Local resident James Seddon argues the plans for an alternative route for a bypass -- to the North of Lancaster -- aren't a good idea either...
First Posted: 30 January 2004

The Northern Bypass around Lancaster - a pot of gold for developers? Photo: James Seddon

In January 2004, Skerton residents raised the alarm about plans now being reconsidered for a northern bypass from the M6 to Morecambe.

Virtual-Lancaster discovered that Lancashire County Council was considering an as yet undisclosed "major revision" to the Northern Bypass proposal which planners clearly hope will make it more accetable to government and other bodies that would ultimately green light any bypass. (see original news story)

"Local people should be aware that the long running bypass issue has not gone away and this time people need to watch out for a push for the Northern route," North Lancaster resident James Seddon warns.

"I know that LCC are talking to at least one affected person about the northern road and that the report on two options, Western and Northern will be up for consideration at Lancashire County Council very soon (probably March).
"Labour are still in favour of the Western route (south), but I believe that there is a good chance that they will abandon the Western route in favour of the Northern because of the resistance they met previously.

"There is still a lobby wanting a new road and they may well think that they have more chance up in the north because of politics and public sentiment swirling around the Western route," James feels. "But when people realise the consequences they will become more strident. The A6 in Skerton will become much busier as people seek to access Lancaster to and from the proposed roundabout at Beaumont Gate Farm."


Under plans published prior to January 2004, Black Castle Lane would be bisected by the proposed Northern Bypass around Lancaster. Photo: James Seddon

A new northern road would also necessitate among other measures the banning of on road parking to accommodate the juggernauts on the A6 in Skerton and cause an even greater back up of inbound of traffic from the roundabout at Beaumont Gate Farm. The road already suffers from a huge early morning traffic problem.

In addition, the building of a new northern route is certain to create new "rat runs" in the Skerton and North Lancaster area, to avoid traffic blackspots especially through Hest Bank and Hest Bank Lane to North Morecambe.

The route would also mean that even more traffic lights and crossings would have to be introduced on the A6, especially for the schools. "You only have to look at the traffic lights at Scale Hall to realise the enormity of the back up potential," says James.

"Our only green place, Rylands Park, is already bathed in carbon monoxide," says James. "and when the road comes we will loose our green fields in the north and west at Torrisholme to speculative builders and the ever present bypass roundabout lurkers Tesco and Little Chef.

"At Halton we can expect another massive bridge leaving the Lune looking like the Manchester Ship Canal at Thelwell."

The imminent report is not a comprehensive review of Lancaster's traffic problems. It deals only with two 'either or' options but planners are likely to move forward on one proposal.

"Both options are being sold to the Lancaster public as an answer to Lancaster's traffic problems," says James. "The reality is that the plan is for a Heysham link to the M6. It won't primarily deal with traffic in Lancaster itself, which is the real issue for local residents.

"There's a bypass at Kendal and that has done little for the traffic problems in that historic town. Neither will the report deal with the speculative building and further destruction of the environment and quality of life which invariably follow.

"It's not too late to canvass local politicians on this," James urges. "This is a huge political issue in a 'marginal' town. We have to act now to stop the wasting of any more money on this grandiose plan and focus on 'in town' traffic issues."

Current plans for the scheme give a projected cost of over £100 million.