No need for bypass

Calls have been made for a proposed bypass of Southwell to be scrapped.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s Local Transport Plan, which sets out plans for transport in the county for the next five years, is being finalised.

Plans to consider a bypass for Southwell are included in the document.

The town council leader, Mr Peter Harris, said plans for a bypass were of great concern.

He said: “There are concerns that the bypass would become the edge of the town, as it has done at Rainworth, and development would take place up to there.

“It could also lead to an increase in traffic, mainly in Thurgarton and Upton.

“There are lots of other ways of reducing traffic to the town. We don’t need the bypass and there are concerns we could increase the amount of through traffic on the A46.

“Rather than installing a bypass, improve cycle ways and footpaths so more journeys can be make by foot and by bike.

“It is disappointing the county council seems to be going for very large-scale projects rather than smaller projects that would have much more of an effect on the local community.”

The county councillor for Southwell, Mr Bruce Laughton, said a decision on the bypass should be made by the people of Southwell.

He said: “It is up to them to say whether or not they would like a bypass. The county council would not go ahead and develop a bypass round Southwell without consulting with the people to make sure their ideas and aspirations were taken into account.”

Mr Laughton said it was unlikely a bypass would go ahead in the next ten years because of the amount of money needed for the project.