Lyndhurst bypass – which would you build? (From Daily Echo)
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Lyndhurst bypass – which would you build?
8:21am Thursday 27th March 2008 in News
THE TWIN OPTIONS: The map shows the two remaining proposals.
Click here to see a bigger version of the routes
Controversial proposals for a bypass to solve one of Hampshire's worst bottlenecks have been whittled down to two routes, which the Daily Echo can reveal today.
After decades of campaigning, a bypass around Lyndhurst in the New Forest is finally getting serious consideration.
An emergency meeting has been called in Lyndhurst tonight when residents will get a first look at the two options being submitted to county bosses.
On Monday, the county's Cabinet will meet to debate whether to support a bypass scheme.
The top choice being recommended is an "eastern inner link road", leaving the A337 just north of Racecourse View and passing south of the golf course, joining the A35 opposite Bolton's Bench.
The second favourite is a "western link road" that would leave the A337 further north of Lyndhurst and join the A35 Bournemouth Road near its junction with Chapel Lane.
Former contentious proposals to tunnel under Bolton's Bench have now been dismissed.
Initial suggestions included five potential bypass routes. Following consideration by the county's environment and transport select committee and independent consultants Mott MacDonald, these have now been amended to the two options revealed today.
Mott MacDonald and the county's director of environment, Stuart Jarvis, both support the eastern inner link road. It is estimated to cost up to £9m.
Green campaigners, including New Forest Friends of the Earth and the New Forest Association, have long opposed the bypass plans but frequent traffic jams have left many thinking a bypass is the only solution.
Representatives from Lynd-hurst, including the parish council's bypass committee and the residents' association, will speak at the meeting and if the Cabinet supports the idea, it will bid for funding from the South East Regional Transport Board next month.
George Bisson, Lyndhurst Parish Council chairman, said: "Not everybody wants a bypass, but we are representing the views of the majority of the village. We are against any form of inner route that carves into the village and messes around with traffic flows and traffic lights.
"We can only hope they will listen to what we believe is common sense."
Lyndhurst, Emery Down and Bank Residents' Association has distributed 750 leaflets urging people to attend a last-minute meeting. A representative will then present the residents' views to the county council's Cabinet.
The residents' association meeting will take place at 7.30pm in Lyndhurst Community Centre.
Read the reports in full
- Click HERE for
Summary of recommendations for the Cabinet to approve: - Click HERE for
Lyndhurst Bypass Scrutiny Committee Review findings: - Click HERE for
Report by independent consultants Mott MacDonald: - Click HERE for
Report by Hampshire County Council director of environment Stuart Jarvis: (last 2 pages of this include graphics of favoured routes) - Click HERE for
Overview report by HCC environment department:
