Transport

Marchwood Port is in an optimum location with the opportunity for goods to be transported to and from the site by sea, rail or road. We will be working to ensure the most sustainable methods of transportation are maximised wherever possible.

Sea

Marchwood Port has direct access to the Southampton Shipping Lanes and out to international waters. This allows vessels of up to 240m to dock at the port to load or unload their cargo.

The site is licensed to handle ammunition and explosives, so it can support the safe and secure transport of military supplies through the port.

Despite its main role as a port, Marchwood only received around 50 vessels on average over 2019/2020. Under the proposals
this is expected to increase to around 200 vessels.

The port can support Roll On Roll Off (RoRo), which are ships designed to carry wheeled cargo such as cars, trucks and trailers, as well as Load On Load Off (LoLo), which uses port cranes and geared vessels.

We plan to utilise new cranes on the quayside that will enhance the efficiency and capability of the operations, with cargo being offloaded from ships and placed directly onto rail or HGVs for onward transport.

Rail

The port is connected to the national rail network and currently has three train paths a day (slots reserved in the wider railway timetable). These are not currently fully utilised.

With the increased use of the port, we anticipate greater use of the existing rail path. However the port will continue to operate within the existing permitted rail capacity.

Rail will also continue to be used where possible to move cargo around the port.

The proposals seek to prioritise the use of sea and rail over road.

Road

A new access off Cracknore Hard will bring vehicles onto the port before they stop at security, which will prevent queuing on the road. In order to calculate the number of
vehicles that will come to and from the port, we have created a traffic model based on the anticipated uses. We have also taken into account the impacts the lockdown will have had on our surveys in 2020/21. More information on this and the modelling can be found here.

HGV Movements

The current and future HGV movements to and from the port are detailed below:

As happens now, the vast majority of these traffic movements will continue to be within normal working hours. Whilst the port will operate 24/7, in an average month, it only has an average of 80 vehicles arriving or leaving between 10pm and 6am.

When completed the finished port, at capacity and in a very worst case scenario, is expected to generate an average of 49 HGV movements an hour and 685 HGV movements a day. As happens now, the vast majority of these will continue to be within normal working hours. However, this is a very worst-case scenario and it is unlikely that this will ever be the volume of traffic coming to and from the port. SGL has been clear about its commitment to promote the use of sea and rail and already has a number of potential new customers who are interested in using the sea connections and are therefore likely to generate very few HGV movements.

All vehicles entering and leaving the port are recorded and the project team has completed an analysis of current traffic movements. HGVs currently using the port equate to only 30% of
the average number of HGVs travelling on Normandy Way (north of Cracknore Hard) and around 12% of HGVs on Normandy Way north of the North Road roundabout. The majority of traffic is generated by other local businesses that are not associated with Marchwood Port.

Overall, the maximum additional HGV movements associated with the port redevelopment will increase the HGV composition of traffic on Normandy Way (north of Cracknore Hard) from 18% to 31% and from 21% to 25% north of the North Road roundabout.

Light vehicles

In addition to HGV traffic, the completed port will result in some additional light vehicle traffic associated with the creation of new jobs on the site. Employee related traffic is expected to increase from around 100 vehicle movements in the busiest hour of the day to around 200 vehicle movements.

Sustainable Travel 

As part of the proposals, SGL is also delivering new cycle and walking connections:
• a new section of footway along Normandy Way to connect with Autumn Road.
• a new footway in Autumn Road to Dapple Place to connect to the open space and the walking route to the bus stops on Main Road.

We hope this will benefit all members of the community, making it safer to walk along Normandy Way. A Framework Travel Plan, included in the Transport Assessment, is designed to encourage those working at or visiting the site to cycle, walk or car share where possible.

We will also extend the existing cycle route through the village with an on-road cycle lane. This will take cyclists down Old Cracknore Close to a new crossing at Normandy Way and down Cracknore Hard Lane into the port. This signed route will be quicker and safer than Normandy Way.

The site will be bounded by a mix of existing and new fencing to suit the security requirements of the port. Fencing will also be provided at the railway interfaces to restrict access onto the railway for safety.

Traffic Modelling 

Our traffic modelling shows that the junctions closest to the site currently have enough capacity to accommodate the proposed development at the port without any
upgrades. These junctions are:
•  Cracknore Hard / Normandy Way junction
•  Normandy Way / North Road roundabout
•  Normandy Way / Bury Road roundabout
•  A326 / Jacobs Gutter Lane

The junction of the A35 / A326 roundabout is currently operating over capacity and the increased traffic generated by the port will impact this junction. The approved Fawley
Waterside scheme has proposed, modelled and agreed to contribute towards an improvement here. Hampshire County Council (HCC) is now progressing updated plans to implement an improvement scheme at the junction through its successful bid to the Transforming Cities Fund.

Our studies show the emerging HCC plans are also able to accommodate the additional traffic expected from Marchwood Port. A number of comments were made in relation to the poor quality of the road surfaces surrounding the port that could impact the safety for users and also noise for local residents. SGL does not have the authority to re-surface roads, this responsibility lies with the County Council as the Highway Authority. SGL will do all that it can to encourage the Highway Authority to maintain the roads to a high standard.

Cargo can be easily loaded onto rail for onward transport

Access

Our new access point, which is approximately 60m west of the existing entrance, will improve safety and access for all users of the port and will reduce the chance of queuing on the road. A proposed new secondary access for oversized vehicles will be provided about 110m east of the existing entrance. This entrance is expected to be used infrequently and all movements will be pre-planned and managed to ensure vehicles do not obstruct Cracknore Hard.

We are especially aware of the importance of Marchwood Village and the safety of those walking, cycling and driving around the village, especially around the Infant and Junior schools.