Representation by Henrietta Bewley
- Date submitted
- 23 February 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
The planning inspectorate should consider the impact of: 1. Rising sea levels due to climate change. Sea levels are predicted to rise between 40m and 70m, depending on the world temperature rise. It is very difficult to predict when this sea level rise will happen, and how fast. The cost benefit analysis should include consideration of how short a life span infrastructure so close to sea level might have, and where it would be better to spend the money on sustainable infrastructure connecting areas of the UK that will not be flooded by global sea level rise. The planning inspectorate should include the likelihood of flooding of all the areas that this road is supposed to help by encouraging more development there. Is this poor value for money if the areas to be developed will be flooded at some point? 2. The government has a legal and moral duty to work towards net zero for the country by 2050. Building this road will make it more difficult to reach meet zero, due to the emissions of building and induced demand for motor vehicles and motor travel. It would be better for the planet, and help the UK to meet 2050 net zero, if the money is instead spent on sustainable transport. 3. There is no sustainable transport infrastructure in this proposal - no helping walking / cycling / public transport etc. 4. Air pollution kills 9,000 a year. Scientists are getting increasingly worried about air pollution, especially particulates, which will be made worse by more vehicular traffic.