Comment
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
Representation ID: 10278
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: Roxton Parish Council
SECTION 2.1:
The Local Plan states that EWR through Bedford will be complete and that it will attract connectivity, investment, and growth. However, there is a very real danger that this could have a negative impact and make Bedford a dormitory town by providing fast transport links to employment in the neighbouring cities. The recent public comments made by Grant Shapps (Secretary of State for Transport) that “…he would scrap phase 2 and 3 of the EWR project saving £3-5billion…” cast significant doubt on the prospect of EWR line coming through Bedford towards Cambridge. A Local Plan predicated on a project whose future is in so much doubt must render much of the assumptions on which BBC Local Plan 2040 is based flawed and therefore unsound. In this respect RPC suggest the Local Plan 2040 needs to be re-written to determine suitable polices in a world without EWR passing through the borough.
The statement about Riverside villages forming the backbone of the green and blue infrastructure is questionable when the intended route of EWR will destroy a number of those villages.
Transport policy suggests improvements to the overall movement of people with an integrated system which is good. However, the X5 from Roxton which allowed the transport of bicycles, buggies etc in the hold has been replaced by the 905 which does not provide those facilities.
RPC support the intent that developments are sensitively planned to complement the borough’s natural environment. Planned developments such as EWR and the A428/Black Cat development require sensitive planning, as will other potential developments that result of these projects (additional service stations/area, warehouse, and commercial developments). If these items are proposed, they must be considered alongside the need to maintain the rural nature of the surrounding areas and the character of nearby villages. RPC must be part of the drafting of the brief for any masterplan for the allocation site of policy EMP8.