News: The Minister of Transport, Stephen Ladyman, has "agreed that Government staff will provide technical assistance in developing a feasibility study for Saltaire Bypass" (Bradford Airedale Integrated Transport Project, Update Report, September 2007)
Go here to see examples of letters written to Philip Davies and Anne Hawksworth about the bypass, and their replies (where they have offered replies).
Here below are the minutes of the SVS bypass meeting held in June. Click here to download them as a word file:
SALTAIRE VILLAGE SOCIETY
PUBLIC MEETING: BYPASS
CAROLINE STREET CLUB
18TH
JUNE 2007
GUEST SPEAKERS:
COUNCILLOR KEVIN WARNES
(KW): Bradford Council
DR ANDREW WILSON (AW): Department of Archaeological
Sciences, University of Bradford
DR CHRISSIE FREETH (CF): Department of Archaeological
Sciences, University of Bradford
TONY BOSWORTH (TB): National Transport Campaigner, Friends
of the Earth (attending in his capacity as local resident)
ATTENDEES: At least 60 people were in attendance at the
meeting with the vast majority leaving contact details to
find out more information.
The meeting was opened at 7.35pm by Elaine Gilligan (EG),
Saltaire Village Society (SVS) Chair, who introduced the
speakers. Each speaker would present in turn the proposed
route, the impact of the proposals to the environment in
and around Saltaire and what we can do about it. Maps and
slides depicting the plans were available to view. It was
proposed that questions would follow from the floor.
Please note that speeches, questions, answers and comments
have been represented as well as they could be but are not
verbatim. Sometimes comments will have been summarised.
Please feel free to send in any corrections if you consider
them to be substantially inaccurate or unintentionally
misrepresentative in any part.
COUNCILLOR KEVIN WARNES:
Councillor Kevin Warnes (KW) began by discussing the
proposed route for the Saltaire Bypass and the process for
funding. The Council will be seeking government funding for
what is effectively a combination of roads and tunnels.
Although this could be single or a dual carriage way, the
Council is likely to go for single carriage as the
estimated costs are already in the region of 139 million.
It is likely to start in the year 2015. Apart from the
Saltaire bypass, road plans for the Shipley Eastern Relief
Road and improvements to Canal Road are seen as a higher
priority, and more likely to get funding, with the bypass
as a more tentative option.
Proposed route:
This is not considered as final but has been documented.
It will start as a road by coming off the A650 east of
Branksome Drive and Nab Wood cemetery, down the hill to
Hirst Wood Road, east of Lime Street Square (cutting off
part of it), through where the Hughes Bakery currently
stands, north of the railway squeezed between Albert
Avenue and the canal then underground, via a short
tunnel near the station, emerging somewhere around the
end of Baker Street, crossing Saltaire Road above ground
again and then using a second tunnel underneath Shipley
town centre emerging as a road the other side of the
Otley Road to link up with the new Shipley Eastern
Relief Road. This series of roads and tunnels goes
through the Leeds-Liverpool Canal Conservation Area, the
World Heritage Site (WHS) and is all within the Buffer
Zone of the WHS.
The key players at the Council are Councillor Anne
Hawkesworth and Steve Barton (Head of Major Works). The
assertion is that this proposed transport plan will provide
economic regeneration, improve the infrastructure and
vehicle movement in the area. Reducing congestion isn’t a
primary intention. A single carriage way would allow 10,000
vehicles per day to go through a tunnel. As there is
currently 40,000 vehicles a day in the area this would only
cut out a ¼ of existing traffic. Peak period traffic is
usually local anyway so these cars are likely to continue
to use the old roads. A counter effect of removing the
longer distance heavy goods lorries off the road might be
to attract more local traffic. There is a 1-2% increase in
road traffic annually so by the time the proposed route is
finished in c 2017 any improvement would probably be lost
by then and we’d end up with two busy roads/routes.
Regional
Transport Strategy:
all the schemes - Canal Road, Shipley Relief Road and
Saltaire bypass are in the strategic plan and aiming for
funding to start in 2010, 2012 and 2015 respectively. It is
Councillor Hawkesworth’s opinion that the bypass in
unlikely to get funding. This plan has to go through the
Regional Transport Authority (which Cllr Hawkesworth sits
on) for approval and then to London for funding. This
requires feasibility studies to be carried out but it is
hoped this will be partially funded by the Leeds Bradford
Airport sell off, along with other Council Funding – again
this has to go to the Council Executive, then the Regional
Transport Board for funding. Both Councillor Hawkesworth
and Steve Barton have stressed how much this is at a
‘concept stage’ and on the ‘distant horizon’ and because of
this residents would be ‘better to forget it’. Despite this
the feasibility work has started and could cost hundreds of
thousands of pounds.
