And Now Its’ Arundel’s Turn.
We fail to understand how anyone could support
any of the Arundel A27 options Highways England (HE) has put forward, when clearly
their purpose is to create even more road space for through traffic to fill (1).
The Arundel Bypass Neighbourhood Committee (2) has eloquently put forward the clear
case for rejecting option 5A. Hopefully we can get you to reject the remainder.
Like option 5A, 3 is also a dual 2 lane
carriageway designed to 100kph traffic specification. It also requires two new
over-bridges at the River Arun and Arun Valley Railway. These alien structures
crossing the Arun Valley will not only be a blot on a cherished landscape, they
will scar the priceless setting of historic Arundel.
Option 3 then deviates from 5A to bulldoze a
250 metre wide gouge through irreplaceable ancient woodland at Tortington
Common. This option then requires four new under-bridges (Bridges in an ancient
wood!) at Old Scotland Lane, Binsted Lane, Tortington Lane and Ford Road to complete
the destruction of this tranquil corner of English countryside, before
rejoining the A27 near Havenwood Park.
Option 1 and the last option given by HE, is
also a new offline two lane dual carriageway from the Crossbush Junction. In this
case it will join the existing Arundel Bypass east of the Ford road roundabout.
It too requires new over-bridges at the railway and River Arun, again clearly both
alien structures.
From the Ford Road Roundabout the single 2
lane A27 Hospital Hill will be dualled and join the existing dualled road west
of The White Swan.
Just like Chichester and Worthing – Lancing
the Arundel scheme is about one thing and that of course is through traffic. By
spending vast sums on these grandiose schemes no money is left to repair
existing roads, spent on public transport or cycling.
If we really want to move people and goods
around more reliably and efficiently, those who can use other modes than the car
must be encouraged to do so by providing an alternative and thus freeing up
road space.
Please reject all the options as we did for
Chichester and Worthing – Lancing.
