You may have heard or read something in the local press about the road over the last few days: this is the real story, make sure that you tell your neighbours and friends.
Link Excitement Premature ---- Funding Not Granted
Scheme Not 'Approved'.
On 6th July, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced their ten year programme for the funding of transport schemes. TSLM were pleased to see that the Heysham M6 Link Northern Route is a scheme which does not yet have approval. The DfT said that the scheme 'will be considered for approval in the future, once further work has been satisfactorily completed.'
No Funding
Funding is not in place, and far more than planning consent is required. Transport Minister Douglas Alexander's actual letter to the NW region reads:
"15 other new schemes that you recommend need further work and assessment, but subject to that work being completed satisfactorily and meeting the requirements for funding approval, I would expect them to be added to your regional programme over the next 10 years."
In other words, schemes in this category, including the Heysham M6 Link, are not only not yet accepted for funding approval (under the Programme Entry system for LTP major schemes), they are not yet even regarded as being in the regional programme.
TSLM then issued a press release headed "DfT say further work necessary before funding even considered.” The press release was sent to local media, posted on our website and sent via e-mail to our many members and supporters.
Amazed
Later we were amazed to see a press release from the Leader of Lancaster City Council and principal Northern Route promoter Cllr Ian Barker. This statement welcomed the funding news claiming that the Northern Route will be funded in the three year period 2006/07 to 2008/09. This report was broadcast on local radio and published by certain local newspapers.
On the information released by the DfT so far we don't share his optimistic view. We say: it’s clear from the DfT's letter that the Northern route is not yet approved, the funding is not in place, and far more than planning consent is required
Our MP Geraldine Smith’s interpretation of the DfT press release is much the same as ours: she does not see any firm commitment to funding the scheme.
Road cheerleader Cllr Janice Hanson has also issued a press release which echoes Cllr Barkers words. We say that also changes nothing. So far there has been a deafening silence from the people who made the funding application, Lancashire County Council, that speaks volumes. They went hell for leather to get money in this round of funding and they have not got it. The County Council went too early in the hope that they would get a foot in the door. But they don't know how much money the scheme needs and they can't demonstrate value for money, because they are behind schedule. The Government will not give them a blank cheque.
Confused?
Confused? Well, thanks to Cllrs Barker and Hanson many people are, and they have turned to us for clarification. This is a critical time in the planning process, Lancashire County Council have just posted a planning application revising the road plans; people are trying to work out whether to respond to it or not.
We say our interpretation of the DfT press release is correct and we repeat it. We are taking the matter up with Lancashire County Council and our MP. With yet more confusion, the only just way forward for the controversial and underperforming road must be a public inquiry with an independent inspector.
Road is no answer
We will not get diverted by town hall posturing. The facts remain the same: the road is no answer to congestion, it does nothing for anyone or any business south of the river, it destroys the Green Belt and it affects the health and wellbeing of our communities. When the costs of the revised plans are made known, everyone will see that the road does not represent value for money and the Government will not pay up.
David Gate
for TSLM
12th July 2006