just click Lutterworth and have your say  

  
 
Paying out Millions making one disaster area into an even worse disaster, and benefiting who?
 
Sir,   after having the misfortune not to have been informed about the changes planned / being considered when moving to the area
 4 years ago I have made as many enquiries into the situation and although I knew of http://www.freewebs.com/lutterworth/  
I  only now feel I should comment as I have been waiting, to no avail, for feedback from our local councillor. The councillor in 
question convinced me that the Eastern solution would be carefully reviewed and was beneficial to all businesses so may well be agreed.
With impending local / general elections surely now is the time to be making even more noise regarding this issue as possible.
Other than money and politics there seems no logical reason why the road could not run parallel to the M1 (East or West side), 
leaving the Whittle r/bout, or before and rejoining the A426 at or after the waste quarry. This would be beneficial to all local businesses 
located there and to the general population. Is there a costing for either of these options? The website talks about Motorway changes – 
this would not be required. 
Surely if the Government departments cannot be made to see sense then could the council not impose compulsory purchase orders 
on the (majority traffic contributing businesses) in order to convince them that they either contribute to the Eastern scheme or the 
purchase money will be used – I have to say I have no experience with such matters so this may not be allowed or is impractical – 
but surely all we can do now is help ourselves by playing hard ball.
Has the question of the quarry traffic been reviewed seriously – what percentage of the 2500 trucks a day is dump trucks running to and fro 
from them? What possible injunctions could be taken out / charges applied (additional rates (Mine are exorbitant enough for little worth) 
consistent clean up / damage / H&S) by the council, shop owners or individuals that would force the trucks round the town.
All the school buses that trundle by each day – I have already seen accidents with a couple of these (pedestrian and car) what if the 
next vehicle to collide with 50 school kids is a 30 ton quarry truck or a 38 ton fuel truck. The maniacs that are late for work at Magna businesses 
hurtling along Bill Crane will also pose a target for these trucks.
Petition? – Locals, through traffic, visitors, businesses themselves – is there one? Has it gone to Parliament? Has it gone to MPs wishing 
to get their backsides in office?
Hopefully not all the above is pie in the sky because of rules/regulations I am not aware of.
British industry disease seems to be being fully employed here – ‘Right first time – Why? There is always time and money to do the job right 
second time around’. 
The people that we pay to make the decisions with our money are not doing their job and its time they were made to know this.
Saxon Chase resident 7.11.07
 
 
 
Why not put a bypass aroung Sharnford, its been on the cards for a long time, 
this will make all the heavy lorries go down the A46 onto the Sharnford bypass 
and on to the A5 then down the A5 to the new road at Lutterworth and on to the M1. 
This will clear most of the heavy lorries not just from Lutterworth but from Sharnford, 
Broughton Astley and Dunton Bassett.
 
This would also be the less expensive option.
Geoff Smith	Broughton Astley	10.7.07
 
 
Its madness to go forward with this relief road, there has to be a better way.


Gerry 
 
Hello Graham.
What you are doing here is great, we certainly need to keep the highways dept / councillors etc.. aware of our views.
I am also a resident in the Brookfield Way area, when we brought our house around two years ago the wrr did not come up in our searches, 
I have talked to neighbours who have been here seven years and they were not told by the builders about it either!
Anyway it looks as if we are going to have an eastern / western war on our hands now. When what we really need 
is  a new junction onto M1  north of Lutterworth.  The Highways Agency says this is not acceptable because its 
against their policy to use a motorway junction to solve local issues, but this is not just a local issue as a lot of traffic 
uses the Lutterworth Junction instead of the Leicester Junction (Fosse Park) as that one is so conjested and dangerous.  
So surely this stops it from being a local issue?
Carolyn (22nd March 2007)
   
Hi 
I am a resident of Lutterworth and often use Brookfield Way, 
what suprises me is the speed at which other road users drive 
along this road (most cutting through from Leicester to Magna Park). 
I have seen the police carrying out speed check once in the last six months.  
This area certainly needs more suitable traffic calming than it presently has. 
Along with Bill Crane Way.
Certainly some HGV's ignore the 7.5 ton weight limit and use this route already.
 This is a residential area where families and children live. Is it right to relieve 
the centre of Lutterworth at the expense of another area ?  Most 
(dont know what percentage ) of the HGV traffic is generated in the area 
that would then become by-passed i.e the Lutterworth commercial areas. 
So what is the justification in sending this traffic on a 4 mile detour to 
still end up at the M1(more fuel usage/harm to the environment).
I dont think that much HGV traffic goes from Magna Park to Leicester 
via the A 426, unless its heading for south Leicester it will access the 
M1 and head north.
[9.2.07]
  

