A24 Alliance

 

Press Release

 

For Immediate Release                  14 July 2003

 

 

Following Alistair Darling's announcement that the M25 is to be widened to at least 8 lanes for most of it's circumference, the A24 Alliance is concerned of the effect this, and the claims that a second orbital motorway outside the route of the existing M25 may be built,  will have on traffic volumes on the A24.

 

Peter Finch for the A24 Alliance said: "Clearly this is a worrying development. If as expected, improvements are to be made to the Leatherhead junction enabling improved access to the Leatherhead bypass, the A24 will see a marked increase in traffic".

 

Continuing Peter Finch said: "I'm having some difficulty in understanding Government transport policy here. On one hand road schemes on the A27 were abandoned in the announcement because of the environmental damage they would do to the South Downs, yet an increase of traffic and the likelihood of road building in the area of the North Downs is all right".

 

Finally Peter Finch said: "No the Government must find the courage to end this vicious cycle of more road capacity generating more traffic. It's now plain to see that wide area congestion charging coupled to a reduction in motoring taxes is the most sensible way out of what is quickly becoming Carmageddon".

 

-Ends-

 

Notes for Editors.

 

The A24 Alliance has been holding meetings since January with residents of the Villages along the length of the A24 to gauge opinion on the future role of the road. The Councils plan involves a new section of road from Capel to Horsham and grade separated junctions (flyovers) at various crossroads and cross-overs from Horsham to Washington. It will also include closure of the various cross-over gaps and installation of lengths of crash barrier.

 

The A24 Alliance was formed in January 2003 by a number of residents who live in the various villages and individual locations along the A24 from Dorking to Worthing.