Dear Sir or Madam,
Representations from CPRE Sussex as part of the Chichester Bypass Improvements consultation, 2016.
This letter is the formal response of the Campaign to Protect Rural England Sussex Branch (CPRE Sussex) to the Chichester Bypass Improvements Consultation. CPRE Sussex works to promote the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of the Sussex countryside by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. We encourage appropriate and sustainable land use, farming, woodland and biodiversity policies and practice to improve the well-being of rural communities.
CPRE Sussex supports thriving rural communities and connectivity and therefore does support investment at Chichester. We believe that traffic congestion and its associated air pollution has a detrimental impact on the local environment and the health and wellbeing of local communities. A long-term solution to congestion around Chichester is needed. However we would also like to see investment in rail and other infrastructure which supports a low carbon economy and a more ‘joined up’ strategy to consider the movement of people, goods and services across the A27 corridor and specifically around Chichester.
The consultation for the Chichester stretch of the A27 has not been carried out in a satisfactory manner. Although CPRE Sussex does not support an additional bypass to the North of Chichester, due to the impact on the National Park, not enough information has been placed in the public domain as to why these options were dropped before the current consultation and this has created a ‘North / South’ divide and a loss of community cohesion. We also believe that the statutory duty of regard for the Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) as set-out in Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, has not yet been satisfactorily considered. The two protected areas around Chichester - the AONB and the South Downs National Park – must be properly safeguarded for the benefit of future generations. Impacts on other locally and internationally designated areas (such as the Ramsar Site, SAC, SPA, SNCI and the Fishbourne Conservation Area) also need further consideration to meet legislative requirements.
There are significant omissions in data which will impact on the traffic models used, for example, new planning permissions close to roundabouts. The housing numbers upon which the traffic models are predicated are based on the existing Local Plans of Chichester and elsewhere, which may change before submission to the Planning Inspectorate or after review (such as Chichester – review process to begin in 2017) no doubt with increased housing targets. This will then render the current traffic forecasts out of date. Greater future proofing needs to be carried out to ensure that the current options provide long-term solutions.
CPRE Sussex is unable to unreservedly support any of the current options. We feel that many other local people will also be in this position and this suggests that the options themselves need further consideration. Our further detailed comments are as follows;
Fishbourne Junction
Although a grade separated junction will have a great increase in capacity, this needs to be balanced against any potential impact on the Chichester Harbour AONB and listed buildings south of the A259 at Old Fishbourne including the historic church. It will also need to deal with additional traffic if Option 1 is chosen and there is no right turn at the Stockbridge junction.
The Stockbridge Link Road
The new Stockbridge Link Road route is a cause for great concern and we oppose this within Option 2. The route is of high ecological value with arable, grassland, hedgerows, ditches, woodlands, water bodies which support plant species and habitats. The route will pass over River Lavant and Chichester Ship Canal, which are important wildlife corridors for Water Voles, Birds and Bats. The farm lands are important for Overwintering Birds. The area is particularly suitable for Dormice. The route provides foraging opportunities for Badgers and Bats. The route supports a considerable number of Red and Amber List Species from the List of Birds of Conservation Concern. The Stockbridge Link Road intercepts a number of habitats which birds utilise to nest. Furthermore, this link road would damage the rural setting of the city and in particular damage the iconic view of the Cathedral and South Downs from the canal at Poyntz Bridge, the view painted by Turner circa 1829. The route would destroy the tranquillity of the canal midway between Hunston and the existing A27 bridge over the canal. It would also open up the possibility of major housing development between the link road and the southern urban edge of the City.
Stockbridge and Whyke Junctions
A speed limit of 40/50 mph should be applied to the A27 from west of the Fishbourne interchange to east of the Portfield roundabout, to achieve a smooth flow of traffic and to minimise the risk of shunts on approach to the signals at Stockbridge Road and Whyke Road if these Options are selected. All signals should be managed collectively to ensure smooth traffic flow. Wider traffic movements in and out of Chichester should also be part of this management, so that Chichester becomes a ‘smart city’ with integrated traffic management.
We object to the north-south flyover at Stockbridge as proposed in Option 2. The flyover would compromise the adjacent properties and mean the demolition of the listed Queen Anne property, Stockbridge House. Traffic would continue to be held up for lengthy periods at the level crossing, whereas access to the City from grade separated junctions at Fishbourne and Bognor Road has a clear run via the railway bridges.
Bognor Road Junction
We believe that a grade separated junction would increase capacity.
Oving Junction
We do not support the closure of the Oving Road crossing as this will restrict traffic movement to the detriment of the local population.
Portfield Junction
An additional study needs to be made as to the impact of recent planning approvals on this junction, there may be a case for greater investment at the Portfield
Roundabout in due course.
Yours faithfully,
David Johnson
Chair, CPRE Sussex