Response page for Planning Inspectorate Deadline 1. Tuesday 14 December 2021
The representation to the Planning Inspectorate regarding National Highways (Highways England) proposal for the A417 Missing Link at the Air Balloon.
After long and careful consideration of the scheme proposals, it appears that the very special environment of the Cotswolds AONB between Barrow Wake and the Air Balloon can only be properly retained if the new A417 is put into a tunnel.
Ramblers have put forward various tunnel options during the consultations. Another below shows a 1.2km tunnel, from the scarp edge at Grove Farm to a valley face at Shab Hill.
If local roads are kept in place for local traffic, there would be no need for a Shab Hill junction
and flyover, or to divert the A436 with its 2 mile extended journey distances.
Let’s hope that a scheme suitable for the AONB can proceed to remove congestion at the roundabout and make local roads crossable and walkable again.
Example: 1.2km Tunnel using New Austrian Method (Maps: Bing, Magic)
5% Gradient, under Barrow Wake SSSI, avoids Emma’s Grove and the Air Balloon .
Our representation 8 pages including 2 plans (the outline on page 3 was previously submitted 2nd Sept 2021)
GR-A417-DCO-representation.pdf
Updated, submitted 19-12-2021 accepted 21-12-2021
A response to a question from the examining authority about rights of way including footpaths and LA112.
6 pages 1Mbyte including 2 plans courtesy National Highways and OS via NMC Ramblers/Bing Maps
GR-A417-ExQ1 response.pdf
Some notes on the process (2 pages)
GR-A417-ExQ1 comments.pdf
DRMB LA112 not submitted
DMRB LA112.pdf
The Examining Authority asked about site visits – 2 pages
GR-A417-DCO-ExA-Site-Visit-Request-draft.pdf
This November 12th 2020 response to Highways England supplementary consultation was also submitted.
The HE questions are at the top of the page, with our response underneath it.
GR-A417-2020-11-12-.pdf
Since the submission, discussions have taken place about Parking and Barrow Wake.
Link to 2019 submission (all items under Public Consultation Response submitted)
GR-A417-2020-11-12-.pdfLink to 2019 submissions
https://gloucestershireramblers.org.uk/a417-pcr-nov-2019/
Planning Inspectorate A417 Web page
https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-west/a417-missing-link