5th August2007

Dear Sir,

The opposition of local residents and the Green Party to the widening of St. Mary’s Road rests on the question of whether more road space attracts more traffic (Star Comment 30/7). I would like to draw attention to another road building programme opposed on Sheffield City Council only by the Green Councillors.

The A628 Mottram-Tintwistle Bypass plans, which are now subject to a public enquiry, are predicted by the Highways Agency to bring a traffic increase of 35% on the A616 Stocksbridge Bypass by 2015 and increase traffic on the A57 Snake Pass. Also the infamous Newbury Bypass built in 1998 has already exceeded its predicted 2010 traffic levels by over 20% and peak time congestion in the town is back to original levels.

New and wider roads increase congestion by attracting more traffic onto other parts of the road network which, unable to cope, produce more noise, pollution and road danger to residents not just around the St. Mary’s Road scheme, but across the city.

We fully understand the problems our city has with congestion, however we won’t support sticking-plaster solutions that ignore the underlying cause. To reduce congestion we must improve public transport and reduce the need to travel by protecting local services such as schools and post offices.

Yours sincerely,

Rob Murphy (Sheffield Green Party Transport Spokesperson)