Object
Harborough Local Plan 2011-2031, Proposed Submission
Representation ID: 7109
Received: 17/11/2017
Respondent: North Kilworth Parish Council
Legally compliant? No
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? No
* 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
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.