Object
Preferred Options
Representation ID: 49198
Received: 27/07/2012
Respondent: Mr Jonathan Parkhouse
There is already extensive congestion in the area.
More employment toward Coventry will result in more cross twon journeys. Given constraints caused by the Avon bridge and town centre traffic calming, the proposed traffic improvements are unlikely to work.
Air quality is likely to reduce due to increase in traffic. This is inconsistent with the AQ Action Plan
The population has already increased much faster than average meaning infrastructure is a capacity.
I wish to express concern over the plan to build 2700 new homes in the south
of Warwick (P04 Distribution for Sites for Housing: Location 2 and 3).
The intended creation of new employment opportunities towards Coventry
(PO3 Broad Location of Growth) will result in a greater number of vehicle
movements at peak times. Myton Road, Banbury Road and Europa Way are
already far too congested at peak times; there will also be increased pressure
upon the road layout of historic Warwick. (PO14: Transport). Given that the
bridge over the Avon (a Scheduled Ancient Monument and therefore without
scope for widening) and the traffic calming measures in the town centre already
constrain traffic flows, I am unconvinced that improvement to the Myton Road/
Banbury Road junction (PO14: Transport) would be effective.
I am also concerned about air quality, and in particular the likely increase of
Nitrogen Dioxide levels. The Warwick District Air Quality action plan 2008
identified the entire road network within Warwick town centre as exceeding
maximum NO2 levels as set out in the Air Quality Regulations (England)
(Wales) 2000. In 2012, air quality remains in breach of these regulations, and
will become even higher with the increased traffic volume resulting from the
Local Plan preferred options. (PO12 Climate Change; PO14 Transport). There
needs to be a radical plan to ensure the use of sustainable transport that does not
exacerbate the existing problems of congestion and pollution.
Warwick District population has increased by 12% since 2000, which is
approximately twice the rate of increase for Warwickshire; twice the national
average increase, and over 3x the increase for West Midlands. Warwick has
therefore already been subject to significant recent Urban Fringe development
and population expansion, a large proportion of which is in South Warwick
where the majority of further development is now proposed. (PO1 Level of
Growth). Current infrastructure is at capacity; it remains to be seen whether
Community Infrastructure Levy will actually address the shortfall.
Development zone 2 to the west of Europa Way was identified as an area of
restraint at the time of planning the Warwick Technology Park, to create a green
buffer zone to separate Warwick from Leamington Spa, and to prevent the two
towns becoming one urban sprawl. In addition, the land West of Europa Way
provides valuable wildlife habitat and connectivity (PO15). The loss of this
buffer is highly regrettable.
Development on the area of restraint also threatens local houses with flooding.
At present, during heavy rain, the run off is slowed by the pasture and crops. It
backs up by the Malins and then flows into the Myton School playing fields.
Properties in Myton Crescent were flooded when development was carried out
on the Trinity School site. Developing the Myton side of the site would threaten
houses south of Myton Road (PO18 Flooding and Water). It is unclear how this
threat will be mitigated.