Object

Representation ID: 9067

Received: 12/11/2021

Respondent: Colmworth Parish Council

Agent: Troy Planning + Design

BBC’s Transport Evidence
9.10. BBC has published 4 transport evidence base documents with the consultation:
• Bedford Borough Transport Model – Draft Local Plan Assessment Report and Summary (2021)
• Bedford Borough Transport Model - New Settlement West of Wyboston (2021)
• Bedford Borough Transport Model - New Settlements and the A6 (2021)
• Bedford Borough Transport Model - New Settlements and the Black Cat Junction (2021)
9.11. BBC does not explain its reasoning for preparing a separate report for Dennybrook but
not a separate report for the other new settlements being promoted.
9.12. We consider the transport evidence to be lacking in detail about the growth assumptions that have been input into the model and seek clarification on this. As BBC will be aware ‘a model is only as good as its assumptions’ and as it currently stands the transport evidence cannot be relied upon as sound evidence base due to the questionable growth assumptions and ‘highway infrastructure schemes’ assumed to be delivered. We explain this in more detail below.
9.13. At the start of all three reports the consultants explain that BBC has commissioned them to develop a multi-modal transport model (BBTM) covering the borough and areas adjacent to the borough in neighbouring authorities. We have a number of questions about this as it is not clear from the evidence documents and the plans and assumptions about growth in neighbouring areas is clearly a key consideration for the modelling. We note there are some maps provided showing the assumptions however these are difficult to read and interpret and we would be grateful for clarity on this matter.
• Did BBC work with its neighbouring authorities in preparing the model? If so, where is the evidence of this joint working?
• What exact ‘areas adjacent to the borough’ were included in the model?
• What growth assumptions were assumed for growth in neighbouring authority areas in the 2030, 2040 and 2050 scenarios?

(SEE OBJECTION TO SITE 977 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION)