brentwood.gov.uk

The Council does not wish to raise any issues of soundness or legal compliance with respect to Brentwood Borough Council's proposed approach to strategic transport infrastructure but wishes to make the following general comments.
The Council is generally supportive of the commitments made to maximising and improving the capacity of strategic transport infrastructure within Brentwood Borough. The Council recognises the important potential for encouraging modal shifts and improvements to connectivity across South Essex to support the uptake of sustainable transport solutions and underpin the sustainable growth aspirations of the region.
The Council would support ongoing engagement with Essex County Council and other partners to ensure that opportunities to deliver sustainable transport improvements are maximised in the implementation phase of the draft Plan. Such improvements should consider linkages not just to and from London boroughs but across South Essex, recognising the role of Brentwood Borough as a gateway to and from London for communities across South Essex, including Rochford District. Exploration of the potential to deliver such improvements should also underpin the ongoing development of the South Essex Joint Strategic Plan.
The Council notes the proximity of the proposed Dunton Hills Garden Village to West Horndon and other railway stations. In order to sustainably manage the impact of such growth on the strategic highway network, Brentwood Borough Council should satisfy itself and the Inspector that West Horndon station can sustainably support the proposed growth at Dunton Hills and that connectivity to West Horndon station can comprehensively be planned for through the implementation of the Plan.
The Council supports the principle of delivering highway improvements through the implementation of the Plan and the ongoing development of the South Essex Joint Strategic Plan. In particular, the role of the A127 within South Essex, including for communities in both Brentwood and Rochford is recognised, as are its well-known capacity challenges at peak times. The commitment to a more co-ordinated approach to this key route is supported by a Statement of Common Ground which has been signed by local authorities along the route and Transport for London. Essex County Council, as highway authority for both authorities, should continue to be duly consulted to ensure that the impacts of planned growth on strategic highways across South Essex, including the quantum of growth set out in the draft Brentwood Plan, can adequately be mitigated and that strategic solutions can be planned for.