Ashley Helme has been providing transport planning advice and guidance to the commercial property sector for over 20 years. We have a reputation for high quality service gained from working on a diverse range of projects across the UK. So whatever the size of your project, we have the technical expertise and knowledge to build the right team.
OUR SERVICES
Ideal for smaller developments
A Transport Statement is often requested for small to medium sized schemes. It will need to set out the access proposals for the scheme and demonstrate that the site is accessible. However, it doesn’t normally include modelling of network junctions.
Comprehensively covered
All major planning applications will need to be accompanied by a Transport Assessment. We’ve prepared hundreds of TA reports over last 20 years covering residential, retail, employment and leisure uses.
We have worked on projects all over the UK from stand-alone commercial/retail units to new garden villages. We have an excellent reputation for reaching negotiated solutions with highway authorities.
Hitting the target
A Travel Plan can be an important component of a planning application. It sets out a commitment to reduce car travel and support alternative modes such as walking, cycling and public transport.
A strong Travel Plan can help to support reduced levels of parking provision if it is a constrained site or as an alternative to physical mitigation measures at a junction.
Ashley Helme have experience in preparing Travel Plans required for BREEAM accreditation.
Bringing people together.
We’ve acted as Travel Plan Coordinator for a number of residential, employment and mixed-use schemes, which involves:
A TPC is usually in place for a number of years and so it’s important to make the right choice.
Finding the right solution
‘How do we get in?’ is the question we’re most commonly asked.
It’s important that a scheme has suitable access for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians and we’re regularly appointed to identify access options for sites or advise on an access strategy.
Ashley Helme understand the commercial sensitivities of a site in its early stages. We treat all access appraisals with strict confidentiality.
Building the big picture
Any large-scale development needs to be carefully thought out; getting the movement network right is critical to its success.
We are very experienced in providing advice on large scale development proposals. A well-designed access strategy must balance the needs of all users but give the highest priority to the most vulnerable. The aim is to achieve a great environment to live or work.
Walk this way.
Sustainable access is a key component of any development proposal and an applicant will have to demonstrate that their development is accessible by foot, cycle and public transport.
We use the latest Basemap TRACC GIS software to generate walk and cycle isochrones and to analyse the accessibility of local amenities. We can also advise on existing bus service provision with a cost-benefit assessment of route changes and increased service provision. We’re regularly involved in negotiations with council public transport officers and bus operators.
Good design is our priority
New developments usually need a new access junction. Junction upgrades are sometimes required to mitigate the traffic impact of large development proposals.
We’re experienced in identifying cost-effective design solutions taking into account land ownership constraints and technical design standards.
Safety is at the heart of our designs and we always recommend an independent Road Safety Audit of our work.
It has to fit.
We’re regularly asked to undertake swept path tracking exercises, which show a design can accommodate the vehicles that will use it, for situations including:
We are licenced to use the latest AutoTrack software from Autodesk.
In-depth analysis
If a development proposal puts significant new traffic demands on a highway network, junctions will need to be assessed to check that they have sufficient capacity to function properly. If a junction is congested then we may need to identify a scheme of mitigation. Accurate junction modelling is key to arriving at the right solution.
Our team is fully trained to operate PICADY, ARCADY, LINSIG and TRANSYT software packages. These industry-wide modelling packages are used to analyse all types of junction including a network of junctions.
I can see clearly now.
Many local authorities have declared an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA), and developments in or near an AQMA are likely to need an Air Quality Assessment to accompany the planning application.
We’re experienced in preparing initial Air Quality Assessments using the DMRB screening methodology, and if the problem’s more complex can prepare traffic forecasts and work closely with an Air Quality specialist.
Council doesn't like your proposal?
Sometimes, even the best schemes are refused planning permission and we’re regularly appointed as an expert witness for appeals. The role includes:
Residential
Alexandra Road, Southport
Ashley Helme prepared a Transport Statement in support of the redevelopment of a brownfield site in Southport to provide a 55-bed apartment with care scheme. The report included the review of sustainable transport options, traffic estimations, parking provision and servicing of the site by refuse, delivery and fire appliance vehicles. The scheme was granted consent and is under construction.
