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Bypass is a 'crime'


18/ 7/2007

A BYPASS between Mottram and Tintwistle would 'disfigure' one of the most beautiful parts of the country, a public inquiry heard.

The proposed three-and-a-half mile road will take motorists away from the congested roads of Mottram, Hollingworth and Tintwistle and link Hattersley roundabout with the A62 Woodhead Pass to Yorkshire.

Objectors to the bypass were given the chance to air their views at the inquiry at Stalybridge Civic Hall.

Georgina Barber, of Tintwistle, said the bypass would destroy the environment, wildlife and countryside which, she insisted, is among the best in the country.

She claimed it would force traffic on to roads in other small villages, while traffic calming measures would result in congestion rather than alleviating it.

Ms Barber said: "If it goes ahead it will be a crime and I do not use that word lightly. It will be committing a crime against the natural environment for no benefit.

Asked by Charles Calvert, representing the highways agency, if congestion was a problem that needed tackling she agreed it was, but said there must be a better alternative.

But earlier, the hearing was told by Brian Butler, vice-chair of the Longendale Siege Committee, that the relief road was needed as the amount of traffic had caused serious deterioration to the living environment and village amenities.

He said: "It is obvious that these so-called transport campaigners do not give a damn about the hundreds of people who have this horrendous traffic corridor within a couple of metres of their front doors.

"They are quite happy for them to continue to suffer for their ideological objectives and ideals."

Residents of Mottram, Tintwistle and Hollingworth have asked for a bypass since the 1970s, as lorries have switched from the M62 to reach Sheffield and the south. The routes carry more than 40,000 vehicles a day, including 4,000 lorries.

The hearing has been adjourned until September.


| Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(3)


Most recent 2 of 3 user comments

   traffic in this area is disasterous. it must harm businesses in this area and be very unpleasent for the people of this area. the sooner large fast roads are built the better, to take traffic out of our pretty villages..
Alec, a628
6/09/2007 at 15:30
   Actually, that's slightly inaccurate. There are 11,000 vehicles per day travelling on A628 (in and out of Tintwistle). By the time traffic reaches the M67 roundabout, there are 36,000 vehicles, which means somewhere between Tintwistle and the M67 another 25,000 vehicles are using the road (check the Highways Agency's opening statement on the Inquiry website is you're not convinced by this). Any local resident will tell you that this traffic is travelling to/from Glossop, which has been overdeveloped and is being "pitched" to city-dwellers as an escape to the "Gateway to the Peak District, only 20 minutes from Manchester". The bypass won't address this local traffic problem at all.
Emma, Hollingworth
25/07/2007 at 23:48
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