Delays to A36 Improvement Disappointing says Sandra Gidley

2.04.12pm GMT Wed 29th Nov 2006

Sandra Gidley MP met with officials from the Highways Agency last week for an update on plans to site a roundabout at the Whinwhistle road junction with the A36. Three safety audits over recent years have concluded that this was the optimum solution for improving road safety along a stretch of road that has been dubbed "Death Valley".

Following more recent improvements the Agency concluded that these, by themselves, were not enough and announced plans to proceed with the roundabout scheme.

Sandra said, "Unfortunately the scheme is unlikely to start until the financial year 08/09. This is because preliminary investigations have shown that more environmental work will have to be carried out as some of the trees which will need to be felled are bat roosts and bats are a protected species. This work can only be done at certain times of the year.

"Another part of the equation is that issues around land acquisition mean that a public enquiry is almost inevitable and this also has to be taken into account.

"Not all residents are convinced that a roundabout is the ideal solution but the Highways Agency has demonstrated that this is the most effective option and also the one with the minimum environmental impact. As we approach the Public Enquiry they will be organising some information events so that the public are clear about the reasons behind this decision.

"I am not happy about the delay but at a time when we need to protect biodiversity we cannot ignore the environmental factors"