1	The Boston Bypass Pressure Groups Public Meeting Haven High Technology College Monday 29 January 2007
2	Agenda Highways History The Transport Study Boston Transport Strategy The Strategy Recommendations Funding The Politics
3	Agenda Public Meeting 2004 Our Elected Representatives Economic Assessment Ongoing Formal Complaint Ongoing Freedom of Information “Misleading” the Public Referendum Where Do We Go From Here?
4	Highways History Identification of Strategic Coastal Routes 1992 Dropping of the A52 Northern Bypass LCC Scandal Local Transport Plan, Boston not included WHY?
5	Strategic Coastal Routes
6	Boston Transport Study Study Process fundamentally flawed. Restricted and limited by financial and political restraints. Original Terms of Reference not complied with or altered. Data collection was restricted and inappropriate, unreliable methods used.
7	Boston Transport Study The Saturn Model used to analyse and validate data no longer recognised by Dept. for Transport. No economic assessment undertaken. The public were not given a reasonable opportunity to evaluate options. Key questions not asked. Slanted representation.
8	Boston Transport Strategy This is a Strategic document which contains no evidence to support its recommendations. Where is the Transport Study? Data on which the Strategy is based is flawed which arguably invalidates its content.
9	Boston Transport Strategy Why was the option of a pseudo Bypass dropped when there is no evidence to show it would not be Value for Money? Do Councillors make decisions without sight of supporting evidence?
10	Strategy Recommendations/Decision Strategy recommends short, medium and long term measures. A quality planning process should ensure that any short term proposals facilitate and forward the medium to long term solutions. Clearly the short term option recommended here does not fulfil this criterion.
11	Strategy Recommendations/Decision
12	Strategy Recommendations/ Decision Short term proposal to widen and upgrade the A16/A52 Bit part solution. No evidence to support any claimed improvement in journey times. Bottlenecks can not be removed. Pollution will increase.
13	Strategy Recommendations/Decision No assessment of the impact of the West Street development. Investment by Central trains will see an increase in rail traffic. Disastrous effect on local economy.
14	Strategy Recommendations/Decision Long Term proposal: Distributor Road in 15 to 20 years. A major road scheme of this type is acknowledged to be the only solution to Boston’s traffic and economic problems and COULD BE BUILT IN SECTIONS.
15	Distributor Road
16	Strategy Recommendation/Decision So we question: WHY Has it received so little coverage in the Strategy document? Was there no consideration given to processing and planning this road in the short term? Does the concept plan of this road not include the link to the A52 in the N.E. but encompasses a route rejected by the people of Boston?
17	Funding We are told there is no funding available now or in the near future to progress a major road scheme. We would argue: The money presently available should be used to immediately progress a road scheme. Identify one section of the road as an economic scheme thus attracting both Regional and European funding.
18	Funding Developer contributions. County and Borough Contributions. Gov. funding as special case.
19	The Politics Was there ever the political will to deliver a major road scheme for Boston? Has there been political manipulation and interference?
20	Where Do We Go From Here? Do nothing, accept the decision of the LCC? Oppose the short term proposals by calling for a Public Inquiry? Apply pressure for a major scheme to be delivered in the short/medium term, the route of which is not dictated by developers or financial gain?
21	The Boston Bypass Pressure Groups Public Meeting Haven High Technology College Monday 29 January 2007
22	The Boston Bypass Pressure Groups Public Meeting Haven High Technology College Monday 29 January 2007
23	What Has Actually Happened? Asking the questions that need to be asked to help find a solution to Boston’s dire traffic congestion. Have we been given satisfactory answers to our questions?
24	Public Meeting Nov 2004 Reminder A comprehensive traffic analysis; A proper consultation with local people; Full commitment from elected members who need to lobby extensively on behalf of the people they represent; A sustained and high profile campaign at the highest level to ensure that a bypass for Boston is included in the local transport plan and it is prioritised by the County Council.
25	Traffic Lights “The traffic lights are here to stay.” “If the Councillor keeps on about the number of traffic lights, I can always put even more up!” “We’re not adverse to taking them out, but we need to model what the impact would be.”
26	Traffic Lights
27	Boston Borough: Jan 2005 Ted Brooks’ question to BBC in Jan 2005: “Will Boston Borough Council ensure that within the traffic analysis which is to be undertaken “through traffic” is that which either crosses the River Witham or crosses the railway line?” Reply: “The points made are most valid and BBC will seek to comment and input to the terms of reference or brief for the County Council’s study when it is published.”
