Bypass promoters consider other options

22 October 2008

The Department for Transport and local authority promoters of a bypass are to consider alternatives to a £130M road scheme, suggested by local opponents.

The Kingkerswell Alliance was ‘encouraged’ that the DfT had agreed to meet residents protesting against the South Devon link road proposed by Devon and Torbay councils, in order to discuss its alternatives to the road.

The group published a report by consultant Steer Davis Gleave highlighting that a package of measures to reduce traffic on the A380 through Kingskerswell, or to better manage it, were £80M cheaper, and would reduce carbon emissions.

Reopening Kingkerswell train station, introducing quality bus corridors, a £1.5M programme of ‘smarter choices,’ and bringing in tidal flow lanes was a package which deserved ‘fair and thorough assessment,’ the group claimed.

Ken Pegden, chair of the alliance, said: ‘The Government has accepted the need to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050, so it needs local schemes which reduce CO2, not increase it. Our innovative alternatives have been researched and costed by respected consultant Steer Davis Gleave, and therefore, cannot easily be ignored.’

Devon County Council, publishing the orders for the new road scheme last month, said it was ‘the best solution to reducing congestion, local air quality and road safety’.

But the Kingskerswell Alliance claimed the 5km road to divert traffic travelling between Newton Abbot and Torquay would ‘trap the village between two main roads, as well as passing near to its conservation area’. Cllr Margaret Rogers, Devon’s executive member for the environment, said the authority had already considered alternatives, as required by the DfT. But, as part of a ‘belt and braces approach’, the council would consider the proposals.

But Mr Pegden claimed: ‘They’ve looked at alternatives, yes, but only individually, and not as a whole package. And the alternatives they submitted to the DfT were different versions of the road.’

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