The Public Transport Access Level score for the site (0-1b) is totally inappropriate for a development of this scale. There are appear to be limited opportunities to increase the score to a suitable level.

Public Transport Access Level (PTAL) is a measure of access to the transport network. PTALs combine walk times from a chosen point to the network (stations, bus stops, etc) together with service frequency data. This provides an overall access index which can be allocated to nine accessibility levels between 0 (worst) and 6b (best).

Increasing the size of trains and buses does not increase PTAL scores. Only shortening walking distance, increasing frequencies and putting on new routes can do that. Hence ‘accessibility’ under PTAL refers to ‘connectivity’ rather than physical accessibility.

Detailed PTAL values for all of London can be viewed on TFL’s WebCAT tool here. The main Motspur Park gas holder site scores 0 and 1a, only rising to 1b as you approach the station. Motspur Park may have one railway platform, however, the K5 bus only operates Monday to Saturday, 7am to 8pm, hence the low scores. A larger bus can’t be put, as on the route follows the back streets, and they are struggling to purchase more buses of the same size.

The London Plan (Policy D2 A) states “The density of development proposals should: 1) consider, and be linked to, the provision of future planned levels of infrastructure rather than existing levels 2) be proportionate to the site’s connectivity and accessibility by walking, cycling, and public transport to jobs and services (including both PTAL and access to local services)”.

PTAL scores form an important part of the tall building policy criteria that identifies suitable locations for tall buildings. The low score makes this an unsuitable location. Essentially, how will c.1,300 people get about when they have no cars and so few travel options?

NPPF paragraph 110 states: “Significant development should be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable, through limiting the need to travel and offering a genuine
choice of transport modes”

If the trains were suspended for engineering works, how would certain residents be able to go anywhere or do anything on a Sunday?