Comment
Draft Local Plan
Representation ID: 15758
Received: 11/05/2016
Respondent: National Highways
A key employment development site is Brentwood Enterprise Park, which is located to the east of M25 J29. We consider that this could have a significant effect on the operation of the junction, due to the size of the development and its proximity to the junction. The Local Plan indicates that public transport will be encouraged at the site to encourage employees to make use of alternatives to private car use. However, the extent of the public transport provision, access by cyclists and pedestrians is unclear at this stage. It is important that this provision is extensive and covers long distance as well as short distance trips, to try and minimise the impact of the development on the Strategic Road Network. The access and egress arrangements to this site are also potentially challenging and it is recommended that the proposals for these are discussed with Highways England to provide reassurance that safe and acceptable operation can be achieved at an early stage. It is important that all out of town sites are well connected to the public transport network, both in terms of bus provision and access to nearby rail stations to ensure longer distance strategic trips have an alternative to private vehicle use. Whilst this approach is supported through Policy 8.3, the Local Plan does not provide specific public transport details and therefore the extent of the intended public transport provision is unknown.
See attached