Development but not more traffic (From Salisbury Journal)

Development but not more traffic

11:15am Thursday 1st November 2012 in Salisbury Letters

PROGRESS towards an ecopark at the Wilton UKLF site and a science park development at Porton were both welcome news items in last week’s Journal.

However, Cllr Bill Moss is right to remind us of the downside which developments can bring in terms of increased traffic and congestion.

Perhaps the time has come to revive the ideas for reopened railway stations at Wilton and Porton which would encourage those going to these sites to use the train.

Both these stations were aspirations for the former Wiltshire County Council in its first Local Transport Plan for 2001/02-2005/06 but have since disappeared from the county’s plans.

Concerns about congestion and awareness of the environmental impact of more traffic, more roads and more CO2 emissions is growing, so a shift towards transport policies which make better use of Salisbury’s railway lines, using conventional trains or light rail, would be very welcome.

It would also be good to ensure that Wilton and Porton are both served by first class cycleways to encourage those who wish to cycle.

Those who can’t envisage a journey to Porton on a conventional bike may find that one of the growing range of electric bikes would be ideal – much cheaper to run than a car and with a much smaller environmental impact.

But a safe and attractive cycle route to Salisbury from the site is needed in order for people to consider this option.

It’s time to break the link between development and traffic growth. We can have the former without the latter – indeed, surely we must have this to achieve truly sustainable development.

MARGARET WILLMOT, Salisbury