Central Bedfordshire Design Guide SPD

4.2 "Local Policy". Noted that "convenient routes ... well connected to surrounding area.. encouraging travel by sustainable modes". Too many recent developments have totally ignored "permeability". Walking and cycling routes may be fine within a new development but there is often no way to get out of that development by walking or cycling. This needs to be forced upon developers.

5.5 "Tranquility". Unfortunately we'll become progressively less tranquil as more new roads are built. The A505 and A421 can be heard for miles around. Unless all new major roads are built in deep trenches the aim of tranquility will remain elusive I'm afraid. The A6-M1 link will only add to background noise.

I applaud the hierarchy of transport modes, putting walking/cycling first along with public transport. This really needs to be enforced most strongly. Too many new projects are still prioritising private cars. In Leighton Buzzard we have the relatively new "retail park" at the end of Grovebury Rd which is impossible to reach safely by either walking or cycling! Goodness knows how that ever got through planning. Another problem is lack of permeability. A classic example again in Leighton Buzzard is the new "eastern estates". There almost NO access points for walking/cycling from the existing town. Even the main roads don't have connecting pavements! Whilst these were designed 20 years ago, it's still happening now - Biggleswade has a new estate with total lack of permeability. Developers must be pulled up on these poor plans at the beginning. Permeability is essential or residents will not switch to walking/cycling.

I support all of the ideas around walking/cycling first, permeability, street character, trees, school and play streets, etc. The elephant in the room is the large, fast, major road system which is incredibly noisy and polluting. Central Beds seems to have more than its fair share of these type of roads. With reference to shared space, I would advocate road spaces that have no signs at all, no markings, no kerbs (flat all the way across), no street furniture etc. People would be much more cautious especially drivers. Perhaps an experimental example somewhere please? :-).

Agree with all of the laudable aims and ideas. They just need to be implemented :-).

I support all the aims and ideas.

I'm surprised there's no mention of "sustainable" power provision. Especially local wind power. Also enforced solar PV panels on all new buildings.

I made a comment under Homes, wondering why no mention of power was made. That's because it's here isn't it ;-). I support all the ideas about minimising power use, having locally produced power where possible, etc. More "passive haus" developments please - higher cost yes but not in the long term.