Question 11
Electric and Hydrogen cars will help immensly in the future so the need for two to three car parjking places per house remains and good roads are essential Ultra fast broadband will help people work from home but the will still need to meet colleagues at the offcie as well.
Greater use of sustainable modes of transport can be achieved by measures including increased bus infrastructure including direct routes like the bus/cycle/foot route between Great Denham and Queen's Park from which other traffic is excluded. More generally increased frequency of bus services, including in rural locations, is important. A much improved station at the Ashburnham Road site with better integration with the bus network and cycle network is also key, and as part of this, the additional cycle bridge to enable safe cycle access to Bedford station is urgently required. A key element to improving use of cycling is to ensure all properties have sufficient cycle storage space of suitable types. All developments should include at least one cycle space per designed bed space (one per bedroom is not sufficient for couples or for children sharing bedrooms). These cycle storage spaces should be undercover, behind locked gates/doors, easy to access from the street and with sufficient space for at least one non-standard cycle or trailer. In terms of the cycle network itself, there is a need for strategic development to link all parts of the borough to the closest town centre via cycle routes suitable for high-speed cycling segregated from traffic flows by physical barriers. Walking should be promoted by employment and all day-to-day facilities designed to be within 15 minutes walk of all parts of new developments. Safe routes to school should be designed into all developments.
We need to be realistic about personal preference and practicality. It is naïve to believe that cycling will be taken up by more than a minority or as much more than a leisure pursuit. Only integrated and efficient public transport will make any significant change in travel patterns.
Greater use of sustainable modes of transport can be achieved by measures including increased bus infrastructure including direct routes like the bus/cycle/foot route between Great Denham and Queen's Park from which other traffic is excluded. More generally increased frequency of bus services, including in rural locations, is important. A much improved station at the Ashburnham Road site with better integration with the bus network and cycle network is also key, and as part of this, the additional cycle bridge to enable safe cycle access to Bedford station is urgently required. A key element to improving use of cycling is to ensure all properties have sufficient cycle storage space of suitable types. All developments should include at least one cycle space per designed bed space (one per bedroom is not sufficient for couples or for children sharing bedrooms). These cycle storage spaces should be undercover, behind locked gates/doors, easy to access from the street and with sufficient space for at least one non-standard cycle or trailer. In terms of the cycle network itself, there is a need for strategic development to link all parts of the borough to the closest town centre via cycle routes suitable for high-speed cycling segregated from traffic flows by physical barriers. Walking should be promoted by employment and all day-to-day facilities designed to be within 15 minutes walk of all parts of new developments. Safe routes to school should be designed into all developments.
Cheaper buses to include Wixams on same as town tariff and day passes
Electric powered buses that do not pollute the environment would be a start, and would improve the bus station environment as well as the travel experience. Banning diesel vehicles from the town centre area might encourage more public transport use. Further development of Park and Ride and an extension of pedestrian areas would help.
Increased public transport provision to meet people’s needs is obvious, but it is recognised this can be limited by cost. Greater provision of off-road walking and cycling routes, of a high quality (making use a pleasant, safe experience) will significantly increase user confidence and remove key barriers to participation. Network design needs to take account of potential leisure and utility journeys. Greater integration with public transport, housing and employment locations is essential. Encouraging greater leisure use of cycling and walking networks is important in its own right, for health and wellbeing reasons as well as environmental. Such activity can also be the ‘stepping stone’ to developing the confidence to cycle to work, school or shopping. Greater provision of electric vehicle charging points available where people live, work and visit.
Free parking and charging facilities.
We need to be realistic about personal preference and practicality. It is naïve to believe that cycling will be taken up by more than a minority or as much more than a leisure pursuit. Only integrated and efficient public transport will make any significant change in travel patterns.
Improvements in reliability, frequency and cost of bus services outside of the urban centre.
Hallam considers that greater use of sustainable transport modes can be achieved through greater investment in walking and cycling infrastructure. At Clapham for example, provision of an enhanced walking and cycle link with Bedford and improvements to public transport have the potential to make these modes of choice.
Safer and more connected cycle ways. Very concerned about the level of bus use within villages – could try the smaller mini bus again?
