Back to list A57 Link Roads (previously known as Trans Pennine Upgrade Programme)

Representation by Dr. Jeffery Brown

Date submitted
12 September 2021
Submitted by
Members of the public/businesses
  1. The Highways England virtual consultations during the pandemic were woefully inadequate; no traffic modelling and no pollution modelling were provided. Since the DCO application, we have learnt of substantial predicted increases in traffic volume, noise and pollution. In addition, all of the other issues mentioned below have not been addressed to date as we have had no opportunity to feedback issues to Highways England. 2. The overall rationale for a road from the M67 to Glossop as part of “national infrastructure project” is questionable as it does not address the bottleneck on the main A628 through Tintwistle and Hollingworth. 3. A dual carriageway road across the remaining rural green belt in Mottram will irreversibly damage the rural environment in the area. 4. Previous bypass plans were abandoned at public inquiry due to inadequate traffic modelling (2007/2008). It seems important that there should be independent scrutiny and auditing of the latest models? 5. Mottram underpass and road structures through Mottram showground severely damages the rural character and heritage of the area including the demolition of historical buildings on Old Hall Lane. The scheme is detrimental to the remaining grade 2 listed buildings with increased noise and air pollution. The very popular historical Mottram Agricultural Show will also be abandoned if the scheme progresses. 6. Astoundingly, the proposed scheme will generate more and more CO2, it will not reduce CO2 and as such is contributing to climate change and should be scrapped. 7. The scheme will also increase the volume of traffic on the A628 and A57 thus contributing to more collisions and casualties on those notoriously dangerous roads. 8. There is a lot of talk about an additional main bypass scheme addressing traffic issues in Hollingworth and Tintwistle and Highways England are investigating this option. In fact, local MP's have suggested that this scheme is the pre-emptive stage for the main bypass. As such, are Highways England future-proofing this present scheme to cope with such an addition?