Representation by Janet Berrie
- Date submitted
- 21 June 2023
- Submitted by
- Members of the public/businesses
As a resident of Burbage, I am very concerned at the impact of the particular location of the proposed hub. As has already been pointed out by our MP, Dr Evans, the interchange would be built just off the M69 which will significantly and adversely affect the surrounding countryside, particularly the wildlife habitat and leisure facility of Burbage Common and the accompanying woods. The Common and woods will, of course remain, but their nature will significantly change, with an unknown impact on the wildlife and flora. It is important for us to transfer freight onto the railways, but this must always be close to the market, to avoid excessive lorry journeys and activity, which would outweigh the environmental benefits of rail-freight. Presumably the markets will be Coventry and the rest of the West Midlands, Leicester or even further afield. It's difficult to see who Hinckley, Burbage, even including Earl Shilton and Barwell, could provide this sort of market size. We certainly have industry and much more would be very welcome and is much needed, but it is very much in the Midlands tradition, small workshops, units and service businesses. And there is indeed Triumph, but it's the wrong side of the town, involving lorries crossing through the town, either right through it or over to the A5. An interchange with direct access onto a mainline would appear to be more affective. Furthermore, the M69 is now already well used and the impact of further lorry traffic is likely to increase further congestion and wear-and-tear. The lorries are unlikely to remain on the motorway system, and also often turn off onto the A5, most of which, locally, is single carriageway, and already heavily used; additionally there are the two problematic and outdated bridges, one over the canal with a steep approach either side and providing a poor line of sight for traffic, and the other under the railway line, which is too low for today's larger lorries and occasionally results in them getting jammed under it. It's also likely that, as well as the adverse impact from emissions of the many more lorries, there will be a yet further increase with more diesel engines on the line and parked, waiting to be loaded up, unless the proposal were to include electrification of the line, a move which would also be welcome. There will, too, be impact on the railway track itself. An improved rail service, including track and use of goods trains are welcome, but this will have no impact on an improved passenger service, which is what's most needed. I further, can't see how it will improve local employment prospects. The East Midlands needs real 'levelling up', supporting local businesses, workshops, factory units and enterprise; but that this proposal is for the exact opposite, and will have seriously detrimental environmental impacts.