Highways experts would recommend refusal to Marlow Film Studios as it stands

National Highways and Buckinghamshire council’s highways authority have both recommended that Marlow Film Studios not be permitted planning permission as it stands.

Plans to construct a new film studio in Marlow and documents have been continuously added since the original application was submitted in May 2022. There are over 4,400 documents so far.

The developers are aiming to achieve a 16.7 per cent uptake in sustainable transport, a 7.5 per cent uptake in walking and cycling and a 24.2 per cent reduction in the use of private cars and vans.

These targets have been described as ‘ambitious’ by two highways authorities.

Three main routes for walking/cycling through and around the site have been identified:

- via the main site access and across the Westhorpe junction and into Marlow.

- using the Volvo footbridge to cross the A404

- via Fieldhouse Lane.

Tim Thurley, consultant for highways development management, raised some concerns about these options.

The developer considers a route via Fieldhouse Lane ‘may present the more attractive and safer route choice for pedestrians and cyclists.’

但在黑暗的冬季是可疑的s to how many people would agree with this, Mr Thurley wrote.

There were further concerns over journey times.

If a pedestrian or cyclist wanted to travel to the north of Marlow but the only option was to use the Volvo footbridge or the Fieldhouse Lane link, this would have a ‘detrimental impact’ on the journey time.

The route via Volvo footbridge also ‘does not allow for safe and convenient access for people who are mobility impaired.’

These barriers may result in them trying to use a route which is not safe – ie across the Westhorpe junction.

“If no improvements were carried out [to Westhorpe]... this would unnecessarily increase their chances of conflict with vehicles on what is a very busy part of the network,” wrote Mr Thurley.

Given the size of the site, scale of development, the fact that ‘the Fieldhouse Lane route cannot be relied on, the Westhorpe Roundabout route has ‘much greater importance’.

“The applicant is urged to further consider improvements across the Westhorpe Interchange, added Mr Thurley.

What with these and other issues, the Bucks Highway Authority ‘cannot conclude at this stage that the development … would not lead to an unacceptable impact on road safety.’

如果选择规划部门确定application as it is, the highways body ‘would recommend refusal’ of permission.’

National Highways echoed this, with its team saying they want to be provided with ‘missing’ measurements relating to junction design at Westhorpe Interchange.

Part of it ‘present[s] a safety risk, with vehicles potentially being encouraged to approach the roundabout at excessive speeds.’

They raised concerns about the entry width for the east and south arms (A4155 Marlow Road and A404 Northbound on-slip).

National Highways recommends that planning permission not be granted until at least until November 24, to give more time to examine these issues.

Marlow Film Studios CEO, Robert Laycock said:

“Westhorpe Junction, largely unchanged since 1973, is well known for its pre-existing issues.

“Sophisticated digital simulation, and the careful planning that has followed now shows these are resolvable, including with the addition of signal-controlled cycling and pedestrian crossing.

“In their technical note, National Highways have accepted the results of the traffic modelling which Marlow Film Studios has used to future-proof the junction for the coming decade.

“A set of action points on minor technical matters is underway, and in the process of being addressed by statutory authorities necessary to any grant of planning permission.

“No alternative deliverable and achievable solutions are being promoted.”

Marlow Film Studios’ planning application with Bucks council is under reference 22/06443/FULEA and is due to be determined in the coming months.