No roads (From Penarth Times)

No roads

THE DINAS Powys bypass proposition of your correspondent K Summers belongs firmly in the last century (Penarth Times, December 12)

It's time she recognised that we can't build roads as a way out of traffic congestion.

The Vale Council turned the Dinas Powys bypass into a £40 million Barry Waterfront to Cardiff 'strategic road'.

Friends of the Earth criticised it in detail at the 1999 inquiry into the Unitary Development Plan because:

1. The impact of dualling the Moors Road, Cadoxton 2. No way through congestion at the Merrie Harrier and Cogan Pill junctions 3. No plan for greater use of rail, bus and bike transport along the Barry to Cardiff corridor.

The council was unable to defend its road proposal.

When submitted for Transport Grant approval it didn't even make first base.

The council then delayed over re-writing the UDP's transport section and put everything on hold.

The greatest achievable improvement would be to provide modern, fast rail services when the Vale of Glamorgan line opens.

The line and signalling improvements will soon be in place, but not the stations and rolling stock, unless the Vale Council sponsors a substantial funding package.

Max Wallis Barry and Vale Friends of the Earth Westbourne Road Penarth