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Publication of Rattery Parish Council Response to the proposed closure of the road bridge over the A38 at Drybridge.
This is the result of the survey we undertook earlier this year. The data has been analysed and this final report has been agreed by the Parish Council and sent to the Highways Agency. The Parish Council would like to thank everyone who contributed to such a good response which has enabled the Council to give a very robust reply to the Highways Agency.Summary of conclusions A cost/benefit analysis of closure as opposed to renewal of the road crossing at Drybridge will have to take into account a number of factors. 1. The local community places high value on the crossing at Drybridge and would mount, by all possible means, a robust challenge to any proposal to remove it. The Highways Agency would have to defend any such proposal against strong local opposition supported by the Parish, District, and County Councils and the local Member of Parliament. 2. Closure of the road crossing at Drybridge would have a negative impact on traffic movement on the A38 Devon Expressway. In particular the increased use of the trunk road by local farm vehicles would have a pronounced effect. The overall result of closure would be to reduce safety levels and increase congestion on both carriageways between Marley Head and Lower Dean. 3. Remedial restructuring would be necessary to improve the capacity of local roads to deal safely with the increase in traffic flows, particularly of HGV and farm vehicles, which would result from closure of the bridge. Modification would be necessary to local roads, especially those currently designated as unsuited for HGV, and to a number of road junctions, especially those where minor roads join the A385. 4. Closure of the bridge would mean that local businesses and farms would incur additional costs for which they would seek financial compensation. Particularly badly affected are those businesses, located just south of Drybridge, whose original planning permission was conditional on their use of the Drybridge crossing to avoid HGV movements on the local lanes around Rattery. |
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POSSIBLE CLOSURE OF THE ROAD BRIDGE AT DRYBRIDGE
The Highways Agency has informed the Parish Council that the road bridge over the A38 at Drybridge is suffering from concrete cancer and that, as it cannot be repaired economically, it will have to be demolished. No final decision has been made about replacing the bridge but the Highways Agency’s initial analysis of traffic data does not demonstrate a need for a replacement. In simple terms, the agency’s preliminary view is that the bridge is not used enough to justify replacement. The Parish Council is strongly of the opinion that the bridge is vital and should be replaced. Removal of the bridge would create significant problems including increased traffic volumes on local roads, traffic congestion, increased risk of road accidents, extra journey costs and time, extra business costs, and impact on property values. The Parish Council has expressed its view strongly to the Highways Agency and needs your help to provide the information that will demonstrate clearly the need for a bridge at Drybridge. The Parish Council are writing to every household and business in the parish to ask for their support, their views, and important information that only parsihioners can supply. Download questionnaire PDF> or Word> Please reply by Monday August 15th. We hope that everyone in Rattery will respond. The power of the entire parish speaking with one voice will be irresistible. |
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Drybridge
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