Object

Representation ID: 8382

Received: 03/09/2021

Respondent: Ms Alison Field-Foster

I have considered the Development Strategy Topic Paper and reviewed the Bedford Borough Local
Plan 2040 and comment below.
I am pleased to see that the draft plan has been developed with greater strategic vision related to
the wider infrastructure needs of the Borough and am pleased to see proposed largescale
development south of Bedford and along the A421 transport corridor.
I do support the aspiration to be a greener, more accessible and prosperous Borough and also the
use of brown-field sites south of Bedford rather than development on farming land for new housing.,
whilst recognising that some lower grade agricultural land could potentially be developed. I strongly
support options 2b to 2d in the development of the 2040 Plan. It makes perfect sense to take
maximum advantage of the A421 transport corridor with its connection to the Ml, A428 and to the
Al with its easy to other main arterial road networks such as the A14. If the proposed East West Rail
Oxford to Cambridge rail route goes ahead these developments along the A421, A428 and Al, will
give easy access to the new stations proposed south of Bedford and to the Tempsford/St Neots
options. This should avoid further stress on the Bedford town road network in particular the A6 and
Great Ouse Way bringing traffic on to the Sainsbury's roundabout and from there to Bedford station.
I object strongly to any inclusion in the 2040 Plan of the large sites at Twinwoods and Colworth,
which are completely unsustainable because of the already congested and overloaded road network
north of Bedford. The A6 coming from North Bedfordshire into Bedford is already completely
overloaded in the morning peak with traffic queuing 0.5 miles and more from the Sainsbury
Roundabout along Paula Radcliffe Way and also extensively along Great Ouse Way.
I note with concern the proposal to accommodate up to 500 new homes in Shambrook. particularly
considering the existing constraints mentioned above on the A6. I am also concerned that the roads
from Shambrook, passing through Odell and Harrold between the A6 and the A428 have existing
congestion problems, particularly in Harrold where historical road widths and extensive roadside
parking creates single lane passage. Further traffic is likely to be generated from the 2040 plan which
will exacerbate an already unacceptable and challenging situation.
I am also have considerable concerns regarding the proposed new East West rail route from Bedford
to Cambridge with the vast infrastructure constructions that will be needed to be provided to cross
the River Great Ouse valley and the A6. It will also make a major detrimental change to the intrinsic
beauty of the north Bedfordshire countryside, destroying a beautiful part of what remains of our
precious countryside.
I support the development strategy with its proposal for development options 2b to 2d and would
encourage the Borough to select for its large scale development one or both of the two sites at
Wyboston and Little Barford since both of these sites would provide potential for further
development in future local Plans.