Act now to stop the A628 Mottram-Tintwistle Bypass
What is the problem?
The 5.7Km Mottram Tintwistle Bypass is bad news for people and the countryside.
The road with its viaducts and embankments would cut through and destroy high quality upland countryside leading to:
- Tarmacking of 1.3km of the Peak District National Park, with lay-bys climbing lanes and roundabouts and a dual carriageway through the Green Belt.
- Loss of tranquillity, quiet walks in beautiful scenery, and wildlife.
- Partial destruction of the historic village of Mottram, including the Old Mill.
- Loss of the 80 year old Mottram agricultural show which 8,000 attend annually.
- Disruption to farm holdings
- Light pollution.
- Paths diverted over a road streaming with thousands of cars and lorries.
- Visual intrusion of lorries and cars from many beauty spots.
Without the bypass, traffic would stay the same. When it opens in 2010, traffic would increase by
- 27% on the bypass compared to the existing flows on the bypassed road, by 56% on the M67 and by 124% on the A57 to Glossop.
- Up to 84% on A628/A616T with more lorries and tailbacks on the bypass and at Flouch.
- 50% on the A628 to Penistone where conditions are difficult due to narrow roads, schools, congestion and lorry diversions to avoid low bridges, and 22% increases through Langset
This would lead to:
- More road danger and 41% more accidents on the Woodhead Pass in 2010.
- More air pollution. For all those who would get better air quality there would be equal numbers that would not.
- An extra 4,669 tonnes/yr of CO2 (22% more than now). Road transport produces 20% of the UK’s CO2, contributing to climate change.
All this - for only partial relief of the residents currently suffering congestion and heavy lorries on their doorsteps. Even the people of Tintwistle are unhappy.
A recent survey undertaken by local group Alternative Proposals for Transport revealed a community that has not been invited to participate in determining its future. Nearly half (49%) of Tintwistle residents gave a lorry ban as their first choice compared to only 33% who gave the bypass as their first choice. A recent poll by the Tameside Advertiser gave 84% against the bypass.
More detailed notes on the impact of the Mottram Tintwistle Bypass proposal are also available together with a diagram illustrating predicted Traffic flows in 2010 - with and without the bypass.
What else can be done?
CPRE’s package of measures, SPITS The Way to Go, includes a weight restriction to force lorries onto the motorway network of M1 M62 M60, slower speeds and traffic calming for cars, and investment in bus and rail services and rail freight, and walking and cycling facilities in the villages.
Weight limits on forcing heavy goods traffic onto the existing M1/M62 motorway network and away from the villages and Peak District National Park
- Traffic calming in the villages on the A57/A628/A616 to prevent rat running.
- A ‘Streets for People’ programme in all residential areas to encourage walking and cycling.
- Continental-style safe routes to school.
- Travel-to-work plans.
- Integrated bus and train services throughout the Peak District and improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Discount travel by public transport.
- Improved public transport links and safe cycle routes to local railway stations.
- A new railway station at Gamesley and improved services at existing stations.
What you can do
Write a letter to Highways Agency, Room 710, City Tower, Picadilly Plaza, Manchester, M1 4BE with reference to A57/A628 Mottram Tintwistle Bypass A628/A616 Route Restraint Measures. NOTE: Although the official deadline in May has passed, the Highways Agency is still accepting responses.
What to say
Use the facts below but in your own words. Copying them word for word will reduce their impact and less account will be taken of what you say.
- Object to the bypass
- Ask for a proper examination of alternatives
- Support CPRE’s Way to Go, a package of transport measures in line with Government proposals that would save money and move heavy lorries on the motorway network, provide slower speeds and traffic calming, and more and cheaper bus and rail services.
Want more details?
See our document The Impact of the Mottram Tintwistle bypass. The full Orders and the Environmental Statement are available for viewing at the following locations:
- The Highways Agency, City Tower, Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, M1 4BE;
- Derbyshire County Council, County Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3AG;
- Tameside Metropolitan District Council, Council Offices, Wellington Road, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Tameside, OL6 6DL;
- High Peak Borough Council, Council Offices, Hayfield Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith, High Peak, SK23 0QJ
- Peak District National Park Authority, Aldern House, Baslow Road, Bakewell, DE45 1AE
- Mottram Library, Broadbottom Road, Mottram, Tameside, SK14 6JA;
- Hollingworth Clinic, Market Street, Hollingworth, SK14 8HR;
- Hadfield Library, Station Road, Hadfield, Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 1AA
- Bank View Café, Langsett, Sheffield, SG36 4GY
For a free copy of the Orders or a CD containing the Environmental Statement (£24), write to Carl Stockton, Major Projects M2, Room 710, City Tower, Piccadilly, Manchester M1 4BE or e-mail: Carl.Stockton@highways.gsi.gov.uk
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