Programme of Development
Managing the growth agenda for the Vale is the collective priority for Aylesbury Vale Advantage (AVA) and its partners and this Programme of Development builds upon the 2008/09 investment strategy for Aylesbury Vale to ensure that we achieve our vision for a vibrant Aylesbury Vale, with a network of thriving communities, that are sustainable for the future.
This document represents the overview of the collective vision we have developed for the Vale; the delivery challenges we currently face and our plan for overcoming these challenges and priorities for action.
The Programme outlines the range of projects that we seek to secure investment for via engagement with the Government’s Growth Area Fund programme, the Community Infrastructure Funds and public and private organisations to help turn the vision into reality. Achieving a full and timely investment in key infrastructure is essential to delivering sustainable growth and supporting real communities and this is where AVA is focusing its resource.
This Programme of Development is a living and working document that informs the delivery of the annual Business Plan for AVA and as such it is regularly reviewed by members of Aylesbury Vale Advantage Board as part of their responsibility for delivering truly sustainable communities that we can all be proud to have helped shape.
Click here to download the Programme Of Development
Programme for Development of Aylesbury Vale (Sept. 2008)
Infrastructure Schedule
Aylesbury Vale Advantage (AVA) published a Schedule of Infrastructure in 2007 to illustrate the range and possible costs of infrastructure needed to support growth in Aylesbury Vale over the next 20 years.
Colin Buchanan and Partners, Hewdon Consulting and Davis Langdon were jointly commissioned by Buckinghamshire County Council, Aylesbury Vale District Council and AVA to validate the work which had been largely compiled from work completed by local and county authority officers. They were also asked to explore a range of associated funding issues.
This report and other studies are the subject of review by AVA’s infrastructure programme board as further detail will be required to inform and support future master planning activity for the new housing allocation sites around Aylesbury’s urban fringe.
Cycling in Aylesbury
Aylesbury now has eight cycleways which pass through the town centre from the urban residential areas providing direct and safe access routes to Aylesbury for residents and their families and commuters. All are clearly signposted with the name of each route and the time is will take to cycle to the town centre or other key destination.
Levels of cycling in Aylesbury continues to grow. A success which results in improved health and fitness, lower carbon levels on Aylesbury’s roads and lower travel to work costs!
Up to date information on Aylesbury’s ‘Cycling Revolution’ can be found on www.cycleaylesbury.co.uk which features useful contacts, innovative ideas such as the’ Bike Buddy’ and ‘Cycle Loan’ schemes plus advice on making the most of your bike and details of the Gemstone Cycle Ways.
The project ‘Aylesbury as a Cycle Demonstration Town’ was also funded by Cycling England. This project established Seven ‘Gemstone’ Cycle routes to improve connectivity between the wider urban area and Aylesbury town centre:
- Sapphire Way (Bierton-Aylesbury)
- Aqua Way (Watermead-Aylesbury)
- Ruby Way (Meadowcroft & Quarrendon-Aylesbury)
- Emerald Way (Fairford Leys-Aylesbury)
- Pearl Way (Hartwell-Aylesbury)
- Pebble Way (Stone-Aylesbury)
- Amber Way (Bierton-Aylesbury)
The most recent cycleway to be established was Aqua Way; from Watermead to Aylesbury.
Cycling provision is incorporated into the early design stages of many major infrastructure works taking place in Aylesbury over the next three years. For example, the Berryfields residential development which will have 8km of cycle paths within the estate and will link into the existing Ruby Way cycle route along the A41 into the town centre. Similarly the Coral Way will link into the Weedon Hill development and provide a cycle route into the town centre, while a northern link path will connect the two developments. Bourg Walk bridge has segregated cycling and walking and incorporates the Emerald, Pebble and Pearl Way cycle routes, enabling access to the Train/ Bus Stations and the town centre.
Key facts:
- Cycling is the fastest local mode of transport ‘door to door’ in peak hours
- Aylesbury has 300 FREE cycle storage facilities making bike parking simple
- Regular cyclists enjoy a fitness level equal to that of a person 10 years younger.
- Cycling just once a week instead of taking the car can save you £100’s a year.
Aylesbury Transport Hub
Aylesbury’s Transport Hub was officially completed in April 2009 with the opening of the Bourg Walk bridge and the installation of the public art panels along Great Western Street underpass (to the bus station).
Through joint working between Aylesbury Vale District Council and Buckinghamshire County Council, and supported by the government’s Community Infrastructure Fund, this transport hub delivers a wide restructuring of central area bus routes; strategically located bus ‘Super Stops’; new bus lanes; ‘real time’ passenger information systems;and an increase in the frequency and journey times for urban buses.
