The protest against the proposed A68 Dalkeith Bypass that would cut through the Esh Valley wildlife corridor and Dalkieth Country Park call for a Public Inquiry. Support this call by writing to MSPs and urging them to carryout the proper studies. ANTI A68 BYPASS PROTEST, FROM THE TREES OF DALKEITH COUNTRY PARK PRESS STATEMENT- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6TH DECEMBER 2005 ------------------------------------------------------ Campaigners involved in the protest against the proposed construction of the A68 Dalkeith Bypass call for a Public Inquiry and halt of all works until its completion. To carry out the works for the A68 Dalkeith Bypass prior to the completion of a new Public Inquiry would be criminally negligent on the part of the Executive and the contractors involved in this project. Evidence based on written questions to the Transport Minister in the Scottish Parliament and answers given (see S2W-18726) suggest that the only reason for the current pursuit of the bypass is based on the need to spend projects funding in this year’s annual budget after delays to the planned M74. Does having the finances to build new roads really count as a justifiable reason for doing so? Further more, the A68 Dalkeith Bypass was to be held in abeyance until the completion of the 2006 Multi-Modal Transport Study. This study would take into account the changes that have occurred to the transport infrastructure since 1993 (when planning permission was granted for the bypass) including the building of the A7 Dalkeith bypass and the dualling of the A1, and also the potential reopening of the Borders Rail Link (the ‘Waverly Line’). The bypass was granted permission at an estimated cost of £22 million; does the now estimated £40 million project represent best value for taxpayers in terms of transport options for the area taking into account the recent changes to the transport infrastructure? The environmental impacts of the A68 Dalkeith Bypass are being completely ignored. The only environmental assessment carried out to-date on the impacts of the Dalkeith Bypass was a weak environmental appraisal completed in 1992 that did not even meet statutory regulations for environmental impact assessments at that time. Public opinion is being completely ignored. The last full Public Inquiry to consider the construction of the A68 Dalkeith Bypass was carried out in 1992. Since the renewal of the A68 Dalkeith Bypass project this year, there have been numerous objections stated by the public. Over 2,500 people lodged letters of complaint to their MSPs. To date, 1632 people have signed a petition calling for an updated Public Enquiry and Environmental Impact Assessment to be carried out before further consideration of the proposed bypass. Before any further works are pursued on the A68 Dalkeith Bypass, a full Public Inquiry, a modern Environmental Impact Statement and the Multi-Modal Transport Study should be completed. Anything less would be criminally negligent on the part of the Scottish Executive. If people desire to support this call for a Public Inquiry into the works around the A68 Dalkeith Bypass, they should write to- Tavish Scott MSP Minister for Transport The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP Email- Tavish.Scott.msp@scottish.parliament.uk And copy to, just in case T. Scott decides to ignore your concern: Mark Ballard MSP The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH99 1SP Email- Mark.Ballard.msp@scottish.parliament.uk Supporting evidence for the negligence surrounding the carrying out of works on the A68 Dalkeith Bypass: ------------------------------------------------------ - The Executive concluded in its Strategic Roads Review in 1999 that the A68 Dalkeith Bypass should be held in abeyance until the completion of a Multi-Modal Transport Study (to be completed in 2006). - The need for the road was measured on a 1988 Network Evaluation from Surveys & Assignment (NESA) model, updated to 1991. This was prior to the building of the A7 Dalkeith bypass and the dualling of the A1, and it of course does not take into consideration the reopening of the Borders Rail Link (the ‘Waverly Line’). The purpose of completing a Multi-Modal Transport study is to consider the potential need for the A68 Dalkeith Bypass (and other road projects) with regards to the overall changes to the transport structure. No study to date has considered the said changes to the transport structure and the resulting need for the proposed bypass. - The only Local Public Inquiry to consider the construction of the A68 Dalkeith Bypass and its routing was carried out in 1992. In 1996, a Local Public Inquiry was carried out to consider the potential dualling of the bypass; numerous objections to bypass’s construction and routing from this inquiry were ignored as being outside the remit of the inquiry. - Planning permission was granted in 1993 for the A68 Dalkeith Bypass based on a weak Environmental Appraisal carried out in 1992. This appraisal did not comply with statutory regulations for Environmental Impact Assessments laid out in 1988 (85/337/EEC). In 1999, regulations for Environmental Impact Assessments were further tightened, and these should be taken into consideration. - The woodland areas in Dalkeith Country Park through which the proposed bypass would pass are noted as sites of bat roosting and hibernation. A bat survey was carried out by Scottish Natural Heritage in 1993 with regards to this. However, a more recent survey has not been completed. Scottish Natural Heritage was contacted only months ago to provide consultation, and a new survey was deemed necessary. This survey is planned, but since the hibernation of the bats has already begun this survey cannot be completed until the spring breeding season. - The A68 Dalkeith Bypass was granted approval when the price of construction was suggested at £22 million. The current estimated cost is £40 million, and there is no evidence to suggest this represents best value for taxpayers in terms of transport options for the area, especially acknowledging that the Multi-Modal Transport Study promised during the Strategic Roads Review in 1999 has never been carried out. - It is also clear that the Executive is ill prepared to proceed with this project. Planning permission for the removal of the historically listed wall along Salters Road has lapsed. Furthermore, planning permission for the settlement ponds necessary for the road works has yet to be applied for nor has the land they will be on been purchased. The potential environmental consequences of these ponds have never been given consideration in any assessments completed to date. - Improved air quality and decreased traffic congestion in Dalkeith town-centre have been cited as major evidence supporting the bypass. However, the impact of the bypass on traffic flow and air quality out with Dalkeith has never been fully considered through an environmental assessment. The Strategic Roads Review in 1999 concluded that though the A68 Bypass would have ‘noise and air quality benefits’ there would be ‘generally negative ratings on the other environmental factors including global air quality, water, ecology, visual impacts, heritage and landscape character’.