Cyngor i Nichola Dunne-Hanif
Yn ôl i'r rhestrYmholiad
- Oddiwrth
- Nichola Dunne-Hanif
- Y dyddiad y rhoddwyd y cyngor
- 16 Ebrill 2012
- Math o ymholiad
I am writing to express my concern regarding several issues about the proposed road improvements of the A556 Knutsford-Bowdon route in Cheshire.
Firstly, please could you register me as an interested party, and keep me up-to-date with any progress or relevant information regarding this issue.
I write as a local resident to strongly object to the current proposals regarding the A556.
As a family which will be hugely affected on a daily basis by these changes, we urge you to listen to the opinions of local people. These changes affect our homes, and our ability to travel to and from our local amenities, neighbours and friends. The proposed road is not just a coloured line on a map to us ? it is set to disrupt our lives in many ways.
I attended the Parish Council meetings in 2011 (Millington and High Legh), and there was clearly fierce opposition to the proposals, especially the junction at Millington.
Keep the motorway traffic on the motorway network!
Firstly, we are opposed, along with many local people, to the idea that the new A556 route should be the answer to what is essentially a motorway traffic problem. Our understanding from Mr Jeremy Bloom is that the Junction 20 option was looked at some years ago, but deemed not viable due to the cost. In today?s terms, what is the cost of this option, compared with the building of a new A556 road? Also, surely some considerable weight must be given to minimising the impact on local residents. Improving junction 20 offers an opportunity to keep motorway traffic on the motorway network, AND minimise the impact on local communities. Surely this is a better option than another dual carriageway, carrying motorway traffic!
With some simple measures such as reducing the current A556 down to 2 lanes, reduced speeds on the A556, changes in signing etc, then most motorway traffic could be kept on the motorway network.
This iis by far the most sensible option and least disruption.
If there is a bypass...
With regards to the options 0, 1, 2 and 3 which are now being proposed by the Highways Agency, why is there no simple bypass option? This was clearly voiced as a favourite at meetings between local residents and the Highways Agency representatives, in the event that the new A556 road does go ahead.
The bypass could simply be just that. A bypass between the M56 and M6. Bridges and underpasses could be provided to keep local roads open. The current A556 could remain open, at reduced speeds, allowing access to the M56 and M6 for local residents. This would mean that no additional junctions are needed.
We are being told that the current junction options are for our benefit. If this is so, then why not provide the option that many local residents were asking for? This would hugely reduce the negative impact on local communities, whilst still keeping the M6 to M56 traffic on the new bypass. Instead of dividing opinion with so many options, surely it makes sense to look for an option which would benefit the majority of local residents, but still allow for the main objective of the road to be achieved.
Many people I have spoken to have found the series of options 0-3 in the current proposals both misleading, and unnecessarily complex. The Summary document itself, that was provided to people to put down their final opinions on the road and preferred routes, was incorrect - i noticed many properties were omitted from the maps in the brochure. Those looking at the options (in particular those that are not local to the area) are therefore not given the full information and are misled to believe that options such as option 0, with the Millington junction, will not affect anyone?s home. The result is a questionaire that does not contain the full information, and therefore it should be recalled and retracted, and replaced with one that does contain the complete relevant information. There are many homes in this area, some of which only metres away from a huge junction. They are not just properties with a price tag ? we live here with our families.
In addition to the error in the questionaire/summary document, I would like to express my concern over the unexpected change to the"preferred route" baseline from 2009 to 2010. The new route contains large roundabouts at Millington and other on/off routes and options. The Highways agency said they made the change after consulting with the local residents and community groups. However, as a resident in one of the communities, i did not recieve a request for feedback, nor did anyone else i know. In fact, it seems that noone in Millington, High Legh, Bucklow Hill, Hoo Green, Hulseheath or Tabley were consulted before this change. I would like to know who they consulted, and why the change was made, considering it was NOT based on th the feedback from ALL local communities.
I would like to express my concern over the terminology used in the literature and media by the highways agency. They have portayed the proposed works as an environmental improvement scheme. But this is far form environmental improvenemt - building a SECOND dual carriageway, next to an already exisiting one is surely not environmental. In addition, they have said that the improvements wil benefit the local communities. I would like to object strongly to that comment, and as a member of the said community, i feel I am in a position to say it will devastate our community if the road goes ahead as planned - it will cut our community apart.
Another point I would also like to raise concenrs about the Highways agency decision to make use of our local roads in their plans. They intend to direct trafifc along some of our small back roads, and out towards others villages and towns. I am sure therefore that they have not even stepped foot onto our local roads, or they would realise how dangerous and foolish this idea is. In many parts the local roads are single lane, with visibility reduced to 5/10 metres. There are many hidden corners, and other such hazards, which are hazardous now, and would be treacherous to any driver new to the area, or unfamiliar with the route. Even as someone who knows the route, safety cannot be assured because the Highways agency plans are to send drivers who do not know this route down the lanes. The projected number of users will without a doubt cause not only congestion on these very small lanes, but will almost certainly be accidents waiting to happen.
Leave the beautiful countryside in this area as it is. We use the local roads to travel to school, local shops, library and to visit friends in High Legh and Lymm. We take our daughter and her friends for walks and bike rides. Our elderly mother who lives with us also goes for regular walks. Some of the options proposed will be devastating to our community. We know that there are many factors to consider, but we urge you to put people and communities at the top of the list.
Cyngor a roddwyd
Your comments have been noted and will remain on our file.
This proposal is currently at the pre-application stage. As you are aware the Highways Agency is currently consulting with local communities and prescribed consultees on their proposal in accordance with the duties which the Planning Act 2008 (as amended) places upon them. I am unsure as to whether you have responded directly to the Highways Agency with your comments; you may wish to send your comments to the Highways Agency because they will be under a duty to take account of relevant responses. Their project website can be accessed via the following link:
http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/14909.aspx Please note, the Highways Agency consultation closes today.
As your letter raises concerns with the consultation being carried out you may also wish to send a copy of your correspondence to the relevant local authority for this area. When the application is submitted to The Planning Inspectorate, local authority consultees will be invited to provide their comments on the adequacy of the developer?s consultation. Following the submission of the application, a decision will be made within 28 days as to whether the application can be accepted for examination.
If the application is accepted for examination, there will be the opportunity to register your views with The Planning Inspectorate and participate in the examination by completing a relevant representation form. Details about how and when to register will be publicised by the developer. Please note that you are unable to register as an interested party during the current (pre-application) stage of the process for this proposal.
Further information about how to participate in the application process can be found in our advice notes. I have attached links below to two advice notes which may be of particular interest:
?Advice Note 8.1: How the process works? http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Advice-note-8.1v4.pdf
?Advice Note 8.2: Responding to the developers pre-application consultation? http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Advice-note-8.2.pdf