Representation by Suzanne White
- Date submitted
- 13 March 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
As a local resident and motorist, I do not see a need for this development. I use this junction regularly and the improvements it will make to the journey are minimal in the light of the huge cost of the work and the irreparable damage it will do to the surrounding nature and environment. I work as a conservationist in the South Downs, restoring valuable chalk downland habitats, and this project will only decrease the biodiversity of the area. The mitigations planned will not be anywhere near enough to provide the minimum 10% increase in biodiversity net gain that will be required for infrastructure projects going forward. There are no wildlife corridors or green bridges planned to link vital habitats and wildlife will be further squeezed into a smaller area. This project does not cater for the future transport needs of the area. More long term thinking is required from National Highway in how to deliver sustainable transport solutions to achieve the government's Decarbonising Transport: A Better, Greener Britain (“the transport decarbonisation plan”). The planned walking and cycling route is paying lip-service to this but will be nowhere enough to discourage individual car use in the years to come.