The Trust is keen to work with the Council to develop an integrated sustainable transport strategy, with the Hospital being a key destination. This will include the involvement of a range of stakeholders during the plan period. Our staff feedback has been that segregated cycle routes and/or enhanced cycle ways would increase the adoption of cycling to and from work. Further, the implementation of enhanced accessibility to electric vehicle charging points alongside normal parking infrastructure would increase the likelihood of the adoption of an EV by staff and patients/visitors alike. We would hope to work with the Council on how to best implement these strategies and will support engagement with patients, visitors and staff.
12.1 On behalf our client’s we submit that the requirement to further explore and set out policies and deliver objectives related to sustainable transport and reducing the need to travel relates to underlying issues with the current Local Plan 2030, in terms of its foreshortened plan period and failure to secure allocations for the delivery of growth in the rural areas. 12.2 We support the Borough’s propose Site Selection Methodology in relation to those objectives that identify potentially significant positive effects associated with sites that are well-related to the existing settlement form and within walking distance to existing services and facilities. This also ensures that any new facilities provided for existing and future residents are accessible in terms of seeking to secure the wider benefits of development. 12.3 Specifically, in relation to the Council’s spatial options, greater weight should be given to site options providing for A421-based growth. As acknowledged in the Council’s list of advantages for this strategic option the A421 corridor provides sustainable links to a wide range of employment opportunities. In terms of modal shift, the corridor already benefits from intercity public transport links connecting major settlements within the Oxford-Cambridge Arc with other sustainable settlements such as Roxton.
9.1 On behalf our client’s we submit that the requirement to further explore and set out policies and deliver objectives related to sustainable transport and reducing the need to travel relates to underlying issues with the current Local Plan 2030, in terms of its foreshortened plan period and failure to secure allocations for the delivery of growth in the rural areas. 9.2 We support the Borough’s propose Site Selection Methodology in relation to those objectives that identify potentially significant positive effects associated with sites that are well-related to the existing settlement form and within walking distance to existing services and facilities. This also ensures that any new facilities provided for existing and future residents are accessible in terms of seeking to secure the wider benefits of development. The current position of deferring site allocations to Neighbourhood Plans in no way provides certainty that the site options selected will minimise the need to make journeys by car (either due to use of public transport or access by walking and cycling). 9.3 Revision to strategic policies and additional allocations provided as part of the Review of the Local Plan should ensure that opportunities to sustain and enhance the role of smaller settlements are maximised. This should also be supported by a review of the capacity for growth in order to deliver the requirements for development in each settlement. 9.4 This can be achieved as part of a ‘Dispersed’ spatial option, which the Council has previously determined as equally sustainable when considering levels of growth in the rural area. Greater weight should be given to recognise the cumulative benefits of growth in locations that contribute to meeting local requirements for sustainable development (in terms of accessible social and community infrastructure) and delivery of the Plan’s strategic priorities such as meeting the needs of education. This is the case for our client’s interests in Renhold / Salph End in terms of promoting safer and more sustainable access to existing education facilities and supporting future demands for growth. This should be reflected in the Council’s site assessment and site selection process.
You can only make use of public transport if it is available at the time you need to travel, and cycling needs to be segregated from vehicular traffic to make cycling safe. Cyclist should be tested before being allowed to ride on roads and should carry third party insurance.
The provision and enhancement of pedestrian and cycle routes to local facilities and accessibility to public transport are considered to be ways which can encourage the greater use of sustainable modes of transport through the Local Plan.
The provision and enhancement of pedestrian and cycle routes to local facilities and accessibility to public transport are considered to be ways which can encourage the greater use of sustainable modes of transport through the Local Plan.
The provision and enhancement of pedestrian and cycle routes to local facilities and accessibility to public transport are considered to be ways which can encourage the greater use of sustainable modes of transport through the Local Plan.
The provision and enhancement of pedestrian and cycle routes to local facilities and accessibility to public transport are considered to be ways which can encourage the greater use of sustainable modes of transport through the Local Plan.
The provision and enhancement of pedestrian and cycle routes to local facilities and accessibility to public transport are considered to be ways which can encourage the greater use of sustainable modes of transport through the Local Plan.
The provision and enhancement of pedestrian and cycle routes to local facilities and accessibility to public transport are considered to be ways which can encourage the greater use of sustainable modes of transport through the Local Plan.
