The proposed red route, which cuts across the fields to the A52 near Risley, is so ridiculous it is beyond belief. You only have to look at a map to see that it is a road to nowhere. Most people who will live in the new town will work in Nottingham. All traffic to Nottingham will cut through Sandiacre, Trowell and Stapleford. So what is the point of this new road? To me it is just 'ticking a box' that an access road has been provided. If Erewash Council read this, please, please, please see sense and block this crazy idea.
I did look at the map. I really didn't need to as it was not long since, when travelling North up the M1 one might hit the "Stanton and Staveley" sign with a well aimed apple core. It is no doubt money that drives the preference to sacrifice acres of Green Belt land in favour of building the more obvious M1 junction. No doubt again the silence of the planners will be deafening and the people affected, those who are trying to defend your heritage and who's whole lifestyle is under threat, will spend years worrying! If the road is driven through the implications for wildlife will be enormous and swathes of Green Belt lost forever. Think carefully residents. You'll never get it back! Russ www.CotgraveActionGroup.co.uk .
Thank you for your support Cotgrave Action Group.Across the country many developments of this sort are being pushed through & local people are opposing them. It is also not just a local issue - do the British people want to lose their countryside & green spaces - no they don't. Even townies like to get out & get some fresh air & enjoy the peace & space that a good walk will bring. This is a small island, rapidly losing its green spaces - we must fight to protect them & get 'the powers that be' to look at other solutions for housing. AS for the developers they are only ever interested in profit - do not be persuaded by their promises. I think all the local campaign groups should get together & have a big demo in London.
I agree the red route doesn't look very sensible but just as worrying for those of us who commute into Nottingham on a daily basis, is that the development will inevitably lead to more congestion on the routes leading from Sandiacre/Ilkeston/Stapleford into the city. Are there any proposals to increase capacity on these routes to ease the increased congestion which will result in the development? Somehow, I doubt it.
Yes, there has been talk of upgrading all routes that go towards Nottingham as well as reopening Ilkeston station and putting the tram out to the site. The roads from the site to the city are totally congested even now so something has to be done to address this.The problem is that the roads that require upgrading are in Nottinghamshre not Derbyshire, so this will require require some joined up thinking between the councils.We need to keep pushing both councils to make sure this is addressed.
This development is a fantastic opportunity to gain some transport infrastructure investment in Erewash that means something. The problem has always been - Erewash is on the county border -Derbyshire don't care (it is an anachronism that it is in Derbys!), Nottinghamshire are not responsible.....Nottm and Derby cities have other priorities. The notion of the tram coming to Stanton is a long term joke in my view. The Red route is a cop out (I have been told that a senior Council Executive member has said something along the lines of 'its going to happen so get used to it'). The Red route argument is not so much about cars but that it will take lorries away from Sandiacre. But the route is touted as a 'Country road' - So we will have lorries speeding along a single lane 'country road'. Thanks very much!
I attended part of the Spring UR 'Design week earlier this year. It was clear that the 'week' of consultation was a paper exercise and all decisions will be made behind closed doors probably at GOEM level (GOEM - that well loved bastion of people power and democracy!).
Meanwhile Erewash sits on a railway that has has the capacity to be used for passenger services. A road from Stanton north along the rail tracks to Gallows Inn and a Park and Ride Station at Trowell Junction would give access to at least a service to Nottm or Sheffield every 30 minutes (now the new Nottm - Leeds service is to start). There is a lot of potential to develop a serious local passenger rail service connecting Leicester, EM Parkway, Derby, Long Eaton, Stanton, Ilkeston, Chesterfield and Mansfield...etc, etc...all it requires is the political will and it will happen!
If Spring are serious about a 'sustainable community' then they should be negotiating to use the rail option.
Plus the road to Gallows Inn can be extended to Trowell M1 services for an A43 style interchange. I feel the issue for the developers is that the sensible options described above require the agreement of too many authorities and therefore it becomes too difficult. But, if the GOEM supported the sensible, more long term cost effective, developmentally and environmentally sensible option that body could ensure cooperation and success. If they were told to do it by the Secretary of State - it would happen! It may cost more at set up but the long term benefits would be worth it!
