UPDATE: 15 October 2026
The Keep Baldock Open campaign has helped secure greater scrutiny of the proposed traffic restrictions affecting Baldock. But new evidence raises significant questions about congestion, access to local businesses and the impact on surrounding villages.
On Thursday 22 October, North Hertfordshire Council's Planning Committee will consider the Growing Baldock development, including proposals to restrict traffic entering the town from North Road.
Over the past year, Keep Baldock Open has been campaigning to ensure that the consequences for existing residents, local businesses and neighbouring villages are properly understood.
Thanks to the hundreds of residents who have supported our campaign and responded to our survey, concerns about access to Baldock's shops and services have been placed firmly on the official record.
Our campaign's findings drove further action from Urban & Civic, were taken seriously by North Herts District Council and Hertfordshire County Council Highways, and are explicitly referenced in North Herts District Council's Planning Committee report.
Important work has also been undertaken by Ashwell and Bygrave Parish Councils to ensure that the consequences for surrounding villages have been very clearly articulated. Following concerns raised by our campaign, the parish councils and others, there have been three important developments
More detailed traffic modelling has been undertaken to assess how traffic will move around Baldock and surrounding roads.
A £1.5 million monitoring and mitigation fund is proposed to address certain traffic problems arising from the development.
Formal traffic monitoring is proposed as construction progresses, rather than relying entirely on forecasts produced before development begins.
These are welcome steps. But the latest evidence gives us considerable cause for concern.
The new traffic modelling predicts:
Significant delays at Norton Road/Letchworth Road. Morning peak delays for traffic turning onto Letchworth Road could rise from 2.7 minutes to 7.1 minutes under one modelled scenario at full build-out in 2043. Even under the adjusted scenario, which is meant to remove double counting of school journeys, S3-2, delays remain at 289 seconds (4.8 minutes).
Traffic deliberately held back on North Road. The proposed single-lane shuttle system under the Station Road railway bridge, combined with traffic signals designed to 'gate' traffic approaching Baldock, is intended to discourage through journeys. Modelled evening peak journey times on the A507 southbound corridor increase from 7 minutes 16 seconds to 9 minutes 18 seconds (an additional two minutes).
Traffic displaced onto other roads, including Norton Road, High Street, Hitchin Street and Whitehorse Street, with potential consequences for surrounding villages.
These figures concern particular journeys and scenarios, rather than average delays across Baldock. Nevertheless, they raise important questions about whether the proposed changes are acceptable.
Our central concern remains the impact on existing businesses.
The developer argues that reducing through traffic will make Baldock a more attractive place to shop. But many businesses depend on customers who travel into town by car, including from Ashwell, Bygrave, Weston and other surrounding villages.
Crucially, the proposed North Road restrictions would be introduced before 310 new homes are occupied, while the alternative road connection to the A505 is not required until before 850 homes are occupied.
That could mean around three years in which access to Baldock is restricted before the alternative route opens.
We have not seen convincing evidence that the risks to existing town centre businesses have been adequately addressed.
There are also serious questions about the proposed safeguards. The £1.5 million fund is principally designed to address unforeseen or worse-than-predicted traffic problems. It is not clear how it would address congestion that is already forecast if that does result in an impact on businesses.
Ahead of the Planning Committee meeting, Keep Baldock Open is urging councillors to insist on three things:
1. The impact on existing businesses and surrounding villages is properly addressed, including the effects of reduced access and displaced traffic, and the specific concerns raised by Ashwell and Bygrave Parish Councils.
2. Enforceable safeguards. Traffic monitoring must be backed by clear thresholds for intervention, legally binding commitments and timescales for putting problems right.
3. Dedicated support for Baldock's businesses. Funding should be set aside to support local businesses and improve the town centre, particularly during the period between the introduction of traffic restrictions and the opening of the alternative route.
Council officers are recommending approval of the development, subject to conditions, legal agreements and outstanding matters being resolved.
We recognise the need for new homes. But Baldock's growth must strengthen the existing town, not make it harder for people to reach and support it.
Thank you to everyone who has supported Keep Baldock Open. Your voices have made a difference. We will continue pressing for answers and action to protect Baldock's businesses.
Nikki da Costa
Keep Baldock Open