Letter of objection to the Highways Agency regarding the proposed A417 Air Balloon Roundabout changes trial

Dear Mr Halford,

I am writing to you to formally object to the proposed trial of changes at the A417 Air Balloon Roundabout. My main concern, which is shared by many other Cheltenham residents, is the impact this will have on people wishing to access Leckhampton and the south of our town from the A417. However also of concern is the increased tailbacks this is likely to cause for traffic approaching the A417 from the A436 (Seven Springs) and Leckhampton Hill.

If your trial goes ahead, this will effectively make journeys between Cirencester, (Swindon and M4) and the South side of Cheltenham unviable using the A417 via Leckhampton Hill Road.

I am writing to strongly urge the Highways Agency not to progress these proposals any further. Please rethink this and find another option which would be less damaging on the quality of life, economy and environment of residents in south Cheltenham.

Whilst there will be some benefit from reduced traffic on Leckhampton Hill Road, where traffic speeds are of concern to many residents, the inconvenience that these residents will experience in loss of easy access to and from the A417 would in my view outweigh these benefits. A reduction in the speed limit on this stretch of road would be an appropriate response to the concerns of local people.

As a county councillor for All Saints (including Leckhampton, College and Charlton Park wards) my constituents will be directly affected by this in terms of increased congestion and air pollution from traffic displaced on to the A46 Shurdington Road, the A435 Cirencester Road and other residential roads.

Also they will be affected with increased journey times, particularly those who live in Leckhampton who use this route regularly. I do not believe the proposals have given adequate consideration to the very serious impact this will have on a large number of people in Cheltenham, those who regularly use this route as well as those who live on or near the roads which will take the displaced traffic.

The planned trial would mean that people wishing to get to south Cheltenham via Leckhampton Hill Road, will have to travel down Crickley Hill and go around the roundabout at the A46 Shurdington Road, go back up the hill again and turn left in order to reach Leckhampton Hill.

Alternatively, people could travel down Crickley Hill and then continue along the already congested A46 towards Cheltenham. Given this inconvenience more Leckhampton bound traffic could divert along the A435 Cirencester Road, Bafford Approach, Greenhill’s Road and Charlton Lane causing increased congestion and pollution for residents living there.

Also whilst the proposals may or may not improve traffic flow up Crickley Hill from the Gloucester direction (personally I believe they may make only a marginal improvement), almost certainly there will be long tailbacks of traffic on the A436 from Seven Springs and consequently on Leckhampton Hill Road because there will be less opportunity to access the roundabout with traffic approaching from Gloucester having a free run.

I strongly urge your agency to consider the points that I have made, and those made by others who know this area and understand the impact it will have on our residents and abandon this crazy scheme.

If you must go ahead with it please endeavour to hold a full and meaningful consultation and take proper account of the very serious issues the proposal will cause to people living and working in Cheltenham, making necessary preparations to monitor congestion in all affected areas. Also the journey times on this section of the A417 as well as the A436, A435 and A46 need to be carefully monitored at all times during the trial.

As you may be aware the whole of Cheltenham Borough is covered by an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) action plan. It is important that if these plans do go ahead, financial resources are provided to enable the Borough Council to monitor pollution changes along Shurdington Road and Cirencester Road within the Borough as well as Church Road, Leckhampton and other routes in Charlton Kings which will be affected by displaced traffic.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr Klara Sudbury.

County Councillor for All Saints Division (All Saints, College, Charlton Park and Leckhampton wards).

Cheltenham Borough Councillor for College Ward.

CC: Peter Bungard, Chief Executive, Gloucestershire County Council,

Andrew North, Chief Executive, Cheltenham Borough Council,

Leckhampton Parish Council,

Charlton Kings Parish Council.