I think I am correct in saying that Westerman Builders own a lot of the greenbelt agricultural land from the railway line to the old canal half way up Hopwell Road at the back of Draycott. How convenient to have a new island off the A52 to Stanton. Then if Westerman ever gets planning permission to desicrate the countryside of Draycott how long before another new road would be planned to link from the proposed A52 new island to the proposed new part of Draycott?
Get this all stopped now! Save our countryside!
Thanks for your post. As you say, the western access road we are all opposing has far reaching consequences, way beyond the immediate destruction of the green belt. Why build a road that will only cater for 15% of the traffic from the new development? Clearly, there are longer term intentions to expand all the villages in the area.
Let me understand this (as a newcomer) - there's red, green blue pink and brown - which are developer's proposals and which are greensqueeze alternatives - or are they all developer routes?
The initial study by Spring UR identified the red route as the preferred option (the western route to the A52 that cuts through the green belt), mainly because it is the cheapest. However, a study has estimated that it will only cater for 15% of the traffic from the new town, not to mention the environmental impact.
The green route down Toton Sidings is the one that Green Squeeze feel is more realistic as it will carry the bulk of the traffic to Nottingham. However, it is a more expensive option as it crosses the railway and canal.
The new junction 25A on to the M1 (blue) has been rejected by the Highways Authority as they say do not create new junctions for residential developments. However, they have done this up and down the M1 already.
The pink route has been dropped as far as we know.
The brown route may be considered in addition to a southern access road.
Erewash Borough Council are now considering all the access options and plan to submit their initial finding in February 2009.
Still not clear on pros and cons of various options. However would strongly oppose any road splitting the last remaining stretch of green belt between Nottingham and Derby, as it is resource that I have enjoyed and loved all my life, and would want it to be available for my daughter and future generations. But as someone that lives near Junction 25 anything to reduce the traffic here would be beneficial - so in making the decision, as to the preferred route, I trust that current congestion would be taken in to account.
Hi - to try to clarify Routes as shown on this Web site.
All of the routes that you see here are ones that could be considered by the develpers for accessing the site - they are the current working ideas. The planning application will clarify which they wish to go for, we are making informed guesses at the moment.
Greensqueeze isnt proposing any route at this point only commenting on the ones that we have been made aware off - hence it is up to us all to determine the pros and cons of each route - your thoughts and comments on any of the routes is valuble to Greensqueeze as it lets us understand the routes that the local communities, of which we are all a part off as residents ourselves, preffer or disklike. Your comments are very much welcome.
I live in Dale Abbey and Stanton-by-Dale and have done all my life. I know that many people come to this area on weekends to enjoy the quietness and beauty of the land, and this brings income to our pubs and walkers often donate money for the upkeep of the Abbey. The church is a popular place to get married. All of this would not be true if there was a busy road running straight through the land. This area is one of very few patches of quiet, undeveloped and beautiful greenness left and the proposed road would ruin that.
Building the road would only knock a few minutes off peoples journeys, and i am sure that anybody who had a kind heart would object to this new road and wouldn't mind there journey not being any longer, but any shorter either. Would you really want to destroy all of this beautiful nature? I would hope not!
Please PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT!!! Help raise awareness and stand up to this new road!!!!
For those of us who don't have plenty of money to donate or are younger is there a petition of some sort that we can show our support with? I've sent all my local friends the Green Squeeze group on Facebook and although i know they will support the cause i doubt some would be able to donate.
We have not set up a petition yet as we want to ensure that the campaign does not peak too early. However, we will contact everyone when this is in place.
In the meantime, please keep spreading the word. Moral support from local people is much appreciated.
