Highways England has announced that the ongoing Covid-19 situation will result in further delays to the Government-led road scheme [1].
The road-building company has suspended noise level surveys and postponed its public consultation on the latest road design, which was due to take place in the first half of the year.
The project to link the nearby motorway network to the Port of Liverpool with a dual carriageway down the middle of Rimrose Valley Country Park, has faced huge opposition from the outset.
Speaking on behalf of the Save Rimrose Valley campaign, Stuart Bennett said:
“We asked Highways England at the beginning of the week [2] for clarity around the ongoing Covid-19 situation. This followed reports that work has seemingly continued as normal at another of its sites, the Lower Thames Crossing [3]. We were concerned this might happen here, putting local people at risk.
“We therefore welcome the announcement that the consultation has been delayed and that they are prioritising the health and safety of the public and their workforce alike.
“Regarding the surveys themselves, the findings of any noise level surveys would obviously be skewed at this moment in time. We have asked Highway England for clarification on the survey work that is due to continue, so we can be reassured that everyone's safety is paramount.
“It’s amazing to see just how many people are using Rimrose Valley right now, both for exercise and some all-important headspace. As a community, we would be lost without access to this vital resource.”
Notes
[1] Updates can be found in the Progress Report and What’s Next sections of Highways England’s project homepage:
[2] Our letter to Carl Stockton, Senior Project Manager at Highways England:
[3] Reports of ongoing work taken from Lower Thames Action Group website:
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