Issues and Options

Electric scooters are used in many cities in the world and are a great form of sustainable transport. Currently they are not allowed on roads or pavements; A linked network of dedicated cycle paths would encourage people to use electric bicycles and scooters as an alternative to the car. Electric cars are the transport of the future. New houses need to be equipped with electrical charging points; preferably solar powered. Electric delivery vehicles, particularly in the town centre would be a great step forward.

The Draft Vision mentions the importance of sustainable food production. Class 1 agricultural land, close to the River Great Ouse, is being reclassified to Class 3 for gravel extraction and development. Planned development to the north of Bedford, along the Preferred Route E of the East West Rail Line, will cut through Class 2 Agricultural Land dividing farms and making farm businesses less sustainable. The best way to encourage sustainable food production is to reduce food miles by using locally produced food.

Farmers growing vegetables locally on Class 1 Council land have seen it reclassified to Class 3 to enable it to be earmarked for gravel extraction. After the gravel is removed the land is effectively an agricultural desert and useless for crop production due to subsoil compaction.

The East/West Rail Line Preferred Route E, is planned through topography which is going to require deep cuttings and long viaducts and the most “cut and fill”. It includes planned gradients which are outside the recommended maximums for passenger and freight trains. The route will have to cross the River Great Ouse in at least three places. It is unlikely that developers will underwrite any cost overruns. The government and taxpayer will then be faced with picking up the bill. Therefore the project will probably be cancelled.