Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation

Whilst it is acknowledged that there are no site-specific allocations close to the Hertfordshire boundary. Should that situation change, where there are opportunities to review any cross-boundary site allocations, Hertfordshire County Council should be invited to engage and contribute on matters relating to service provision across administrative areas to ensure there are comprehensive mitigation strategies in place.

Hertfordshire County Council are supportive of how the chapter on flood risk / SuDS incorporates requirements of the National Standards for SuDS (2025). We also support the requirement of the sequential test.

Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) aims to provide a safe, efficient, and resilient transport system that serves the needs of businesses and residents across Hertfordshire and to minimise impact on the environment. The comments made within this representation reflect HCC’s commitment to moving towards more sustainable modes of transport and movement as set out in the Hertfordshire Local Transport Plan.
Hertfordshire County Council’s adopted Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) and its supporting documents set out the long-term transport strategy for the County to accommodate the levels of housing and employment growth being identified by the District Councils in their emerging Local Plans.

The LTP4 provides a framework to guide all our future transport planning and investment.
The LTP provides a policy foundation for a balanced approach to transport and consistently promoting and enabling sustainable transport and sustainable travel behaviour in order to support better economic, social, and environmental outcomes for the county in a context of growth. The LTP accelerates the transition from previous transport plans and strategies that were largely focused on the car to a more balanced approach which caters for all forms of transport and seeks to encourage a switch from the private car to sustainable transport (e.g. walking, cycling and passenger transport) wherever possible. The founding policy of the LTP4 establishes a Transport User Hierarchy, which sets out that in the development and design of any plan, project or scheme consideration should be given in the following order to:
• Opportunities to reduce the need to travel
• Vulnerable road user needs (such as pedestrians and cyclists)
• Passenger transport user needs
• Powered two-wheeler (mopeds and motorbikes) user needs
• Other motor vehicle user needs

HCC has developed a number of Growth and Transport Plans (GTP) which are supporting documents to LTP4 and set out how the LTP policies should be applied at a local geographical level.
North Central Growth Transport Plan: AECOM Report South Central Hertfordshire Growth and Transport Plan 2017-03-30
A Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) has also been developed for North Herts: Appendix 2 North Herts LCWIP Final Report Combined Appendices.pdf.pdf
These plans have identified the following aspirations and/or opportunities for the area:
• A505/A10 Corridor and Bridge Connection
The A505/A10 corridor is already under significant pressure, particularly the section between Baldock and Royston. Planned growth within Greater Cambridge will increase demand further. Delivery of the proposed A505/A10 bridge connection into Royston and completion of the Melbourn Greenway remain critical infrastructure priorities to support safe, sustainable cross border movement.

• Public Transport to Cambridgeshire Employment Areas
Many Cambridgeshire employment clusters attract a substantial commuter flow from Royston and wider North Herts. There is strong potential to expand cross boundary public transport, including enhanced bus services and possible integration of services such as HertsLynx, to reduce car dependency and provide viable access to key job sites.

• Rail Line Capacity
Growth in the Cambridge sub region will also place added pressure on the rail corridor through Royston. Long term planning must consider enhancements to capacity, reliability, and station access to manage increased passenger volume.

• Location of New Employment Zones
New employment allocations in Greater Cambridge may draw additional commuter traffic from Hertfordshire. It is important from HCC’s perspective that site selection follows principles consistent with LTP4, ensuring growth is focused where high quality non car travel options exist. Strengthening active travel and bus/rail connectivity across the county border will help ensure additional demand does not default to the A10/A505.

• Freight and HGV Movements
The A505 is already a key east–west freight route, and further development risks increasing HGV flows through constrained junctions and settlements. Cross boundary freight impacts should be factored into infrastructure planning and mitigation measures.

North Hertfordshire is itself accommodating significant development along the A505 corridor, including sites around Royston, Baldock, and Letchworth. The cumulative effect of this growth—combined with that proposed in Greater Cambridge—reinforces the need for a coordinated transport strategy for the whole A505/A10 corridor, with particular focus on safety, congestion, and sustainable travel enhancements.