Email to Anne Hawksworth from Chrissie Freeth, 28 September
2007
Dear Cllr Hawkesworth
Many thanks for taking the time to read this email. I am
seeking some clarification regarding the nature of the
feasibility study into the Saltaire Bypass following on
from the public meeting with Philip Davies earlier this
week.
My understanding is, that according to the ‘Re-evaluation
of Historic Road Construction Proposals’ produced by the
council in 2003, the Saltaire tunnel route was dismissed
with as a low viability. Having been dismissed as such, why
is this particular route back on the table and are the
‘long term adverse environmental impacts’ which were seen
as the likely outcome of this route less of an issue now
than they were then? I would also like to know why
resources are being directed towards a feasibility study
investigating this route, when its low practicality has
already been established. In addition, as the modifications
to the Saltaire roundabout are expected to improve traffic
matters as argued by Mr Davies, why is a feasibility study
being instigated now, instead of waiting until after the
changes at the roundabout have been implemented and their
impact (and thus the need for additional measures)
assessed.
We have often been told that this route is only a concept
and alternatives will be produced. Being as all but two of
the routes discussed in the ‘Re-evaluation of Historic Road
Construction Proposals’ are directly adjacent to or skew
the World Heritage Site I would be grateful if you could
tell me what is actually being done to investigate and draw
up alternatives, or will they rehash these earlier – and
rejected – routes.
On an additional note, I am particularly concerned about
the section of the route that will plough through the
Woodland Garden of Rest at Nab Wood cemetery. Could you
please tell me what is being done to warn those
commemorating their loved ones there, of the council’s
plans.
Many thanks again for reading this and I eagerly await your
reply.
Reply from Anne Hawsworth, 1 October 2007, cc. Steve Barton
I will send this e mail to the officers for a detailed
response ---This concept or route is an alternative to
those already partly worked up --It would be more viable
financially on a day to day expense -as the tunnels would
only be of a short length and therefore not require high
level extraction etc Also it could be viewed as more
environmentally friendly ---This is all a matter of
judgement--At the meeting in 2003 the proposed new route
wazs abandoned at that point only for submission for
funding and further consultation but that does not mean
that any of the routes will not be considered in the
distant future --However because of higher priorities
within Bradford --and regionally --any further
consideration of the routes will be way in the future ---
Reply by Chrissie Freeth, 1 October 2007, cc Steve Barton
Dear Cllr Hawkesworth
Many thanks for your reply and for passing on my queries. I
have already had some correspondence with Mr Barton and I
am grateful for his offer of a meeting which I intend to
take up in due course. I am also delighted to discover that
this route is only an alternative to others
already being designed which I had not realised before, and
although you say these are only partly worked up I would be
grateful, if it is at all possible, for details of these to
be passed on, I know a great many people will be eager to
know about them.
I would also like to clarify that the next part of your
email alludes to my question regarding why this route is
now considered more viable than
it has been before ie that despite the statement in the
2003 review that this route along with others was to be
considered 'costly and/or have a very damaging impact on
the local environment, particularly the Saltaire World
Heritage Site' that they are now seen as more
environmentally friendly, more viable financially and
require only a low level of extraction. Could you please
point me in the direction of where this has been
established, or, as you say this is a matter of judgement,
whose judgement it is founded on and the basis for that.
Obviously the fact that these plans are way in the future
is of little comfort. I am a very proud and happy resident
of Saltaire and intend to
remain so for many years to come.
Best wishes
Chrissie Freeth
Reply from Anne Hawsworth, 1 October 2007
This route wasn't even envisaged in 2003
Reply by Chrissie Freeth, 1 October 2007, cc Steve Barton
Dear Cllr Hawkesworth
Many thanks again for your reply. I am certain that in the
2003 review a 'Saltaire Tunnel' route was included. If you
think this is not the case
may I clarify what route you thought I was referring to and
regarding which you were kind enough to address my
concerns, as I would like to be sure that your comments
regarding its environmental impact and other issues of
feasibility do refer to the same route as that I am
thinking
of ie a route that involves a tunnel beneath the World
Heritage Site. Whilst I appreciate you must be busy and
have much correspondence to
deal with, if you are able to address any other issues
raised in my email, I would be grateful.
With best wishes
Chrissie Freeth
Reply by Anne Hawsworth, 1 October 2007
Yes there was a Saltaire tunnel but not the one under
discussion
Reply by Chrissie Freeth, 1 October 2007, cc Steve Barton
Dear Cllr Hawkesworth
To be clear:
1) In 2003 a tunnel beneath the World Heritage Site was
considered a low viability because of 'long term
environmental impacts'. Along with other routes in the
review this was dismissed because they were 'costly and/or
[had] a very damaging impact on the local environment,
particularly the Saltaire World Heritage Site'.
2) Earlier this year plans were announced for a route that,
like that of 2003, involved a tunnel beneath the World
Heritage Site.
3) You being a fundamental supporter of this particular
bypass, and Philip Davies suggesting that many of these
queries rested with the council rather than himself, I
asked you if the concerns that resulted in the tunnel route
being dismissed as a low viability still stood - and your
reply, although it was not clear, seemed to suggest that
the current route 'would be more viable financially on a
day to day expense -as the tunnels would only be of a short
length and therefore not require high level extraction etc
Also it could be viewed as more environmentally friendly
---'. I asked you to clarify this due to the abbreviated
nature of your initial email, and would be grateful if you
would still be so kind to do so. If I need to clarify
further the nature of my enquiry I would be more than happy
to do so.
A number of issues I have also raised you have not yet
addressed and I would be grateful if you could. Namely,
what is being done to warn those associated with people
being commemorated in the Woodland Garden of Rest of the
Council's plans, the timing of the feasibility of the study
and the basis on which the cost effectiveness and the more
environmental friendly nature of the current tunnel etc
that you alluded to was established, and my request for
details of the alternative routes currently being developed
that you referred to.
Whilst I appreciate you are no doubt busy, you are a
fundamental individual in these bypass plans which have
raised concerns amongst a great many people. Whilst I do
not mean to be difficult or take up your time
unnecessarily, I would greatly value an engaged and
productive approach to my concerns especially as Philip
Davies has promised repeatedly that the concerns and views
of residents will be listened to and taken into account.
With best wishes and the greatest of respect
Chrissie
Dear Dr Freeth,
I should like to clarify that the Saltaire Tunnel Route,
referred to in the 'Re-evaluation of Historic Road
Construction Proposals' reported to
the Council's Executive in 2003, was not the same as the
current concept of a Saltaire Bypass involving tunnels. The
former proposal was a route immediately beneath the A650
Bingley Road (Gordon Terrace) and Saltaire roundabout
whereas the recent concept would involve much deeper
tunnelling beneath Shipley town centre and would pass under
Saltaire station within the World Heritage Site. The route
of this new concept hasn't yet been fully established or
shown to be feasible but it does not pass through the
Garden of Rest at Nab Wood Cemetery. The environmental
impacts will be different from previous proposals although
these haven't yet been fully evaluated. Such an evaluation
and comparison with other possible options is not likely to
be completed until after the Saltaire roundabout proposals
have been developed further or, possibly, been implemented.
As indicated, the Council will be required to evaluate
several options but no decision has been made on what those
options will be and it is
not actively working on alternatives at the moment. I
believe the time for a public debate on possible options
will be when further evaluation
/comparative work has been completed but this is not likely
to be for many months.
I hope this answers your current queries.
Yours Sincerely,
S.J.Barton