Counter Urbanisation Case Study Flashcards
Where is it
St Ives
Cambridgeshire
Characteristics
70 miles north of London
12 miles NW of Cambridge
Town has growth thorough counter urbanisation
1961- pop of 3800
2011- 16400
Good road access and rail links to Cambridge and London
Many people commute into Cambridge and around a quarter of the working population commute into London each day
Process
Improvements in transport- accessible to commuters from London and Cambridge
A14 enables people to travel to Cambridge (12 miles) within 45 mins and to London (70 mikes m) by M11 or by train within 2 hours
Housing prices in London is expensive m- cheaper to move out of city and commute to work
4 bed detached in Surbiton in suburbs of London is likely to be prices £800000 compared to similar property in St Ives- £500000
People want to move out of London- perceived high crime and pollution compared to St Ives
Decentralisation- jobs located on fridge on London and in Cambridge- people can afford to move to a more rural location w out increasing commute times
Effects
Shops and services
More shops and services in St Ives
Food grocery and more clothes shops as well as cafes and restaurants
Effects
Traffic
Traffic congestion is a problem, particularly during rush hour on A14
Effect
House prices
Average detached house rose from £130000 go £450000 between 2000 and now
Commuters often earn higher wages then locals and so are able to afford higher house prices
Local first time buyers are priced out of the market
Effect
Flood problems
St Ives is on the River Great Ouse and had a history of flood problems
As the demand for housing has grown, new developments have been build on river banks, 1000 properties are at risk of flooding
Effect
Population structure
Movement of families to st Ives
Orig pop structure was ageing
But I doc of young people means more people under 16 then over 65
Put pressure on schools and more pre schools and primary schools are needed
Management of houses
Plans were approved in 2010 to build 200 new homes in St Ives
At least 75 will be affordable housing aimed at people of lower incomes
Management of schools
Plans to expand primary schools ins St Ives to make 240 new places
Management of flood
After flooding in 1998 and 2003, flood protection works costing £8.8 million were completed along River Great Ouse in 2007
New embankments and floor walls were constructed in St Ives
Management of traffic
A £116 million guided busway which linked St Ives to Huntington and Cambridge has been build in hope to reduce congestion
