Transport Technical Paper [EXAM 114]

I’m writing to object to the additional evidence that has been produced as part of the Examination of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan.

Reading through the additional evidence for junction 13 of the M1 it does not take into account future factors of neighbouring councils and their plans. Neighbouring councils are sited very closely to Central Bedfordshire’s and have close road links which are not factored into the additional evidence of junction 13 and how this might affect future traffic volume/capacity on our roads within Marston Vale.
Milton Keynes council are planning to create 1000’s more homes just off junction 14 of the M1, this will have a major impact on junction 14 and junction 13 as it offers alternative diversions. Nowhere in their evidence has it taken this into account. Or the fact that more homes will be available to others just minutes up the motorway, lessening the need for more homes in Central Bedfordshire.

It’s also been brought to my attention that the council is not taking into account material changes regarding the size of development and latest ONS projections regarding population growth, which are much lower than they were 2 years ago, so I would question the need for 5000 extra homes on top of the ones already projected to go ahead. A new build 3 bed house on our street sat empty for 2 years before anyone moved into it, where is the need here? New developments at Marston Fields advertise they have sold 3 houses in 3 weeks, so 5000+ homes in 5000+ weeks? The demand is slow and new build houses are still available to buy but sat empty, again where is the evidence for 5000 houses?

The East West Expressway which has since been aborted by the Government, was one of the major justifications for the number of houses in Marston Vale to be viable. With this no longer going ahead where is Central Bedfordshire’s evidence to support the location and infrastructure to support 5000 homes with the potential 10,000+ additional car journeys a day on top of the ones already taking place? We have a very limited bus and train service but majority of travel is by car, this is not sustainable transport, where is their evidence to support it?
I would also like to add that I am sending this email as trying to find my way around the consultation to object (or make any comment) is near on impossible. The consultation was also only brought to my attention by neighbours, not the council, to ask for my opinion on the evidence they have submitted after I objected to previously. I had hoped anyone who had placed an objection would be notified of this consultation with dates of when it starts and finishes but it seems to have been overlooked amongst Covid-19 and heatwave notifications. I only hope you get a good number of villagers responding to this consultation, as it seems there are not many that are aware of it via Central Bedfordshire Council.