Comment

Draft Local Plan

Representation ID: 13534

Received: 22/03/2016

Respondent: Essex Bridleways Association

Representation Summary:

* ensure routes for equestrians are included within developments;
*ensure multi-user crossings are provided over trunk roads and railway line

Full text:

We note in paragraph 10.6 that this policy aims to ensure that development reduces the need to travel, and to give priority to pedestrians and cyclists to reach facilities including recreational facilities and open space. We request that equestrians are included within this policy to ensure that this vulnerable user group is not ignored. We would also like to make the comment that there appear to be no plans within this document to incorporate any strategic trunk road or railway crossings as part of new developments. Just recently a young boy was killed on the A127 where the bridleway is severed by this extremely busy road and this sad episode brings to the fore the need to plan ahead how residents are going to access jobs, schools and other facilities if they lie across either of these barriers. We therefore request that at the Masterplan planning stage of new developments that multi-user crossings for the A127/A12 and the railway line are incorporated into the scheme at an early stage and developer contribution is obtained to enable this to happen. It seems ludicrous to encourage walking and cycling, reducing dependence on the use of cars, when people are unable to safely access those areas across what are effectively major barriers, unless they are travelling in a car.