The gormless pendants who see Brookfield Way as the solution need to 
take a broader view. It will not take one speck of pollution out of Lutterworth, 
just move it somewhere else. Similarly, those who can be influenced to think 
further afield and look for solutions which might provide respite on a wider 
geographical basis, should be encouraged to do so. Junction 20A is not a pipe dream, 
it can be a reality and provides a solution to two separate but related traffic problems.
John Cookson  15.12.06

 
Did you know that ASDA (aka George) are planning a large new HGV depot at 
Magna Park & an office complex with over 400 car parking spaces  - plans in 
the Service shop. Unfortunately I do not think that winging about on here will do 
as much good as the population of Lutterworth writing to Leicestershire County Council, 
Market Harborough DC & the MP, unfortunately the Town council do not have the 
power to make the changes that are needed - we the people must stop winging and 
be heard. Enough letters of complaint about planning permissions - they have to listen.
Protest about the ASDA plans before they get the planning permission. 
ps suing the councils - not a great idea - all that will have to be paid for by US t
he rate/tax payers. We're having to pay for HDC's going against professional 
advice and being taken to court - didn't that cost us the rate payers £250,000 ?
Keep up the good work.

 
Hi there, I happened upon this site quite by accident and it raises some very 
interesting issues.Pavement parkers, double yellow line parkers etc etc - where are 
the police & community support officers ? The main drag through the centre of Lutterworth 
has been designated a HGV route  - why ?  by whom ? how do we get it stopped ?
If we got rid of this traffic the need for a Western Relief road would be much less.

For some time now, the Highways Agency is reported to have suggested that

 Hi Graham,

 If you look at the number of houses off Brookfield that are not selling and those

off Bill Crane Way that are selling at a considerably higher price, I would suggest

that until this is resolved and the WRR is scrapped, our house prices are already

being severly affected and will continue to do so until a resolution can be found. 

Regards   Nick  14.8.06

As an alternative route have the planning team considered a junction off the M1(20a)

that would link up with the A426 just about where the Boston Lodge placement exists ?

.....it seems the easiet solution !! 6.8.06

It saddens me to here that the Government may be thinking of funding the development

of a road which runs alongside several housing estates a children’s park and a country

park/walking area.  I can only think that a representative has not been to Lutterworth to

inspect the road as I am sure that logic would prevail to see that it is completely unsuitable.   

I do not dispute that 2500 lorries passing through the town on a daily basis creates

problems but to channel all those lorries from a low populated area i.e. the town centre

to a heavily populated area is a crazy solution. When the idea to develop Brookfield way

was first considered the route was mainly rural with very few houses; however, since 1986

several housing estates have been built along with a country park.   2500 lorries passing

within feet of peoples front doors and children trying to cross the road to the country park

and local footpaths is heading for disaster. Other routes have been proposed using the

area beyond magna park away from the town as this area has no housing - I have never

known of a bypass taking lorries nearer homes being a solution - is someone having a joke? 

Mrs N Bradshaw 16.7.06

We must get this sorted!

I'm sure that the council have already decided on the 'best' option for the town and they

need to start to communicate with all residents.The pollution issue will not just affect those

located near to the relief road, everyone in the town will suffer and it will affect all our house

prices- I have small children and will have to consider my options if the relief road is so close to residential areas.

Why are the council so determined to use a road which is not suitable and is located next to so many homes?

I would like some honest answers!

