A9Dan wrote: ↑Tue Jul 21, 2020 21:45
Looks like my speculation above was way off the mark, the National Infrastructure Planning website now says that the Secretary of State is
minded to refuse the application subject to further evidence. Looking at the letter linked, there seem to be four issues. The report from the Planning Inspectorate is available
here, recommending that the Order not be made.
Reading this through someone at the HE or there consultants needs a bit of a kick up the bottom. The Non Motorised Users (NMU), not providing a crossing point (bridge / underpass), involving a 5km (3 mile) diversion walk to get round was always going to be a problem given the importance of this in the new DMRB. In fact as a cyclist, if on a long ride that is quite a diversion. At Liss on the A3, the signed cycle route is 2 miles longer than going across the roundabout, and while the HE have tried to put at grade cycle crossing points on the southern approach, they are not the best. That was designed in the 80's, 30 years on though they would have learnt.
The loss of business to
Mattia Diner and the Texaco Petrol station is an interesting one as one of the downsides to new roads is old roads lose business. The inspectors at PINS seem to be worried about the social economic issues on the business and the fact they are not signed. If this is now an issue, all new road schemes are screwed and would the A30 between Exeter and Launceston and across Goss Moor ever been upgraded given how much traffic was taken off the old road. The inspectors seem to say that the garage and diner will not be signed from the new road, which is understandable as the approved services are signed from the
Sparkford Roundabout, with approach
signs westbound. You don't need two services close by and however reading between the lines the SoS does seem to indicate that if they were signed this objection would be overcome.
The parallel access road is also interesting as the argument seems to be without one if an accident occurs there is no diversion route. Not uncommon on other sections of the A303, (Blackford to Chapel Cross, between Wincanton and Sparkford and the A338 to Amesbury come to mind). This seems to have been stirred up by the parish councils worried about traffic Queen Camel and West Camel to the south, if there is an accident. But this is no different to the current position if the A303 is closed here, the advantage being if DC it is more likely to be on one direction. Again are we going to need parallel roads for all new schemes, A30 Chiverton Cross to Carland does not have one for the full length and that was approved by PINS and the SOS last year.
Now here is the problem, it all depends who the Inspector is and what there actual profession is. I have worked on enough public inquiries over the last 20 years for both local authorities and the private sector to know half the battle is the Inspector you get. The lead inspector was Lesley Coffey who is a chartered planner and not an engineer, transport planner etc. I have come across Lesley and she is well known for throwing appeals out on sustainable grounds and is not very roads friendly, so I am not surprised this is the case.
However, the full report does say that the SOS should withhold consent but if minded to approve than the order should be in the form off, so there is wriggle room.
The PM only stated last month that the government would dual the A303 and build a tunnel under Stonehenge in his bid to rebuild the economy after Covid, so I would presume behind the scenes a lot is going on. I would assume that as the PINS letter is 2019, HE have requested the extensions so they can be assured all the issues are addressed. And with the parallel road given it requires MOD land, I am sure that Mr Cummings will ensure that a deal is reached between the civil servants.