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Press Release: New report suggests massive tunnel traffic growthTyne Crossings Alliance has welcomed a new report from the CPRE [1] and Coutryside Agency [2] which shows how new road building schemes generate more traffic than anticipated. The Alliance, which is campaigning against the second Tyne road tunnel, believes the report undermines the case for the tunnel road scheme being pushed through by the Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Executive (TWPTA).The Alliance says that lessons must be learnt from failed road schemes, and the tunnel project should be scrapped in favour of sustainable public transport solutions before any more public money is squandered. TCA spokesperson Paul Winch said, "According to the new study, road building often leads to much faster traffic growth than forecast. "The implication to draw is that if the tunnel is built, it would generate more traffic than predicted, and would further blight Jarrow and East Howdon. This adds weight to Tyne Crossings Alliance's assertion that those living near the tunnel would bear the brunt of all extra cars. "The evidence from the the CPRE and Countryside Agency report clearly undermines the case for the tunnel, and shows that new roads create more traffic and greenhouse gases, damage the wider environment and pose an unacceptable risk to public health. "We must learn from past mistakes, starting with the TWPTA scrapping the unnecessary and damaging second Tyne road tunnel". NotesResearchers studied three controversial major schemes of recent years - the A34 Newbury Bypass in Berkshire, the A27 Polegate Bypass near Eastbourne, East Sussex, and the M65 Blackburn Southern Bypass in Lancashire and found that traffic on these roads had already reached or exceeded the levels forecast for the year 2010. References[1] Beyond Transport Infrastructure by Lilli Matson, Ian Taylor, Lynn Sloman and John Elliott, published by CPRE and the Countryside Agency (CA). A copy of the Executive Summary is available on request. The full report is being posted on CPRE's website, www.cpre.org.uk/publications/index.htm , and on the CA's website at www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Landscape/PP/planning/research.asp [2] The WS Atkins Newbury Movement Study for West Berkshire Council is available to download at webpage: http://www.westberks.gov.uk/WestBerkshire/transport.nsf/pages/NewburyM114721.html . Page 37 of the Newbury Movement Study says 'across both roads [the A339 – the old A34 near central Newbury, and the new A34 bypass], the overall traffic has dramatically risen from 43,900 (1999) to 65,000 (2003), a rise of just under 50% in four years' whilst nationally over the same period traffic had grown by only about 5%. [3] Total of the Highways Agency Targeted Programme of Improvements (£10.371 billion) and Government approved local schemes (£1.754 billion) and road schemes in the Community Infrastructure Fund programme (£81.96 million) = £12.945 billion on government approved road schemes. Source: Written Answer from Road Minister Stephen Ladyman to Parliamentary Question by Tom Brake 19 Dec 2005 - http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm051219/text/51219w08.htm#51219w08.html_wqn8 [4] The Highways Agency's annual roadbuilding budget passed £1 billion for the first time this year. In its 2006-7 Business Plan, the roadbuilding budget had almost doubled since the 2005-6 Business Plan to reach £1.046 billion. http://www.highways.gov.uk/aboutus/documents/ha_business_plan0607-6_indicative_budget.pdf [5] Ministerial Statement on Productivity Transport Innovation Fund - 27 June 2006 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060627/wmstext/60627m0102.htm#column_6WS
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