Forum SEPTEMBER 2019 - ISSUE 170
Harpenden Town Council’s Quarterly Newsletter
TRANSPORT IN HARPENDEN
When we developed the Harpenden Neighbourhood Plan (HNP), one of the key themes that local people wanted it to address was Transport and Movement. The HNP sets out the following vision for Transport and Movement:
‘That Harpenden residents are able to walk and cycle around safely and comfortably, and travel is managed via predominantly environmentally friendly, interchangeable methods, with the appropriate quantity and quality of cycle storage and parking provision, in an atmosphere of sustainable growth and significantly reduced pollution’. To bring this vision to life, the HNP contains several planning policies that developers must conform to when submitting planning applications. These policies aim to help ensure: • Transport assessments are carried out and travel plans are in place for major developments • New road layouts reduce congestion • New housing developments integrate with existing/proposed footpaths • Improved walking and cycling routes and infrastructure are put in place • Car parking and cycle storage capacity is increased • Appropriate levels of off-street parking are available at new home developments If you would like to read the HNP in more detail it can be found at the following link www.harpenden.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plan
HARPENDEN HOPPER – COMMUNITY HAIL AND RIDE BUS SERVICE It is six months since the Harpenden Hopper Community Bus service restarted with the new routes and new buses. So far passenger numbers are over three times higher than the same time last year! The Harpenden Hopper team are now helping many more passengers a month get out and around Harpenden, not to mention reducing the congestion and parking challenges as well as reducing the associated pollution. For those that don’t know, the service runs from Kinsbourne Green through Roundwood to the centre of Harpenden. As well as going out to Eastmoor Park and back through Southdown to Church Green. It also covers Sun Lane, Carlton Road and Station Road as well. Currently the service operates on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.30am to 4.30pm, it is unique around Harpenden in being a hail and ride service which means you can flag it down anywhere on the route where it is safe for the Hopper to stop!
Front cover image: Harpenden Hopper
IN THIS ISSUE
WILDLIFE WATCH
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HARPENDEN
6-7 EVENTS
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CHRISTMAS
8 IS COMING!
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CAR PARKING – WE WANT YOUR VIEWS!
The Town Council is currently looking for feedback from Harpenden Residents on the current parking situation across the area. The Town Council isn’t formally responsible for car parking in the Town but understands it is an important issue for local people and so wishes to help make local improvements. This survey is focused specifically on residents. We will be carrying out a separate survey for businesses/schools. We would ask that where possible you complete this survey online at www.harpenden.gov.uk/ parking. However, we understand that this is not possible for some people and so have made hard copies available at the Town Hall. This survey closes at 12noon on 27 September 2019.
The impact that the hopper is beginning to have in Harpenden is encouraging and there are plans to extend the service to five days a week and cover more of Harpenden. Here are some quotes from Harpenden Hopper passengers: “I’m so glad the Hopper is back and as it goes past my door it is so convenient to use” “I love the new routes and timetable – they are much more convenient” “I can now get all the way from Roundwood to Southdown, do some shopping and get home”. The Hopper relies on volunteer drivers and the team are always on the lookout for new volunteers. If you would like to find out more about becoming a driver or of the Hopper service more generally please contact hopon@harpendenhopper.co.uk, visit www.harpendenhopper.co.uk or drop into the Town Hall to pick up a timetable.
Carl Cheevers, Town Clerk, Harpenden Town Council Email: carl.cheevers@harpenden.gov.uk Tel: 01582 768278
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HARPENDEN TOWN COUNCIL, TOWN HALL, LEYTON ROAD, HARPENDEN, HERTS. AL5 2LX