Support Durham City Residents against the Northern Relief Road

Below is a list of the entrys we have curently recieved in this petition.

Comment: Once in/near Durham everywhere is within walkable distance - how about a park and ride if there is determination something has to be done, to make it even easier. Having lived there for 3 years I think this road would ruin some areas of what is a lovely little city, and except for then day when all freshers arrive or slight rushhour congestion (like in every city/town) I have never noticed a problem with transport or the roads. Some things are worth more than a little bit of extra convenience.

Comment: This road is a waste of public money which could be better spent on improving pedestrian access, or tidying up North Road...ie, improving the routes in for those who do not use cars. It will carve up vital green belt land, and will ruin the tranquility of Crook Hall which has brought joy to many residents and visitors over the year.

Comment: See my comments for City of Durham Trustboth in TP2 Consultation and City Trust published utterances!

Comment: Please don\'t destroy such beautiful parts of Durham for very little reason.

Comment: A disgraceful idea.

Comment: Why is the focus not on reducing traffic, providing better information and opportunities for people to utilise public transport and more \'green\' options such as cycling. It seems absurd to destroy such an important area when Durham is actually a very small city where a large volume of traffic is not always necessary.

Comment: This bypass is too close to the historic city centre. It will bring more traffic through the city, something the council has been trying to avoid, with its strict parking rules and scheme to make drivers pay for going through the city centre. The route appears to go through a beautiful area of Durham, by the river and Diamond Terrace/Sidegate area. It would be devastating for wildlife and for residents of these areas.

It would be far better to build a bypass that actually goes right around the outside of Durham, rather than straight through the centre of such a small and beautiful town.

Comment: I think it is discraceful that people would want to destroy, and endanger so much of what is precious about Durham. Have they not opened their eyes to the beauty of this area. Building \'another\' road is not going to make any difference whatsoever, compared to the damage to the environment, and how many people this will cause distress too.

Comment: What a dumb idea.

Comment: Please don\'t build the bypass. It would be a great tragedy and destroy places I love.

Comment: Im a student at Durham and really feel a bypass would spoil the atmosphere of the city.

Comment: The suggestion that a new road is needed to cut congestion is, frankly, untrue. I spent four years in Durham as a student, and have plans to return and lived one year on Diamond Terrace. Learning that the bypass is proposed right next to this wonderful residential location is very upsetting, as the peaceful atmosphere, and the safe feeling would be ruined.

Comment: it would be like slicing through a monet painting. Once you build that bypass you can\'t get the beauty and heritage you have ruined back. Durham is one of the only places in england which remains relatively untouched and that is what gives it its uniqueness, building this bypass would also mean loss of money through tourism etc. because a lot of people visit durham for its tranquility and this would be lost.

Comment: I believe that the plans should not go ahead.

Comment: I am set against this proposal and the plans to destroy more of Durham\'s beautiful green belt. We must learn to protect and conserve our environment. Please find another solution that avoids such a significant negative impact on our community.

Comment: Shit Happens

Comment: They should not destroy a wonderful place that friends and families can enjoy.

Comment: I have recently moved to Durham as a university student and think it would be an absolute travesty to destroy such a beautiful area. The proposed by-pass would not be completed until long after I have left the university and most likely the area but will spoil the surroundings for the countless generations of both students and residents to come.

Comment: this project is totally unnecessary and will destroy far more than it will gain.

Comment: Durham is characterised by this green around it, by the unspoilt woodland, scrub and fields, which are a great resource for many. To give way to the car here, shows a lack of real imagination on the part of planners. There are other ways to solve congestion problems than building more roads and destroying the beautiful and ancient pastures and woodland that define this beautiful city as a kind of \'island\' of historic building, surrounded by river and green. Otherwise, like so many others cities, it is set to become yet another - approached by sprawl... and evidence of the lack of planning courage to think with vision and beyond the demands of the car.

Comment: The Green Belt is an established and important planning policy which has been part of the setting for the historic city for many years. The key to the character of the GB is its openness. The new proposal for the road will destroy this openness. The County Council should consider alternatives.

Comment: This would damage durham and it\'s citizens horribly

Comment: It seems that the council have lost leave of their senses over this issue. They cannot drive a road through such environmentally sensitive areas we must stand together to see this scheme buried.

Comment: Durham is my spiritual home and these plans undermine its exceptional natural and historical beauty. I fully support this petition.

Comment: Rather than destroying the countryside and encouraging more traffic,pollution and congestion, the Council should promote alternatives to car use for those who work in Durham city e.g. improved bus services and car share schemes. It might also be possible to increase capacity on some existing roads.

Comment: My view is that the proposed bi-pass is too close to the City Centre. It will destroy the City\'s close links with the countryside to the North and make the City more car dominated.

Comment: It will defeat the object having the outlet at Highgate which is right in the city centre and itself an area of road which becomes very conjested at certain times during the day. The city is clogged enough. It will be seen as yet another Durham planning disaster and eyesore, which will be viewed AND heard from every major tourist point in Durham. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS.

The road, being a \"relief road\" should be brought out onto the A167 near the Arnisen Centre onto a road which is able to take the estimated amount of additional traffic. The A690 will also soon have the benefit of the new \"Park & Ride\" scheme at the junction of the A167/A691 junction.

HONESTLY... WHERE ARE THEIR MINDS!!!!!!!!!!

Comment: An absoulte travesty, made more so by the levels of secrecy surrounding the Council\'s proposals!

Comment: Whilst I agree that Durham city is congested, it would not be right to destroy ancient rural areas. Surely we could find other ways of by-passing this beautiful city without destroying such natural beauty. Alternative ways of achieving the outcome must be sought. This area is quite unique and we should preserve it.

Comment: Please do not spoil this beautiful city.

Comment: Please don\'t ruin such a historic and wonderful place.

Comment: I cannot believe that another road is necessary. Since leaving Durham University in 1973 this area of the city already looks like spagetti junction. It is supposed to be a beautiful historic city, I thimk, the most beautiful in England, don\'t spoil it.

Comment: A bypass is not needed, I think that half the problems could be sorted by just improving signs. I also feel we do not need any more bridges-the riverbanks are lovely to walk along as they are.

Comment: What is more important - preserving our natural heritage, or covering the world in concrete?

The former, I think.

Comment: I lived in Durham for four years and was horrified to hear of this ridiculous plan that most likely will not solve anything.

Comment: As a motorist I feel guilty enough without feeling responsible for this act of wanton vandalism as well.

Comment: It\'s wrong, unsightly and little consultation has been offered.

Comment: It would be vandalism to route the relief road so close to ancient woodland and historic buildings

Comment: It is hard to pass comment on something so wantonly destructive. The comments provided to the council\'s reasons say it all.

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