Those in the know have been well aware for the best part of a week now that funding for the proposed Mottram-Tintwistle 'Bypass' (which would concretise Longdendale and destroy local beauty spots) has been rejected by 4NW, the body formerly known as the North West Development Agency.4NW determines where money for transport in the region is to be spent. Its current budget is set up to 2015, which effectively means that the 'bypass' has been kicked into touch. The bizarre project, championed by Roy Oldham and Tameside M.B.C. but aided and abetted by local opportunist politicians, who assumed that there were votes to be had by lending their support, was always controversial and latterly expensive beyond belief.
The Highways Agency for instance stated themselves that the colossal number of individual objections, some 2,400, was 'unprecedented', whilst latest costings put the high end figure at some £250 millions!
By dropping the 'bypass', which effectively sought to build a motorway right up to the gates of the Peak Park, under the pretence of being a 'relief road' , 4NW were able to keep within budget for the remainder of their priority schemes, which is why it had to go.
No doubt the time delay before the local media pick up on the story is to allow local politicians time to compose their mealy mouthed responses and to brush up on their fire and brimstone techniques, whilst fulminating at the decision.
The fact is though that the politicians have no right to be angry. That sentiment should be left to local residents who know the situation but who also aware that there are better, quicker and cheaper solutions to transport problems than throwing tons of concrete and millions of pounds at a road that would only generate more traffic for the area, were it ever built.
A trial lorry ban, across the Park as a whole, would cost nothing but would bring instant relief to the villages. A one-way system around Mottram, getting rid of the lights at the top of the Moor, would be equally cheap and effective. There are large numbers of other measures and improvements that can be made in the here and now, for instance at the junctions of the Gun Inn and Woolley Bridge. Derbyshire C.C. have the opportunity right now to purchase the land that the former Spread Eagle at Woolley Bridge stood on but show no signs of doing so.
I could go on and probably will do so in future posts. The only point I am seeking to make for now though, is that for as long as politicians are caught up in the dazzling headlights of the 'bypass or bust' mentality, then there will be no progress on the transport front and no joy for motorists, pedestrians, public transport users, cyclists or anyone else who wishes to see immediate improvements.
Now is the time for politicians on all sides to compose themselves and regain their senses. There are alternative solutions available but until now they have refused to listen. If the grapevine is correct and the funding has been pulled, they will be forced to listen whether they like it or not.
However, it may take some time for that realisation to dawn. Expect to hear more of the same...financial reviews, second opinions, alternative funding methods, new inquriy etc etc ad infinitum.
The bypass is dead. Long live the bypass.
