There are cheaper, more effective and less destructive alternatives to the NWRR Shropshire Council's predecessors have done a lot of good work on transport in Shrewsbury which is leading to reduced traffic, and increased cycling, walking and bus use. The No Way! Group believes these schemes they should be continued and expanded. In particular we would like to see:
Traffic reduction can be achieved at much less cost than building the NWRR and with no damage done to the landscape and the environment. For example Travel Smart offers free, tailor-made travel information to help residents choose walking, cycling and public transport where and when it suits them best. It has been trialed in several towns, including Worcester, and has reduced car use by 10-14% at a much lower financial and environmental cost than road schemes. |
So why doesn’t Shropshire Council adopt the alternatives? In fact, Shropshire Council's Strategic Objective for transport supports alternative approaches: Strategic Objective 8. Support the improvement of Shropshire’s transport system in a sustainable and integrated way and locate development to improve accessibility by quality public transport, cycling and walking, help reduce car dependency and the impact of traffic on local communities and the environment. (Shropshire Council Core Strategy 2010). It is obvious Council’s promotion of the North West Relief Road is in direct conflict with this objective. So why is Shropshire Council promoting the NWRR in conflict with its Strategic Objective? It should drop its obsession with the NWRR and work on more sustainable, feasible and acceptable ways of controlling Shrewsbury’s traffic. Further Information
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