I understand your comment, 1, about peaking too soon but feel that nothing would be lost in your setting up an at least on line petition immediately. You could add a door to door petition later and might also gain valuable insight into levels and sources of support. Our experience in Residents Against Greenfield Encroachment whilst fighting the terrible proposal of building houses on green belt land in Cotgrave was that the opinion of the residents and those affected is vitally important. And we are pleased to announce that those petitions were counted relevant in the final decision by Rushcliffe Borough Council to refuse permission. The very best to all of you in this hard, wearing but worthy fight! Russ Hamer. http://www.cotgraveactiongroup.co.uk
On Easter Monday we took a walk from Stanton by Dale via Peatmeadow upto the bluebell wood at Hopwell farm. During this short walk we saw 7 deer, 5 hares, skylarks, yellow hammers and a buzzard.
The people of Erewash must not allow this access route option to ruin our precious wildlife and countryside.
Please take time to get out and see what is likely to be destroyed NOW while you can! Then join the fight to stop it.
I fully agree with the first comment.Most of the people living on this large new estate will more than likely work in the Nottingham area.With the tram line now advancing a stage further,thanks to our Minister of Transport who lives in the area when not at his London residence.Would not a better proposal be to link up with the proposed terminus at Bardhills Island,by utilising land on the Toton Sidings.Don't forget there is a rail line also that could be used.Remember the Erewash Valley Line,I find it hard to understand why a town the size of Ilkeston should still be without a Railway Station.Also no rail line considered for this sprawling estate other than the road to carve up the greenbelt.Incidentally have you ever trid negotiating Bramcote Island and the A52 now at anything fron 08.00to 0930 in the week.
"Are there any proposals to increase capacity on these routes to ease the increased congestion which will result in the development? Somehow, I doubt it."
I have lived in Sandiacre all my life, I now live on the route through to Ilkeston & Stanton and I dont want the roads adapting to take more traffic thank you. At peak travel times its gridlocked and when the traffic has thinned out you get the speeders who see the bends from Town street to JTD auto's as their personal race track, and this includes the lorry drivers. Theres no way Sandiacre can take any more traffic and there is no room the widen the roads.
I went to a Sandiacre Parish meeting about 2 years ago when Spring were there giving their speil. We werent allowed to ask them questions but collared them in the car park where they were prepared to answer questions (as good PR people). We pointed out to them the problem with access and increased traffic , to which their reply was (paraphrased)
" Its not up to us to sort that out. We just build it, the government / council has to sort out the road situation"
in other words 'not our problem' . Spring may no longer be involved but I doubt the attitude will change who ever is involved.
After witnessing 'development' for the last 50 years of the places I have known, in particular the Erewash area, my home for some 40 years, it really is time to call a halt to the headlong rush to destruction of green spaces. Most political parties are overly concerned with 'growth' as a necessity for economic development at the expense of those areas most people would consider inviolate. Do we not have enough people, roads, cars, lorries, industrial and housing estates? Will 'developers' not be satisfied until every scrap of green land has been built on and ruined forever? I do not want to have to go to a purpose built 'country park' to walk or see a 'bit of green' in my latter years. WE All want a high 'quality of life' for ourselves and our children (even grandchildren), but green land is just as much a finite resorce as is gas, oil and other raw materials. If we want to share and enjoy this land with nature as intended along with the quality of life we enjoy now the pressure for economic development has to stop and we, as human beings, must realise that continual population growth can no longer expand, but must be balanced so as not to to over-exploit non- renewable resorces. Stop, and take stock now! If we don't - sooner or later - when the resorces have gone and we are starving in poverty in our concrete and tarmaced paradise - anarchy will prevail just as sure as the credit chrunch is a reality for many. Martin Holroyd
Nottingham traffic
The proposed red route, which cuts across the fields to the A52 near Risley, is so ridiculous it is beyond belief. You only have to look at a map to see that it is a road to nowhere. Most people who will live in the new town will work in Nottingham. All traffic to Nottingham will cut through Sandiacre, Trowell and Stapleford. So what is the point of this new road? To me it is just 'ticking a box' that an access road has been provided. If Erewash Council read this, please, please, please see sense and block this crazy idea.
