TIPTREE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN 2020 -2033 Traffic implications and problems for Inworth, Feering and Kelvedon Dear Tiptree Neighbourhood Plan Committee, Messing cum Inworth Parish Council have taken the time to read through and understand your plans for Tiptree of which the B1023 plays a major part in its access arrangements. We need to make you aware that using the B1023 as a main access route for the additional homes planned for Tiptree is flawed, as the road, due to its size and nature, is not fit for purpose nor can it be improved to be so. Please read below our remarks to your plans and also note our aims for Inworth to ease the dangerous traffic flow already taking place. We request a meeting with you at your earliest convenience to see if common ground can be found on this important matter. We are also interested to learn how your new (bypass) roads will be funded and if this is to be via the developers, how can it be written into policy by Colchester Borough Council before planning permission is granted on these sites. Highland Nursery and Elms Farm The two developments will have between them 450 homes, most of the traffic from which will feed onto the B1023 connected by the “route corridor” that appears to be in the Messing cum Inworth parish. The “Commercial area” shown on the Policies Map will generate additional commercial traffic using the B1023. NB. There is currently no nursery where Highland Nursery is shown. It is an area of farmland adjacent to Hill Farm. Tower End Tower End is allocated for approximately 175 homes. The criteria must be met include a ‘primary street’ connecting Kelvedon Road with Grange Road. Location of Developments means big increase in traffic on B1023 These development areas are concentrated on the northern side of Tiptree and will feed additional traffic from a total of 625 new homes and onto the B1023 Kelvedon Road via the "link roads". The industrial and commercial development will further increase the already high volume of commercial vans and heavy lorries. The proposed developments in this area will impact considerably on the volume of traffic heading to and from Kelvedon and the A12 on a road that is already working beyond its capacity. Weak bridge Hinds Bridge in Inworth carries the B1023 Inworth Road/Kelvedon Road over Domsey Brook. The bridge is an old brick arch construction and when inspected in 2018 it was shown to be in poor repair and in need of urgent strengthening work. While this work was being carried out a weight limit was also imposed on the bridge. For the work to be safely carried out the B1023 had to be completely closed for several weeks in the summer of 2018 until work was completed in October. Increased traffic, especially lorries, generated by the Tiptree developments will result in more damage to this already overloaded bridge. Safety and damage to property The village of Inworth already suffers greatly from the current volume of traffic and the size of the lorries. Large lorries have demolished fences and there is very little safe footpath for residents to use. There are often road accidents in the centre of Inworth caused by speeding vehicles losing control. Damage to road surface and infrastructure A water main in the road near the Stonefields Farm Shop is frequently damaged by the weight of traffic and has to be repaired on a regular basis necessitating the use of traffic lights. There are several manhole covers that are already damaged and the surface of the road is breaking up in places. Alternative link road urgently needed There is already an urgent and immediate need for better access to the A12 from Tiptree. The increase in traffic generated by the development plans added to the huge increase in vehicles per hour on this road predicted by the surveys carried out by Highways England in connection with the imminent A12 improvements will lead to gridlock at pinch points such as Gore Pit corner in Feering and Kelvedon High Street. A sensible solution would be for the traffic to be routed west of Tiptree towards Rivenhall where the proposed junction between the A120 and the A12 is located. This would also save Feering and Kelvedon villages from constant through traffic to and from the A12. It would also provide good access to the A120 avoiding the need to route through Kelvedon and Feering. If the existing roads to Braxted Park and the A12 are not suitable a new link road should be constructed now to avert the inevitable problems. This should be part of the Tiptree plan and the developers should make a contribution to the cost. .