Many of you will have followed the public consultation process by Woking Borough Council which started in 2012. This will culminate in a vote by the Full Council on 14th October 2021 as to whether to adopt the Final Plan or not. The complete package of papers to be considered by the Executive and the Full Council is 781 pages.
Fortunately, members of your RA Committee have taken the time to summarise the Plan for your benefit:
- Parts One and Two focus on sites within the Three Villages
- Part Three is the advice from Council Officials to Councillors
Please note that this is a factual summary and does not include any views or opinions of the Residents’ Association or individual members of the RA Committee.
The document can be viewed here.
Many thanks to the RA committee members for summarising the document so effectively. I was struck by the following in the Inspector’s comments:
It is generally accepted that elements of the A245 corridor through West Byfleet and Byfleet are
operating at or above full capacity during peak periods. Indeed the Green Belt Boundary Review
Sensitivity Test Strategic Transport Assessment finds that use of the GB9 site for housing would result in
transport movements over and above those estimated in the Transport Evaluation for Woking Borough
Council’s Core Strategy 2026 Transport Assessment Report.
Highways England’s have a clear intent to enhance the efficiency of the transport network in the vicinity
of Byfleet and West Byfleet.
This is the first I have heard of any intent on the part of Highways England to do anything about the A245 west of the junction with Seven Hills Road. Am I missing something? Assuming plans are now submitted for building housing on GB9, is the impact on the transport infrastructure an acceptable reason for objecting?
Good morning Michael,
I myself made a big study of the local transport plans , impacts of Broadoaks and the proposed GB9 proposal. I personally spent 2 days in front of the Inspector at the review and said that the A245 has severe limitations with regard to capacity especially as the traffic lights in the village are now set at the optimum operation using live data. We were told that Highways have plans to improve the flow at Seven Hills road and at the roundabouts in Byfleet. Highways at the meeting did concede that they had no in house review of West Byfleet traffic with regard to GB9 let along the impact of the massive housing development at Mclarens that will be feeding through us travelling east to the A3 . It was said at the meeting that this would be an issue that would be reviewed when the GB9 plans were put forward. So the objection has already been put in place with data to this up. We need to be ready for any plans that are put forward for the GB9 site.
My understanding is that Highways England do intend to improve the traffic flows at both the Seven Hills road and at the Byfleet roundabouts. However I suspect that the impact will be minimal. I am not aware of any housing development at Mclarens.
Stewart Dick
Dear Michael
The A245 is already operating at well above capacity.
Highways England do intend to improve the traffic flows at both the Seven Hills road and at the Byfleet roundabouts. However I suspect that the impact will be minimal.
The Inspector has made very clear statements regarding infrastructure improvements and the Planning Committee will need to ensure that they are to be implemented when reaching a decision.
Stewart DIck
We think the volume of traffic would be an issue and on Parvis Road and we would love to hear exactly what the Highways England would do for the Byfleets?
Futhermore any persons purchasing any houses and setting up on should be told of severe flooding .
Thank you.
Highways England proposals will be part of any Planning Application.
Anyone purchasing a house should do their own research and all necessary information is available.
Stewart Dick