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Sustrans has looked closely at the crossing location without having had any involvement with the local politics referred to and has concluded that the chosen location is by far the best, given the reality of Royston as it is and the way that Royston is growing. We firmly believe the route would bring great benefits to Royston.

It is always possible to argue where the best location is for the shortest journeys because this will vary for different people, but there can be no doubt that technically the chosen location is the best one and it will be extremely useful for a lot of people.

It is not possible to see how a good quality crossing could ever have been achieved at Morton Street given the lack of space and the levels (even with the additional land referred to). And given that for a good quality route to be achieved straight ramps are essential. 

The issues raised about security, light pollution and asbestos are all important ones that would need to be dealt with through detailed design and by using suitable contractors.(Sustrans is not aware that there is any asbestos on site, but is aware that this can be dealt with safely by specialists.) Fencing can be designed to minimise security risks and modern light fittings are now designed to minimise light pollution. 

Many thanks for your comments,

Posted on behalf of the Sustrans East of England Regional Team

This post was edited by a moderator at 08/05/2007 14:09

Please, Please DO NOT Vote in favour of this project for the sake of the actual people whose lives will be ruined by the entirely wrong and arbitrary decision to site it at Coombes Hole. The Royston District Councillors voted 4 to 2 against siting it there and it was the North Herts. District Councillor, Douglas Drake who totally ignored their views and stated that as it was 'Our Money' i.e. North Herts. District (Note: not the Council taxpayers?) he would decide where the crossing would be sited. Coombes Hole is an un-made up, dirt track running directly behind the back garden fences of a street of houses. There are currently allotments on the other side. A crossing there will cause untold worry and disruption to the residents living there with loss of privacy, light pollution (floodlights on all night) and real security concerns for the residents. Mr Drake (after 30 years) is allegedly concerned about the youths who illegally cross the railway and their safety but the siting of the crossing at Coombes Hole will do nothing to alleviate this as they cross at the shortest point, which is where the crossing should be sited, at the junction of Mortimer Street and Green street which is a properly made up road with pavements and street lighting already in place. The Council for a long period of time had the opportunity to compulsorily purchase a piece of land in Morton Street exactly where the crossing should be, but unfortunately this was sold AFTER Mr Drake made his decision (presumably for a lot more money! - and the estate agent was extremely secretive about the name of the owner(s)). There is also a real concern that as Asbestos was used in the raising and levelling  of the dirt track at Coombes Hole by the farmer who used to own it when it led to a dumping site for waste disposal, any disturbance by will release life threatening fibres into the atmosphere causing a very serious health hazard to nearby residents. Sorry to have gone on at length but this is a seriously wrong-headed project as it stands and not worthy of a large sum of lottery money.