Comment

Representation ID: 11096

Received: 23/09/2021

Respondent: Mr Lars Nielsen

[Worcester Lane]

I am concerned about the capacity of schools and medical services, traffic congestion, public transport, and also whether existing rights of way will be preserved.

I am commenting about the Worcester Lane sites DUH206, DUH207 and DUH209.

The plan is to build 155 new houses, which will involve about 150 new cars. As petrol and diesel cars will be phased out soon after the houses are completed, the houses will need electric charging points.

This would provide housing for I assume around 350-400 people, including children. The nearest school is Pedmore Primary School. Does the school have the extra capacity? It's quite small.

The plan covers two public footpaths. Will these remain open as rights of way?

Both the Stourbridge GP practices, Lion Health and Wychbury Medical Practice, have too many patients on their roll already; for years local people have complained about the lack of availability of appointments. What will be done to increase GP capacity for 350-400 new residents? Similarly for other medical services such as hospitals, mental health - they are all already overloaded.

Where will the residents work? If they want to drive out to the M5 motorway, or towards Birmingham, they will drive either along Worcester Lane (B4187) through Hagley, or along Redlake Road to join the Hagley Road A491. Both Hagley high street and Redlake Road have serious problems with congestion already in the mornings. Extra cars will just add to the problem. What will be done to alleviate the additional congestion that these new houses will cause?

For public transport, there is no bus service currently along Worcester Lane. Hagley station is 20 minutes walk away. Cycling to Hagley station would be an option, but cycling along Worcester Lane is dangerous. A cycle lane should be put in place along Worcester Lane to Hagley, to enable commuters to cycle to the station, and for children to cycle to the secondary schools in Hagley.