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Councillor Hawksworth's response to email to Philip Davies

28 September 2007

Action Airedales purpose is to assist bradford district to acquire extra funding frok govt --It is not to lobby for a tunnel under saltaire--There have been no more meetings --The purpose was really to give an awareness to the general public about the connectivity problems within the airedale valley--The funding needs are just as important for public transport as for roads --Indeed one of the big success stories within Airedale --You can all forget any possibility of any route in around or through Saltaire for many many years --The route or tunnel which was shown at the presentation is yet just another possibility to add to all the other possible routes tunnels etc which already exist----success stories within Bradford should have read-----Is the rail use ,which is being held back because of lacck of funding

Response by Mark Taylor-Batty, 28 September 2007

Dear Anne,

I'm grateful for your email clarifying Action Airedale's function. I did not in my email suggest that the group was a lobby group specifically for the tunnel under Saltaire, so this clarification was not sought or required. I simply asked Philip to clarify his relationship with the group. I used the words 'lobby group' because of the manner in which the group has been described, for example:
"Action Airedale will consist of businesses leaders and other interested groups who will lobby for a better transport system throughout the valley" (Bradford council press release, 14.02.07)

You say "You can all forget any possibility of any route in around or through Saltaire for many many years". Does the timing of the arrival of a bypass, in your view, make any difference to the affect that bypass will have on the community and environment? Should we be content that it isn't happening soon, but might happen in ten years? I do not understand the logic of your statement and would be grateful if you could clarify it.

You say "The route or tunnel which was shown at the presentation is yet just another possibility to add to all the other possible routes tunnels etc which already exist". We are all aware of this. However, we understand it is the only concept into which public funding is being committed, and being sought, for a feasibility study. If there are other routes which are currently going through the first stages of having a feasibility study, we would be most interested. If you cannot confirm this, I will take that as a confirmation that, in fact, the route through and under Saltaire is the ONLY route that is to be considered via a feasibility study.

I'm sorry to hear that lack of funding is holding back rail development. I do hope Action Airedale will be successful in lobbying for further funds to develop the public transport infrastructure to match the successes in other cities (where road extensions have consequently not been required). I would be grateful for any information on Action Airedale's initiatives to support and develop public transport.


9 October 2007
Dear Mr Taylor-Batty

Having contacted Steve Barton, I will now answer the technical questions set out in your e-mail of 28 September, as well as those repeated in your e-mail of 5 October 2007.

European directives and national regulations setting out safety requirements will be complied with in the design of any tunnel forming part of proposals for a Saltaire Bypass.  It is not yet possible to say what route might eventually be proposed for such a bypass as the concept route passing under Shipley town centre and Saltaire station is only one of several routes which will have to be evaluated against public transport options.  Similarly, the traffic volumes which might be carried by any tunnel have not yet been forecast as they would depend on the route proposed and any demand management measures incorporated.  It is, therefore too early to say whether single or twin bores would be appropriate for any tunnelling solution which might be pursued.

The concept route recently published was intended to indicate that there may be an alternative to previous bypass proposals but, as indicated, its route is not fixed and it is not the only option which needs to be considered.  The timing of any bypass will probably make little difference to its environmental or community impact but the Council is required to properly evaluate those impacts and compare them with the impacts of other options.  I believe the time for a public debate about the relative merits of those options will be when the evaluations have been completed but this is not likely to be for some considerable time.

The Council's Woodland Strategy policy on Ancient Woodlands is now incorporated into the Adopted Replacement Unitary Development Plan as part of Policy NE4 which, as you suggest, states that "...the Council will refuse development proposals which would result in the loss of trees or areas of woodland cover which contribute to … the Ancient Woodlands of the District".  I would fully expect the Council's Planning Panels and Regulatory & Appeals Committee to recognise that Policy in making a decision on any planning application.  However, for the reasons stated above, I believe it is far too early to be able to state that a Saltaire Bypass route would have the impact on Ancient Woodland that you suppose but it is a valid concern and one which is recognised by the Council.

I trust this response answers your various queries.