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Bypass inquiry delayed again

Brian Lashley
7/11/2007

THE controversial Mottram-Tintwistle bypass has been hit by a further delay after the Highways Agency discovered new errors in its revised evidence.

The hearing was dramatically halted in September when the Highways Agency admitted it had made mistakes in its evidence.

The agency said it had miscalculated the amount of traffic that would use the proposed bypass.

But when it resumed at Stalybridge Civic Hall on Tuesday, the agency asked for another adjournment until next month after its own checks revealed more mistakes in its latest evidence.

Opponents of the scheme called it a ‘farce’ and asked for the inquiry  to be abandoned.

Stephen Greenhalgh, Highways Agency project leader, said: “We were informed there are further anomalies, in addition to those that were identified back in September.

“It will take the Highways Agency some time to understand the implications of these anomalies and what actions are necessary.”

John Hall, who represents the people of Denton and Audenshaw, found the Highways Agency’s actions ‘unbelievable’.

He said: “The incompetence is absolutely staggering and it is an insult to the inquiry. This is going to descend into more farce than it is at the moment.”

The proposed 3.5 mile bypass is designed to divert traffic away from the A628 and congested roads through the villages of Mottram, Tintwistle and Hollingworth.


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Most recent 1 of 1 user comments

   These latest mistakes are very worrying when considering that congestion through Mottram and Hollingworth is already at saturation point. Also with the recent news that the Government will not intervene with National Grid's plans to use the third and last tunnel for the laying of power cables, this will finally end hope of the historic woodhead railway line being reopened along with any associated rail freight plans for HGV's to be transported through the tunnel. The removal of these current options will almost certainly add additional pressures to proceed with the proposed bypass. Even with a new bypass, congestion may well be removed from the local villages but the shear volume of HGV traffic (compound by the news of a new bypass) will congest the undulating A628 and slow down all other commuters. National Grid's plans must be opposed to avoid progression of the bypass! The Woodhead tunnel's intented use and heritage must remain as alternatives to the bypass must be available if people wish to avoid this proposal.
Mark Boston
29/11/2007 at 16:07
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