Marlow Film Studios plan sees raft of traffic mitigation changes

A raft of changes has been added to the sprawling list of plans for the proposed Marlow Film Studios.

The application – which already went to determination by Buckinghamshire Council – continues to grow in complexity, with more than 4,840 documents now logged in the planning portal.

In October, National Highways and Buckinghamshire council’s highways authority both recommended that Marlow Film Studios not be permitted planning permission as it stood.

That same month, Bucks council opted to defer the decision on the studio application until at least April, because of its
potential for environmental harm and impact on transport networks.

Last week, a fresh wave of documents intended to address the highways issue were uploaded.

More than £20m will be invested by the scheme in public infrastructure and wider benefits. This includes:

• funding the missing links in the walking and cycling route from Marlow to Bourne End
• two new public bus services, with a 20-minute journey time from Marlow to the Elizabeth line in Maidenhead, and a local hopper service
• an update to the approach to on-street parking
• pedestrian, cycle and vehicular upgrades to Westhorpe Junction, and safe ways for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the A404 in two locations
• assessment of a replacement Volvo bridge or an alternative suitable route; new pedestrian and cycle route between Volvo Bridge and the Marlow Road
• various improvements to local junctions and walk/cycle infrastructure

One of the most controversial aspects of the application is regarding the A404 Westhorpe Junction.

It is well known for its pre-existing issues; concerns over its increased usage due to the studios scheme has caused disquiet among campaigners against the development.

Marlow Film Studios said it will resolve the longstanding issues – which create ‘dangerous queuing’ on the A404 – with investment into Westhorpe junction.

But despite all the proposed mitigations, campaign group Save Marlow's Greenbelt continues to have ‘significant doubts’ about the application.

Its own expert consultant hired to scrutinise the data previously told the group there was ‘no mitigation possible’ for traffic impacts, the group said.

“Why are they proposing to spend £20million to fix a problem that doesn't exist? It doesn't stack up,” said group member Sam Kershaw.

He added that the campaign group’s ‘fundamental reasons’ for its objections remain.

“It’s destroying the greenbelt, harming the environment and it's going to cause significant traffic problems that will impact the everyday lives of people,” Sam said.

Robert Laycock, CEO of Marlow Film Studios said: “Marlow Film Studio’s investment will improve the safety of the A404 junction both for vehicles and people crossing it.

“This all provides future capacity, prevents risks of long delays and offers better local transport connections.

“These improvements to the roads and bus services in South Bucks are only a part of the major benefits unlocked by the studios for the local area, its residents and its economy.”

On the improvements to public transport, Luke Marion, managing director of Carousel Buses, said the package will ‘transform’ the public transport offer between Marlow and High Wycombe.

“[It] would also serve to address a significant wider gap in high-quality public transport connectivity between High Wycombe and Maidenhead,” he said.

View all documents with reference 22/06443/FULEA in the Wycombe branch of the Bucks planning portal.