Object

Representation ID: 5801

Received: 07/09/2021

Respondent: Mrs Gillian Tagg

Infrastructure items are already identified within the adopted Local Plan, principally at policy 90S. What is critical is the timing for delivery of necessary infrastructure to support the adopted Local Plan and draft Local Plan going forward. If there is a transport corridor approach to growth then additional junction improvements may be required, and priority bus routes that interconnect with existing and proposed rail stations, including the East West rail station to the south of St Neots. I also believe that it is important to improve the A6 to the north of Bedford to enable those in the north of the Borough to access the town centre and the new East West rail station.
I do not believe that the transport modelling was adequate. The Transport Modelling undertaken by AECOM in support of the strategic options in the Draft Local Plan 2040 is fundamentally flawed for the reasons stated in my responses to 1.23 to 1.27.
100-word Summary
The transport model used by AECOM is fundamentally flawed because the model has not been validated / calibrated (particularly with respect to public transport), a strategic model has been used incorrectly and the data has not been tested. AECOM have significantly undervalued the number of vehicle trips. Dennybrook is too far from the proposed new E-W rail station to cause such a significant reduction in car use. Therefore, I believe that if a new settlement is required it should be at Little Barford. My second choice would be Twinwoods with a guided busway or parkway station.