Local Plan 2011-2031 Proposed Submission Draft

Sites KB1 & KB2 are located where the road access to the locations is limited to Victorian designed and built underpasses and weight limited (7.5T) overbridge crossing the East Coast Main Railway line. KB4 access is via a narrow lane constricted by traffic calming chicanes. KB3 is currently a builders yard accessed from the heavily congested B197. All locations lead off the B197 which it is understood now carries more daily traffic than when it bypassed by the A1(M). The B197 through Knebworth is often gridlocked at all times of the day not just at peak times. See attached images of the access bridges.
As there is no provision in the plan for local employment all of the proposed housing will be for commuters who will need to travel through the already heavily congested choke points. Development of site KB3 will result in the loss of local employment.
Knebworth railway station on the ECML is heavily used and it understood that at peak times there are no additional train paths available through the twin track section South of Knebworth. Early morning trains often arrive at the Station already full with standing passengers so that those waiting at Knebworth cannot board. The Station car park and surrounding residential roads are already choked with parked cars and no more can be accommodated. There is no space available in the village centre for additional parking provision.
Due to the heavy congestion travel by cycle out of Knebworth is hazardous.
In view of this additional housing in the proposed Knebworth locations will create.
All sites apart from KB3, which would provide an insignificant amount of additional housing, impinges on the Green belt land surrounding Knebworth.
The proposed additional housing would overload the already heavily used village facilities - Doctors surgery - Dentists - Primary School.

Sites KB1 & KB2 are located where the road access to the locations is limited to Victorian designed and built underpasses and weight limited (7.5T) overbridge crossing the East Coast Main Railway line. KB4 access is via a narrow lane constricted by traffic calming chicanes. KB3 is currently a builders yard accessed from the heavily congested B197. All locations lead off the B197 which it is understood now carries more daily traffic than when it bypassed by the A1(M). The B197 through Knebworth is often gridlocked at all times of the day not just at peak times. See attached images of the access bridges.
As there is no provision in the plan for local employment all of the proposed housing will be for commuters who will need to travel through the already heavily congested choke points. Development of site KB3 will result in the loss of local employment.
Knebworth railway station on the ECML is heavily used and it understood that at peak times there are no additional train paths available through the twin track section South of Knebworth. Early morning trains often arrive at the Station already full with standing passengers so that those waiting at Knebworth cannot board. The Station car park and surrounding residential roads are already choked with parked cars and no more can be accommodated. There is no space available in the village centre for additional parking provision.
Due to the heavy congestion travel by cycle out of Knebworth is hazardous.
In view of this additional housing in the proposed Knebworth locations will create.
All sites apart from KB3, which would provide an insignificant amount of additional housing, impinges on the Green belt land surrounding Knebworth.
The proposed additional housing would overload the already heavily used village facilities - Doctors surgery - Dentists - Primary School.