Representation by Mr P J Sawkill
- Date submitted
- 11 January 2019
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
This representation assumes that the Minutes of any meetings held with Highways England will be available to you specifically in relation to the difficulty the scheme as proposed presents in terms of my business being provided with sufficient access to a metalled highway. The point cannot simply be sufficiently explained by being limited to 500 words.
Essentially, as I am a Partner in West Amesbury Farms which incorporates West Amesbury Farm (tenanted), Park Farm West Amesbury (owned) and Stockport Farm Amesbury (owned) I need to be provided with unrestricted including unencumbered covenants with a third party to the Countess Road as in particular my Combine Harvester due to its size and turning circle, is unable to be driven as envisaged by Highways England through Amesbury. Unless access is provided which is a statutory right my holdings will be severed from each other.
The solution is that a road needs to be built to the Countess Road from Park Farm West Amesbury on land owned by the National Trust. This was previously envisaged in 2004. This will then provide me with an uninterrupted right of access at all times as I currently enjoy to allow my business to continue and grow.
Highways England although fully aware of the situation have not yet come forward with any potential solution. The land at Countess Farm is owned the National Trust but I believe this land is not inalienable as it was purchased rather than gifted and Highways England of course have the statutory powers to provide the required access but they appear particularly reluctant to do so. Even if the land is inalienable Highways England still have sufficient powers to be able to compulsory purchase the land to provide the access.
There is therefore a clear case that the provision of access for my business needs to be examined further and an acceptable solution found.
I also have concerns that again should be examined further about the future of Stonehenge Road and the proposal to close this at the point of entry from Stonehenge Road to West Amesbury Farm is in the incorrect position. The correct position is where the Wishford Road now joins the Stonehenge Road closest to Amesbury. If the proposal as currently made proceeds it is highly likely that the area between the Wishford Road and where Stonehenge Road is gated off will be used for potentially immoral and illegal purposes and I am sure that Highways England do not want to be seen to be giving this type of opportunity to those involved in those activities.
Insufficient detail has been made available about how the de-trunked A303 to the Longbarrow Roundabout is to be managed and what surface will remain. I need to get my Combine and associated equipment to Shrewton for contracting purposes. I believe that this should also be fully examined at this stage as a tarmac surface should be maintained to assist the vast number of agricultural related movements undertaken by the land occupiers and associated industries who rely on the existing A303 as their main thoroughfare.