Retail
Queens Road, Sheffield
Ashley Helme provided highways and transport advice for a large format B&Q warehouse on Queens Road in Sheffield. Occupying the site of a former Arnold Laver timber yard, the project involved extensive modelling of the A61 corridor to design and agree a new traffic signal access junction and upgrades to other nearby junctions.
Employment
Samlesbury
Ashley Helme prepared the Transport Assessment and Travel Plan reports to support the masterplan proposals for the large BAE Systems site at Samlesbury. The reports assessed the transport implications of a large expansion of staff at the site. Ashley Helme designed a new traffic signal-controlled access junction on the A59 as well as upgrades to the A59/A677 junction and M6 Junction 31. Ashley Helme were also appointed by BAE Systems to act as Travel Plan Coordinator for the Samlesbury site.
Education
Chorley Road, Bolton
Ashley Helme Associates prepared a Transport Assessment to support a planning application for a new infant school, girls junior school, and an extension to the existing boys junior school. The project involved identification of additional and replacement car parking and revised Site access arrangements. New drop-off and pick-up areas were provided for the adjacent senior school together with pedestrian and cycle infrastructure improvements. The development is now built and operational.
Residential
Forest Edge, Cuddington
Ashley Helme were appointed by Bovis Homes to act as Travel Plan Coordinator for their residential scheme of 164 dwellings in Cuddington. As well as preparing Residential Induction Packs to distribute to all new residents, AHA also undertook regular travel surveys. The results were compiled and presented in an Annual Monitoring and Review report, which was sent to the council.
Employment
Mosley Road, Trafford Park
Ashley Helme provided highways and transport advice for a large multi-building office scheme on Mosley Road in Trafford Park. The office scheme provides a total of 192,000 square feet of office space in four buildings and is supported by a 591-space car park. The scheme, now called Think Park, is occupied by Think Money.
Leisure
Charon Way, Warrington
Ashley Helme has provided highways and transport advice for a large leisure scheme in Burtonwood near M62 Junction 8. The scheme now includes a Starbucks coffee unit, Travelodge hotel, Harvester and Marstons pub/restaurants and a Frankie & Benny’s restaurant. Ashley Helme prepared the supporting transport documents for each planning application and has acted as Travel Plan Coordinator for the scheme.
Retail
White City Retail Park, Old Trafford
Ashley Helme provided technical expertise for a new access strategy for the White City retail park near Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground. The existing access, on White City Way, was not prominent and was perceived as difficult to find. AHA successfully negotiated with Trafford MBC to install a new all-movement traffic signal-controlled junction on A56 Chester Road to give the park a much better presence on the strategic corridor. The new access also allowed the retail park to be reconfigured and expanded.
Residential
Kinnerton Lane,
Higher Kinnerton
Ashley Helme were instructed to undertake a Sustainability Appraisal for a scheme of 56 new homes on Kinnerton Lane in Higher Kinnerton. To gain planning consent it was necessary to improve pedestrian connections between the site and the village centre. AHA designed and successfully negotiated a footway scheme along Kinnerton Lane and upgrades to a public footpath. The scheme is now under construction.
Education
Osbourne Street, Stockport
Ashley Helme Associates were appointed by Fledglings to prepare a Transport Assessment and Travel Plan to support a planning application for a pre-school education and childcare centre accommodating up to 90 children. The project comprised a change of use and extension of the former Yew Tree public house. AHA provided advice on vehicular and pedestrian access strategy, and car parking arrangements. The centre is now operational.
Residential
Wigan Road, Clayton-le-Woods
Ashley Helme provided highways and transport advice for a new residential scheme of 300 dwellings on land off A49 Wigan Road in Clayton-le-Woods. The scheme involved the design of a new roundabout junction on the A49 and new cycle infrastructure to link the scheme to Leyland town centre. The site was bought by Taylor Wimpey and David Wilson Homes and is now complete.
