Object

Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031, Proposed Submission

Representation ID: 7085

Received: 17/11/2017

Respondent: SWINFORD Parish Council

Legally compliant? No

Sound? No

Duty to co-operate? No

Representation Summary:

* there is evidence that the A5 is inadequate
* no major upgrade to the A5 envisaged prior to 2030
* when the additional HGV volume and commuter traffic from an allocation of this size are factored in the A5 becomes inoperable
* surrounding villages already suffer from being used as rat-runs to avoid A5 congestion and as short-cuts for HGVs
* increased traffic flow through surrounding villages will impact on business efficiency and the ability of the workforce to commute effectively
* definition of severe is subjective
* public transport in the area is limited

Full text:

The Midlands Connect Strategy 2017 - 2030 highlights the inadequacy of the A5, this strategy does not envisage any major upgrading of the A5 in the Magna Park area prior to the end date of the strategy in 2030, one year before the end date of the proposed submission version of the HDC Local Plan. When the additional HGV volume and commuter traffic from the proposed policy are factored in, the current A5 layout become inoperable. Surrounding villages are already suffering from increased traffic volume when being used as a 'rat-run' to avoid A5 congestion and HGVs using 'short-cuts'. In addition to the increased traffic flow through surrounding villages the inadequacy of the A5 will also impact on business efficiency and the ability of the workforce to commute effectively at the current and proposed expansion Magna Park sites. UPC also contests that the definition of 'severe' is subjective, the various traffic assessments commissioned use different definitions of severe. It should be noted that public transport options in the immediate vicinity of Magna Park are limited and private car is the most convenient way for employees to travel to work.