WHILE it is easy to understand why those residents of Studley with properties near the A435 should want the environmental and possible financial benefits provided by a traffic relief scheme, it is not so apparent why Studley residents should prefer the western route, Option 2, over the eastern route, Option 3a modified north of Washford and why it has to be dual carriageway.

Taxpayers' money in one form or another will be used to fund the scheme should it go ahead.

However, the more expensive the scheme, the greater will be the need for local taxes to supplement the central Government funding.

Option 2 dual carriageway is the most expensive scheme which will provide net benefits for those people living close to the A435 but net disbenefits for those living elsewhere in Studley and the county.

Surely it would be better to know more about how, if and when each scheme will be funded before deciding on a preference?

The Warwickshire County Council traffic study to date reveals:

A435 Trunk Road (Studley Bypass) Orders:

a The orders cannot be used by Warwickshire County Council to build a road.

b The orders cannot be used to build Option 2.

c The brief is for a local county road solution, not a high specification trunk road solution for through traffic.

Option 3a Eastern Route:

a Does not cut the church off from Studley.

b Does not go through the park at Studley.

c Does not go through National Trust land at Coughton Court, for it runs about 1km away to the east.

d Cannot be seen from Studley as it passes the church area.

e It does provide relief to the A448.

f Was not considered by the 1991 public inquiry and therefore not shown to be inferior to the western route at that time.

g It will not cause flood problems in the River Arrow flood plain.

Option 2 Western Route

a Even if funds are readily available, it cannot be completed significantly earlier than other options.

b As funds are not likely to be so readily available due to the high level of costs, particularly for the dual carriageway version, completion may well in practice be significantly later than it would be with other options.

c It does not perform economically the best, for Option 3a gives the best benefit, the best net benefit, the best value for money and is less expensive for each class of road.

d It is not the minimum impact solution, for Option 3a has less noise, pollution and visual impact on properties.

e The 78 per cent traffic relief assigned by the model to Station Road is significantly in error as indicated in the study final report.

Why does it matter to Studley residents which of these options is selected as the preferred route, as long as a reasonable relief scheme is built in the foreseeable future?

K Miller

Middletown

Studley