28	Boston Borough: Jan 2007 One Cllr’s question asked 15 Jan 07: “The A16 & A52 are using the same Haven Bridge. What is the definition of “through traffic”? Is Tesco to Pilgrim hospital “through traffic”? Why is the corridor A16 to A16? Why not to A52?” County Divisional Highways Manager replied: Tesco to Pilgrim Hospital is not “through traffic”. Corridor is to A16 because the A16 is the best route to the coast. Traffic from Old Leake, Wrangle and Friskney would still use the A52.
29	Elected Member of Parliament Dec 2004: “I believe Boston needs a bypass. I will do all I can to try and make this happen.” Sept 2006: “Far too early to arrange for a small delegation to go to visit the Transport Secretary, or even the East Midlands Regional Assembly, as ‘local agreement has not been reached’.”
30	Department for Transport Deputy PM’s Office asked the Department for Transport to respond to us. The DfT stated: “...the various studies undertaken by Lincolnshire County Council have concluded that a bypass for Boston would not be value for money ...”. The DfT also stated: “…expect a further round of the regional funding process to be held in about two year’s time…”.
31	Economic Assessment No economic assessment has been done for Boston, as was done for the strategic road to the coast, which includes Partney and Burgh le Marsh. Lincoln also had an economic assessment. Dock Link Road Inspector stated: “…limited number of crossings over the river … a significant constraint to economic growth”.
32	Economic Assessment Retail Pollution Docks Industry Food Production Tourism Other things to consider
33	Formal Complaint BBEG 6 Dec 06: “…inappropriate manipulation of the terms “bypass” and “distributor road” with regard to both Boston and Lincoln…” LCC 19 Dec 06: “Without pre-judging any future economic assessment necessary to secure government funding for the delivery of such as scheme...” BBEG 26 Dec 06: “… Southern Link Road for example, would not be a primary distributor road?”
34	LCC Project Manager 24 Oct 2005: “There is no reason why the proposed SLR cannot sit alongside other distributor roads and other improvements to the highway network in Boston.” Traffic data 1992: “20% through traffic.” Traffic data Nov 2005: “19% through traffic.” Latest figure: “7-12% through traffic.”
35	Through Traffic?
36	Through Traffic?
37	Through Traffic?
38	Freedom of Information Act Oct 2006: FOI Act was breached by LCC. Project Manager met with the developer for the SLR area - some Officers expressed concern regarding this meeting. We believe there are one set of missing Minutes which have not been given to us. “Actions done” are not explained in the next set of Minutes we were given either.
39	“Misleading” the Public (1)
40	“Misleading” the Public (1) “…where he’s getting these figures from I don’t know, but it’s certainly, well, they’ve said there’s 30% off the journey times in the town centre would be done by these improvements.” 30% of 45 minutes is in fact 31.5 minutes, so Cllr Richard Austin was being generous by saying 30 minutes!
41	“Misleading” the Public (2)
42	“Misleading” the Public (2) “Even if you have your distributor road or your bypass, which we’re not going to have, not the bypass, a lot of traffic will still be in the town centre.” Was this a slip of the tongue confirming that any long term solution to Boston’s traffic congestion is currently not on the cards at all?
43	Distributor Road What exactly is this distributor road they’re talking about now? Why was there a last minute change to the route of this road, from starting between Wyberton and Frampton to actually start in the built up area of Wyberton? In fact, just where the Southern Link Road started…
44	Distributor Road
45	Distributor Road (Original)
46	Southern Economic Corridor Southern Link Road and Dock Link Road. £10 million from LCC. £4 million from BBC. £14 million declared available for this project from both Councils. £8.589 million left over?
47	Why? Why? Why? BBC: The Southern Economic Corridor and Boston Bypass are not competing projects. BBC: The SEC is an economic development project (housing) and any bypass would be a highways scheme. By definition, surely the SEC cannot therefore suddenly become a distributor road. Why has the SEC been pushed for by Boston Borough Council so forcefully?
48	Next Questions… Has Boston Borough or Lincolnshire County Council entered into any binding contract agreement with contractors to start work on the Southern Link Road? If so, when was this contract signed? What are the financial implications if they don’t proceed with the Southern Link Road?
49	Referendum Parish Referendum for the size of Kirton would cost in the region of £800. Multiple Parish Referenda across the whole of Boston, to enable all Bostonians to have a say, would obviously be much more costly. We are aware of the financial situation that the Borough Council is currently in. We also do not wish to detract from the local elections in May, which will be the real opportunity for the public to vote on the bypass issue.
50	Where Do We Go From Here?
51	The Boston Bypass Pressure Groups Public Meeting Haven High Technology College Monday 29 January 2007