North Wakefield Gyratory

Using the Freedom of information act 2000…

A request for traffic survey information has been lodged with WMDC.

The original email I received from the planning department basically fobbed me off saying all information would be made available during the consultation.  I think they will tell us a “redacted” version with lots of blanks for the consultation version, leaving no time to put a request for more/full information in before the consultation closes.

So I have lodged an official FOI request.

I will publish all the information I receive here.  The deadline is 24th July, which they have acknowledged.

I am not going to publish the full nature of my request yet as the authorities can ignore repeated or vexatious requests

It would seem that this scheme is more about vanity and budget than being of  genuine local benefit.

In other words if we get money we will do it, if not,  its not worth our own money, if it was of such a benefit surely it would be funded locally as it would surely pay for itself with the “benefits”?

“BIDS for millions of pounds worth of government funding to ease congestion on the city’s busiest roads”

“The schemes have been identified within our transport scheme and these are proposals which are dependent on funding.”  (Ian Wiper, Wakefield Council’s service director for transportation and highways)

Full article here

Section 5.4  identifies the scheme

The Gyratory comprises of:

• One Way traffic in the inbound to Wakefield direction using Leeds Road and Northgate.
• A separated inbound bus lane.
• One Way traffic outbound from Wakefield using Bond Street,
• Wentworth Street and Bradford Road.
• The use of connecting Street (Wentworth Terrace, St Johns North
• and Andrew Street) to mitigate the diversions.
• Cycle lanes.
• Upgrading all existing and installing new pedestrian facilities along the whole route.
• A lay-over parking area for home to school transport.

Little concern for residents

There is no real mention of the local residents, only generic phrases about benefits for all, but no mention of what those benefits would be

There is no mention of a commitment the quality life in the St John/ North Wakefield area

Section 7.3 is reproduced below

7.3 In adopting the WCHIP the Council would be demonstrating a commitment to:

Ensure development of a well-connected city.
Enable the people who live in the district of Wakefield and the Leeds City Region to access opportunities; be they employment,education, social or retail.
Reducing car use within the city.
Increasing public transport use.
Increasing Walking / Cycling.
Reducing greenhouse gases in an AQMA.
Promoting Road Safety

Click here for the full document (pdf)

An article in the Yorkshire Evening Post from 15th April 2009 says to me that the scheme will be hard to back down from without loss of face

Extracts from the article say

“A pivotal new gyratory system for Wakefield is set to get the go- ahead from senior council bosses.

The gyratory, described as Wakefield’s most important highway development”

A report to the cabinet says: “The North Wakefield Gyratory is the single most important strategic highway scheme within the Wakefield City Highways Implementation Plan as it provides the key highways linkage to connect Trinity Walk with Merchant Gate.”

Full article in the Yorkshire Evening Post