KW suggests that interested parties should ask questions
and send letters to the Telegraph & Argus and he will
be putting in a motion at a meeting in 8 days time asking
the Executive to abandon the work so far.
KW provided a printed summary of his presentation.
DR CHRISSIE FREETH and DR ANDY WILSON:
CF (who is also a resident of Saltaire), and AW shared a
presentation taking it in turns to go through a discussion
of how Saltaire originally got its WHS status in 2001, and
the fact that it is advised by ICOMOS (International
Council of Monuments and Sites). No extra statutory status
is afforded by being given World Heritage recognition but
we can be put on the ‘at risk’ list and taken off. This
hasn’t happened to any site yet, but it is possible. CF
explained how the original Management Plan, required to
obtain status, outlined the ‘buffer zone’ which is
effectively what can be seen 1.5 km from the centre of the
village. An Annual Report is required each year discussing
progress on the Management Plan and it has been noticed
that the wording is less clear each year and mentioned
less, and what was the ‘buffer zone’ was most recently
referred to as ‘Saltaire and its setting’. Basically the
entire proposed bypass route is in the buffer zone. We were
shown scenic photographs of places around and within
Saltaire that would be affected. This included areas of
natural beauty which would become a tarmac road, and
disruption to conservation areas. This was complimented by
quotations from the Management Plan (drawn up for UNESCO to
get WHS) and describing ‘green space and woodland’ and how
these areas should be preserved. Also, we were shown The
Replacement Unitary Development Plan for the Policy
Framework (Bradford District) where our attention was drawn
to the wording in various sections:
•
BH14 talks about controlling development within the buffer
zone
•
BH10 about restrictions on planning within or adjacent to
conservation areas
•
BH16 (2) which describes historic parks and gardens,
especially covered by English Heritage, and that nothing
should be done which would ‘visible and audible from the
park’.
•
BH20 outlines the importance of the Leeds-Liverpool canal
which is a conservation area in its own aright aside from
WHS.
The
western end of Saltaire buffer zone has ancient and natural
woodland which is around 400 years old and is shown on maps
via the English Heritage Ancient semi-natural woodlands
site. Bradford’s UDP Policy NE4 1(e) deals with woodland.
All this, especially the Council’s own Policy
documentation, sits in direct contradiction to their
proposals for the Saltaire bypass route.
We were then shown various World Heritage sites which have
been under threat by planning including Durham Castle and
Cathedral, parts of Bath, Liverpool docks (visual impact in
their buffer zone), the Tower of London’s skyline and
Palace of Westminster. Stonehenge has a road nearby which
was supposed to be moved and never was, the current costs
of a tunnel being around 300 million pounds. The first four
sites will be discussed at the forthcoming
31st
World Heritage Committee meeting and it would be considered
disastrous if any were placed on the endangered list.
The Department for Culture Media and Sport has published a
paper called ‘Heritage Protection for the
21st
century’ and again this outlines forthcoming legislation
2010/2011 for World Heritage sites and their buffer zones.
This proposes the Secretary of State can intervene in
decisions and talks about the importance of buffer zones.
Airedale Partnership Master Plan and
Action Airedale
(championed by Philip Davies MP) both act as drivers for
business and regeneration. The irony is that Philip Davies
is or has been on the committee for World Heritage Sites.
To conclude it was stressed the plans for the bypass affect
the buffer zone, two conservation areas, an area of
greenbelt, urban green space, wildlife areas, dwellings,
sites of geographical interest, ancient and semi-natural
woodland, and a Garden of Rest. Risks involve pollution
(especially noise), vibration, and changes detrimental to
the quality of life of residents and within sight and
earshot of the site, park etc. Overall, there will be an
adverse effect, it will reduce enjoyment, destroy open
spaces adjacent to the WHS, affect the conservation area of
Leeds-Liverpool canal and detract from the enjoyment and
character of Roberts Park. All these things are contrary to
statements in policy documentation.
