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Traffic health fears over megashed plan
MEGASHED objectors STOP! have claimed the proposed development at Andover airfield could lead to people living close to the A303 developing health problems due to increased traffic.
STOP! pressed their case on Saturday at a meeting off Barlows Lane when fears were expressed that noise already breaches World Health Organisation guidelines.
On opening, the megashed will generate more than 250 extra HGVs travelling at night on the A303 say the objectors.
"This represents a massive 165 per cent increase in night-time HGV journeys," said Rhonda Smith of the STOP Alliance.
"Naturally residents in this area of Andover are worried.
"They are so worried that at the meeting off Barlows Lane they called for a ban on night-time working.
"For them this proposed overall increase in traffic from Tesco HGVs, suppliers' vehicles and staff cars, is the last straw."
Jason Harris, of developers Goodman, said: "The STOP! campaigners incorrectly suggest night-time HGV movements on the A303 will increase by 165 per cent as a result of our development.
"The reality is that there are now around 1,000 night-time HGV movements on this stretch of the A303. Our development would add an average of 15 inbound and 15 outbound HGV movements per hour to this figure.
"In planning considerations the relevant noise benchmark is PPG 24 (Policy Planning Guideline 24) which makes it clear a change in noise levels under three decibels is not perceptible. The change in night-time noise due to traffic from our development would be two decibels alongside the A303, which is clearly below the threshold.
"Notwithstanding this, Goodman has undertaken to provide appropriate noise mitigation measures to minimise the impact at the closest residential properties on the A303."
12:44pm Thursday 31st July 2008
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CommentPosted by: Rhonda, Andover & District on 10:48pm Thu 31 Jul 08
Steve Dancey writes 'STOP! pressed their case ..'. He is wrong - we did not have to press any case. Residents in the Barlows Lane area have worked out for themselves that the MEGAshed is bad news for them and everyone living in that corridor north of the A303 - so bad that they will press for a ban on night-time working thus reducing their exposure to helath issues due to air pollution and noise levels way above WHO guidelines.
Steve Dancey writes 'STOP! pressed their case ..'. He is wrong - we did not have to press any case. Residents in the Barlows Lane area have worked out for themselves that the MEGAshed is bad news for them and everyone living in that corridor north of the A303 - so bad that they will press for a ban on night-time working thus reducing their exposure to helath issues due to air pollution and noise levels way above WHO guidelines.
Posted by: Ivan Collins, Valencia Way Andover on 10:27am Fri 1 Aug 08
Stop Stop Stop that is all we see, where was Stop when South Street wanted help over Asda, I am supprised she knows where Barlows Lane is, when this campaign is over will she keep working with the poeple in Barlows Lane area to get a less agresive road surface laid to cut down the sound, I would think not, if they get their own way they will all go back in the wood work where they came from. Lets hope they stand for election to Test Valley Borough Council and see if they agree with anything. They will use anyone and any thing to help their point of view.
Stop Stop Stop that is all we see, where was Stop when South Street wanted help over Asda, I am supprised she knows where Barlows Lane is, when this campaign is over will she keep working with the poeple in Barlows Lane area to get a less agresive road surface laid to cut down the sound, I would think not, if they get their own way they will all go back in the wood work where they came from. Lets hope they stand for election to Test Valley Borough Council and see if they agree with anything. They will use anyone and any thing to help their point of view.
Posted by: Sue C, Andover on 11:01pm Fri 1 Aug 08
Oh Mr Collins,whats the problem the Ed not giving you your regular monthly slot on the letters page!For your information the residents of Barlows Lane petitioned & tried 3years ago to get "a noise reducing road surface" laid on the A303. The outcome of which was they were told they would have to wait between 10-15yrs. They did achieve getting that section of the A303 "added" to the waiting list for such a surface. If you think its not going to be a problem for those residents then why don't you move to that area, and change your hobby from letter writing to counting sheep while your trying to get to sleep at night!
Oh Mr Collins,whats the problem the Ed not giving you your regular monthly slot on the letters page!For your information the residents of Barlows Lane petitioned & tried 3years ago to get "a noise reducing road surface" laid on the A303. The outcome of which was they were told they would have to wait between 10-15yrs. They did achieve getting that section of the A303 "added" to the waiting list for such a surface. If you think its not going to be a problem for those residents then why don't you move to that area, and change your hobby from letter writing to counting sheep while your trying to get to sleep at night!
Posted by: Mike, Monxton on 11:11pm Thu 7 Aug 08
Hi Ivan, I am not sure what point you are trying to make here. STOP was formed by local people to STOP the Megashed being built for many good reasons which 6500+ people have signed up to support which represents around 15% of the population. If you are so concerned about Asda, what did you do to object. To your other point, STOP is not a political party and is not intending to stand for office or is an organsation with the title "Lets Object to other every other Andover Issue.
I look forward to your reply.
Hi Ivan, I am not sure what point you are trying to make here. STOP was formed by local people to STOP the Megashed being built for many good reasons which 6500+ people have signed up to support which represents around 15% of the population. If you are so concerned about Asda, what did you do to object. To your other point, STOP is not a political party and is not intending to stand for office or is an organsation with the title "Lets Object to other every other Andover Issue.
I look forward to your reply.
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