Support Durham City Residents against the Northern Relief Road

This is our second page of petition comments upto and including all comments posted 3 August

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

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

Comment: This would be dreadful.

Comment: I am opposed to the destruction of ancient woodlands, green belt land, and the the environmental impact on the countryside. I particularly object to the proximity of the bypass to Kepier Hospital. I oppose the potential destruction of beautiful cottages, and the impact on the peace and tranquility of Crook Hall.

Comment: I can\'t see any benefits brought about by this planned road, apart from relieving some peak hour congestion at the Gilesgate roundabout. Is that worth completely eradicating the peaceful character of a whole swathe of Durham? The damage to nature and the historic buildings involved would be vastly out of proportion to the scheme\'s benefits.

Comment: Northern bypass definitely needed to reduce congestion/fumes etc in the city centre, but the suggested route is appalling!

Should be sited further north, where much less damage, actual & aesthetic, would be done.

Comment: Ill thought out, rediculous, but what i have come to expect from the irks in county hall.

Comment: We do notned another bypass.

Comment: A bypass is essential but should, in my opinion, cross the river on the rail viaduct , from Leamside to Newton hall.

Comment: Building this road through such beautiful countryside is not the solution. Please focus on developing alternatives to this car madness rather than just repeat the mistakes of earlier decades.

Comment: Living at Aykley Heads, I am already disgusted at the amount of building which is taking place at Aykley Heads on green belt land. Whilst I\'m sure our council has followed all procedures, these building works appeared without transparent discussions with local residents. The politically correct council must not be allowed to \"slip anything else through\" without proper democratic debate. No more blots on this side of Durham\'s landscape.

Comment: The idea of the proposed relief road is by far the most wanton act of vandalism yet mooted by this Council. It ranks alongside the destruction caused by the park and ride scheme to the environment on the outskirts of Durham. We all know that when ever such roads are constructed the land between it and the area it is meant to by-pass is soon filled in and developed for housing etc.So how long after it was built would there be builders wanting to give us Executive Appartments on Exclusive Developments One of the reasons given for the proposed road is the damage that is being caused to buildings in the City . Maybe, with a bit of luck, in the not too distant future the damage to the eyesores that are the Prince Bishops, and the Millburngate shopping centre will be so severe they will have to be pulled down.

Comment: I spoke at last Wednesdays meeting in the Gala Theatre against the relief road and for the Northern bypass. I think that Durham needs a bypass to take away through traffic. The proposed route(s) of a relief road would destroy this lovely valley but only serve to concentate traffic in the city centre. This scheme must be stopped but I feel that it is already a done deal especially after the consultative meeting and despite the protestations from the platform. methinks they protest too much

Comment: The proposed route would cut through a tranquil area of outstanding natural beauty and would deprive locals and visitors of a valued leisure facility i.e. a peaceful country walk. We Durham people deserve to have our heritage protected not blighted by yet more traffic.

Comment: \"vision\" proposal sheer madness, will not solve conjestion problem. Earlier proposal for M1 - Arnison Centre link more sensible and less environmentally damaging.

Comment: I dont know if our councilors belong on the same planet as us mere earthlings

Comment: My parents lived in Sidgegate all their lives and in Diamond Tce for over 40 years until my mams death in January 2005, aged 90. It is now our home and to be honest I am relieved that she would not have all these plans to worry her. Whilst I agree that Durham does need a bypass I cannot understand why this beautiful, historical area has been selected. Apart from the abundance of history connected to this area it is overflowing with beautiful scenery, wildlife and residents who love their homes and the tranquility of this haven. Has safety been considered? This route is very close to a very busy main line railway station - so not only do we have to put up with the noise and pollution from trains, now its cars in our back yards as well. THINK AGAIN!!!!!

Comment: This road is a badly thought out proposal with a ridiculous suggested route.

Comment: There is no justification for building this road. More road building encourages more car journeys which ultimately lead to even more congestion. Then the cycle starts again, more road building, more cars etc, etc, etc, where does it stop?. We have to draw the line somewhere or we are going to end up concreting over vast areas of countryside. When scientists and governments are telling us constantly about the dangers of global warming and increased pollution, we should be looking at ways to reduce traffic not increase it! Durham does not need this scar on it\'s landscape.

