Transport and Infrastructure Planning
For your Development

Heartwood Forest Development

Background

EAS is providing transportation advice for the proposed Heartwood Forest located in Sandridge, near St Albans in Hertfordshire. It is proposed that Heartwood Forest will be newly planted over the course of several years with 600,000 trees.

Key Issues

The site will become a visitor attraction and as such a new access will need to be formed off the highway network.  Access options for accommodate a 150 space car park are limited due to the rural location of the site. However, the ideal location was identified and taken forward to outline design in conjunction with Hertfordshire County Council.

The design of the access had to be safe and yet sensitive to the exiting rural area and its close proximity to Sandridge Village. The end design will actually enhance the location by providing a gateway feature and speed reduction through the village area.

Further concerns related to the planting process which will be undertaken by voluntary groups including schools. Because of the rural nature of the site this matter was considered in detail. The car parking area within the site was chosen at a location that would encourage pedestrians to walk via safe routes that cross the local highway network in locations away from the rural roads with national speed limits.

Elsewhere, temporary parking areas will be installed making use of existing field entrances in order that deliveries of trees can take place close to planting areas.     

In order to assess the main junction design and layout, a transport assessment was completed based on experience of other rural attractions, visitor habits, arrival times, modes and car share numbers.

EAS Solutions

EAS undertook studies including:

  • Access Feasibility
  • Access Outline Design
  • Procure Highway Safety Audit
  • Liaison with Highway Authority
  • Transport Assessment

 

 

Projects

Rural