brentwood.gov.uk

I strongly object to the proposed development for houses to be built adjacent to Priests Lane.
Priests Lane is inadequate for the levels of traffic using it at present, as demonstrated by the frequent traffic accidents, near misses and levels of congestion and delays. To add more housing and therefore a great increase in vehicles and access routes to the present road situation would create intolerable conditions for both residents and other road users.

The volume of traffic, especially during the peak hours of morning and evening 'rush hour' means daily queuing vehicles, resulting in unhealthy pollution for pedestrians - including school children and older residents and frustrating gridlock for all road-users.

The road is too narrow to support more traffic. Vehicles leaving and arriving at houses along Priests Lane (including ours) need to use the full width of the road: this has become increasingly difficult due to the volume, queuing or speed of vehicles.

The proposed entrances/exits to the development site do not allow adequate views of the traffic they are joining and are therefore dangerous. The junction at Glanthams Road is very close to one of the proposed exits. Vehicles joining Priests Lane from Glanthams Road need to use the full width of the road and this therefore would make that new junction extremely dangerous.

The pavements along Priests Lane are very narrow in places, often partially or wholly blocked by parked vehicles, including delivery vans and builders' equipment and are largely on one side of the road. Pedestrians using these pavements include school children, parents with prams and young children (our daughter for instance) and the elderly - who are all put at risk in doing so.

The proposed development would also put further pressure on the local amenities and facilities such as schools and doctors' surgeries. There is no provision for solving these problems in the plan nor positive planning for the provision of amenities for the benefit of the residents of the town, such as a long-promised cinema or facilities for young people.

The proposed development would change the characteristic of the Shenfield locality- taking out the valuable and vital amenity of open space and replacing it with urban infilling. This is not a reversible change and would be at a detriment to the town as a whole.

The general road situation in the Brentwood area is abysmal. The town centre is frequently choked with traffic. I have spent many journeys crawling through the town on the way to and from my workplace. The roads are inadequate for the levels of traffic using them at present and would become far worse should this development, together with other proposed developments go ahead.

Planned changes to the town need to enhance the environment for current residents, future residents and others using it not to be at a detriment to all. I am very concerned that this is what is about to happen. There is no excuse for poor planning and development. I do hope this will not be the case.