A63 Trunk Road (Melton grade separated junction)

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Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber

John Jarvis
Director, Regional Affairs
Regional Group
Government Office for Yorkshire & The Humber
PO Box 213
City House
New Station Street
Leeds
LS1 4US

Enquiries: 0113 280 0600
Direct Line: 0113 283 6407
Fax: 0113 283 6658

Email: jjarvis.goyh@go-regions.gov.uk

Our Ref: NRP 6/3/125
Your Ref:
Date: 09 July 2002

Dear Sir/Madam

Highways Act 1980
Acquisition of Land Act 1981
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

The A63 trunk road (Melton grade separated junction)

1. I am directed by the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions ("the Secretary of State") to refer to the concurrent public local inquiries ("the inquiries") held at All Saints Church Hall, North Ferriby, for 8 days between 13 and 23 November 2001 before Mr R F Shercliff, an independent Inspector nominated by the Lord Chancellor and appointed by the Secretary of State to hear objections to, and representations about, the following draft Orders:-

The A63 Trunk Road (Melton Grade Separated Junction and Slip Roads) Order 200;

The A63 Trunk Road (Melton Grade Separated Junction Improvement Side Roads) Order 200;

The A63 Trunk Road (Melton Grade Separated Junction Improvement) Compulsory Purchase Order (No PS) 200; and

The A63 Trunk Road (Melton) (Prohibition of Use of Gaps in the Central Reservation) Order 20.

2. The draft Orders relate to the proposed improvement of the existing A63 Trunk Road and the provision of a new junction and local roads at Melton and North Ferriby, west of Hull.

The inspector's report

3. A copy of the Inspector's report is enclosed. In this letter references to paragraph numbers in the Inspector's report are indicated by the abbreviation "IR ".

4. The Inspector's conclusions and recommendations are at IR 7.1 to 8.1.4. He concluded in favour of the published proposals except that the arrangements at Corby Park were unacceptable and Alternative 1 was preferable. He indicated that he had arrived at this conclusion despite further design work being needed to establish whether Alternative 1 had sufficient capacity. He recommended that, should further work validate the safety and capacity of Alternative 1, the Side Roads Order should be modified accordingly but he indicated that if it did not the Order should be made as drafted except for a minor modification. He recommended that the other Orders be made either with modifications or as published in draft, noting that additional modification would be required to the Junction and Slip Roads Order should Alternative 1 be adopted.

The decision of the Secretary of State

5. The Secretary of State has carefully considered all the objections, alternative proposals, counter objections, representations and expressions of support, both oral and written, together with the Inspector's report. He has considered the requirements of local and national planning, including the requirements of agriculture. He has taken account of the correspondence received from Mr R Grove after the close of the inquiries.

6. The Secretary of State is satisfied that the environmental impact assessment undertaken for the proposed scheme meets the requirements of European Community Directive 85/337/EEC ( "the Directive') as amended by EC Directive 97/11. He has considered the Environmental Statement published pursuant to section 105A of the Highways Act 1980, which implements the requirements of the Directive, and all the opinions expressed at the inquiries and in writing in relation to that statement.

7. The Secretary of State is satisfied that improvement of this section of the A63 trunk road is necessary and he has noted its role in the proposed development of land south of the trunk road. He considers that the scheme, which is in the Government's Targeted Programme of Improvements, accords with the aims and objectives of the Government's White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better for Everyone".

8. The Secretary of State agrees with the Inspector's conclusions in favour of the published proposals and has decided, subject to paragraphs 9 to 14 below, that they should be adopted as the basis of the improvement. He agrees with the Inspector's conclusions in respect of all other objections, counter objections, representations, alternative proposals and matters raised. He is satisfied that the correspondence received after the close of the inquiries does not cause him to disagree with the Inspector's conclusions and recommendations.

Alternative 1

9. The Secretary of State notes the Inspector's conclusions and recommendation in favour of Alternative 1. If this alternative were accepted the modifications necessary to the Junction and Slip Roads Order and Side Roads Order will, in the Secretary of State's opinion, make a substantial change to those Orders which will require consultation in accordance with paragraph 8(3) of Schedule 1 to the Highways Act 1980. However, the Secretary of State has noted the differing views of the Highways Agency and East Riding of Yorkshire Council ("the Council's about aspects of the alternative's design and the Inspector's comments about further work. Consequently, he considers that before this consultation can begin further work is necessary on Alternative 1 in order to agree a final design.

