4.23
Comment
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
Representation ID: 9309
Received: 28/07/2022
Respondent: Milton Ernest Parish Council
The whole plan is heavily relent on the EWR project going ahead. As there is now some uncertainty whether this project will move forward, how will the Borough Council manage this eventuality?
Milton Ernest Parish Council would like clarity on how the EWR Bedford to Cambridge section will impact the A6 corridor, in particular the consequence of high-speed trains travelling high above the floodplain as they leave Bedford and the increased traffic passing through Milton Ernest Village as a result of increased rail usage.
The whole plan is heavily relent on the EWR project going ahead. As there is now some uncertainty whether this project will move forward, how will the Borough Council manage this eventuality?
Milton Ernest Parish Council would like clarity on how the EWR Bedford to Cambridge section will impact the A6 corridor, in particular the consequence of high-speed trains travelling high above the floodplain as they leave Bedford and the increased traffic passing through Milton Ernest Village as a result of increased rail usage.
Object
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
Representation ID: 9408
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: O&H Land
Agent: Varsity Town Planning
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Yes
It should not be assumed that the south of Bedford becomes an unsustainable location if the East West Rail proposals from Bletchley to Oxford fail to materialise as currently anticipated. Paragraph 4.28 is supported as it provides flexibility in relation to a review of the Local Plan.
O&H wish to make two points on the section relating to stepped growth, the principle of which is broadly supported.
Firstly, the Council are advancing the position that their development strategy is dependent on the completion of East West Rail improvements. It is assumed, given the cut-off date of 2030, that they are referring to the anticipated improvements that should soon be moving to a statutory consultation process in advance of submitting a Development Consent Order application. However, the improvements planned by virtue of the Transport and Works Act Order 2020 could be delivered in advance of / instead of the next round of improvements and will also impact on in-migration and housing demand.
It should not be assumed that the south of Bedford becomes an unsustainable location if the East West Rail proposals from Bletchley to Oxford fail to materialise as currently anticipated. Paragraph 4.28 is supported as it provides flexibility in relation to a review of the Local Plan.
Secondly, it should be acknowledged that growth post 2030 would need to be planned from the mid 2020s onwards. Work on the proposed Supplementary Planning Document should feature early in the Local Development Scheme and be in place by 2025/26 to allow for the preparation of outline planning applications well in advance of the 2030 date. If required, evidence can be provided on the lead-in times for strategic outline planning applications and their start dates.
Comment
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
Representation ID: 9460
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: Luton & Bedfordshire Green Party
As stated elsewhere it is important that the plan also has clear and achievable options in the event EWR does not now proceed.
As stated elsewhere it is important that the plan also has clear and achievable options in the event EWR does not now proceed.
Object
Bedford Borough Local Plan 2040 Plan for Submission
Representation ID: 10507
Received: 29/07/2022
Respondent: Catherine Tolmie
Legally compliant? Not specified
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
And one further comment. Is the further EWR rail line even necessary now? Rail travel is down by around 40% and no evidence that rail travel will ever recover to the same level. I had to go to London today for work and I have never seen business travel so quiet (even during the school holiday period).
The business I work for is on a 4/5 week office rotation (in the office once every 4 or 5 weeks for a week). I suspect that may come down to a 1 in 3 ratio but unlikely we will return to the office 100%. Apparently some council, public service and Government offices are in even less than that. Not honestly sure how they can work efficiently out of the office for such long periods (as well as training and mentoring the young in particular)but either way, train travel will be massively affected by these ratios.
So, there really is no need for the EWR Bedford to Cambridge route and this situation makes for even less evidence that it needs to go further North and cut through countryside. Existing stations and infrastructure should be used as otherwise the cost benefits are not even negligible they are absolutely negative.