Yr Arolygiaeth Gynllunio, Adeilad y Goron, Parc Cathays, The Planning Inspectorate, Crown Buildings, Cathays Park, Caerdydd CF10 3NQ ( 029 2082 3889 Ffacs 029 2082 5150 Cardiff CF10 3NQ ( 029 2082 3889 Fax 029 2082 5150 e-bost [email protected] e-mail [email protected] Adroddiad Report Ymchwiliad a gynhaliwyd ar 11-14, 18-21, 25- Inquiry held on 11-14 , 18-21, 25 - 28/09/07 28/10/07 & 2-5/10/07 & 2-5/10/07 Ymweliadau â safle a wnaed ar 10 & 11/10/07 Site visits made on 10 & 11/10/07 gan/by N R Taylor BSc CEng MICE MIHE Arolygydd a benodwyd gan y Gweinidog an Inspector appointed by the Minister for the dros yr Economi a Thrafnidiaeth, un o Economy and Transport, one of the Welsh Weinidogion Cymru Ministers Dyddiad/Date 25/02/08 THE HIGHWAYS ACT 1980 ACQUISITION OF LAND ACT 1981 THE DOLGELLAU TO SOUTH OF BIRKENHEAD TRUNK ROAD (A494) (DROME CORNER TO EWLOE IMPROVEMENT) CONNECTING ROAD AND SLIP ROAD ORDER 200_ THE DOLGELLAU TO SOUTH OF BIRKENHEAD TRUNK ROAD (A494) (DROME CORNER TO EWLOE IMPROVEMENT SIDE ROADS) ORDER 200_ THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WALES (THE DOLGELLAU TO SOUTH OF BIRKENHEAD TRUNK ROAD (A494) DROME CORNER TO EWLOE IMPROVEMENT) COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER 200_ Cyf ffeil/File ref: 514933 TABLE OF CONTENTS CASE DETAILS ..................................................................................................................................................1 1 PREAMBLE ................................................................................................................................................2 2 DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE AND ITS SURROUNDINGS...................................................................4 3 LEGAL/PROCEDURAL SUBMISSIONS..................................................................................................5 4 THE CASE FOR THE WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT ...............................................................6 BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................................................................6 THE NEED FOR THE SCHEME..............................................................................................................................9 POLICY............................................................................................................................................................10 National Policy ...........................................................................................................................................10 Regional Policy...........................................................................................................................................16 Local Policies..............................................................................................................................................16 THE SCHEME...................................................................................................................................................18 Existing Road Layout..................................................................................................................................18 Description of the scheme ...........................................................................................................................19 Construction Programme............................................................................................................................25 TRAFFIC AND ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT...........................................................................................................27 Accident data ..............................................................................................................................................28 Traffic Modelling Methodology ..................................................................................................................28 Model Validation ........................................................................................................................................28 Traffic Forecasting Methodology................................................................................................................29 Present Traffic Conditions..........................................................................................................................31 Accidents.....................................................................................................................................................32 Future Traffic Volumes ..............................................................................................................................33 Future Traffic Conditions on Local Road Network.....................................................................................35 ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE SCHEME ......................................................................................................37 Overall Economic Assessment.....................................................................................................................39 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ......................................................................................................................39 Air Quality ..................................................................................................................................................40 Ecology and Nature Conservation...............................................................................................................45 Landscape and Visual Impact.....................................................................................................................47 Land Use.....................................................................................................................................................49 Noise and vibration.....................................................................................................................................50 Pedestrians, cyclists and community effects ................................................................................................54 Geology and soils........................................................................................................................................55 Surface water quality and drainage.............................................................................................................56 Hydrogeology and contaminated land.........................................................................................................56 Cultural heritage.........................................................................................................................................56 Impacts on vehicle travellers.......................................................................................................................56 Impact on policies and plans.......................................................................................................................57 SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................................................58 MODIFICATIONS..............................................................................................................................................58 5 THE CASE FOR THE SUPPORTERS.....................................................................................................59 WRITTEN LETTERS OF SUPPORT ......................................................................................................................59 6 THE CASE FOR THE OBJECTORS.......................................................................................................60 FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (OBJECTION NO. 194) ....................................................................................60 MISS S SHENTON (OBJECTION NO. 108)...........................................................................................................62 MR M ISHERWOOD AM (OBJECTION NO. 279)................................................................................................64 MRS S MEWIES AM (OBJECTION NO. 193)......................................................................................................66 REPORT TO THE MINISTER FOR THE ECONOMY AND TRANSPORT, ONE OF THE WELSH MINISTERS FILE REF: 514933 ___________________________________________________________________________________________ MR C SARGEANT AM (OBJECTION NO. 192) ...................................................................................................67 CLLR C ELLIS (OBJECTION NO. 146)...............................................................................................................69 CLLR H GAMBINO (OBJECTION NO. 310) ........................................................................................................70 CLLR G HARDCASTLE (OBJECTION NO. 634) ..................................................................................................70 CLLR P HEESOM (OBJECTION NO. 312)...........................................................................................................71 CLLR M WARBURTON (OBJECTION NO. 1883) ................................................................................................72 CLLR E JONES (OBJECTION NO. 601) ..............................................................................................................72 MISS N FROST (OBJECTION NO.