Hockley Development Plan.
I have read the Hockley development plan and have the following comments:-
1. TRANSPORT OPTIONS
1.1. The plan does not address the problems of traffic flow for either local people shopping or through traffic between Rayleigh, Ashingdon and Rochford.
1.2. To have a supermarket located in designated areas A1 & A2 with car park behind that requires access from Bramerton Road which joins Spa Road very close to the junction with Spa Road/Southend Road/Main Road/ Woodlands Road totally ignores the problems of traffic flow. Even today try exciting Bramerton Road in a car at busy times , and turn right to go in the direction of Rayleigh. If Hockley wants to encourage people to come and shop in a pleasant "village" town, then traffic flow to and from car parks must be easily accessible and allow the passage of through traffic.
1.3. Ideally Rayleigh, Hockley, Ashingdon and Rochford needs a complete by-pass road, that has feeder roads to each. This would obviously alleviate many of the problems of through traffic, and should be considered as an essential part of the plan to increase housing in the Rochford District. Further development of the area should not be considered until this is included as Stage 1 of the current development plan.
1.4. If we now consider traffic flow in Hockley, unless this is considered as a major part of the overall Development Plan, Hockley will become traffic bound and the public will not come to spend their money, hence the point of the development will be lost.
1.5. We have to accept that private cars, be they petrol/diesel / electric /etc. will not be given up by the public easily, they are here to stay. Future public transport can be offered and considered but it is unlikely to be cost effective without public support, and it must be remembered that the public are now accustomed to total independence and freedom wanting to come and go as they please.

2. HOCKLEY ROAD DEVELOPMENT
2.1. It is essential that a Bye Pass is made part of the overall Development Plan as stated in 1.3 above.
2.2. To allow traffic to flow Hockley needs a one way system that will allow the traffic to flow in the best possible way.
2.2.1. The current bus service have used a one way system that uses Spa Road, Station Road, Great Eastern Road, and Main road back to Spa Road. This is not ideal for the following reasons,
2.2.1.1. Neither Station Road nor Great Eastern Road were developed for large volumes of traffic and are not really suitable for the current traffic that uses these roads to avoid the Spa Junction. So an essential part of any Development Plan must be keeping through traffic moving and allowing local traffic to get to and from suitable parking local to shops. Again if the Development Plan ignores these simple considerations people will not drive to Hockley to shop, as once in the car it will be easier to shop 5 to 6 miles from Hockley to out of town shopping that is easier to get to and park free of charge.
2.2.2. How can we get a practical one way road system in Hockley? The land designated "6" on figure 11 of the report is currently proposed for Landscaping. Is this really required, or will it become an area for undesirables to loiter? Let's consider putting a road through this plot of land and making it part of a one way system around Hockley Spa Public House. Hence all traffic would circulate in a clockwise direction around the Spa Road, New proposed road between Spa Road and Southend Road, and being able to exit where required from the system.
2.2.3. Traffic from Woodland Road to Main Road/Spa Road.Southend Road when exciting would have to turn left to Rayleigh. The alternative to this would be set on traffic light that only worked when vehicles from Woodlands Road passed a sensor, this would stop all traffic from Rochford and Rayleigh in the one way system to all this traffic to enter one way system at Spa Junction. Although this I feel will cause problems to the flow of traffic around the proposed one way system.
2.2.4. The report identifies a problem with the location of the traffic lights in Spa Road under the railway bridge at the junction of Elmwood Ct. This could easily be solved by relocating the traffic light for traffic travelling North-East by moving the lights on the Hockley side of the railway bridge, hence leaving under the bridge clear of stationary cars making passage of large vehicles easier.
2.2.5. Many of the problems associated with roads are self inflicted by bad planning in both recent years and in the past. Hence I feel it is critical that all aspects of the plan are considered, not just the development of new properties that cannor be supported by the local infrastructure.

3. GENERAL COMMENTS
3.1. Since I have to get my response to into Rochford District Council by tomorrow, I do not have time to consider all the other aspects of the Plan.
3.2. I believe I have demonstrated that to build a supermarket in Location A1 & A2 with parking behind, that has access via Bramerton Road to Spa Road is totally stupid and does not consider traffic or safety aspects.
3.3. In many towns/villages, if it is deemed necessary, new supermarkets are placed of the outskirts of the town with adequate parking. If Eldon Way is to be redeveloped then this is where a new supermarket should be with sufficient parking. This would not have a major impact on the traffic flow through Hockley or cause congestion at the Spa Junction.
3.4. I also find it strange that the Foundry Industrial Estate is not mentioned in the plan, why is this land not being considered for development?
3.5. The publication of the plan and the public meetings, not giving the residents of Hockley sufficient time to read digest and comment in full. The meeting that was held on Sunday the 26th April was extremely short notice, and I understand that there in another meeting tonight 29th April at 8.00 which I shall attend.
3.6. I am willing to discuss the development, with the Planning Authorities, and will follow the interest this development.
3.7. Finally, just to add that I am a retired Engineer, who has been responsible for large industrial complexes throughout the world, and have consider experience in planning.
4. WHO AM I.
4.1. David Dare
4.2. 1, Woodstock Crescent, Hockley, Essex. SS5 4XG.