National Park Authority urged to reject plans for Mottram Tintwistle Bypass
19 February 2007
The Friends and CNP believe that the Highways Agency's attempts to relieve the congestion bottleneck along the A628 will flood the Peak District with traffic (5) and damage the National Park. The groups are appealing to residents and visitors who value the countryside to register their objections by writing to Authority Chairman Tony Hams (6) ahead of the Authority's meeting on March 9th which will consider its response to the plans.
"Road-building will not provide a sustainable answer to solving congestion issues and will make the problem worse," explains Friends of the Peak District Transport Campaigner Anne Robinson. "Our worst fears for the future of this special area of countryside are about to be realised and it is the responsibility of the Peak District National Park Authority to stand by its purposes and safeguard the landscape by rejecting these proposals outright.
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy at the Council for National Parks, said "Major road-building schemes are only allowed in National Parks when it can be shown that there is a national need and no alternative. This bypass fails this strict test on both counts."
Anne added, "The traffic and congestion problems affecting the villages of Mottram, Hollingworth and Tintwistle have been ignored for many years. The current road-building proposals will lead to more cars on local roads, including the A628. An alternative does exist and these traffic restraints and safety measures should be urgently implemented to provide immediate relief without destroying valuable countryside."
Ruth Chambers concluded, "Serious questions must be asked of the Highways Agency which continues to promote a scheme that will exacerbate local traffic problems, damage a nationally important landscape and create more carbon emissions. A fundamental re-think by Government is required."
Notes to Editors
(1) Friends of the Peak District campaigns for a living, working countryside, and a Peak District, which changes with the times but remains beautiful forever. Visit our website at www.friendsofthepeak.org.uk
(2) The Council for National Parks is the national charity which works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales and areas that merit National Park status. CNP promotes understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.
(3) Save Swallows Wood provides a forum those who feel strongly about the conservation of Longdendale to ensure their voices are heard by decision makers, both locally and nationally.
(4) Alternative Proposals for Transport campaigns for sustainable solutions to the transport problems of Longdendale and Glossopdale.
(5) Examples of increases in traffic levels across the Peak District include:
* 143% increase in traffic on the A60124 to Holme Moss.
* 50% increase in traffic on A628 in the Peak District National Park.
* 44% increase in traffic on the A616 through Langsett.
* 200% increase in lorries on the A616 north of Flouch.
* 27% increase in traffic on the A57 Snake Pass.
* 9% increase in carbon emissions.
(6) Letters of objection to the A628 scheme should be addressed to Tony Hams, Chairman, Peak District National Park Authority, Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell DE45 1AE.
For further information, contact:
* Steph Woodhouse, FPD Communications Officer or Anne Robinson at Friends of the Peak on 0114 266 5822
* Ruth Chambers at CNP on 020 7924 4077 ext. 222
* Pat Ellison of Alternative Proposals for Transport on 01457 855 820.
For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222