Comment: I am pleased that the council are looking to have a VISION for Durham and that traffic in the city has been identified as an issue. The solution however is not more roads and more junctions. All the evidence suggests new roads makes congestion worse. Can the council use the valley as a tourist asset by developing the paths and advertising one of Durham\'s beauty spots. A Valley walk fits with the plan for the victorian Gardens. Please don\'t destroy our assets. Regards

Comment: I am a resident of Gilesgate Moor and am utterly opposed to the proposal for a relief road. It is a wholely misconceived idea.

Comment: We need a true bypass or ring road that will stop the city from being used as a main east/west route by commuters who do not actually wish to go through Durham. As a resident of West Rainton, I am regularly caught in traffic jams when travelling between my home and destinations to the west of the city The Northern Relief Road would not provide the most efficient or cost effective solution and would merely create another bottle neck on Framwellgate. In addition, the destruction of the valley would be a major catastrophe which would have an adverse effect on both the city and its residents. Why are we still waiting for the Northern Bypass, mooted several years ago, which has already been commenced at Rotary Way near the Arnison Centre?

Comment: The County decided, some time ago, to exploit Aykley Heads, rather than leaving it as part of the green centre of the City. Their proposed business park needs a major access road, so they are essentially hijacking the hoped-for Northern Bypass, to serve Aykley Heads. This will give them a link to the A1(M), but continue to channel traffic through the City, at the expense of the residents to the west, and estates like Newton Hall, who were depending on a Bypass to improve their inadequate road system.

Comment: The people responsible for ideas like this one have already proved time and time again that they are not to be trusted with either the protection of the natural beauty of Durham, or with sensible road traffic management. It will not help reduce congestion at all...and it simply cannot be allowed to succeed.

Comment: Crook Hall and Gardens visited and admired by Wordsworth and Ruskin and described by Pevsner as a mediaeval relic.
Other descriptions include
Unexpected rural setting so close to the city centre(The Garden 1998)
A charmed world blissfully removed from the 20th Century( Durham Town and Country1998)
Notable that this city centre survivor is essentially rural(Country Life 2000)
After visiting many gardens in County Durham Crook Hall captured our hearts(Cottage Gardens 2000)
On our visit to Durham we struck gold by discovering Crook Hall(Sunday Telegraph 2000)
Through a garden gate to a magical oasis (Sunday Times 2000).
Listed by Simon Jenkins of the Times as one of the top 500 houses in England.
We plan to build a busy road within two hundred metres of the Hall and Gardens
( Durham County Council Local Transport Plan 2005)
Enough said

Comment: This valley is one of the hidden gems of Durham both on the Frankland Farm and Kepier Hospital side of the river. As you walk either lane towards the Cathedral you get a real feel for Durham of times past when nature dominated the city. A relief road through any part of this valley, regardless of its proximity to Crook Hall or the ancient Kepier Hospital would be a disaster that would destroy the city landscape forever. The Kepier and Frankland valleys are the lungs of Durham and are nature\'s gift to the city. If there is to be any development in this area at all then it should be of the kind that encourages people to visit this area on foot. I would suggest a little footbridge across the river near Kepier Wood and the opening up of walks along the river bank all the way from the Cathedral to Finchale Priory. That would be fantastic for locals and visitors and allow more people to enjoy Durham\'s natural wonders without destroying the ancient ambience of the city\'s environs.

Comment: This would totally spoil one of the best views in Great Britain!

Comment: Although I accept that Durham needs a new road I object most strongly to your proposed route. The area was my playground as a child and is where I go now to relax and unwind. Your proposal would not only ruin this but would also destroy centuries old natural woodland and history. Please reconsider your route. I would have thought that the ideal new bypass would have been from Bowburn A1 interchange via Hett, Sunderland Bridge, Flass Vale to Pity Me

Comment: Durham is the jewel of the north east. Therefore it is valuable and must be safeguarded and protected. This scheme threatens the character and natural beauty of this precious area.

Comment: This idea is sheer madness. When will we stop allowing the motor car taking over our lives. THINK BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE !!!!!!!

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