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A500 City Road & Stoke Junction Improvement
2. INTRODUCTION
2.1. The A500 Potteries 'D' Road runs from the M6 at junction 15 through the Potteries to rejoin the M6 at junction 16, and the section under consideration is known locally as Queensway. The purpose of the scheme is to assist with the economic regeneration of Stoke-on-Trent by relieving traffic congestion on the A500 at the busy Stoke Road and City Road junctions. The scope of the scheme embraces the replacement of the two existing roundabouts at these junctions with two underpasses, the building of new bridges to provide direct links across the A500, priority measures for buses and improved access for pedestrians and cyclists. The Trent and Mersey Canal would be realigned to follow its original Victorian route and the River Trent would be taken from its existing culvert to run in an open channel so as to encourage the proliferation of wildlife and plants. Other measures would include a reduction in noise levels, enhanced landscaping, improved visual effect of existing structures, improved access to the canal towpath and the demolition of existing subways.
2.2. At the start of the inquiry there were 6 statutory objections to the Slip Roads, Side Roads and Compulsory Purchase Orders from the Stoke-on-Trent Communibus charity, and from local residents and businesses. In addition there were 2 valid objections from an interest group and from a resident of Australia. Two objectors appeared at the inquiry, together with one supporter of the draft Orders. Two letters of objection were handed in during the course of the inquiry which was attended by a total of 43 people.
2.3. The main grounds for objection were first, that Communibus would lose so much of their operating area that they would no longer be able to provide a charitable transport service to the less able; secondly, that adjustments could and should be made to some layouts so as to obviate the disadvantageous effects on certain businesses; and thirdly, there would be unacceptable disruption to some local residents during the construction phase.
2.4. Other objectors expressed safety concerns over the likely increase in traffic using narrow residential roads onto which it would be diverted during the development phase; and over the arrangements for fire and rescue vehicles to reach the scene of hazardous fluid spillages should these occur along the length of the proposed scheme. One non-statutory objector challenged the concept of the scheme, believing the allocated funds would be better spent on piecemeal development of existing waterfront facilities.
2.5. There was one request to adjourn the inquiry for three to four months, which I report in section 4 below. I did not accede to the request.
2.6. Counsel for the Highways Agency confirmed that all statutory formalities had been complied with. There were no legal or procedural submissions, and no indication that any party would be making an application for costs.
2.7. During the inquiry it emerged that in one case precise details of ownership and occupation of some parcels of land mentioned in the Schedule to the Compulsory Purchase Order were incorrectly shown. All parties present at the inquiry agreed to modifications to correct both this and other minor factual details in the Schedules to the Orders.
2.8. This report contains a brief description of the A500 Stoke Pathfinder Project and its surroundings, the gist of the cases presented and my conclusions and recommendations. Lists of inquiry appearances, documents, plans and photographs are attached.
