Comment

Representation ID: 10512

Received: 29/07/2022

Respondent: National Highways

Spatial Strategy
Given National Highways role and interest in the SRN, we are particularly interested in the spatial elements which are most likely to impact on the A421, namely growth
to the south of Bedford and near to the A421, the A1/A421 Black Cat, and south of the A428 South of Bedford/Near to A421 area HOU12 South of Bedford area is an overarching policy for the following locations:
 HOU3 Land at Ampthill Road: 530 dwellings and business use.
 HOU13 Land at Gibraltar Corner, Kempston Rural: 500 dwellings
 HOU14 Kempston Hardwick: New Settlement 3,800 homes and 70ha of employment land
 HOU15 Land South of Wixams: 300 dwellings
 HOU16 Land at East Wixams: 1,800 dwellings
 HOU17 Land at College Farm, Shortstown: 1,000 dwellings
The proposals are largely predicated on the delivery of East-West Rail (EWR) to provide sustainable connections. At this stage EWR is at a development stage, prior to the statutory process that would lead to a Development Consent Order. Thus, whilst government has indicated strong support of its provision, at this time there is risk with its delivery and implementation. Irrespective of that provision all the sites can be
accessed from the nearby A421 and its junctions, which will need varying degrees of intervention to accommodate the proposed growth. National Highways has concerns with the potential of junction hopping and the consequent impact of the capacity of
the A421. It is noted that the polices include widening of a section of A421 to accommodate the growth. It will therefore be essential a well-integrated and significant sustainable transport strategy is developed to minimise those impacts and link the communities along the corridor and to the town. It is noted that the policy
includes the provision of walkable (20 minutes) neighbourhoods. This is to be welcomed and not only does it reduce the incidence of small, localised journeys on the SRN, it provides the community and wellbeing opportunities.
Additional allocations
 HOU11 Land at Bedford River Valley Park: 1,000 dwellings
 EMP6 Business Park, Land at Water End and St Neots Road: 30 Hectares
These two sites are relatively remote from Bedford town, the provision of EWR and will be reliant on the A421 for access. National Highways has some concern with the
impact on the resilience of the A421 and would expect to see a strong travel measures framework to minimise any impact and encourage model share where possible.
A1/A421 Black Cat
 Policy EMP7 Land at College Farm, Roadside service facilities and 3.0 hectares employment land
 Policy EMP8 Land at Roxton, 17.0 hectares employment land
These two sites are to be located off the new Black Cat Interchange which forms part of the A421 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet dualling scheme, The scheme is currently
subject to a Development Consent Order application, the outcomes of which are expected this summer.
The junction has been designed to facilitate the existing Bedford Local Plan 2030 and wider forecast growth. National Highways will work closely with the Council to
understand the impact and how the proposals can be facilitated.
A428 East of Black Cat
 Policy HOU19, Little Barford New Settlement, 3,800 dwellings and of 4 hectares of employment land
Little Barford is a new settlement area that will bring considerable growth to the region.
Although the site is not close to the town centre, the settlement policy requires connections to/from at least two East Coast mainline and a dedicated shuttle run to
the East/West rail. The policy commits to supporting active travel, connecting bus services with the wider area and implementing connections to cycle routes. The IPD
includes proposals for a new junction on the A428. Given its location relative to St Neots, National Highways considers that the site will have significant impacts on the
SRN, and it will be essential that a well-integrated and significant sustainable transport is developed to minimise those impacts, to ensure that this relatively isolated
development does not become overly reliant on car use.