Employment
Beacon Park, Great Yarmouth
Ashley Helme were instructed to prepare supporting documents for a planning application for over 100,000 square feet of office and light industrial units at Beacon Park, Great Yarmouth. The site has been constructed and is operational.
Residential
Henthorn Road, Clitheroe
Ashley Helme were appointed to prepare Transport Assessment and Travel Plan reports to support two successful planning applications for residential development in Clitheroe. The Phase 1 scheme, for 270 new homes, was granted consent following a public inquiry in 2012. A second phase of development, for 110 dwellings, was approved following a public inquiry in 2019. Ashley Helme acted as expert witness at both inquiries.
Leisure
Turner Business Park, Sheffield
Ashley Helme prepared the transport documents to support a planning application for a Greene King pub at the Turner Business Park in Sheffield. The work included access design, traffic estimation and analysis and swept path tracking of delivery and refuse vehicles. The Sword Dancer pub has now been constructed and occupies the site on Handsworth Road.
Leisure
Clay Lane, Timperley
Ashley Helme Associates prepared transport documentation to support the development of a health club and spa on Clay lane, Timperley. The scheme required a new access strategy. This involved the closure of multiple access points on Clay Lane. A new site access with right turn lane provision was installed to serve the Hale Country Club and Bowdon Rugby Club, which is located on the adjacent site.
Retail
Wakefield Road, Featherstone
Ashley Helme prepared a Transport Assessment and Travel Plan report for a 40,000 square feet foodstore scheme on Wakefield Road in Featherstone. AHA successfully negotiated agreement with the highway authority. The scheme is now fully complete and occupied by Aldi and B&M.
Employment
Gelderd Road, Gildersome
Ashley Helme were instructed to prepare supporting documents for a planning application for a 70 acre employment site near M62 Junction 27 in Gildersome. The scheme provides nearly 1 million square feet of warehouse and industrial space. The site is accessed by two new junctions on A62 Gelderd Road and Asquith Avenue. AHA successfully negotiated with Leeds City Council and Highways England.
Retail
Grand Arcade, Wigan
Ashley Helme prepared the transport documents to support the planning application for a new shopping mall and multi-storey car park. The work involved extensive modelling of A49 Riverway to demonstrate to the council that traffic generated by the scheme could be accommodated along the corridor
Retail
Burscough Road, Ormskirk
Ashley Helme assisted Pendle Bracken with the redevelopment of a former factory site in Ormskirk. The scheme provides a number of non-food and trade-counter units and is served by a new compact roundabout on Burscough Road. This form of junction places particular emphasis on the safety of cycle users.
Residential
Wilmslow Road, Didsbury
Ashley Helme were appointed to provide highways and transport advice for the redevelopment of the former MMU Campus, which occupied two sites in the heart of Didbsury. The scheme involved the conversion of listed buildings to residential use together with the construction of new ‘super homes’ and apartments. A new primary school building is to be provided on the west side of Wilmslow Road, which will act as a second campus for the nearby Beaver Road Primary School. Once complete, the expanded primary school will be able to accommodate 1050 pupils and will be the largest in Manchester.
Employment
Greengate, Chadderton
Ashley Helme provided highways advice for an employment scheme on Greengate in Chadderton. The existing site was served from a traffic signal-controlled junction on Greengate but movements into and out of the site were restricted. Ashley Helme designed and modelled a reconfigured traffic signal junction to allow all turning movements into and out of the site to take place. AHA successfully negotiated with Oldham MBC and TfGM to allow planning consent to be granted.
Education
Moor Lane, Padiham
Ashley Helme Associates were appointed by Lancashire County Council to prepare a Transport Statement in support of a phased expansion of the school over a six-year period. AHA commissioned surveys of the school pick-up and drop-off periods to establish existing parking demands. The traffic impact of the expanded school was assessed and a review of survey data collected from the School Travel Plan surveys was summarised. The school expansion has been built and a new access has been formed on Moor Lane.
Residential