Traffic
Agree 100%. It's hard to understand that this proposal has got this far.
Road to Nowhere
I did look at the map. I really didn't need to as it was not long since, when travelling North up the M1 one might hit the "Stanton and Staveley" sign with a well aimed apple core. It is no doubt money that drives the preference to sacrifice acres of Green Belt land in favour of building the more obvious M1 junction. No doubt again the silence of the planners will be deafening and the people affected, those who are trying to defend your heritage and who's whole lifestyle is under threat, will spend years worrying! If the road is driven through the implications for wildlife will be enormous and swathes of Green Belt lost forever. Think carefully residents. You'll never get it back! Russ www.CotgraveActionGroup.co.uk .
how will the proposed assess roads affect the surrounding commun
Thank you for your support Cotgrave Action Group.Across the country many developments of this sort are being pushed through & local people are opposing them. It is also not just a local issue - do the British people want to lose their countryside & green spaces - no they don't. Even townies like to get out & get some fresh air & enjoy the peace & space that a good walk will bring. This is a small island, rapidly losing its green spaces - we must fight to protect them & get 'the powers that be' to look at other solutions for housing. AS for the developers they are only ever interested in profit - do not be persuaded by their promises. I think all the local campaign groups should get together & have a big demo in London.
Congestion
I agree the red route doesn't look very sensible but just as worrying for those of us who commute into Nottingham on a daily basis, is that the development will inevitably lead to more congestion on the routes leading from Sandiacre/Ilkeston/Stapleford into the city. Are there any proposals to increase capacity on these routes to ease the increased congestion which will result in the development? Somehow, I doubt it.
Congestion
Yes, there has been talk of upgrading all routes that go towards Nottingham as well as reopening Ilkeston station and putting the tram out to the site. The roads from the site to the city are totally congested even now so something has to be done to address this.The problem is that the roads that require upgrading are in Nottinghamshre not Derbyshire, so this will require require some joined up thinking between the councils.We need to keep pushing both councils to make sure this is addressed.
Access options for the 'new' Stanton
This development is a fantastic opportunity to gain some transport infrastructure investment in Erewash that means something. The problem has always been - Erewash is on the county border -Derbyshire don't care (it is an anachronism that it is in Derbys!), Nottinghamshire are not responsible.....Nottm and Derby cities have other priorities. The notion of the tram coming to Stanton is a long term joke in my view. The Red route is a cop out (I have been told that a senior Council Executive member has said something along the lines of 'its going to happen so get used to it'). The Red route argument is not so much about cars but that it will take lorries away from Sandiacre. But the route is touted as a 'Country road' - So we will have lorries speeding along a single lane 'country road'. Thanks very much!
I attended part of the Spring UR 'Design week earlier this year. It was clear that the 'week' of consultation was a paper exercise and all decisions will be made behind closed doors probably at GOEM level (GOEM - that well loved bastion of people power and democracy!).
Meanwhile Erewash sits on a railway that has has the capacity to be used for passenger services. A road from Stanton north along the rail tracks to Gallows Inn and a Park and Ride Station at Trowell Junction would give access to at least a service to Nottm or Sheffield every 30 minutes (now the new Nottm - Leeds service is to start). There is a lot of potential to develop a serious local passenger rail service connecting Leicester, EM Parkway, Derby, Long Eaton, Stanton, Ilkeston, Chesterfield and Mansfield...etc, etc...all it requires is the political will and it will happen!
If Spring are serious about a 'sustainable community' then they should be negotiating to use the rail option.
Plus the road to Gallows Inn can be extended to Trowell M1 services for an A43 style interchange. I feel the issue for the developers is that the sensible options described above require the agreement of too many authorities and therefore it becomes too difficult. But, if the GOEM supported the sensible, more long term cost effective, developmentally and environmentally sensible option that body could ensure cooperation and success. If they were told to do it by the Secretary of State - it would happen! It may cost more at set up but the long term benefits would be worth it!
