Roads decision threat to National Parks

23 August 2002 

Government plans for widening or dualling two roads threaten to damage precious National Park landscapes the Council for National Parks[1]  (CNP) warned today. An announcement by the Minister of State for Transport, John Spellar, includes a decision to dual much of the A66 east of the Lake District National Park and to investigate dualling of the A47 across the heart of the Norfolk Broads.

“These decisions are a serious threat to the two National Parks concerned and in both cases they suggest a worrying intention on the part of the Government to press ahead with a road building policy contrary to its own  principles of sustainability” said Angus Lunn, Chairman of CNP.

“In the case of the A66, the decision to dual substantial parts of the road east of Penrith will mean greatly increased pressure to dual the section of the road which runs through the northern part of the Lake District National Park”, he continued.

“The Minister has decided to implement some important but inexpensive safety measures at the same time and CNP regrets that the opportunity has been lost to appraise the success of these before spending £141 million on the dualling and associated works”.

Turning to the Broads National Park, Angus Lunn said “In the case of the Norfolk Broads, the Minister has decided to investigate the dualling of the A47 running through the very heart of this nationally and internationally important landscape, specifically against the recommendations of the Government’s own study[2] which rejected the dualling of the A47 in the National Park.  The study acknowledged the serious damage that dualling this sectionof road would cause.

“The Minister is also considering the option only to widen this section of the A47 and to subject this option to a full environmental assessment. CNP welcomes this approach as well as other commendable initiatives to improve bus and rail services and road safety and control vehicle speed[3].

“While the public transport and road safety proposals are to be welcomed, the Minister’s decision to ignore his consultants’ advice and consider dualling the A47 in this sensitive area is a major threat to the Broads National Park”.

Notes to editors

[1] 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.

[2] The Norwich to Great Yarmouth Study by consultants Maunsell and Oscar Faber

[3] Best Use measures from Transport and Economic Efficiency Tables published in the above mentioned study.

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