Economy and Town Centres

The proposed growth effects the borders of several settlements, like my own Knebworth. The growth is welcomed but the Plan omits to specify necessary associated development of the Centres that the Plan recognised are the heart of the growth in economy. For example the Centres in Codicote and especially in Knebworth, are accessed by narrow roads and obscured junctions to the main roads. The growth implies at least a 30% increase in vehicles and traffic flow. In Knebworth access from the west side to the Centre is via two railway underpasses, less than 14 feet and single pedestrian pavement of 2 feet, adequate for single file; we have to walk in the road to pass. Access to the rail station and main pub is via this rail underpass. Unless this "pinch-point" is not improved in parallel to the growth, access to the margins is seriously challenged, enough for the objections to the Plan to be os fraught, that it will threaten the delivery of growth in the timeframe allowed. I can imagine the whole of Old and "New" Knebworth will object on this single unrecognised infrastructure need.

Merely reclassification of land will not stimulate employment. The local plan needs to clearly articulate how they propose to minimise commuter journies that will arise from the Local Plan in line with the recommendation 37.

Employment opportunities will be reduced by the closure of the Chas lowe site. The village has already lost its remaining bank within the last year.

There has been no engagement with Knebworth residents on this aspect since the previous iteration of the plan.