A47 DUALLING - A CHOICE BETWEEN TWO ROUTE CHOICES

Back in 2018 we launched a campaign to help challenge the proposed route of The A47 dualling project. Here is a summary of our successful campaign:

2018 CAMPAIGN

We are the A47 Community Consultation Team, also known as “ACCT”, working hard to make the dualling of the A47 between Wansford and Sutton a sustainable, long term solution for all.

There are currently two route choices available for the project and we believe that Highways England can choose a better route than their current proposal.

The current “southern alignment” will impact the risk of flooding on the River Nene, Ancient Woodland and living wildlife without delivering significant benefits compared to a more northerly alignment.

We want to make sure all residents have access to accurate information during the consultation period so they can influence the decisions being made that affect the local area.

We need your help to change Highways England’s proposed preferred route.  Without your voice, we cannot be heard.

A47 DUALLING

CONGESTION

WILDLIFE

SAFETY

FLOODING

ANCIENT TREES

ARCHAEOLOGY

OTHER FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CURRENT HIGHWAYS ENGLAND ROUTE

  • Questions over the proposed alignment have been omitted from the consultation process by Highways England.
  • Highways England have confirmed to the A47 Community Consultation working group that THE PUBLIC PREFERRED NORTHERN ALIGNMENT IS TOTALLY FEASIBLE but have failed to mention this in their consultation documents.
  • Highways England have ignored the majority of local opinion on the route alignment at the Non-Statutory Consultation stage.
  • The Highways England preferred alignment will require more high-quality agricultural land to be compulsory purchased to the South while the Government’s already owns lower quality land to the North.
  • Highways England chose not to challenge Historic England on the value of the Scheduled Monument which could have resulted in a more Northern alignment away from the sensitive River Nene Valley area.
  • Homes England who own the land affected by a Northern alignment were part of key meetings on potential routes at a much earlier stage than other land owners. This information was only made available through Freedom of Information requests!

WHAT THE PUBLIC PREFERRED NORTHERN ALIGNED ROUTE WILL GIVE

  • Major reduction in high quality land take.
  • Less of the route in sensitive River Nene Valley.
  • No destruction of Ancient Oaks and significant reduction in overall tree removal.
  • Minimal impact on wildlife habitat.
    Reduced construction risks.
  • A project that would remain within budget and provide a better than average (data from Highways England) Costs Benefits Ratio.
  • Slightly longer construction time due to estimated extended traffic management issues.
  • Utilisation of mature tree barrier originally planted in the 1980 (North of the existing A47) as a landscape barrier.
  • Little or no impact on Archaeology.

Congestion

Minimum 20% increase in traffic over 5 years - Wansford West roundabout wholly inadequate - Core Scheme Objective failure.

Pollution

Congestion = Increase in Air, Noise and Light Pollution - relocation of the West roundabout is the only solution.

Truck Stop & Access

Sacrewell and Garage access improved - Closing the truck stop will solve current problems but viable long term solution should be part of the scheme objectives.

Woodland

Completely unnecessary destruction of 13 Oak Trees between 200-400 years old and more than 80 other mature native species. The woodland is also home to various species of bats and a large area of native Bluebells. HIGHWAYS ENGLAND FAIL TO MENTION ANY OF THIS IN THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS

A47 Dualling Map

Flooding

Loss of flood plain - Increased risk for Wansford - an opportunity lost withive failure insufficient attention paid to improving the long term situation at the early design stage.

Wildlife

Road alignment will have a major impact on this sensitive natue area - at risk are Otters. Bats, Badgers, Dragonflys, Water Voles and many other species - wildlife corridors needed.

Safety

Higher speeds into inadequate roundabouts - Local access has little improvement - Safe North-South routes for cyclists, walkers and horse riders noe existent - road nearer the river a fog risk.

Archaeology

The southern alignment will destroy areas of Archaeology while a Northern alignment has little or none - Southern ROUTE CHOICE IS TOTALLY WRONG.