iTransport was appointed by the Chiltern Way Academy Trust to provide transport and highways advice for the redevelopment and upgrade of both the Basingstoke Academy and Basingstoke Futures sites.
The project was split into three phases. First, a temporary building known as Block C would be constructed at the Basingstoke Academy site to accommodate students displaced from the Futures site. Second, redevelopment and upgrade works would be carried out at the Futures site. Third, once those works were complete, Futures students would return and Basingstoke Academy students would use the temporary Block C building while improvements were made to their own site.
From a transport perspective, the key issue was whether the temporary increase in school traffic at the Basingstoke Academy site could be accommodated safely and without creating unacceptable congestion. It was also necessary to demonstrate that a new temporary access to Block C could be delivered and function effectively for staff, student and servicing movements. The client’s objective was to present a scheme that was practical, safe and deliverable, while enabling two important education sites to be significantly improved over time.
To support the planning application, iTransport prepared a Transport Statement setting out the highways and transport implications of the proposals, including the temporary impact of relocating pupils from the Futures site to the Basingstoke Academy site.
The first step was to establish a clear baseline. We obtained existing staff and pupil numbers for both schools, together with information on the travel modes used by staff and students. This was essential in understanding how the relocation would affect movement patterns and what level of uplift would need to be accommodated at the Basingstoke Academy site.
Parking and on-site circulation were also key considerations. We reviewed both existing and proposed parking provision to ensure the site could cope with temporary staff increases as well as the intensity of pick-up and drop-off periods. Using information from the client, we identified that the timings for the two schools varied slightly, which provided an opportunity to stagger arrivals and departures and reduce pressure on the car park and internal circulation areas.
A further critical element was the design of the temporary access to Block C. Working closely with the architect, we developed a scheme that made use of the existing field gate to provide access to the adjacent field where the building would be located. Through a combination of highway boundary information, site observations and dialogue with Hampshire County Council, the arrangement was refined and shown to accommodate staff and student movements as well as refuse collection vehicles.
While the application is still being determined, Hampshire County Council reviewed the Transport Statement and issued a no objection response subject to conditions.
By working closely with the client, project team and highway authority, iTransport helped shape a scheme that was both acceptable in highways terms and practical to deliver. The agreed access and movement strategy was a key step in reducing planning risk and supporting the wider redevelopment programme.
If approved, the proposals will enable significant improvements to both academy sites, supporting a better experience for staff, students and parents while ensuring the temporary arrangements can operate safely and efficiently.
We provide the full range of specialist transport planning services needed to take schemes from early concept through to consent and delivery
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