Testun llawn:
I wish to respond to some of the points outlined in the Local Plan:
3.4 Do not agree: has the Avon Bridge been assessed for increase in traffic? Solution: commission report asap. Installation of additional traffic lights not enhancing the aspect in this conservation area.
Solution: decrease in traffic required.
3.5 Do not agree: concentration of 4,500 houses in one area ie to south of Warwick and Leamington. Solution: look for alternative sites
3.5 Meeting Housing Needs: 6,000 required by 2010 so why is WDC proposing 12,000? Solution : reduce stated number
3.6 No mention of air quality ie traffic emissions. Already an ongoing problem identified. Solution commission report to assess impact of increased traffic asap. Solution 2 - reduce number of vehicles in town centre.
3.6 Sustainability: Do not agree - the plan does not meet our current needs and therefore fails this criteria
4.3.10 It was agreed at Area Committee in January 2008 to reduce the volume of traffic in Warwick. So how will this be achieved with the inevitable increase in traffic?
Solution: there is only one way into Warwick from Banbury Road and no viable alternative. Saying that car drivers will use M40/A46 to access roads to north - what evidence do you have? I was told at exhibition "it was hoped this route is used"
5.1.29 This will result in deterioration of air quality ie standing traffic at lights and slower speeds through town.
5.6.1 Have these been tested to a sufficient level of detail?
Public Transport - I do not drive therefore I know the limitations of using buses, reduced evening services, limited on Sundays and Bank Holidays, none on 25th & 26th December. It is not realistic that
residents can rely on public transport. Solution: provide and subsidise
a comprehensive bus system to suit the needs of residents
7 days a week from 6am to 11pm including Sundays and Bank Holidays.
5.6.3 The proposed implementation of blocking the right turn from Smith Street into St Nicholas Church Street will seriously impact on visitors, customers, traders and residents. How is it proposed that drivers wishing to access roads to the south ie Banbury Road or Stratford Road do so efficiently? Solution remove this idea from the proposal.
5.6.5 The introduction of possibly 2 lanes and reduced parking in St Nicholas Church Street is detrimental to this historic road and its residents. It does not seek to reduce traffic, will impact on the poor air quality identified both at St John s and St Nicholas Church Street.
In addition visitors to St Nicholas Church will not be able to access a right turn from their church onto Banbury Road. A crossing across Castle Hill for tourists and residents has been identified as a requirement for safety, how will this be accommodated?
At an exhibition of the Local Plan I was informed that the Plan was rushed through and therefore not passed through the "Plain English" route. I also feel the amount of documentation and short time scale imposed is difficult for respondents to reply to.
My greatest concern is air quality especially in light of two reports recently published in national newspapers concerning traffic emissions.
The Council has a responsibility to ensure that a reduction in pollution is carried out as a matter of urgency.