AT the recent Stratford District Council planning meeting held in Studley, councillors unanimously passed a resolution recommending to Warwickshire County Council that the Studley western bypass be built as a matter of urgency.
This followed full consideration of the various options examined by consultants Halcrow Fox.
Residents and business people who live and work along the congested and dangerous A435, A441 and A448 corridors will therefore have been greatly disturbed by your article "Cash shock hits bypass" (Advertiser, April 18).
It was indicated that because the A435 might be 'detrunked' it will not be added to the list of Government funding for trunk road improvements.
'Detrunking' would mean passing the financial responsibility for construction to the local authority. The article then stated that in that eventuality, county officers had cast doubt on their ability to raise the necessary money.
The current situation is the A435 has not been detrunked and the bypass is still on the transport agenda, although financing will not be sorted out until a preferred scheme is agreed.
The county council is due to commission a detailed assessment to be undertaken within the next 12 months. The council will apply for funding on completion of this study.
Unfortunately, following the ongoing efforts of a vociferous minority, calling themselves SERRAG, it looks as though not only the original preferred western route (option 2) but also a possible eastern route (option 3a) will have to be considered.
This is despite the ecological problems and inevitable delays that the latter, if selected, would cause.
SERRAG chairman Brian Danks is quoted as saying: "We have always maintained the money is not available. The door has been closed as far as the Studley Bypass is concerned."
It speaks volumes for the activities of this group.
In fact, the door most definitely has not been closed. The bypass is needed now and we urge everyone to mount continuous pressure on Government both nationally and locally to avoid further delay. After all, this is General Election year!
Alan Harrison
A435 Studley Western Bypass Action Group
Haye Lane
Mappleborough Green
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