Elaine Warden 8.6.06

What can we do to stop this?  Sian Maguire 8.5.06

In reply to Mrs. Roberts question (see below) about the strange anamoly regarding the speed limits on Brookfield way I may have the answer. I moved to Lutterworth 6 years ago, onto the Bloor developement off Brookfield Way, and in the first 2 weeks I was pulled over by the Police (as were around 100 or so motorists that day) for driving at 34 miles per hour in the 30 mph section. My 'defence' (not a very good one I admit) was that I had been oblivious to the signs. On that day the Police were out in force, there was a trailer where all the offenders had to watch a rather graphic video about motoring accidents involving children. I took the opportunity to ask one of the Police Officers why there was such a big operation going on that day. The reply was that there had been (alledgedly) many complaints from residents, living in the Bitteswell end of Brookfield Way, about speeding Taxis, and that some weeks/months before the speed limit at the section starting at Lilac Dive had been changed to 30. However, the speeding Taxi issue had continued hence operation 'Catch the local residents'! Since my run in with the law I have made sure not to exceed the limit but am amazed by just how many drivers go way beyond even the 40 limit. If Brookfield Way does become a full Bypass I predict many serious accidents within the first few months. I also question whether the road can support the predicted industrial traffic, therefore it will have to be widened substantially, so bye-bye Millenium Park!  (received by email 4.5.06)       Firstly Thank-you for the opportunity for the people of Lutterworth to share their views on the WWR. I have found some information on www.harboroughonline.co.uk/ppimageupload/image 10571.PDF  on pages 33 and 34 of these issue papers there are a couple of interesting entries. When asked what areas of land should be put aside for new roads; Lutterworth Chamber of trade comments were "M1 New junction 20A North of Lutterworth." Lutterworth Town Council comments were"An extra junction on the M1 North of Lutterworth would alleviate a huge ammount of traffic through the town. If this is the view of the majority of Lutterworth residents, (and indeed it is the view of most people I have spoken to)then this should be what we should be aiming for.  After this Lutterworth town centre could be improved if it still necessary.  Lets get our priorities right, it's no good  studying one area and possibly improving it, if it is to be at the expense of a large residential area.Carolyn (29th April 2006)
After living in Lutterworth for all of my 43 years and following this subject from a distance I feel that this subject is really frustrating, let's open another junction between Lutterworth and Blaby on the M1, this is such an obvious solution.   I, along with hundreds of other drivers use the very dangerous A426 every day and on my observations - alot of the HGV traffic has come from Croft and slip in quarries heading for the shortest route, southbound on the motorway system.  HGV/Industrial companies based in the town are all on the north east side. There is no need for heavy traffic based in and heading south in to Lutterworth to use any of the A426 if there was a junction off the motorway, unless delivering goods.  I was one of the many people who was opposed to Brookfield Way being built over 25 years ago, due to the fact that even then it was discussed as the future by-pass of Lutterworth and always new the debate this would cause.  Why I am on line can anybody explain why the speed limit is 40mph where the country park is, children and adults crossing to the other side of the road - but where it comes down to 30mph just at the entrance to the park there is nothing over the other side? (oops! sorry I forgot there were cats using the road and people were protecting them from being killed).  This is an enigma to me - I have asked around but nobody appears to give me the answers.  Please can somebody put me out of this misery.   Kind Regards  Mrs P Roberts  28.4.06 It is beyond belief that any local council could consider the Western Relief road on Brookfield Way now that the area is residential. This area of Lutterworth would become a barron wasteland in my opinion with residents being forced to leave houses standing empty in order to flee the obvious pollution, noise and danger created by the thousands of HGV's that pass through each day. Would you buy a house that faced what would be in effect be a major road right outside your front door? Let us not forget that the council recently spent 80k on the Country park across Brookfield way. Who do they think will attempt to take their lives and their childrens lives in danger by crossing to get to the park and dodging speeding traffic and inevitable pollution. I believe that a smokescreen is being used deliberately by the council in respect to the scheme. If they remove the traffic from the town then they will have turned a largely commercial problem into a purely residential problem. If they can get the town people to back the scheme then they have support. Ask yourself the question, how many of the council live in Lutterworth and will be directly affected by the WRR? Maybe it's just me but the fact that Magna park are willing to pay for this and that they would like the council to approve plans for further growth of MP is a little bit more than a coincidence. The traffic would not come from Magna Park as it already uses the Southern bypass. The traffic is largely Leicester traffic and local quarry lorries that use Lutterworth to gain access to the M1 rather than JCT 21 at Fosse park as it is not accessible in peak times and highly dangerous to attempt to access from the North and South. We must not let this happen and the council that represent us have the power to protect us and to stop this from happening. N.C  28/4/06   If you would like me to post your views onto the site then just click Lutterworth and have your say    I have just been reading todays Lutterworth Mail (6-4-06) and have noticed a mention that last year Lutterworth Improvement Partnership began a campaign urging residents to support the Western Relief Road. However whilst on the internet I discovered a reference on www.harboroughonline.co.uk/ppimageupload/image10564.PDF (which is page 6 of PO5 settlement character) which is a contribution made by Lutterworth Improvement Partnership stating "Lutterworth does not require the completion of the Western Relief Road.  If opened to 40 tonne trucks, the character of the road and adjacent developments would change significantly".  I wonder what made them change their mind ?  I would love to know regards Carolyn. 