Locating residential development close to existing established facilities will encourage sustainable travel such and walking and cycling and reduce reliance on car-based modes. Carefully designed larger residential developments can ‘design in’ tenets of sustainable movement from the outset which become integral to the design of schemes and contribute to making high quality places. The adopted Local Plan requires design codes to guide larger scale new residential developments which will assist with these aims (policy 29). Larger developments including extensions to existing settlements provide the necessary quantum of floorspace to ensure viability for significant public transport enhancements, where required. Integrated transport systems located close to where people live will provide a straightforward transition between modes - eg between bus and cycle routes – and which will further encourage sustainable means of travel.
High standard footpaths/cycleways linking existing communities together and coordinating with other sustainable modes of transport.
In order to encourage residents and those working in and visiting the borough to use sustainable modes of transport there needs to be convenient and save access to the different modes of transport. This starts in homes providing space for secure storage of bicycles, through safe and direct routes to bus stops, schools, shops, work and leisure (safe in terms of segregation from other uses eg vehicles, surface type, lighting and surveillance), real time information for public transport and facilities at destinations (storage, showers etc). It is important that infrastructure is designed in a way to encourage sustainable journeys eg priority of pedestrians/cyclist over vehicle at junctions. The proposals AL1, AL2 and AL3 seek to encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport through a range of means. Even at this early stage the schemes have considered accessibility to public transport to ensure homes are within 400m of the main public transport corridors with an improved frequency to meet demand and local circumstances. Accessible compliant bus stops and infrastructure would be introduced with Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) provision proposed where appropriate to enable better communication to customers of the services provided. Additional segregated bus infrastructure routes could be introduced should major benefits be realised by providing these. Additionally, and subject to the overall scale of the development connections to the public rights of way (PRoW) adjacent to the River Great Ouse could be created and existing routes enhanced to encourage greater use by pedestrians and cyclists. Improved facilities on Barford Road will also be considered to gain access to St Neots. Footways and cycleways will be an integral part of the development infrastructure to deliver sustainable choices for residents, employees and visitors. The frequency and consistency of any public transport services are going to be vital in encouraging people to use the services. Sites AL1, AL2 and AL3 at Little Barford present unique opportunities for BBC in this regard. As a proposed new development at these sites provides the opportunity to build in walking, cycling and public transport facilities from the beginning rather than trying to retrofit existing settlements. This sustainable transport network then has the opportunity to tie into the East West Rail proposal creating a region wide network of sustainable transport. It is the provision of these high-quality facilities that is going to be key to encouraging the use of sustainable transport.
Free car parking with regular, free and clean sustainable transport to and from bus and railway stations and local rural areas. More parking on site at Bedford Station and build the long promised station at Wixams. Reliable, regular fast train service to and from London. More safe routes for cyclists and walkers to link existing communities together. Accessibility and genuine costs must be determining factors.
11.1 It is vital that sustainable travel provides a ‘joined up’ approach to encouraging people to use more sustainable modes of transport. Although this may not be possible for all journeys, providing people with a realistic alternative to travel by car is vital to the success of embedding a model shift. 11.2 The recent changes to work and travel patterns born from the Covid 19 pandemic has demonstrated that trip numbers can be reduced, and many people do not need to travel as much for work in particular. It also saw a dramatic decrease in the use of trains and buses. In addition, changes to our shopping patterns have been experienced. Allowances must be made to ensure a flexible approach to sustainable modes of transport allowing for unforeseen changes and technological advancements.
12.1 It is vital that sustainable travel provides a ‘joined up’ approach to encouraging people to use more sustainable modes of transport. Although this may not be possible for all journeys, providing people with a realistic alternative to travel by car is vital to the success of embedding a model shift. 12.2 By strategically placing larger employment areas in accessible locations, it would be possible for any operator of this employment site to prepare a travel plan which would consider where employees live and how they can access their place of employment. It is anticipated that this would be developed as part of the planning application and could be linked to any permission through a legal agreement.
To ensure that the existing cycle network is upgraded to the latest high quality standards to avoid conflict with motorists and pedestrians. To ensure that all future new infrastructure is ‘right first time’ and is designed and audited by people who cycle.
More cycle paths for bicycles, but discourage e-scooters. More charging points for e-cars.