Liz Humphrey Inquiries and Major Casework Team The Planning Inspectorate Via email: [email protected]
Chris Banks Parkside Colliery Inquiry Programme Officer Via email [email protected]
7th January, 2021 Ref AB/CTR/MW
Dear Inspector
Applications by Parkside Regeneration LLP & St Helens MBC Site Address: Former Parkside Colliery, Winwick Road, Newton Le Willows; Land between A49 Winwick Road to A573 Parkside Road
I am writing to reiterate my previously stated position in relation to the above applications which you are currently conducting a planning inquiry into.
I support the residents of Lowton, Golborne and Ashton-in-Makerfield and share their longstanding concerns about the impact of traffic from these developments on the roads and environment in the neighbouring borough of Wigan. As the Mayor of Greater Mayor (and formerly MP for Leigh) I have made representations to the St. Helens Local Plan Submission Draft in respect of the impact of development. The planning applications submitted do not address the concerns raised in relation to the impact of the development (particularly in relation to highways and air quality).
In my opinion the impact on and implications for neighbouring areas, have not been properly considered by St. Helens in coming to its decision to grant planning permission for these planning applications
The main route from the proposed development site to the A580 East Lancashire Road would be via Wigan’s highway network and involve the use of Winwick Lane and Newton Road. These roads form part of the Greater Manchester Key Route Network and as such could have a major impact on Wigan’s road network. Even with the proposed link road, Winwick Lane forms part of the shortest route to the A580 and as such represents significant savings to businesses (operating both light and heavy goods vehicles) which are extremely cost and time sensitive. There is concern that the A580 may become a gateway, as it provides easy access to Golborne, Lowton, Leigh and the wider Greater Manchester area. In addition, the development will attract commuter traffic to Winwick Lane which also needs to be factored in when ascertaining the impact of the development.
An equally important concern is the potential impact on air quality. Greater Manchester is working hard to tackle air pollution, which is damaging the health of our residents. The government has instructed Greater Manchester authorities to develop Clean Air Plans to bring levels of NO2 on local roads within legal limits as soon as possible and we are working
GMCA, Broadhurst House, 56 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EU
together to produce a single approach for the whole region: Clean Air Greater Manchester (cleanairgm.com).
Proposals at the site have generated significant concern within the neighbouring authority area of Wigan. Representations have been made by residents, Wigan Council and myself (as either MP or Greater Manchester Mayor) at all stages of the plan making process and planning application stages. The impact of the development on the roads and environment of Wigan has not been given proper consideration, and there is a very real concern that development of this scale will generate significant traffic which will be displaced onto the Key Route Network within Wigan Council and will have a negative impact on air quality in areas already in exceedance of harmful Nitrogen Dioxide levels.
It is therefore important that you properly consider the impacts of the development on the road network and the air quality, particularly in the neighbouring authority of Wigan.
Thank you for your consideration,
Yours sincerely
Andy Burnham Mayor of Greater Manchester