OPPOSITION TO BYPASS SHOULD CAUSE A RETHINK, SAY NATIONAL PARK CAMPAIGNERS

Friends of the Peak District , the Council for National Parks , 'Save Swallows Wood' and 'Alternative Proposals for Transport' today (30 March) reiterated their objection to the proposed Mottram-Tintwistle bypass because of the damage that this would cause to the Peak District National Park, including from increased traffic flows as traffic diverts from the M62 onto the A628 as a result of the bypass. 

The coalition welcomed decisions by Natural England and the Peak District National Park Authority to renew their objections to the scheme, and is calling on the Secretary of State to cancel a public inquiry planned for the summer and instead implement much needed safety and restraint measures along the route as a matter of urgency.

The statutory clout behind the objections from Natural England, which is the government’s adviser on countryside matters, and from the National Park Authority should make the government think again on this damaging road scheme, explains Anne Robinson, Chair of FPD. Many organisations are now calling for the immediate implementation of relief measures and a reduction in the level of traffic using the A628 through the National Park.  This should be given serious attention by the government, especially when the cost of building the bypass has more than doubled since it first entered the government’s road building programme.

National Parks are our most highly protected landscapes.  The proposed bypass would damage the landscape, wildlife and enjoyment of the Peak District National Park, added Ruth Chambers, Acting Chief Executive of CNP. There is growing alliance of organisations, both statutory and voluntary, which are willing to argue the case against the bypass.  The Government should cancel the public inquiry and work with us to find a solution which helps reduce the blight of traffic in the villages and which protects the National Park.

Picture top left: View towards Tintwistle