Representation by Peter Robinson
- Date submitted
- 14 September 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I object to the scheme. I am astounded that Highways England can bring forward a scheme that impacts so adversely on local roads in the Hope Valley. I am particularly concerned about the 38% increased traffic on the Snake Pass and with it more than the total number of collisions on the wider network. Highways England forecasts an extra 102 collisions on the wider network over 60 years; plus an extra 160 collisions on the A57 Snake Pass alone. The A57 Snake Pass is classified by EuroRAP on its 2017-2019 results map as a persistently high risk rural road. This is despite the County Council reducing the speed limit to 50mph with intermittent enforcement in 2007. The A57 Link Roads would worsen this risk yet Highways England dismisses any responsibility for safety and has no regard for regular users of the routes such as residents. It also dismisses the impact on amenity as it ‘would be limited to within approximately 10 m of the road’ and the road currently detracts from the special qualities of wildness and tranquillity. Yes, noise can be heard more than a mile north or south of the A57 when walking or climbing but the statutory purposes of the Park demand that its special qualities are conserved and enhanced, not made worse by more traffic. Cars and motorcycles regularly use the Snake Pass at high speeds. This intimidates people who might like to cycle on it or walkers who have to cross it or use the verges to link up footpaths. It also leads to road kill of mountain hares, badgers and livestock. Traffic increases and increased collisions are unacceptable and contrary to national policy – all highway authorities are aiming for a reduction in road deaths and injuries, Greater Manchester is aiming for zero road deaths. I am not convinced that any of the traffic data can be relied on – there are a number of anomalies which need interrogating. Traffic flows are fundamental to understanding the impacts of the scheme on the environment from air quality, noise and carbon emissions to landscape, recreation, wildlife and cumulative impacts with other developments. The examination must scrutinise and understand (a) the impacts of the scheme in generating traffic, and then (b) the impact of the generated traffic on all aspects of the environmental assessment and on safety.