Representation by Susan Sollazzi
- Date submitted
- 9 June 2024
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
I object to the proposed scheme at Simister Island Interchange. It is an unsustainable solution to traffic congestion. National Highways should be seeking solutions to alleviate the problems currently caused by the existing road, not exacerbating those issues by increasing capacity. It will increase air, dust, noise, light and vibration pollution, with consequences for citizen health and wellbeing, as well as causing environmental/ecological damage. The scheme has significant climate/carbon implications. Carbon emissions would be increased by 62,013 tonnes during construction, and 151,090 tonnes over a 60 year period due to the increased traffic. This makes it even harder for the UK to reach its legally binding climate targets. I strongly object to any further loss of Green Belt land, given that Greater Manchester's adopted plan (Places for Everyone) is already due to release more than 2,400 hectares of Green Belt for development. Yet more degradation of green space to provide for cars is totally unacceptable. No significant benefits accrue from this NSIP, only small savings of time and modest economic growth, which results in the scheme being very poor value for money with a Benefit to Cost Ratio of just 1.17, defined as low value for money in the DfT’s guidance. Given the many disbenefits outlined above, the scheme clearly needs a rethink.