10. The Highways Agency will therefore carry out further design work in consultation with the Council on the issues of concern to both parties, including those referred to in IR 7.60 to 7.63 and 7.65, to arrive at a design which both parties accept. The Agency and the Council will then prepare a joint report on the outcome of the work, including details of the design of the alternative arrived at, which takes into account their respective responsibilities for the trunk road and local road elements of the alternative.

11. The above report will form the basis of the consultation referred to in paragraph 9 above and will include plans showing the Junction and Slip Roads Order and Side Roads Order as modified by the alternative. Those persons who appear likely to be affected by the modifications to the above Orders arising from Alternative 1 will be sent the report by the Highways Agency and given an opportunity to comment. The Secretary of State will consider any representations received before deciding whether the above Orders should be made subject to modifications. He will issue a further letter after the consultation has been completed. The interests concerned will be consulted about the modifications that would be necessary to the Compulsory Purchase Order should the Junction and Slip Roads and the Side Roads Orders be modified in respect of Alternative 1.

Alternative 5B

12. The Secretary of State confirms that where the northern link road passes St James Road it will be lowered where it is possible to do so within the land included in the draft Compulsory Purchase Order (IR 7.88). Gibson Lane Pedestrian /Cycle Bridge

13. Melton Garage suggested that the proposed pedestrian /cycle bridge should be located further west OR 6.200). The Secretary of State has noted the Inspector's conclusion at IR 7.13 and has decided that Gibson Lane is the most appropriate location for the bridge taking into account potential use.

14. The Council wished to be consulted on the design of the bridge and suggested three designs for the bridge itself. The Council also included different bridge approach ramp alignments to those in the published draft Side Roads Order which, if adopted, would also require different landtake to that in the draft Compulsory Purchase Order. The Inspector noted (IR 7.93), and the Secretary of State confirms, that the Highways Agency will consult the Council on the design of the bridge itself. The Secretary of State is minded to adopt the published approach ramp arrangements but notes that the alternatives were neither pursued nor withdrawn. He therefore considers that interested parties should be given the opportunity to comment on the published and alternative ramp arrangements. Those who appear likely to be affected will be provided details, including the different landtake requirements, by the Highways Agency and given an opportunity to comment. The Secretary of State will consider any comments received before deciding whether to make the Side Roads and Compulsory Purchase Orders either as published or modified in this respect.

Lowfield Lane

15. The Secretary of State has noted the Inspector's comments (IR 7.79 to 7.81). He notes that this issue is outside the scope of the published proposals but confirms that the Highways Agency will consult the local highway authority on the best way forward taking into account the development proposals south of the A63.

Other undertakings

16. The Secretary of State confirms that:-

the Highways Agency will also consult with the Council about the precise location and design of the pedestrian/cyclist underpass under the southern roundabout of the new junction (IR 6.40 and 6.55);

access to the Wykeland Ltd car park on Gibson Lane will be maintained (7.69);

signing at the western end of the northern link road will direct traffic wishing to travel west on the A63 along the northern link road to the new junction. Additional signing to discourage traffic passing through Welton is a matter for the local highway authority (IR 5.5.1);

the Highways Agency will also consult the bus operators and local highway authority on appropriate bus turning facilities in Melton (IR 5.5.2); and

the scheme design will be amended to avoid landtake from Melton Fields bowling green should the proposed development in this area not involve the loss of the bowling green (IR 5.5.3);

The orders

17. The Secretary of State has decided to defer a decision on all the Orders pending the further work on Alternative 1 and the outcome of the consultations outlined above.

Availability of inspector's report

18. A copy of this letter and the Inspector's Report has been sent to all objectors, supporters, those who made representations and to any other person who appeared at the inquiries and asked to be notified of the Secretary of State's decision. Any person who is entitled to be supplied with a copy of the Inspector's report may apply within 6 weeks of receipt of this letter, to inspect any document appended to the report. Any such application should be made to Mr I J Hockley, Zone 3/01, Department for Transport, Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR. Applications should state the date and time (within normal office hours) when it is proposed to make the inspection. At least three days notice should be given if possible.

Yours faithfully

John Jarvis