The following is the response to the Saxon Street Improvement survey at Have Your Say Today – Groundbreaking Bletchley & Fenny Stratford Town Deal – Commonplace
Bus station
It is not a bus station now, just a collection of bus stops which would be better located closer to the redeveloped Brunel/Sainsbury site, close to decent public toilets which could be used by bus drivers/members of the public
Eastern entrance
MKCC have long had an aspiration for an eastern entrance but have not produced details of the cost/logistics of providing this. The sad-looking existing western entrance with parking/ticketing facilities serves West Bletchley residents and is ideal for those visiting Bletchley Park and the Colleges on Sherwood Drive. Those who live elsewhere in Bletchley would automatically support an eastern entrance, unaware that an eastern entrance would cost £millions. In particular, those in wheelchairs who have to manoeuvre the slope on Buckingham Road to access the station. The existing steep steps, from the station to Buckingham Road/Saxon Street, should be replaced by an access-friendly route using part of the Police Station site currently owned by MKCC. A bridge from the eastern side of the station to the Brunel site would not involve massive changes to Saxon Street or rail land/Cemex site adjoining it and those leaving the rail station would automatically end up in Central Bletchley. Bridges cross many dual & single carriage ways throughout MK. When the MRT arrives, that could utilise one of the 2 existing carriageways.
Pedestrian crossings
No – this is a main route between Central Bletchley, the A5 and West Bletchley. It serves a densely populated area and is the only access route as alternatives such as the A421 are already seriously congested which will be acerbated by further new developments both inside and outside Bletchley. The existing crossings are fine, although a footpath linking the new developments either side of Burger King and Duncombe Street would make this area safer for pedestrians. A bridge over Saxon Street would also achieve this – see above.
No – see previous answer. In addition, Duncombe Street is already a bottle neck – a one-way system should be introduced here. When the Brunel/Sainsbury site is redeveloped, to avoid Albert Street, Duncombe Street and adjoining Saxon Street will be the main access point, and this proposed scheme will not cope with the additional traffic using the site. An improved access-friendly pedestrian route from Buckingham Road to Queensway to replace the current different levels, and which avoids the traffic on the Brunel service road is essential. The existing crossings are fine, apart from that to the area in front of the Working Men’s Club where illegal parking is a hazard to pedestrian safety – Highways and Parking Enforcement should have already taken steps to address this.
Public Realm
Apart from footpaths previously mentioned, the privately-owned Stephenson House and surroundings are a blight on this area. The unoccupied retails units and the fly-tipping reflect badly on Bletchley and measures should be taken to ensure the managers/owners of this site address these issues. The former privately-owned Co-Op site also requires attention. Landscape work is required throughout the area.
Footpaths are essential as per previous comments. There are few existing redways in Bletchley & Fenny Stratford and any new ones in this area will presumably take account of the new Brunel/Sainsbury development, and eventually link to the redway network. However, electric scooters are a hazard on existing redways and footpaths – measures required in the interests of pedestrian safety, particularly those with disability/access needs.
I have no current need to use buses in this area but hear constant complaints about the current poor bus services. An MRT service from Rail Station to CMK, via MK1, would create a speedy service to these areas as frequently used by Bletchley residents.
Conclusion
I have already set out my objections to this scheme in previous sections of this survey – final comments are below.
Unfortunately, MKCC have failed to take account of the impact of a single carriageway on those who live in or pass through West Bletchley from areas such as Newton Longville and, in the not-too-distant future, those from Salden Park. These motorists live in the numerous roads south of the A421 that lead onto Buckingham Road to access Saxon Street. Others living in the Bletchley & Fenny Stratford Town Council area use Water Eaton Road to access Buckingham Road and Sherwood Drive. There are long traffic delays at peak times now for all these motorists, the further away you live, the longer you wait, which will only get worse if the single carriageway is implemented – alternative routes are not an option as they are also congested.
Have MKCC taken account of the traffic currently trying to access Sherwood Drive from the Brunel Roundabout or from West Bletchley which is held up due to the pedestrian controlled lights just inside Sherwood Drive in front of the College, and often blocks the Sherwood Drive/Buckingham Road roundabout. Sherwood Drive is possibly the busiest by way of pedestrian footfall, due to residents crossing the road in either direction to get to work, medical centres, the shops, the rail station, the Colleges and Lord Grey School etc. It is a nightmare if you have to use a mobility scooter at peak times.
Traffic modelling data is not available – is this because it does not cover all or a selection of roads that will be impacted and which would weaken the case for this scheme?
Whilst East/West Rail may be coming to Bletchley next year, the rest of this project is an unknown, particularly in view of the new Government’s plan to cut spending. East/West Rail have installed the track and platforms at Bletchley, but not indicated that they will support/finance an eastern entrance.
Public Realm Improvements Survey – BPARA supports the proposals.
