Marlborough District Council Roading Assets - Activity Management Plan 2015 - 2018 SECTION 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY It is anticipated that approximately 75% of new development will be in and around the existing towns and serviced settlements and the balance in rural areas and small un-serviced villages. There is increasing pressure for development of commercial complexes in the district that are placing pressure on the development rules under the existing District Plans. These are basically in urban fringe areas and can have an impact on the roading infrastructure as demand in these areas can alter significantly in a relatively short period of time. Recent development by bulk bin retailers in the Springlands area have impacted on the local and State Highway road network resulting in additional capital works being required to cater for the increase in demand. There is also plans for the expansion of the Riverlands industrial estate that will increase the road network and increase demand on the existing network. The district population is expected to increase over the next ten years as a result of the employment opportunities created especially in the viticulture, forestry and tourism industries and having regard to historic trends. This increase will impact on the roading network in particular both in demands for increased levels of service and network capacity (eg. Increased seal width). There is growth in cycling as a mode of transport which may place demands on road and street widths. Some of this growth/demand is expected to be satisfied by the seal widening proposed. 1.4.3.3 Vehicle Growth The following graph shows the increase in VKT (Vehicle Kilometres Travelled) on the network. Figure 4.3.3.1 : Growth in Vehicle Kilometres Travelled Considering the relatively low population growth expected there should be a correspondingly low increase in private vehicle growth. Combined with tourist traffic and heavy commercial vehicles the average traffic growth rate experienced in the region is approximately 2.5% annum with higher growth rates on some specific routes within the network. 1.4.3.4 Increase in Roads and Streets The graph below shows: An increase in Sealed Rural Roads of 1.5% per annum i.e. from 565km in 1992 to 685km in 2008. This is as a result of seal extension/conversion of unsealed to sealed roads and creation of new rural sealed roads as a result of subdivision. An increase in Urban Streets of 1.5% per annum. This is as a result of new streets created as a result of subdivision. There are minimal and static unsealed urban streets. The total length of the Marlborough District Council roads is increasing at a rate of 0.8% per annum as a result of new road and street creation by subdivision. The graph shows the growth in Sealed Rural Roads, the decrease in Unsealed Rural Roads and the growth in Urban Streets (source RAMM statistics). 30 September 2014 Page 17 of Section 1