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The changes to the Bradburns Lane Junction went ahead regardless of all the
efforts and wishes of Hartford residents. The work has been completed to a high
standard but the questions raised over the true benefit to Hartford, as opposed
to creating a route for traffic from the proposed Winnington Urban Village,
remained unanswered. The ability of the Highways Department to make drastic
changes to a Conservation Area, without any planning process, has been raised by
the Society's secretary at a meeting with the Prime Minister - he was surprised
it could happen. Only time will tell if changes will be made that protect other
Conservation Areas. The original posting on the changes is appended below for
information and background.
"Many of you will be aware from coverage in the local newspapers, Hartford News
and the circular to members of the Civic Society that Cheshire County Council
Highways Department are planning to dramatically alter the Bradburns Lane
junction at the centre of the village. This is part of a set of proposed changes. In
brief, they propose to cut a slip road through the grassed area at the end of
Bradburns Lane, install traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing at the end of
The Green by the Red Lion and improve the junction where the one way system past
the Church Hall meets School Lane. The traffic lights are to be sequenced.
The
Civic Society and the Parish Council have been trying to get involved in
discussing the proposals with the Council but meetings and correspondence to
date have been disappointing in that the Council feels since it owns the land,
it can do whatever it pleases.
In our recent survey of members feelings we received an 80% response and only
one member was in favour of the proposal.
Numerous letters have been written but the situation is perhaps best summed
up by the one from Mike Hall MP to the Chief Executive of Cheshire Council
following a meeting with representatives of both the Civic Society and the
Parish Council at which he expressed his support for our opposition to the slip
road element of the plan.
"Hartford Civic Society and Hartford Parish Council are
opposed to the part of the proposal which affects the junction of Bradburns Lane
and Chester Road. This proposed slip road for traffic turning left at the
Bradburns Lane junction with the A559 will not bring any benefits to the
village.
The optimising Capacity A559 Northwich Corridor Study
concludes this proposal will only "result in a slight positive impact on the
efficiency of the junction" for vehicular access.
The conclusion of the study is challenged on the grounds that
the figures used for the volume of traffic turning left into the slip road have
been significantly overstated when compared to recent traffic counts made by the
Borough Conservation Officer and Hartford Civic Society.
To achieve this very questionable slight improvement on the
junction Cheshire County Council are proposing a slip road - left turn filter
lane that will go through a triangular grassed public amenity area, with the
Hartford Village Stag Sign, ancient drinking fountain, benches and trees. This
land is within a designated conservation area. The slip road would completely
destroy a major feature of the Village of Hartford. This runs directly against
the requirements of conservation area designation to ensure the preservation and
enhancement of the area.
The Hartford Village Design Statement, which has been adopted
as supplementary planning guidance, has not been adhered to in respect of the
proposed sequencing of traffic lights at the top of the Green. The Village
Design Statement specifically notes that sequenced traffic lights are an
inappropriate solution within the village environment. Cheshire County Council
played a comprehensive role in drawing up the Hartford Village Design Statement
and should respect its conclusions.
This proposed slip road will not bring any improvement in
management of traffic through Hartford. However, if it is built it will have a
detrimental impact on the character of the village.
When members of the Hartford Civic Society and Hartford Parish
Council questioned the need for this particular part of the package they were
informed that it was an "all or nothing package" and if the proposed slip road
was excluded from the package the whole package would have to be abandoned. They
were further advised that the scheme has to be approved, the specifications for
the work completed, the tenders for the work published, tenders invited for
work, tenders to do the work approved, contracts let and work started before
31st March 2009, or the scheme would not go ahead and the £500,000 earmarked for
the scheme would be lost."
A reply to his letter, which goes on to request information and answers to a
number of questions, is currently awaited." |
