Chamber campaigns for vital local transport link as part of national campaign.
01/08/2007
The Chamber, which represents businesses in Bedfordshire and Luton, is lobbying, as part of a national campaign, against delays to a crucial road link for South Bedfordshire. The Get Britain Moving campaign claims decisions over road improvement schemes across the UK are being held up by a planning system that plays into the hands of parochial interest groups. Led by the Chamber’s umbrella body, the British Chambers of Commerce, the campaign calls for the quick implementation of measures set out in the Planning White Paper, allowing decisions over developments vital to the national infrastructure to be taken by an independent planning commission.
The campaign features a website which showcases sixteen project that have spent a combined total of 80 years tied up in planning consultations. These include the A5 to M1 link road in South Bedfordshire, originally planned for 2008-2009 but now delayed to 2015-2016.
Said Richard Lacy, Chief Executive of the Chamber:
'The A5 to M1 link road is crucial for the further economic development of Bedfordshire. Providing a link from Milton Keynes to the M1, the A5 currently runs through Dunstable where there is extreme congestion, a situation exacerbated by problems on the M1 forcing heavy goods vehicles through the town centre. The situation is not sustainable. Businesses experience considerable difficulty in moving people and goods and money is wasted by industry through delays to its workforce and customers. The retail environment is being slowly destroyed whilst for residents the quality of life is compromised by severe pollution and poor road safety.'
The Get Britain Moving campaign calls for the quick implementation of measures set out in the Planning White Paper, allowing decisions over developments vital to the national infrastructure to be taken by an independent planning commission. The BCC says that the reforms are urgently needed if planning decisions are to be made in the name of long term economic needs, bringing much needed jobs and investment to communities cut adrift by crumbling transport links. The campaign further calls on the Government not to be deterred by groups opposing the reforms, arguing that they are dangerously out of touch with economic realities.
The campaign also warns that continued lengthy delays to so many developments are allowing international competitors to pull away from the UK as they develop their own infrastructure improvements. It argues that establishing a national independent body with planning powers is needed to arrest this, with long-term strategic planning decisions given precedence over shortsighted local campaigns.
Commented Richard Lacy:
'The projects highlighted on the website show why the planning system needs to be reformed. It's unacceptable that projects promising jobs and investment to communities across the country are allowed to linger on the back burner for so long. Giving decision making powers to an independent commission would ensure that decisions are taken efficiently and in accordance with long term priorities set by ministers, giving the planning system a real sense of vision and purpose. At the moment we're seeing small interest groups able to thwart the needs of communities, trapping projects in a never-ending labyrinth of consultations. This puts the wishes of a vocal few over community desire for economic success, challenging the democratic credentials of the current system.'
Added Mr Lacy:
'We want to encourage local businesses to sign this petition as this is an infrastructure development which affects not only South Bedfordshire but potentially the whole sub-region. Taking part couldn't be easier, all you need to do is visit the Get Britain Moving website at www.getbritainmoving.co.uk and visit the East of England section.'
