Representation by Humphrey Taylor (Humphrey Taylor)
- Date submitted
- 4 September 2022
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
My family moved to (REDACTED) in the 1950s and I have visited regularly since then. I am very concerned about the impact of the proposals for the Langrigg Junction on my sister and her husband, both in their 90s, and about which they were only informed in March 2021. Filling a field with roads and junctions which many local people consider not only unnecessary, but also a safety hazard, causing increased cost (the Appleby-Brough section , with that to Temple Sowerby, constitutes 50 per cent of the total cost of the scheme), seems quite inappropriate in a time of climate emergency and cost of living crisis. The Thompsons are both in their nineties, and their current peaceful environment will be destroyed by multiple roads and sink ponds and road works. The local landscape, one of the most beautiful in the country, will be destroyed. Increased noise, more and faster traffic near the house, and obstruction of light, and air pollution, are all likely to be detrimental to their health as well as to the value of the cottage. National Highways have not seriously considered the option of the route going north of the current road, despite the support of local people, parish councils and other councillors, and their MP. The advice of key stakeholder, Friends of the Lake District, to upgrade the single carriageway, was not considered. Increased safety is not promised in the DCO documents, and the benefit cost ratio is low, under one. This scheme has no guaranteed benefits and should be rejected and reconsidered.