Draycott Beware!
I think I am correct in saying that Westerman Builders own a lot of the greenbelt agricultural land from the railway line to the old canal half way up Hopwell Road at the back of Draycott. How convenient to have a new island off the A52 to Stanton. Then if Westerman ever gets planning permission to desicrate the countryside of Draycott how long before another new road would be planned to link from the proposed A52 new island to the proposed new part of Draycott?
Get this all stopped now! Save our countryside!
Draycott Beware!
John,
Thanks for your post. As you say, the western access road we are all opposing has far reaching consequences, way beyond the immediate destruction of the green belt. Why build a road that will only cater for 15% of the traffic from the new development? Clearly, there are longer term intentions to expand all the villages in the area.
Clarification
Let me understand this (as a newcomer) - there's red, green blue pink and brown - which are developer's proposals and which are greensqueeze alternatives - or are they all developer routes?
Then I'll be able to comment.
bg
Clarification
Thanks for the post.
The initial study by Spring UR identified the red route as the preferred option (the western route to the A52 that cuts through the green belt), mainly because it is the cheapest. However, a study has estimated that it will only cater for 15% of the traffic from the new town, not to mention the environmental impact.
The green route down Toton Sidings is the one that Green Squeeze feel is more realistic as it will carry the bulk of the traffic to Nottingham. However, it is a more expensive option as it crosses the railway and canal.
The new junction 25A on to the M1 (blue) has been rejected by the Highways Authority as they say do not create new junctions for residential developments. However, they have done this up and down the M1 already.
The pink route has been dropped as far as we know.
The brown route may be considered in addition to a southern access road.
Erewash Borough Council are now considering all the access options and plan to submit their initial finding in February 2009.
Thanks,
Green Squeeze
Traffic
Still not clear on pros and cons of various options. However would strongly oppose any road splitting the last remaining stretch of green belt between Nottingham and Derby, as it is resource that I have enjoyed and loved all my life, and would want it to be available for my daughter and future generations. But as someone that lives near Junction 25 anything to reduce the traffic here would be beneficial - so in making the decision, as to the preferred route, I trust that current congestion would be taken in to account.
Road Routes shown on this website
Hi - to try to clarify Routes as shown on this Web site.
All of the routes that you see here are ones that could be considered by the develpers for accessing the site - they are the current working ideas. The planning application will clarify which they wish to go for, we are making informed guesses at the moment.
Greensqueeze isnt proposing any route at this point only commenting on the ones that we have been made aware off - hence it is up to us all to determine the pros and cons of each route - your thoughts and comments on any of the routes is valuble to Greensqueeze as it lets us understand the routes that the local communities, of which we are all a part off as residents ourselves, preffer or disklike. Your comments are very much welcome.
Thanks.
Local People and Environment
Hey, im 13
I live in Dale Abbey and Stanton-by-Dale and have done all my life. I know that many people come to this area on weekends to enjoy the quietness and beauty of the land, and this brings income to our pubs and walkers often donate money for the upkeep of the Abbey. The church is a popular place to get married. All of this would not be true if there was a busy road running straight through the land. This area is one of very few patches of quiet, undeveloped and beautiful greenness left and the proposed road would ruin that.
Building the road would only knock a few minutes off peoples journeys, and i am sure that anybody who had a kind heart would object to this new road and wouldn't mind there journey not being any longer, but any shorter either. Would you really want to destroy all of this beautiful nature? I would hope not!
Please PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT!!! Help raise awareness and stand up to this new road!!!!
Thank you,
x
For those of us who don't
For those of us who don't have plenty of money to donate or are younger is there a petition of some sort that we can show our support with? I've sent all my local friends the Green Squeeze group on Facebook and although i know they will support the cause i doubt some would be able to donate.
Thanx
Petition
Many thanks for your support and valid comment.
We have not set up a petition yet as we want to ensure that the campaign does not peak too early. However, we will contact everyone when this is in place.
