As of February 2007 this road scheme is still a threat to Durham City
The road would now not be funded as part of a bid set out in the Local Transport Plan, but by Central Government's Transport Innovation Fund. Under the terms of this fund, the road could only appear as part of some kind of road charging scheme through Durham City. An announcement is expected later in 2007, prior to so called consultation and a possible bid for funds.
We do urge people to write to the Council in protest as described and to sign and leave a message on our online petition.
We believe a road building project of this destructiveness is not justified by what rush hour congestion there is in Durham and when, for instance, County Hall itself still sits in a free car park the size of a suburb.
Details of the possible Council scheme can be seen on the website of the Department of Transport.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/tif/transportinnovationfundpumpp1039/pdfbidpumupdurham
Or through
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/tif/transportinnovationfundpumpp1039/?version=1
The Council's document strains to argue that Durham pilot a possible national road charging scheme. It is asserted, dubiously, that the relief road would be "essential" to any such pilot in Durham.
It is still unknown which of the three possible routes may materialise.
Questions from campaigners have been put to various public Council meetings. These and the answers can be found on
http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/8025694D002ACDA4802571C300433AC7?opendocument
Don't let them build
Write now to the Leader of Durham County Council (albert.nugent@durham.gov.uk), and to the councillor who is overseeing the Local Transport Plan (Robert.Pendlebury@durham.gov.uk), or contact
- Director of Environment
- Durham County Council
- County Hall
- Durham
- Co. Durham
- DH1 5UQ
or alert your local County Councillor and/or City Councillor.
THEN sign our online petition by clicking the petition registration link to the left