Hockley Area Action Plan - Issues and Options

By way of introduction, Seetec has been an established employer in Hockley since 1984. Our Head Office is in the former primary school in Main Road, Hockley some 400 metres west of the town centre. Further information about us can be found on our website www.seetec.co.uk.

Our response has addresses the main issues rather than specific Sections and preferred options.

TRAFFIC
Whilst the development of the town centre is a welcome development we are very concerned that this fails to take into account the massive increase in traffic flows from future housing development over the next 10 - 25 years and more importantly, the development of Southend Airport.

We want to be clear that local employment generation through the airport and other local employers is vital especially during recession, recovery and growth, provided it is sensibly planned.

The airport expansion, itself subject to separate consultation, across both freight and passenger activities will put enormous pressure on the local road infrastructure, especially the B1013. This runs through the heart of the town centre. It is inevitable that with the potential increase in road usage by lorries and passengers over the next 5 years alone, will place enormous strains on local traffic flows. It will be exacerbated by both daytime and the largely unrestricted night flying opprtunities of the new owners Eddie Stobart. There will be further pressure caused by potential dualing of Cherry Orchard Way.

Of course the expansion of the airport is subject to separate consultation but we are of the opinion that the HAAP must have a viable long-term traffic solution such as a southern / Croach Valley by-pass. The proposals to tinker with lights and other options at Woodlands Road are inadequate and will not in itself provide the infrastructure to support the HAAP options. Southend Road / Main Road, the Spa mini roundabout and the approaching roads are narrow bottlenecks. A radical solution is required backed by major road investmnet to by-pass the town centre whilst balancing conservation needs in the surrounding woodlands and Roach Valley Conservation Zone.

The potential traffic congestion will have a detrimental impact on local retail, community and informal recreation opportunities as detailed in the HAAP and urge that the HAAP, Southend Airport and new Local Development Plan are considered in more detail at the next phase of consultation.

IMAGE
Hockley needs an image to re-generate the "character of place" and culture. Unfortunately, the image of a Spa town would be inappropriate given the recent development adjoining the Spa. Hockley Woods,however, is a jewel in the crown within the Rochford District and serious consideration should be given to expanding public investment to encourage informal recreation and promoting Hockley as the home of one of the UK's most important ancient woodlands. This potential should be explored at the next stage.

Finally, HAAP needs to offer something more for children and young people. At the very least why not resurrect the Hockley Youth Club project as an integral part of the plans?

By way of introduction, Seetec has been an established employer in Hockley since 1984. Our Head Office is in the former primary school in Main Road, Hockley some 400 metres west of the town centre. Further information about us can be found on our website www.seetec.co.uk.

Our response has addresses the main issues rather than specific Sections and preferred options.

TRAFFIC
Whilst the development of the town centre is a welcome development we are very concerned that this fails to take into account the massive increase in traffic flows from future housing development over the next 10 - 25 years and more importantly, the development of Southend Airport.

We want to be clear that local employment generation through the airport and other local employers is vital especially during recession, recovery and growth, provided it is sensibly planned.

The airport expansion, itself subject to separate consultation, across both freight and passenger activities will put enormous pressure on the local road infrastructure, especially the B1013. This runs through the heart of the town centre. It is inevitable that with the potential increase in road usage by lorries and passengers over the next 5 years alone, will place enormous strains on local traffic flows. It will be exacerbated by both daytime and the largely unrestricted night flying opprtunities of the new owners Eddie Stobart. There will be further pressure caused by potential dualing of Cherry Orchard Way.

Of course the expansion of the airport is subject to separate consultation but we are of the opinion that the HAAP must have a viable long-term traffic solution such as a southern / Croach Valley by-pass. The proposals to tinker with lights and other options at Woodlands Road are inadequate and will not in itself provide the infrastructure to support the HAAP options. Southend Road / Main Road, the Spa mini roundabout and the approaching roads are narrow bottlenecks. A radical solution is required backed by major road investmnet to by-pass the town centre whilst balancing conservation needs in the surrounding woodlands and Roach Valley Conservation Zone.

The potential traffic congestion will have a detrimental impact on local retail, community and informal recreation opportunities as detailed in the HAAP and urge that the HAAP, Southend Airport and new Local Development Plan are considered in more detail at the next phase of consultation.

IMAGE
Hockley needs an image to re-generate the "character of place" and culture. Unfortunately, the image of a Spa town would be inappropriate given the recent development adjoining the Spa. Hockley Woods,however, is a jewel in the crown within the Rochford District and serious consideration should be given to expanding public investment to encourage informal recreation and promoting Hockley as the home of one of the UK's most important ancient woodlands. This potential should be explored at the next stage.

Finally, HAAP needs to offer something more for children and young people. At the very least why not resurrect the Hockley Youth Club project as an integral part of the plans?