6.4.06 Reponses to this Issue paper and many others are available by clicking                                           Harborough   I really struggle to see why everyone is trying to find a way around the West of Lutterworth to solve a traffic problem relating to the east of the town, i.e. the M1. The problem of traffic relates to the North-South axis accessing the M1. Similarly, why is the town centre and Leicester Road so sacrosanct? This is largely commercial or industrial whereas the course of the proposed Western Relief Road is entirely residential. Considerably influenced by vested interests, organisations such as Lutterworth Improvement Partnership can only see in terms of the commercial impact (if any) that town centre traffic is having on local traders, many of whom don't even live in Lutterworth itself! There is only one serious solution to Lutterworth's traffic problems and that is a new northern junction on the M1. However, let's be realistic. A considerable amount of traffice will continue to use High Street and pass through the Narrows so long as there is industry in Lutterworth. We might as well get used to that idea, because there is precious little available work in Lutterworth without driving it out due to traffic restrictions. John Cookson  16.4.06   I very much like the alternative road along side magna park to the Leicester road .It would also allow a second entrance to Magna park.If the route were extended slightly there could also be the motorway junction G Ruff 11.4.06     I live just off Brookfield way and each day use the fields and footpaths to walk my dogs.  I am amazed at the number of drivers who speed at a considerable rate along Brookfield way and a companion of mine was almost killed when a car overtook another vehicle and ended up on its roof feet away.  I feel that if Brookfield way was used as a route for HGV drivers to get to Magna Park and a bypass for drivers getting to Leicester that the quality of life for every resident living in near proximity would have their lifestyle shattered not only would their weekends be spent with the constant noise of vehicles passing by, the speed limit no doubt would be raised which in itself would create more decibels - it would be like living alongside a motorway.    I strongly oppose the route along Brookfield way and feel that this would be detrimental to the town and its residents. Nicola 16.4.06    The route you have highlighted is possible and it does take the bypass well away from Lutterworth and Bitteswell but appears to be within about 1/2 mile of Ashby Parva, is this not just moving our problem to someone else.  I have serious reservations about the section of new road that will be required from the crossroads by Elm Farm to Cauldwell Lane (I think that is what it is called). The road appears to go right across farmland (splitting it in two) and will possibly take a portion of the Misterton Riding School as well as the Lutterworth Rugby Club ground and not forgetting the cottage and farm buildings between these two sites. With regards to your comments about creating an inner ring road I do not see this as the road WILL by-pass Lutterworth (in other words it runs around the outside of the town and not through it). I would also take issue with your statement that bypasses take traffic away from the towns as this does not appear to be the case at two large towns in the area namely Blaby/Whetstone and Broughton Astley where these roads run close to residential areas. As far as I am concerned there is only one alternative to the WRR and that is an additional junction on the M1. I believe that this could be a restricted junction i.e. northbound exit and southbound entry slip roads only and this could possibly be built where the road from the A426 to the north end of Bitteswell crosses the motorway. If the county council will not do this then I must support the completion of the WRR as the only way to get traffic out of Lutterworth Town Centre. Roger Leaper  12.4.06   I recall that when the section of the Western Relief road from the motorway to the Coventry road was created there was a good deal of publicity about the construction of high earth ramps at either side of the road to reduce the environmental impact on the Lutterworth Golf Club and nearby residents. Presumably if Brookfield Way were to be developed as the mid section of the Western Relief road similar earth banks would need to be constructed to afford the same protection to residents who in the event would be immediately adjacent to the route. The final section along Bill Crane way would presumably merit similar protection. What a choice, a major road right in front of your house, or a 20ft high bank of earth. GB 13.4.06    Your correspondent of 16.04.06 (see below) has a fair point that the Lutterworth NO2 graph ( http://www.freewebs.com/lutterworth/pollutionlevels.htm )is in microgrammes per cubic meter whereas the others are in parts per billion (ppb). To see Lutterworth's figures in ppb follow your link from http://www.freewebs.com/lutterworth/links.htm to the air quality web site for Lutterworth High Street and then click on "click here to produce reports". The attached graph (on Pollution page) shows the NO2 levels over the past year averaged over hourly intervals. To get this I ticked the box to the right of NO2, selected the date range using the date selector buttons to the right of each date field, chose a timebase of 1 hr by clicking in the circle to the right of "1 hour" and chose the size of graph. (I've attached a screen dump of the form I filled in to get the graph.) You can see the hourly averages don't go over 150 ppb, but there are a few readings over 100. Regards, Jim Baker. As a scientist* I must take issue with your presentation of Lutterworth's pollution statistics! The more observant of your site's visitors will see that you make a comment about the hourly mean of nitrogen dioxide not exceeding 150 ppb (parts per billion).  Then you present a graph with a scale in microgrammes per cubic metre! All of the other graphs I note are in ppb. If you apply the conversion between these units (multiply the microgrammes per cubic metre figure by 0.52 to obtain ppb) you will see that even on the worst day (18 November 2005) the pollution levels in Lutterworth only reached approximately 110 ppb. That is still some way short of 150ppb. In layman's terms - if you divide the numbers of the Lutterworth graph on the left hand axis by 2, you will get a graph on an equivalent scale to the others.  You will then find that Lutterworth and Kensington & Chelsea's air quality figures for nitrogen dioxide are similar.  And let us not forget also that the hallowed Royal borough is not exactly overrun with lorries. In summary, Lutterworth's nitrogen dioxide levels are hardly a reason to build a relief road! 16.4.06 * NB The above comments should be treated with caution as the writer does not provide a name or evidence of his/ her scientific expertise or qualification     Just click Lutterworth  and have your say