Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

We, the residents of Stevenage Road, Hitchin, wish to bring to your attention our increasing concerns regarding our area and the impact of the present traffic using Stevenage Road.
Over recent years, the traffic has increased quite dramatically in terms of volume, speed, noise levels and pollution. These factors are having an immense impact upon the quality of life, stress levels and concerns for health and safety, as when trying to park, getting into and out of our cars and crossing the road. The latter activity can often take a few minutes before a gap appears to enable one to cross.
As residents, all of us are aware that the traffic is continually increasing, with a resultant increase in accidents and creating the impression that we are captives on our own residential road.
The following are factors which greatly contribute to the problem:-
1. The road is now a primary route for traffic going to Luton, Luton Airport, Bedford, all of the local Hitchin areas, including industrial areas and rural villages.
2. A significant proportion of the traffic is HGV or very heavy articulated type, often causing tailbacks, particularly when two such vehicles try to pass, sometimes with damage sustained by residents' and visiting cars or vans.
3. For a great number, the road has become a rat-run for many of its users, including for school runs and local businesses. Whenever possible, vehicular speeds are clearly very often in excess of the 30mph road speed limit and quite often up to or exceeding 45mph.
4. The road is also used for parking by many people who work in Hitchin.
5. Quite often, heavy goods vehicles park on the road, thus creating chaos for all road users, particularly residents.
We contacted North Herts District Council about our concerns and were advised to organise a petition. To this end, in the short time allowed us, we have raised a paper petition as best we could, whilst there is also one on Facebook. Herewith this letter are names, addresses and signatures of residents in Stevenage Road and other people in the area who share our concerns and appreciate the problems. Some local schools and churches in the area have also contributed. Should a later date of submission of this petition have been offered, we are certain that we would have raised very many more signatures.
We all believe that there is only one satisfactory solution to the very serious traffic problem in Stevenage Road. This solution would provide a new, dual by-pass, which would carry the traffic from the end of the dual carriageway between Corey's Mill and Hitchin at Wymondley, around St Ippolyts, to connect up with the A505 Luton Road and possibly the A600 Bedford Road.
The above are the basic reasons why we are lodging this petition. We accordingly beseech the Council to kindly promote and organise the implementation of this vital piece of infrastructure, which will make our lives and their surrounds tolerable and benefit the area as a whole.

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