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Transport Solutions for Lancaster and Morecambe (TSLM)
is a group of concerned local residents and organisations. TSLM is independent, not run by any political party or other group.
‘TOP TEN’ WORST THINGS ABOUT THE HEYSHAM M6 LINK
- 1. The road is not designed or intended to combat our local traffic problems. Its main purpose is to improve HGV access to Heysham Port. The hope is to attract more HGV lorries into the area, not fewer. Traffic to Heysham Port currently constitutes less than 3% of traffic crossing the Lune bridges. Heysham Port handles just 0.7% of the tonnage moved through all UK ports, and is a minor West Coast port compared to Liverpool.
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- 2. The local Morecambe-Lancaster congestion problem is not properly addressed. Lancashire County Council admit that this is not a congestion relief road. 80% of car journeys in the district are local. If the Northern Route were built, many residents would still be crying out for a relief road, but the money would have been spent and the congestion would have only worsened.
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- 3. There is no convincing evidence that the road will regenerate Morecambe or Heysham. The HGVs are only passing through on their way to Ireland. This is no regeneration ‘master plan’. Significant developments like Luneside and the Bailrigg Industrial Park are ignored by this proposal. Regeneration claims are not supported by evidence, and remain mere pipe dreams. Even at the Lancaster Business Park, which has excellent access to the motorway, the uptake of land has been poor
(1.5 ha out of 8 ha between 1998 and 2004).
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- 4. The cost of the road is escalating rapidly, at present above £118million. In 2001 the general public were told that the cost of the scheme would be £62million. Given the destruction and damage which would indisputably occur, and the fact that the congestion problem will still be with us, we must ask whether this project represents value for money.
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- 5. There has been no meaningful public consultation following the release of detailed proposals. Lancashire County Council has not measured the support or opposition to this scheme. The general public consultation in 2001, before the decision was taken and plans published, showed only 15% of those polled favoured road building as our major transport priority. The only recent measure of public opinion is a questionnaire organised by LCC following their exhibition in May 2005, in which 76% of people, having seen the plans, were opposed to the building of the road.
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- 6. It would destroy our countryside. The 5.1 km dual carriageway would wipe out at least 70ha (173acres) of farmland in our Green Belt. It would damage parts of biological heritage sites, such as the River Lune and the Lancaster Canal, habitats which are important within our county. Mature trees and ancient hedgerows would be swept away along with the fields, causing a drastic reduction in wildlife.
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- 7. The project would damage the environment. HGV noise, vibration and air pollution would increase, as would greenhouse gasses. It is an extreme contrast to the character of the area. The massive embankments and cuttings would be an offensive blot on the landscape. The existing starry night sky would be replaced by bright street lights, lit all night, and lights from traffic.
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- 8. The road would adversely impact on the health and well-being of our communities. It would pass within 200m of 1,074 homes, exposing thousands to exhaust, noise, vibration and light pollution. In Torrisholme the community would be divided by a dual carriageway raised 26 ft in the air with lighting 33 ft above that. In Halton, the narrow ancient streets would be metres away from motorway access. People who currently enjoy the tranquillity of their gardens or a quiet walk to the shops or school will have the stench and thunder of traffic to contend with. Dog walkers and country strollers will have the eyesore of the road and its noxious fumes in place of fresh air and birdsong. Our quality of life is under serious threat.
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- 9. The road is only the beginning of the destruction. There would be great pressure for development along the route in quiet residential districts of Torrisholme, Hammerton Hall, Beaumont, Slyne and Halton. Open spaces would be replaced by new housing and industrial estates and this would bring yet more traffic to our roads.
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- 10. The scheme does nothing to curb car usage and is designed to attract more HGVs into the area. The government now accepts that all new roads increase, not decrease, traffic. The plan is backward-looking and many alternatives to building this road remain, such as improving the traffic flow at Scale Hall, improving public transport, the rail network and Lancaster’s gyratory system
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