Hitchin’s Member of Parliament Bim Afolami MP is campaigning for a new HGV relief road to be included in the proposed Highover Farm development in Hitchin, after planners deferred a decision on the application to a later meeting.
HGVs going to and from the industrial estate on Wilbury Way using Hitchin’s residential streets have long been a concern, with Mr Afolami having raised the issue a number of times with Government Ministers since he was elected in 2017. HGVs have a particular impact on Grove Road, as well as neighbouring streets, with residents regularly reporting damage to vehicles, speeding lorries and noise and air pollution.
Now the Member of Parliament believes that the plans for development at Highover Farm represent a golden opportunity to bring about a long-term solution to the problem.
Bim Afolami MP said,
“If development is to take place at Highover Farm – and that is a decision for local Councillors – then I believe that it should address problems in Hitchin, not make them worse.
“Local people have told me about the really significant impact that HGVs going to the industrial estate have been having on whole neighbourhoods in Hitchin. This development provides a real opportunity to deliver a new HGV relief road, allowing heavy goods vehicles to bypass residential roads while protecting the economic viability of the industrial estate.
“It could be a win-win and with a bit of joined up thinking we can make it happen. I’ve been working hard behind the scenes to get some movement on this, but now that planners have deferred the decision on Highover Farm, we have an opportunity to apply some real pressure to secure this. If you back my plan, please sign up to support the campaign.”
Residents can back the campaign for an HGV relief road at www.bimafolami.co.uk/hgv-relief-road.
