Doubts on crossing (From Gazette Series)

Doubts on crossing

LOCAL councillors have given mixed reaction to the prospect of a third Severn crossing being built.

Gloucestershire County councillor Basil Booth (Cons, Berkeley Vale) said: "It would be a very expensive proposition there is no doubt about that. Then there is the location of a bridge. The idea of it is to relieve congestion around Gloucester and if that is the case then it would have to be built in the area from Epney towards Gloucester.

"I know there is some feeling that the old Severn railway crossing at Sharpness could be a possible site but I am wondering whether that would serve the purpose of relieving congestion.

"The other point is that the other two crossings have tolls and if this crossing was toll-free it would be an escape route for people who don't want to pay the tolls.

"There are a lot of questions that need to be asked and until we ask these questions you just can't say what will happen."

Liberal Democrat members of the county council have said a new bridge would not tackle traffic congestion problems.

Cllr John Cordwell, shadow cabinet member for the environment, said: "The county needs solutions to traffic congestion now and in the next few years. The pipe dream of another Severn crossing, which would cost tax payers hundreds of millions of pounds and not be built for a generation, is not the answer for commuters and businesses in the Severn Vale."

However chairman of Slimbridge Parish Council Cllr Graeme Hawkins supported the idea of the feasibility study.

"If I had a choice of where to have the bridge I would say between Sharpness and Lydney," he said.

"I think a crossing would be a good thing for this part of Gloucestershire but I don't think it is the answer to the congestion problems.

" It is going to cost hundreds of millions of pounds and won't be built for a number of years. Something needs to be done to help transport now.

"I can't see people jumping up and down saying a crossing is a good idea - I think there will be a very mixed reaction to it."