Babergh DC planning consultation closes on February 7th so there still time to send an objection:
Send to: planninggreen@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk giving your full name, and postal address and Boxted Bridge Ref DC/22/00050
The following is only a suggested list of reasons for objection. You should write to object to the planning application in your own words expressing your own views.
DEDHAM VALE AONB. Have Highways and the Local Authority paid due legal regard to enhancing and preserving the character of the AONB in this proposal?
SAFETY. Do you think by widening and flattening the bridge vehicles will travel faster or slower over the bridge and turning into Sky Hall Hill?
BRIDGE LISTED ON COLCHESTER BC LOCAL PLAN/HERITAGE ASSESSMENT RECOMMENDS REPAIR/REFURBISHMENT The recommendations from both these reports have been ignored. Are you happy about this?
'FIRE ENGINES AND REFUSE LORRIES CANNOT SAFELY MANEUVER THE BRIDGE’ Do you believe Highways desk studies or your own eyes? A mere belief that the width and layout of Boxted Bridge is not optimum to permit passage by modern emergency vehicles is not such a justification to demolish a heritage asset.
COST Are you happy about the lack of details on the cost of repairing the bridge? Boxted Parish Council’s request for a Value for Money Report on the new bridge has been ignored. Highways have already spent best part of £200,000 on feasibility studies. It is cheaper to repair the bridge than replace by Highways own figures (Options Study 2018). It appears only simple cost benefit considerations have been used to rule out repair or refurbishment of a heritage asset in an AONB.
CARBON FOOTPRINT Are you happy about the demolition and replacement option v the repair/refurbishment option in todays' climate crisis just after COP26 and abysmal climate predictions?
JUSTIFICATION. Is it necessary in an area of rural single lane roads with passing places to build a bridge for HGVs? The bridge is surrounded by 4 substandard bridges not included in the upgrade. There are ’Not suitable for HGV’ signs up on approach roads why encourage them?
Are you happy that the LANDSCAPE VISUAL APPRAISAL DOCUMENT says there will only be ‘minor change to the landscape’ when in fact the proposed increased height (1.5M) of the parapet on the replacement bridge will mean people will be unable to enjoy the views from the bridge as currently and the bridge will have an increased footprint area of 51%?
Thank you!
Save our Bridge campaign