The bus station has also been re-furbished, including Europe’s largest example of enamel artwork on the walls of the underpass along Great Western Street, making the station brighter and more welcoming.
The combination of the new steel bridge, ‘Bourg Walk’ , the open space pedestrian crossing across Friarage Road and the new rail station boulevard together achieve a ‘high profile impression’ of Aylesbury and integrates the pedestrian and bus access from the train station to the town centre.
This transport infrastructure will deliver the following objectives in the planned growth of Aylesbury:
- Sustainability - to reduce car use, pollution levels and traffic congestion
- Healthy Living – to enable short journeys to be made by bicycle, on foot or via a short walk to a bus stop
- Economic Regeneration – to improve traffic management and vehicle movement
The main beneficiaries are local people and pedestrians. Traffic free zones have been created – in Market Square, for instance – as well as a series of pedestrian friendly road crossings along the ring road. Better Taxi access points, disabled parking and lifts to the train station platforms are also included as is the Urban Traffic Management and Control System. These transport initiatives complement the Cycle Aylesbury programme.
Electricity
Aylesbury Vale Advantage (AVA) has been working with EDF Energy, the Distribution Network Operator, and a consortia of private sector interests to ensure that Aylesbury has sufficient Electricity Supply capacity to allow for projected housing and employment growth.
Currently EDF Energy are undertaking design work required to determine the network configuration and to define a project cost. It is envisaged that the new supply capacity will be delivered in two phases commencing in 2010.
Keeping Aylesbury moving
Aylesbury Vale Advantage allocated nearly £1m to help deliver transport projects instigated by Bucks County Council. These projects will deliver improvements on some of Aylesbury’s existing roads by identifying such issues as:
- Changes or improvements at Aylesbury’s key junctions.
- The future growth in traffic as a result of an increased population and the growing attractions in Aylesbury town centre.
- Options to deliver road infrastructure on the urban fringe of Aylesbury
Tackling congestion
Aylesbury Vale Advantage made a contribution from its growth area funds towards a traffic management control system for the area.
The system, led by Buckinghamshire County Council, introduced such benefits as easing the way for public transport on main routes, co-ordinating traffic lights and desiging road markings to enable more vehicles to use the existing road space.
The £4.5m project was largely funded by Homes and Communities Agency’s Community Infrastructure Fund .
Preparing for a vision for the town centre
Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) recognise the need to review the infrastructure, retail and leisure offer of the Town Centre and requested AVA to commission background studies and plans to inform its renaissance. This work is complete and is currently being reviewed due to the Regional Spatial Strategy and Milton Keynes South Midlands Sub-regional Spatial Strategy having been revoked. AVDC are undertaking that review as an integral part of the development of the Town Centre Implementation Plan.
Waterside Theatre
The Waterside Theatre opened on the 12th October with the award–winning and breathtaking Northern Ballet Theatre’s Swan Lake.
As the first new theatre of the decade in Britain, the Waterside Theatre holds a unique position in theatre history. Around 300,000 people from across Aylesbury Vale and beyond are expected to visit the new theatre each year to enjoy a dynamic and diverse programme of live performances
The theatre’s name reflects its location as it is situated beside the Grand Union Canal, to the south of Aylesbury. The train and bus station are a 5 minutes walk away as is access to the town centre’s restaurants, pubs and hospitality areas in Market Square and Kingsbury Square.
The concept for the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre was developed by Aylesbury Vale District Council and internationally-renowned theatre designers, RHWL Arts Team. The theatre has a 1,200-seat auditorium that converts into a 1,800-capacity hall for standing events, and a 225-seat suite for smaller events including dance, drama, meetings and conferences.
Aylesbury Vale Parkway Station
Aylesbury Vale Parkway Station was opened in 2009 and for the future residents of the Berryfields housing development, it provides a direct route to London. Residents from Steeple Claydon, Westcott, Quainton or Waddesdon who are season ticket holders also beneift because they can simply hop on the Route 16 bus and enjoy a free ride to the station to meet their train.
Adrian Shooter, AVA Board Member and Chairman of Chiltern Railways, said: ‘We are always looking to invest and open new services that give our passengers options and an easier way to travel and Aylesbury Vale Parkway certainly does that.
This new station, with parking for 500 vehicles,integrates car, bus and rail traffic and forms part of Aylesbury’s recently completed integrated transport interchange scheme. This scheme incorporates a public transport hub, a revamped bus station, improved pedestrian and cycle access from the south of the town via Bourg Walk bridge and ring road improvements and provides Aylesbury with a transport system that will support Aylesbury’s current and future growth.
