Department For Transport Misses Vital Opportunity To Learn From Past Mistakes

6 July 2006

Countryside campaigners CPRE [1] were dismayed by the Department for Transport’s announcement today (Thursday) on funding for major transport schemes in England’s regions.

Several road schemes which will do severe damage to the countryside have been allocated funding – either in the near or mid-term future.

CPRE Dorset’s Howard Thomas said: ‘We’re especially disappointed by the announcement that the Weymouth Relief Road is due to get funding within the next three years. This must be one of the most environmentally destructive schemes in the country and it would exacerbate congestion of the route between Dorchester and Weymouth.’

The new stretch of road, bypassing the existing A354, would damage the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, an ancient woodland and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Several national environmental organisations and the Government’s Countryside Agency have opposed it. The new road has also been rejected by a Planning Inspector following a Local Plan Inquiry.

CPRE is also concerned about the Department for Transport’s continued commitment to fund roads such as the A628 Mottram to Tintwistle Bypass, which threatens the Peak District National Park, and the Hastings to Bexhill Relief Road, which will ruin a tranquil valley and damage the Combe Haven SSSI.

While some major public transport schemes in urban areas got the go ahead, and some damaging road schemes were turned down for funding, CPRE Policy Director Neil Sinden said that overall the Department for Transport was still too heavily committed to road building, instead of promoting more sustainable public transport, walking and cycling alternatives.

He said: ‘Today’s announcement provided an important opportunity for the new Secretary of State for Transport, Douglas Alexander, to demonstrate a commitment to protecting the environment.

‘But this opportunity has been missed with the list of road schemes being given the go-ahead today, and other damaging schemes being left open for approval within the next few years.’

CPRE this week launched a report by independent consultants which investigated the aftermath of major bypass schemes [2]. It found that traffic grew rapidly on both the new bypasses and the existing roads they replaced, with the new roads generating additional road traffic. Traffic forecasts for 2010 were being approached now, or had already been exceeded.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Sir Max Hastings. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2. Beyond Transport Infrastructure, published on 3 July 2006, can be downloaded free of charge from www.cpre.org.uk/publications/index.htm or www.countryside.gov.uk. Alternatively contact the CPRE press office.

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