In the meantime, please keep spreading the word. Moral support from local people is much appreciated.
Re Petition
I understand your comment, 1, about peaking too soon but feel that nothing would be lost in your setting up an at least on line petition immediately. You could add a door to door petition later and might also gain valuable insight into levels and sources of support. Our experience in Residents Against Greenfield Encroachment whilst fighting the terrible proposal of building houses on green belt land in Cotgrave was that the opinion of the residents and those affected is vitally important. And we are pleased to announce that those petitions were counted relevant in the final decision by Rushcliffe Borough Council to refuse permission. The very best to all of you in this hard, wearing but worthy fight! Russ Hamer. http://www.cotgraveactiongroup.co.uk
Road destroying our lovely countryside
On Easter Monday we took a walk from Stanton by Dale via Peatmeadow upto the bluebell wood at Hopwell farm. During this short walk we saw 7 deer, 5 hares, skylarks, yellow hammers and a buzzard.
The people of Erewash must not allow this access route option to ruin our precious wildlife and countryside.
Please take time to get out and see what is likely to be destroyed NOW while you can! Then join the fight to stop it.
Red Route
I fully agree with the first comment.Most of the people living on this large new estate will more than likely work in the Nottingham area.With the tram line now advancing a stage further,thanks to our Minister of Transport who lives in the area when not at his London residence.Would not a better proposal be to link up with the proposed terminus at Bardhills Island,by utilising land on the Toton Sidings.Don't forget there is a rail line also that could be used.Remember the Erewash Valley Line,I find it hard to understand why a town the size of Ilkeston should still be without a Railway Station.Also no rail line considered for this sprawling estate other than the road to carve up the greenbelt.Incidentally have you ever trid negotiating Bramcote Island and the A52 now at anything fron 08.00to 0930 in the week.
In reply to Dans comment,
In reply to Dans comment,
"Are there any proposals to increase capacity on these routes to ease the increased congestion which will result in the development? Somehow, I doubt it."
I have lived in Sandiacre all my life, I now live on the route through to Ilkeston & Stanton and I dont want the roads adapting to take more traffic thank you. At peak travel times its gridlocked and when the traffic has thinned out you get the speeders who see the bends from Town street to JTD auto's as their personal race track, and this includes the lorry drivers. Theres no way Sandiacre can take any more traffic and there is no room the widen the roads.
I went to a Sandiacre Parish meeting about 2 years ago when Spring were there giving their speil. We werent allowed to ask them questions but collared them in the car park where they were prepared to answer questions (as good PR people). We pointed out to them the problem with access and increased traffic , to which their reply was (paraphrased)
" Its not up to us to sort that out. We just build it, the government / council has to sort out the road situation"
in other words 'not our problem' . Spring may no longer be involved but I doubt the attitude will change who ever is involved.
Development in Erewash and in general
After witnessing 'development' for the last 50 years of the places I have known, in particular the Erewash area, my home for some 40 years, it really is time to call a halt to the headlong rush to destruction of green spaces. Most political parties are overly concerned with 'growth' as a necessity for economic development at the expense of those areas most people would consider inviolate. Do we not have enough people, roads, cars, lorries, industrial and housing estates? Will 'developers' not be satisfied until every scrap of green land has been built on and ruined forever? I do not want to have to go to a purpose built 'country park' to walk or see a 'bit of green' in my latter years. WE All want a high 'quality of life' for ourselves and our children (even grandchildren), but green land is just as much a finite resorce as is gas, oil and other raw materials. If we want to share and enjoy this land with nature as intended along with the quality of life we enjoy now the pressure for economic development has to stop and we, as human beings, must realise that continual population growth can no longer expand, but must be balanced so as not to to over-exploit non- renewable resorces. Stop, and take stock now! If we don't - sooner or later - when the resorces have gone and we are starving in poverty in our concrete and tarmaced paradise - anarchy will prevail just as sure as the credit chrunch is a reality for many. Martin Holroyd