Congestion still main concern over Sandleford plan

That is the main concern for the residents of south Newbury, who are worried about how busy roads will cope with an influx of cars when 2,000 homes are built on Sandleford Park, off Monks Lane.
People had their first chance to grill developers and the district council, which regards Sandleford as one of its strategic sites for housing, at a consultation event at Newbury Rugby Club last Thursday.
The event was a hive of activity throughout the day, with residents keen to find out what the developer White Young Green Group, has planned for the site.
Russell Toms, who lives with his wife Ann in Chandos Road, which is approximately 200 metres north of Sandleford, said: “We’re against the development full stop.
“Why don’t the council develop brownfield sites before building on greenfield sites?
“Also, we won’t be able to move if the access is on to Monks Lane only.
“It will be gridlock all the time.”
Mr Toms suggested there should be a one-way access road through the site from the Newtown Road roundabout to Monks Lane, but the developer is currently only proposing two vehicular
accesses off Monks Lane, with no through-road across the development and only a bus lane on to Warren Road.
Raymond Cooper, of Warren Road, which is directly west of the site, said: “Parking will have to be banned in Warren Road if developers make it a major filter road.
“It’s already difficult to get down the road now.”
Meanwhile, Newbury town councillor for St Johns ward and member of the SayNOtoSandleford group, Gabrielle McGarvey (Lib Dem) challenged the developer’s proposal to encourage residents of the new estate to cycle to and from their homes.
Mrs McGarvey cycled the 1.5 miles from her home in Howard Road to the consultation event fast Thursday and said: “It was extremely hard work.
“I’m challenging the developers, western area committee and planning officers to cycle the route to see how they do; preferably on a dark, rainy evening during the rush hour, like I did. “Only then will they understand what it will be like for local residents.
“The council and developers need to think long and hard about sustainable transport.
“After a long day at work will people really want to undertake a sweaty cycle ride home?”
The Newbury Weekly News asked West Berkshire Council whether its councillors and officers would take up Mrs McGarvey’s challenge, but the council did not respond.
Meanwhile, planning consultant for White Young Green Planning, Mark Carrington, asked people to get involved in the consultation to shape the Sandleford estate.
He said: “The main issues have been highways; in general, where will the additional traffic go, which junctions will be impacted and which roads will be impacted.”
Mr Carrington said that he hoped a draft plan would be published later this year, with a planning application submitted in spring 2013; however it could be 2016 before construction starts.
To see the plans for Sandleford or to give your feedback, visit