Assembly votes to damage proposed National Park

20 November 2002 

Members of the South East of England Regional Assembly (SEERA) have recommended that the government gives the go-ahead to a series of damaging road schemes that will blight the proposed South Downs National Park1, the Council for National Parks2 warned today.  Members of SEERA have made their recommendations to the transport secretary, Alistair Darling MP, as part of their response to a government-sponsored study3 into transport along the south coast.

Among the most damaging road schemes for the proposed National Park that are being recommended by SEERA are a bypass around Arundel, a flyover at Beddingham and a Worthing bypass.  CNP warns that these and other proposed road schemes will mean visual scarring, noise pollution and increased traffic congestion through the heart of the proposed National Park4. 

Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy at the Council for National Parks said: “The Regional Assembly has shown a serious lack of regard for the national importance of this precious landscape in recommending this package of road proposals.”

“The Assembly’s decision demonstrates the flawed nature of these government-sponsored transport studies which were meant to herald a new approach to tackling transport problems by offering balanced improvements to all modes of transport.  In reality the studies are producing a ‘wish list’ of road building schemes which the Assemblies are pushing through to the transport secretary without question.”

Contact: Ruth Chambers on 020 7924 4077 ext.222 or 07769 676397

 

Notes to editors

1.       The Countryside Agency decided on the 14th November to proceed with a South Downs National Park Designation Order. 

2.       The Council for National Parks is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.

3.       The South Coast Multi Modal Study (SoCoMMS) is a study commissioned by the government and undertaken by Halcrow to look at all the transport options and solutions for the south coast.  CNP responded to the consultation on the study’s recommendations by expressing grave concern that certain elements of the study’s proposals, including £594 million of road building, would seriously damage the proposed South Downs National Park.  CNP also expressed concern that insufficient weight was given to the proposed future National Park status of the South Downs in SoCoMMS.

4.       The following road proposals will impact on the proposed South Downs National Park and have been recommended by SEERA in its response to SoCoMMS:

Selmeston bypass

Lewes to Beddingham improvement

Worthing – Lancing improvements

Arundel Bypass

Other proposals that will impact on areas just outside the boundary of the proposed South Downs National Park include:

Wilmington bypass

Slindon Common roundabout

Park and Ride facilities in Brighton will increase traffic through the proposed National Park.

For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222