Local plan scoping consultation

TRAFFIC CHAOS AND CARNAGE
The proposed development of currently 1,100 dwellings in Ashley would have a devastating and undesirable impact on this small rural village, entirely swamping its present charm.
The impact this would have on current busy road usage would be catastrophic. Assuming each dwelling has use of two vehicles making two return journeys a day this would amount to 8,800 vehicle trips largely (say 80%) being taken between 7.30 and 9.30 in the morning and 16.00 and 18.00 in the afternoon. That’s 7,040 vehicle movements in this 4 hour period which amounts to approximately 30 vehicles a minute.
Each of the four access routes to the village is along narrow winding lanes with blind corners and crossing dangerous river and/or rail bridges. Current usage of these lanes is already at a high level. About 80% of the new traffic would use Cow Lane into Hale village, where the road is already clogged with vehicles for much of the day.
It is fantasy to suggest the use of rail transport would relieve some of this traffic. Even were a half hourly train service to be introduced the impact would be marginal as most residents would use a car home to office, school or shops.