Highways and Transportation Consideration of Strategic Highways Issues The County Council has worked closely with officers of Ashford Borough Council from the commencement of the Local Plan Review to define the methodology for work to inform the evidence base to the emerging Local Plan. Helpfully, the timing of work to inform the emerging Local Plan has coincided with work being progressed by Highways England to prepare a Business Case and documentation in support of a Development Consent Orde

Chapter 5C – Transport The Plan proposals for economic growth and housing will result in increased traffic flows which will generate additional nitrogen emissions that can be damaging to the natural environment. Of concern is Hatch Park SSSI which is located within 200m of the A20 and M20 to the south of Ashford. The interest features of this site include lichens, which are particularly sensitive to changes in air quality. The impacts to this site should be assessed using traffic projections a

Rail Infrastructure Throughout the draft Ashford Local Plan 2030 there is a clear lack of acknowledgement in relation to the importance of the railway within the Borough. For instance, Section C Transport does not appear to make any specific reference to railway infrastructure, stations and initiatives. Network Rail would like the importance of rail as a mode of transport to be recognised within the draft Ashford Local Plan 2030. Furthermore, Network Rail would welcome the opportunity to discu

This present Representation addresses the requirements for "Transport Infrastructure" planning and the areas where key aspects are given what is considered to be inadequate recognition and proposals for further development. Principal references in the DLP are: *  Intro to IDP, Appendix 1 *  Annex 2 Infrastructure Delivery Plan *  ABC Statement of Community Involvement *  NPPF paras 157 / 162 / 173 / 177 Comment made at Question 2: For the overall Local Plan to be viable, the associated Inf

With increased development comes the inevitable increase in traffic, in both urban and rural environment. Development and the necessary infrastructure should, where possible, go hand in hand. With Ashford's growth, as a business centre, train access to Europe, despite Brexit, will become even more essential.

The NPPF emphasises the importance of rebalancing the transport system in favour of sustainable transport modes, whilst encouraging local authorities to plan proactively for the transport infrastructure necessary to support the growth of ports, airports and other major generators of travel demand. The promotion of sustainable transport, towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential. Instead of designing a strategy to ensure that traffic movements reduce, or at least stay the same, the

We are disappointed that Rail development initiatives are seemingly missing from the Transport section of the Ashford Local Plan 2030 . Rail plays a key role in supporting economic development in Kent and the High Speed Service has been a key driver for employment growth within Ashford Borough due to the impact of the 38 minute journey time into London from Ashford and excellent links to Kent Sussex and the continent. As such we would like the importance of rail as a mode of transport to be reco

I do not believe that the current plan of expansion across Ashford borough does not take into account the already overstressed roads, namely the A2070 which sees increasing amounts of traffic over the last decade. I believe that the local infrastructure (mainly the roads) need desperate improvement before any large housing developments are put into motion.