You can’t fix this traffic problem with a few tweaks

Residents’ report criticises plan for coping with vehicles

A new report commissioned by worried residents in south Canterbury has criticised the traffic management scheme for the planned 4,000-home Mountfield Park development.

The investigation by transport consultants Railton concludes the proposal underestimates the adverse impact of the traffic and “fails to present a credible and effective strategy”.

But developer Corinthian has branded the report “unbalanced” and insists its ideas to cope with an increase in vehicles is sound.

It was commissioned by the group of residents’ associations called the South Canterbury Alliance

In its assessment, Railton looked at several factors, including forecasts for the number of new home owners who would give up cars for alternative transport like buses for local journeys.

It claims the opportunities for non-car travel have been “significantly over-estimated” in Corinthian’s proposals.

It also questions the estimation of reduced car journeys because some people may work at the new business park within the development, which it claims is “grossly exaggerated”.

The report also accuses the developer of underestimating background traffic growth and claims that key elements of the highway strategy are not viable.

It questions Corinthian’s observations about queues at traffic junctions, which it says undermines the validity of the junction modelling.

The consultants also fear the development will have an adverse impact on Nackington, for which, it says, no mitigation is proposed.

South Canterbury Alliance secretary David Kemsley said: “We are not traffic experts but commissioned those who are to do it, simply because we did not believe the information in Corinthian’s traffic strategy, which paints an incredibly optimistic picture.

“The report highlights the exaggerated claims and underestimations of the strategy and we don’t believe you can build 4,000 homes and cope with all the traffic simply with a few tweaks.

“For example, it was ludicrous to suggest that buses could go down Dover Street, as proposed, which really suggests a lack of knowledge.

“All we can do is hand the evidence to the city and county councils and planning inspector and ask them to take it into account and hope it presses the case for an eastern relief road.”

What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup. co.uk or write to Gazette House, 5-8 Boorman Way, Wraik Hill, Whitstable, CT5 3SE.

Protesters say it’s ludicrous to suggest that buses could go down Dover Street