TONY BOSWORTH (TB):
TB stated that he was not attending in an official
capacity, but as a concerned local resident. A lot of the
detail concerning the proposed bypass had been covered by
Councillor Warnes, so Tony concentrated on why this is not
the answer to transport problems. Most new roads generate
more traffic. The Bingley bypass meant more traffic (up by
9%) and shifted the problem elsewhere. Although the town
centre was initially quieter it went up again by 10% after
the road was built. There has been more traffic overall in
the area and 30% more on the A650 than before the Bingley
Relief Road was built. This isn’t unique. Following the
Newbury bypass in 1998, by 2004 traffic was up 50% over the
2010 prediction. By 2004 the town centre traffic was also
back to the peak levels prior to the bypass. Essentially, a
road isn’t always the answer. We need to look at other long
term solutions such as getting people out of cars, freight
back to the railways, more trains, more carriages, park
& ride, buses etc. Also typically costs of road
building doubles over time.
Regeneration:
unfortunately, new roads do not always bring the
regeneration they promise either – where is the evidence of
newly created jobs? It was suggested we need more than
‘warm support’ from the business sector.
TB then focused on comments from Councillor Anne
Hawkesworth who tried to suggest the bypass was nothing
more than a ‘possible line on a map’ in a seemingly
dismissive email written to the Telegraph & Argus in
response to a concerned resident.
In terms of road planning it was pointed out that if a
scheme isn’t made regional then it is harder to get funding
for it
What
we can do:
lobby people like Councillor Hawkesworth and Philip Davies
with letters, visits, media, campaigns. Get the ‘other
interested parties’ involved – e.g. if the road goes
through a football club or whatever.
It was pointed out that Shipley is a marginal seat so the
Labour Party will target it, so a good reason and a good
time to lobby Philip Davies at his surgery or write to him.
The SVS will supply the relevant information and names and
email information etc.
TB fielded later questions relating to transport and
policy.
At this point the Chair thanked the speakers and opened the
meeting to the floor.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR:
Q Is compulsory purchase permitted in World Heritage sites?
A Not where the buildings are protected by listing, but
probably in the buffer zone and if the council itself owned
some of the land
Subsequent comments included the fact that one resident
(following research on another point) considered that the
land belongs to the people who pay the rates, not the
Council itself so it would need the consent. There was also
some discussion concerning who ‘owned’ the allotments.
Q Does UNESCO know about the proposed route, has the
Council informed them?
The Council haven’t as such as they think it is better to
do the studies first and get funding – i.e. not definite
enough to be a real concern yet (KW). They have some
inkling now via queries from the panel and committee
members, but as an action point, SVS will officially
contact UNESCO (EG).
Q
Who is Action Airedale – who are
the members?
A Not a membership organisation as such, therefore they
felt it was inappropriate to release names as it is more of
a forum (KW).
Attendee Ray Wilkes suggested collating all the relevant
documentation for easy access and provided an email address
for those wishing to receive material:
rawilkes@blueyonder.co.uk.
A suggestion was made that the Saltaire Village Society
tries to join this forum.
Q Similar proposals have been around before. For example in
1980, there was a public enquiry and the road was rejected
– will this have any bearing on the current proposals?
A There has also been two previous ministerial promises to
put a stop to such a road, but are they worth anything? If
this is a new proposal they are likely to say it is a
different road, different route and therefore will need a
different public enquiry so not necessarily (TB).
Q The recent government white paper about planning – will
this affect the urgency with which this proposal goes
forward?
A For clarification it was explained that the white paper
proposes speeding up the planning process and that greater
weight will be given to regional planning and decided at
that level, so that local consultation will count for less.
This is considered by some to be taking the control away
from people so there will be campaigns, but as a White
Paper it is not at any legislative stage yet.
Q Are there any other useful examples of other local
councils tackling similar problems we could use?
A Hastings is a good example where Friends of the Earth
campaigned successfully and there are plenty of other
examples we could use (TB).
Q A Bingley resident felt that the town centre had
benefited from a bypass and went on to describe the drive
from Bingley explaining the free flowing areas and the
bottlenecks (usually where the road went to single carriage
again). Citing the single carriage areas as the problem –
why have the plans gone for single carriage rather than
dual, when this could be achieved using Saltaire Road and
Gordon Terrace via a one way system?
