I oppose the characterization on page 53 of Shortstowns connection to Bedford
as good. With the exception of portions of the industrial area within the parish north of
the A421 we are connected to Bedford via a single road and while it is designated as an A
road it does not represent a good connection. We also have one bridalway under the A421
but this can only be reached by walking along roads without pavement through Harrowden.
Shortstown is dependant on the A600 for professionals to commute to work either North
towards the A421 and Bedford or to the South. However this single link has proven to be
vulnerable to disruption going as it does through an accident blackspot at the junction with
Harrowden Lane. Public transport is currently insufficient except for accessing Bedford for
occasional shopping. This creates a tension between the notional Borough policy to reduce
car use with transport infrastructure that discourages public transport use for commuters.
I oppose the designation of Shortstown in Policy TC1(S) on page 86 as a Key Service Centre. As
previously submitted to the planning policy team last year by Shortstown Parish Council given our resources and services we are more of a neighbourhood centre.