5m in width and will be separated from vehicle movement, most likely between adjacent rows of parking spaces. The link is also preferred to be raised, including across access aisles, and supported by zebra crossing markings where necessary. Final location and detail will be subject to detailed design of the proposed car park.

D2. The new urban forecourt entry to the proposed retail mall expansion will feature two entry linkages from Burwood Highway. The linkage from the west will lead from the upgraded shared path from Stud Road, supporting pedestrians and cyclists. The linkage from the east will connect with the upgraded shared path on Burwood Highway, as well as aligning with the pedestrian crossing on the eastern side of the intersection leading into the forecourt. D3. As noted in C6 above, the central of the four existing pedestrian entry points from Burwood Highway, between the existing Target car park entry and Melbourne Street, is to be prioritised to support pedestrian and cyclist entry into this area. The existing path and bridge will be retained, and upgraded as necessary, and will connect to a central shared path through the car park. The shared path is proposed to be 2.5m wide, and will be nominated by zebra markings at a minimum, but preferably through the pavement being raised. This will be subject to review of vehicle movements, particularly by service and larger vehicles. The general alignment of the link is to lead as directly as possible to the existing Target entry as shown. D4. The western car park layout for the existing Hungry Jacks restaurant is proposed to be modified (subject to the tenancy agreement) to provide a 2.5m wide shared path along the eastern side of Melbourne Street. This will be an important initiative, providing a link from the signalised crossing of Burwood Highway to the Ozone Precinct and the eastern retail mall entry. Without this link, pedestrians and cyclists are forced to the narrow path on the western side of Melbourne Street and to cross the roundabout entering the Coles multi-level car park. This new path will lead pedestrian also to the relocated bus interchange, and in a broader sense, to the regional Blind Creek Trail and Burwood Highway Shared Path. With the construction of this path along the eastern side of Melbourne Street, the existing inadequate path on the western side is intended to be removed.




D5. The western edge of Melbourne Street, to the north of the existing building, is proposed to be treated as a shared trail, connecting the Blind Creek shared path, to the north of the site, to nominated bicycle parking (refer D8 below). While this area is already paved to sufficient width, this nomination as a shared trail will include signage and pavement marking as required.

D6. The existing link from the Gateshead Reserve path system to the main northern Coles entry will be enhanced through signage and visual screening of the Coles loading dock. While this connection exists, its amenity and clarity will be improved through these initiatives. D7. Access to the main northern centre entry from the north currently involves two closely located paths across the northern car park. Only one of these routes links to the open space paths associated with Gateshead Reserve, and it is proposed to enhance this route, through improved signage and potentially raised pavement, and to remove the second path, which is essentially redundant. D8. Bicycle Parking In addition to these improved connections to centre entries, bicycle parking will be provided at the key shared path entry points to the expanded building. Statutory requirements for the provision of bicycle parking and associated facilities are set out in Clause 52.34 of the Knox Planning Scheme (which seeks to encourage cycling as a mode of transport). Specifically, this Clause outlines recommended bicycle parking rates for the retail floor area as follows: Shop: 1 employee space per 600sqm (if it exceeds 1,000sqm)/1

customer space per 500sqm (if it exceeds 1,000sqm)

Retail (other than shop): 1 employee space per 300sqm/1 customer space per 500sqm




Of the total floor area expnaiosn in the ropder of 45,000sqm, around 43,000sqm generates stautyary bicyle parking requiremtns. On the basis of these rates, a summary of the statutory bicycle parking requirement for the additional retail area is presented in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Statutory Bicycle Parking Requirement

Land Use Size/No. Employee Requirement Customer/Visitor

Requirement

Shop +35,551sqm 59 spaces 71 spaces

Restricted Retail +5,817sqm 19 spaces 12 spaces

Food & Drink +1,598sqm 5 spaces 3 spaces

Total +42, 996qm 83 bicycle spaces 86 bicycle spaces

This table indicates that the proposed expansion of the Centre generates a statutory requirement to provide an additional 173 bicycle parking spaces, including 83 spaces for employee use and 86 spaces for customer / visitor demands. The indicative proposed visitor bicycle parking locations and numbers, over and above what is existing, are shown on Drawing LSK08 and are summarised below: Myer Western Entry 8 bicycles Myer Southern Entry 8 bicycles Southern Forecourt Entry 18 bicycles Target Entry 10 bicycles Bus interchange 10 bicycles (in addition to parkiteer enclosure) Melbourne Street (near Cole entry access) 14 bicycles Coles Entry 10 bicycles Northern entry 8 bicycles Staff bicycle parking enclosures are intended in three locations – near the Myer western entry, near the Coles entry, and near the Target entry. Total provision of end of trip facilities, including the precise size and location of these enclosures, will be resolved as part of detailed building design, but will consist of the 83 spaces nominated above, supported by 8 showers and separate male and female changing rooms. Discussion of future urban growth in the vicinity of Westfield Knox, and the relationship between this provision and that growth, is outlined in the Traffic Impact Assessment Section 5.3 (March 2104) prepared by GTA Consultants.

Services entry only

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New shared link across car park, separated from vehicle movement. Precise alignment subject to car park layout. Link to be minimum 2.5m wide, and preferred to be raised.

Minimum 2.5m wide shared links from Burwood Highway shared trail to new centre entry.

Central site entry from Burwood Highway to be prioritised through link to central shared link through car park. Shared link to be 2.5m wide. Link to be nominated by zebra marking at minimum, with raised link preferred.

Existing parking layout to be modified (subject to tenancy agreement) to provide 3.0m shared link along eastern side of Melbourne Street, linking Burwood Highway, centre entries and Blind Creek Trail.

Existing trail leading to bicycle parking designated as shared trail through signage and pavement treatment as required.

Existing link upgraded through improved signage and screening of loading dock.

Existing two links consolidated into single link through car park. Link nominated by zebra marking at minimum, but raised path preferred.

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LEGEND

EXISTING SITE ENTRY

BUILDING ENTRY

EXISTING ROUTE

PROPOSED PEDESTRIAN ROUTE

PROPOSED SHARED PATH

EXISTING PEDESTRIAN LINE MARKING TO BE REMOVED

VISITOR BICYCLE PARKING

STAFF BICYCLE PARKING (INDICATVE LOACTIONS)

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LSK08

PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTSITE ENTRIES TO BUILDING ENTRIES

APRIL 2014

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LSK12

Not To Scale

SOUTHERN FORECOURTDETAIL PLAN

APRIL 2014

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LEGEND

SITE ENTRY

PEDESTRIAN ROUTE

BUILDING ENTRY

NOTE:THE PROPOSED SOUTHERN FORECOURT IS IN-TENDED TO BE A BROAD PEDESTRIAN AREA AL-LOWING GENERAL PEDESTRIAN FLOW TO ACTIVE BUILDING FRONTAGES.




E. CONCLUSION As noted above, enhancing the role of pedestrian and cycle access across the whole of the Knox Central precinct is a key objective of the Knox Central Urban Design Framework. The retail expansion of the Westfield Knox centre responds to that objective in a positive and proactive way, as demonstrated by the initiatives outlined in this brief report. In summary, those initiatives achieve the following: Improved connection between the regional and district cycle and pedestrian networks and the Westfield

Knox site Enhancement of existing paths, trails and pedestrian crossings leading directly into the site Creation of new clear points of entry into the site from this enhanced network Creation and enhancement of high amenity paths of travel from the site boundary to points of pedestrian

focus, particularly retail mall entries Provision of bicycle parking at key points to support the improved circulation network.

pedestrian and cycle movement plan - city of knox · pedestrian and cycle movement plan landdesign...

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