A Main reason probably money and time as going for a dual
carriage way would probably take another ten years
therefore that idea was rejected. It was explained a one
way system would probably give limited relief to traffic
problems and money would be better invested elsewhere. Also
again considered too disruptive to local traffic for which
a one way system would be impractical. Other options such
as a smaller gyratory system had been discussed and other
solutions selected.
Comments: various comments were made about the need to
consider other solutions to reducing traffic including
discouraging short local journeys, better public transport
etc. It was also suggested that we need discussion about
options – we don’t want to be presented with something
already decided.
Q What would be the effect to local business and how would
they benefit or otherwise?
A There has been concern expressed from businesses on
Gordon Terrace. When the Bingley road was completed some
businesses closed.
Comments: There are model towns which have overcome
problems with the use of trams, trains and everyone using
public transport.
Q What about school runs and local trips – don’t they cause
congestion?
A There was confirmation from surveys that the peak traffic
around the Saltaire roundabout was mainly local.
Comments: Need to continue with surveys, other solutions
such as car shares etc. Irony is that there are often
public transport cuts which go against the need to reduce
cars on the road. There is a perceived problem that public
transport isn’t really ‘public’ these days and is often
private enterprise. Suggestions were made that large
Lorries could at least transfer their loads to railways.
Part of the answer to getting Lorries off the road was for
businesses such as large supermarkets to do more local
sourcing of produce (TB).
Q Is there any leverage in getting those using specific
sites, such as ancient woodlands, to fill in petitions?
A There are a lot of interest groups affected and one of
the roles identified for the SVS moving forward was to try
and co-ordinate and network these groups. This could be
done as Ray Wilkes suggested and by the SVS collating the
information and networking (EG).
KW suggested petitions were a good idea and useful to have
in preparation for the Council Executive question time. We
have a right to ask questions but they are rarely
challenged. It is too late for the meeting in eight days
time but he will let us know when the next one is happening
(likely to be September).
CF mentioned also that the World Heritage Committee was
meeting in July to discuss the sites on the endangered
list, so it would be a good time to raise the profile of
Saltaire as the subject of protecting sites is likely to be
in the media and we could raise awareness at a national
level.
Q Has regeneration of the canal been thought about?
A In part and some work have been done, although more could
be done certainly in terms of taking the cycling traffic
off the road.
Q Has consideration been given to part of the route being
near a flood zone?
A This will form part of the relevant studies made in the
area – archaeological etc.
CONCLUSION
•
A raffle to raise funds was drawn.
•
Announcements: the secretary had produced a handout of
business arising from the last SVS Committee meeting and
the Chair ran through the main points.
•
Copies of minutes of the last SVS AGM were also available
at the door.
•
Information about the bypass will be put in Victoria Hall
as well as on the website for those who do not have online
access.
•
Next meeting with Philip Davies is on 24th
September.
The Chair suggested that the meeting drew to an official
close. All the speakers were happy to stay and field any
further questions or comments.
ACTION POINTS ARISING FROM THE PUBLIC MEETING:
•
Saltaire Village Society to write to UNESCO outlining the
proposed bypass route.
•
Saltaire Village Society will see if it can join this forum
as an interested party
•
SVS to publish details of useful people to contact and also
to publish relevant documentation of the Saltaire Village
website with sample letters to be used for lobbying and
questioning appropriate bodies.
USEFUL WEBSITES:
Bradford Council: Saltaire: access to Management Plan etc:
http://www.bradford.gov.uk/environment/land_and_premises/planning/saltaire_world_heritage_site.htm
UNESCO World Heritage Centre official site:
http://whc.unesco.org/
UK National Commission for UNESCO:
http://www.unesco.org.uk/
ICOMOS: International Council on Monuments and Sites in
relation to World Heritage:
http://www.international.icomos.org/world_heritage/index.html
The Replacement Unitary Development Plan – Bradford
District:
http://www.bradford.gov.uk/environment/land_and_premises/unitary_development_plan/
English Heritage site: Ancient semi-natural woodland:
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.9254
Heritage Protection for the 21st
Century White Paper:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/Consultations/2007_closed_consultations/hpr_whitepaper07.htm
Shipley Green Party: Councillors:
http://www.shipleygreenparty.org.uk/sgpcouncillors.htm
Friends of the Earth – Transport:
http://www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/transport/
Bradford Council - Transport:
http://www.bradford.gov.uk/transport_and_infrastructure/
Philip Davies MP:
http://www.philip-davies.org.uk/