Appeal
Reference: APP/B1740/A/09/2119088
Dr Ivor Johnston
Hon.
Secretary
The
Lymington Society
Hollywood Lane
Lymington
Hampshire
SO41 9ND
01590 673740
Ivordaphne@waitrose.com
WEBBS SITE BRIDGE ROAD LYMINGTON/ APPEAL REF: APP/B1740/A/09/2119088/NWF/
LPA REF: 94440 -objection to mini-roundabout
1. We share NFDC and Hampshire County Highway Authority
concerns that ‘the proposed roundabout junction would be likely to interrupt
the safe and free flow of traffic on the existing highway and give rise to
highway danger and inconvenience to road users’.
2. We note Network Rail’s policy that they will
‘seek to encourage planning authorities to cooperate in securing level crossing
improvements in connection with new developments’.
Given the potential for tragic accidents at level
crossings, the onus ought to be on the developer to show that their proposal
will not increase the risk of accidents. A mini-roundabout at this point would
surely increase the prospect of vehicles interfering with the lowering of
the barriers at the level-crossing.
We challenge the developer’s assertion in paragraph
6.3.5 that ‘Most notably, the maximum queue experienced in either peak is
3 vehicles’ and ‘Given the location of the level crossing 20m to the west
of the proposed junction, it is evident the maximum queues would not encroach
over the [word missing but probably ‘railway junction’].
There are already regular long traffic queues at
this spot, due to the impact of the WightLink ferry,
which the developer’s analysis appears to ignore. The recently introduced
WightLink ferries have the capacity to unload cars and trucks
in even greater concentration.
The scale of the development will generate high
traffic flows with daily peaks. We can expect an increased flow of vehicles
into and out of the Webbs site when the residential
development is completed (see New Forest District Council Local Development
Framework, Table 4: Large sites with planning permission; 261 Bridge Road, Lymington; permission for
308 dwellings).
3. The proposal is contrary to local plan policies
3.1 Section 62 of the Environment Act places a duty
on Authorities adjoining a National Park to have regard to National Park purposes:
(i) to conserve and enhance the natural beauty,
wildlife and cultural heritage of the Park; and (ii) to promote opportunities
for the understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities (see New Forest
District Core Strategy, paragraph 3.1.11).
3.2 The New Forest
National Park Core Strategy promotes ‘safer access and more sustainable forms
of transport to and within the National Park for enjoyment, health and well-being,
particularly by supporting:
• local transport initiatives
such as the New Forest Tour;
• community transport initiatives
such as the Lymington to Brockenhurst Community
Rail Partnership;
• improvements to make
existing paths, tracks and roads safer and more user friendly; and
• opportunities for the creation of a more
joined-up network of core routes for non-motorised transport.’ (see Policy CP19 of the New Forest National Park Core Strategy).
4.
Bridge Road is an important access route
for pedestrians and cyclists as well as vehicles.
It is the main route between Lymington town centre
and Walhampton; the WightLink
ferry terminal; and the New
Forest National Park,
whose boundary is near the Walhampton end of Bridge Road.
Lymington is a gateway for visitors to the New Forest National Park. Cyclists and pedestrians
have to use Bridge Road
to reach Walhampton and the forest. Pedestrians
must cross Bridge Road
exactly where the proposed mini-roundabout is to be sited if they are to use
the footpath.
The Webbs site adjoins
Lymington Town railway station, operated by the Lymington
to Brockenhurst Community Rail Partnership.
Although it is now in a different planning district,
to its inhabitants Walhampton is an integral part
of the town on which residents depend for shopping and recreation and Bridge Road is their
only link to it.
Hordle-Walhampton, a
boarding and day school for boys and girls from 2 – 13 years old and Southlands School, a residential and day school for
boys aged 7-16 with special needs are both within walking distance.
5. If the introduction of a mini-roundabout would
produce potential hazards for other road users, we would strongly oppose it.
In our objection to the original application 94440,
submitted on 03.10.2009, we said we would oppose its introduction without
a thorough independent analysis of its impact on pedestrians.
We have not seen any analysis of the impact of the
proposed mini-roundabout on pedestrians walking between the town and the New Forest National Park, who must cross Bridge Road exactly
where the proposed mini-roundabout is to be sited if they are to use the footpath.
Indeed the term pedestrian does not appear anywhere
in the developer’s ‘WSP Transport Statement’.
We should not deter access between Lymington and
the facilities of the National Park but encourage it.
