Weir Action Group (Traffic)

Aims and key messages regarding the use of Appleton as the access to proposed works at Northmoor Lock starting in April 2010

Overall Aims

The group is campaigning against the proposed changes to Northmoor Weir, and the plans to use Appleton as the access route, bringing heavy goods traffic through the village. .

Objective:

The Weir Action Groups’ main objective is to affect “an immediate suspension of the proposed work to Northmoor Weir whilst a full public consultation takes place”.

Heavy goods traffic in Appleton

We oppose the proposed use of the village for access to the proposed weir works and have asked that The Environment Agency consider an alternative route, of which there are at least two, including transportation by river. 14 objections were raised as a result of a public meeting called by the Parish council, of which we summarise and reproduce 3 here as:

Access through Appleton

Appleton access roads and village streets are too narrow for heavy goods vehicles, and are already dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists using Oaksmere. Pedestrians and cyclists travelling to and from School and Pre-school will be especially at risk.

Parking restrictions and turning in Badswell Lane

Day time parking restrictions are to be enforced in Badswell lane. However, 9 vehicles park on Badswell Lane; 6 properties having no off-street parking. Proposed yellow lines suggest lorries turning in the end of Town Furlong, causing risk to children using the tennis courts in the summer holidays and children playing in the street.

Danger of infrastructure and property damage from heavy lorries.

7 houses in Badswell Lane were flooded in 2007; the council and members of the action group have concerns about possible damage to drainage in the road. We have asked the Environment Agency to carry out a conditions survey of roads, drains and properties along the proposed access route. There are alternatives to using Appleton as a works access.

Access by river.

We have been told by Simon Hughes of The Environment Agency that this was an option, but considered by EA as too slow, and therefore too costly. How much more costly is unclear at present. Weir Action Group say that the river was used in 1995 for the refurbishment of the weir, and could be used again, and is the option likely by far to have the smallest carbon footprint. We believed (perhaps wrongly) that carbon savings were a high priority for The EA.

Access across farm land.

The Environment Agency have not scoped these options in detail, but (according to Simon Hughes) estimate that this would add between £190- £240,000 to the project costs. They then appear to have discarded the option. Weir Action Group have asked Simon Hughes to re-look at access to any works, across farm land as an option, and we have made it clear to the Environment Agency that we think that the health and safety considerations of Appleton residents and their properties, are worth more consideration than has been shown to date.

During the Open Evening hosted by EA this truck was seen backing all the way down to the Weir - having turned at the top of Town Furlong, leaving it's trailor full of tar in Town Furlong!

The Weir Action Group has a Facebook group - just sign onto facebook and search for Weir Action Group.