06
March 2018
Press
Release
Re:
N/2018/0264/'Land for Road Development at St James Mill Road'
ERTA has lodged an
objection to this proposed local road infill scheme. We are concerned it will
impinge in a detrimental way the former Northampton-Bedford/Brackmills Branch
corridor and make reopening much harder if not prohibitively so. We are of the
view, following positive studies in the last 20 years beit the Handley Study,
LSMMMS, Capita Symonds for Connex and several others, which indicate the line
could provide a worthwhile role and function beneficial to the areas it would
serve including Northampton. We are of the view the railway would enable a
quicker transit between Northampton and Bedford, East-West Rail to Cambridge –
quicker and cheaper than changing at Bletchley; fast single train access to
Luton Airport Station and the Waterside Campus. The rejuvenation of the town
centres with more footfall and spend minus the traffic is another benefit
commensurate to make this corridor worthy of protection, further study, case
making and appeal to Chris Grayling to invest in re-railing Northampton. The
road scheme seems to link 2 congestion hot spots with no way out of the current
congested London Road artery.
Richard Pill, ERTA
Media Spokesperson said “This is short termism at best and myopia at worst
failing to see the wider picture. The road scheme at cost of a railway option
for Northampton is extremely parochial and just filters traffic into already
congested road arteries. Our call is cut traffic and nurture walking, cycling
and better public transport options”
End of Press Release
Further comment: Mr
Richard Pill, ERTA Media Spokesperson T. 01234 330090/E. richard.erta@gmail.com
Download this pro-forma model letter and add you objection to the St James' Link Road to protect the integrity of the railway corridor please:
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