Air Balloon Bridge or Boomerang Bridge?
Which proposal would you say is Landscape-Led?
Here is the Gloucestershire Ramblers response to Highways England supplementary consultation ending November 12th 2020 about the A417 Missing Link at the Air Balloon. The HE questions are at the top of the page, with our response underneath it.
https://gloucestershireramblers.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GR-A417-2020-11-12-.pdf
There are a wide range of views within the organisation ranging
– from those who want the road built yesterday
– to those who believe that with climate change we shouldnt be building any new roads.
However Ramblers have been pressing for some 20 years to remove through traffic from the roads here so theyre walkable and crossable again.
Our aims are to defend footpaths and protect the countryside and is where there should be common ground.
The attached continues to press to
– keep the Air Balloon as a landmark on the Cotswold and Gloucestershire Ways
– retaining crossings for footpaths bridleways and tracks which should also suit wildlife
– and pressing to keep the new road low in the landscape to minimise noise intrusion
– while keeping local roads open for local people, business, farm traffic etc
Highways England proposals have improved over previous but the Shab Hill wildlife bridge could do with being wider and a mixed use green bridge for the Cotswold Way should retain the Air Balloon and help give some tranquility at Emma’s Grove. With some update there could be a route through.
Overall it’s hoped this can be beneficial to the Cotswolds.
Below, Highways England is proposing a Boomerang Bridge at the Air Balloon site for the Cotswold and Gloucestershire Ways. Touring Cyclists and Horse Riders use the route too. The Air Balloon cottages can be seen on the left and Emmas Grove and Barrow Wake are over to the right.
Below the image has been adjusted keeping the line of the Boomerang Bridge but adding in the Air Balloon site from Google Earth.
With the 2019 High level Green Bridge proposal gone, funds should be available for a mixed green bridge at the Air Balloon site. It saves compulsory purchase costs, retains the trees opposite and around Neolithic Emmas Grove round barrows. The road space can be used for parking, or access to the end of Barrow Wake car park and the property Crickley Ridge.
Highways England Consultation begins 13th October 2020 and ends on 12th November 2020.
https://highwaysengland.co.uk/our-work/south-west/a417-missing-link/
Make sure you have your say!
For anyone keen to save the Air Balloon as part of the landscape and heritage this could be the last chance.
If you’re not too worried, it would be great if you can help too.
Following any updates the proposals go to the Planning Inspectorate for a Development Consent Order.
Here is a link to the video fly-through:-
The Cotswolds AONB has just been renamed as the Cotswolds National Landscape.
In a few years perhaps it will become a Cotswolds National Park.
Are the A417 proposals kind enough to the landscape.
It’s a supplementary consultation
https://highwaysengland.citizenspace.com/he/a417-missing-link-supplementary-consultation/
Here is a brief outcome of the 2019 consultation
/A417_Missing_Link_responding_to_feedback_from_our_consultation_2019_final.pdf
Watch this page for further updates.
https://gloucestershireramblers.org.uk/a417-flythrough-commentary/
Here are the links to the consultation documents
https://gloucestershireramblers.org.uk/a417-consultation-2020-10-he-docs/