For many decades, UK transport planning has been based on the Predict (the new motor traffic growth) and Provide (the calculated new and improved roads and junctions) principle. Not for any valid reason, just 'that's the way it's always been done'. Mercifully, this is beginning to change, and rather than cutting and pasting from better authors, can I suggest a read of this opinion piece.
This is all very relevant to Horsham District, as the long awaited Local Plan should appear this coming November (Water Neutrality permitting) and it would make sense, given all the challenges ahead, to ensure that any strategic (ie significantly large) new housing developments have the vision to prioritise sustainable transport modes, rather than buckling under yet more private motor vehicles.
The snag, from a district councillor's viewpoint, being that WSCC Highways are a statutory consultee and, so far, their attitude to such matters is distinctly 'institutionally motorist'. However, in the beginning it's a developer's site, and with encouragement, which ought to be in the new local plan, then sustainable transport routes should be prioritised. A local test will be the potential Glebe Farm site east of the Steyning by-pass (for up to 265 dwellings, DC/21/2233). Well within a 20 minute walk / 5 minute cycle ride to Steyning shops, but will it be easy and comfortable or difficult and dangerous?
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