Brackley businesses have been left “up in arms” about plans submitted by Mercedes-AMG F1 to move its main entrance for its headquarters in the Northamptonshire town to a nearby cul-de-sac. One business owner branded the F1 constructor “disrespectful” while others raised concerns that their road will be overrun with traffic.
Mercedes have plans to expand their Brackley-based campus and are looking to use St James Road as an access point for their staff, which is currently home to several small businesses. Council officers estimate that traffic in the area will increase tenfold, thus affecting local companies.
The access point will replace the entrance currently in use on Lauda Drive if their application is granted. Plans also include an extension to their existing site, with a proposal for new buildings for marketing and well-being as well as an extra car park for 659 vehicles. West Northamptonshire Council will review these plans next week (January 9).
Simon Wheeler, managing director of specialist foot health supplier Canonbury Products Ltd, voiced his fury to the Northampton Chronicle: “If you’ve got several hundred cars first thing in the morning and last thing at night trying to enter and exit the site it’s going to cause absolute pandemonium. Our customers, our suppliers, or our employees all of a sudden could be having to leave home earlier to avoid getting caught up in everyone else’s traffic.”
“There’s no interest in looking after the smaller businesses – it’s a case of we’re Mercedes, we’ll do what we want and you just have to get on with it. That’s just grossly disrespectful for businesses that have been here for a similar length of time as them,” Mr Wheeler added.
Meanwhile, Filip Domozych, general manager of chrysler.co.uk Ltd, said his main issue was with the lack of explanation.“We didn’t know anything about it to be honest,” he said. “If it’s not going to affect us that much then we wouldn’t mind but we don’t even know.”
But Mercedes insists concerns from local businesses had “been reviewed” to ensure “the least possible impact”. A spokesperson for Mercedes-AMG F1 said: “During the planning application process, we have gone through all appropriate channels including consultation with the Planning Department, which includes a period of public consultation.
“In addition, we have had lengthy consultation with both the Local Highways Department and the National Highways Agency who have audited and verified our independent traffic surveys. We have also consulted with local Emergency Services and agreed a plan of road enhancements to ensure easy egress if required in an emergency from St James Road.
“The concerns raised by the specialist highways consultant employed by one of the local businesses have been reviewed to ensure that the proposed works have the least possible impact on the business. This approach has been agreed with the local Highways team.
“In addition to this we will be enhancing the local footpaths and cycle paths around our site entrance, adding a new pedestrian crossing to the Oxford Road and undertaking works to the roads to aid traffic flows. As a major employer in Brackley, we always endeavour to maintain good relations and dialogue with our stakeholders and to maximise our positive impact in the local area. We will continue to do so as we progress through this process.”
