Representation by Anne Robinson
- Date submitted
- 16 September 2021
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I object to the scheme: National Highways has not considered the future purpose of the trans-Pennine route in its entirety within the changed circumstances since its 2015 assessment of options. Its plans are in disarray. They have been downgraded from a tunnel under the National Park, to over-ground dualling, to single carriageway improvements (a bypass of Hollingworth and Tintwistle; Woodhead climbing lanes). With 12 miles lying in the National Park and many more in its setting, the future of this route should not be addressed piecemeal in chunks that National Highways thinks it can progress; because each piece will fuel demand for the next piece. The future of this entire route between the M67 and the M1, passing through internationally protected wildlife sites and carbon sinks, should be reset to address the top strategic priorities – the climate and nature emergencies, fulfilment of National Park statutory purposes and improvement of the environment for all the local communities. I urge the Examination to make the reset happen now, before the A57 Link Roads progress any further. Alternative options which were prematurely and inappropriately rejected should now be appraised. They would avoid the following impacts: • Carbon emissions increase – by 399,867 tonnes of carbon dioxide over 60 years. Radical reductions are required by NPPF, Climate Change Act 2008, UK’s 6th Carbon Budget and commitments to Paris Agreement. • Traffic increases – on many residential and rural roads, and through villages. National policy requires modal shift to walking, cycling and public transport. • Road collision increases – on the wider network and particularly the Snake Pass are contrary to national and local policies. • Communities severed - Hollingworth, Tintwistle, Crowden, Langsett and communities further east along the trans-Pennine route would continue to endure the intimidating and toxic environment of heavy through traffic. • AQMA objectives jeopardised – NO2 levels remain above the legal limit in Hollingworth in the GM AQMA, but have not been assessed in the Tintwistle AQMA and only partially assessed for the Dinting Vale AQMA. Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone could lead to traffic diverting to avoid paying the toll, creating congestion and air pollution elsewhere. • Harm to Peak District National Park – statutory purposes require it to be conserved and enhanced; increases in cross-Park traffic would erode its special qualities and enjoyment of them by the public. National policy requires trunk road traffic to avoid the Park. • High risk of flooding – at Brookfield and from the Mottram Moor underpass has yet to be fully addressed. • Biodiversity - Impacts on the rich and diverse wildlife are minimised because species are considered only of ‘local value’. • Local countryside blighted - highly valued and enjoyed for its natural undeveloped character, open views and distinctive cultural features, it would be urbanised. • Unacceptable development in the Green Belt - with no ‘very special circumstances’ to allow it. • High noise levels – remain for several communities and those enjoying the outdoors. All of the above rely on the traffic modelling. Traffic data appears inconsistent. The anomalies need interrogating. The actual impacts of the scheme may be worse.