Support

Representation ID: 8274

Received: 26/09/2021

Respondent: Amanda Quince

BEDFORD BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN 2040 – DRAFT PLAN: STRATEGY OPTIONS AND
DRAFT POLICIES
RESPONSE from RENHOLD PARISH COUNCIL September 2021
5. RENHOLD IMPORTANT LOCAL FACTORS
The Parish Council feel it is important even at this early stage of the strategic development
framework process to outline some vital, important local factors, which will enable Planning
Policy and local authority colleagues to be more aware of the issues within the parish when
reviewing potential sites.
The construction of the Water End junction of the A421 and completion of the A421 between the
A1 and the M1 created a destination that attracted vehicles of all classes to use Renhold’s lanes
as a short-cut from the west of Bedford to the A421. This was recognised in the Public Inquiry
where it was stated that the bypass would have a detrimental impact on Renhold. Over a
number of years, the Parish Council worked with Bedfordshire County Council and Bedford
Borough Council Officers to reduce the volume and speed of traffic through the village. Firstly,
traffic lights were installed near the Church at a particular pinch point, then a Traffic Restriction
Order was implemented that bans through traffic between Wilden Road and the A421 junction in
the morning and afternoon peak periods. This also coincides with the main parent activity at the
village school on Church End. The TRO is not enforced, and the traffic volume data collected
before and after the installation of the TRO supported that this has had little effect, if any, on
traffic volumes. Thirdly, in 2016, average speed cameras were installed, again between Wilden
Road and the A421 junction, but in two separate installations, and, at last, vehicle speeds have
reduced significantly. Between these measures they have restored an element of peace to the
village. However, one consequence is that traffic now uses Hookhams Lane as a short cut
instead.
The above issues clearly identify that the Ravensden Road route is an established 'rat run'
which traffic comes into the village through. Previously traffic continued travelling through the
village onto the bypass junction through Church End. Since the installation of the average
speed cameras this has displaced the traffic and it now travels along Ravensden Road and onto
Hookhams Lane. As a result, the increase in volumes and speeds of traffic along this route is
very noticeable at peak flows.
In 2009, six days of data collection at Ravensden Road from 3rd June to 8th June showed total
number of vehicle movements as 16,430.
In 2013, seven days of data collection at the same location showed 19,545 vehicle movements
between 12th December and 18th December.
By 2015 this had further increased to 22,582 vehicle movements over seven days from 21st to
27th April.
(Please note all this data was provided by Bedfordshire Police and the detailed breakdown can
be provided to the Borough Council).
This data not only clearly demonstrates the high volumes of traffic on Ravensden Road, an
unclassified rural lane but also the significant increase in the volume of traffic in recent years.
The data provided also captured vehicle speeds during the data collection. The 2015 data
collection also showed a staggering 40.9% of the vehicles were travelling at 35mph and above,
this is 9,236 vehicles a week excessively speeding, so on average 1,319 vehicles per day.
Following the Parish Council purchasing a mobile Vehicle Activated Sign which collates volume
and speed data of vehicles, the Parish Council have located these devices along various village
highways. The results are staggering and show a total disregard for highways safety throughout
the parish. Below is an example of the issue.
BEDFORD BOROUGH LOCAL PLAN 2040 – DRAFT PLAN: STRATEGY OPTIONS AND
DRAFT POLICIES
RESPONSE from RENHOLD PARISH COUNCIL September 2021
All the residents who live in Renhold Village along with all those motorists who use the
established rat run route from the B660 Kimbolton Road, Ravenden Road Crossroads, and
travel along Oldways Way, Ravensden, and into Ravensden Road, Renhold. They then
continue onwards either along Hookhams Lane, or to Church End in Renhold. Even with the
data collected from March, a period while the country remained in a lockdown with restricted
movement in place, it clearly shows a high level of usage for a rural village road. The VAS
summary for Hookhams Lane and Ravensden Road below.(Data table included)The Parish Council has vast data collection for this, and the other sites within the parish which
is available as evidence to support the highways issues being suffered throughout Renhold.
The popularity of Renhold V.C. School attracts pupils from a wide area. It is located in Church
End which is the route from the west of Renhold and from Wilden to the A421 junction. Many
travel to the school by car and on regular occasions more than 70 cars are parked on Church
End waiting for the end of the school day. This reduces virtually the entire length of Church End,
a lane with two blind bends, to a single carriageway road with passing places formed by the H
bars at domestic gateways. The resulting congestion is a regular and frustrating nightmare for
parents and residents. The situation has resulted in a bus provider withdrawing from running a
service through Renhold due to the inability to keep to the published timetables. The school has
been extended by two additional forms to create a primary school which has resulted in further
pressure for parking.
The Parish Council has well documented evidence of the constant issues with access through
Church End. As a result, a pedestrian crossing had to be installed to try and manage the
highways safety in this area.BBC Officers should also be mindful of the recent local authority planning decisions which were
robustly refused (applications 20/00345/MAF and 19/01974/MAO). Both were taken to appeal
and dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.
Renhold is rightly proud of its outstanding local environment, wildlife and heritage assets fond
throughout the village. The Parish Council have a range of resources evidencing protected
species and local woodland which Renhold a unique parish. From the brook flowing through
Salph End, through to historic ancient woodland known as Little and Great Early Grove.
The brook attracts a number of wildlife species such as otters, with the various existing water
courses (i.e. drainage ditches - capacity and flow rates) provide an important habitat for
established Lepidptera (Butterflies and moths), Aeshnidae (Dragonflies and damsel flies) and
other aquatic invertebrates (water fleas, boatmen, fresh water leeches) which if impacted by any
change of use would have a knock on effect on fauna further up the food chain.
In recent years, particularly since the forming of the previous Local Plan, Renhold has seen a
significant change in the local landscape in terms of flooding and drainage. Reports of flooding
along Renhold Brook have not only become more noticeably frequent but also more widespread.
The Parish Council are able to submit addition information including evidence of the great
biodiversity within Renhold along with the increasing challenges with flood water in Renhold as
a result of Renhold Brook becoming under increasing pressure.