Maryport main road to be widened if Netherhall estate gets the go-ahead
Last updated at 20:30, Thursday, 16 August 2012
The main road into Maryport is set to be widened as part of road safety measures if plans for a new housing estate at Netherhall are given the go-ahead.
Story Homes wants to build a 152-home estate on land off Netherhall Road.
Fred Story, owner of the development firm, revealed this week that if its Deer Park proposals were approved by Allerdale council, the main road would be widened and a right-hand turning lane created to ease congestion.
A pedestrian island in the middle of the road opposite Netherhall School would be created to act as a crossing point for pupils.
A footpath at the top of the Camp Road hill would create an access shortcut through the new estate, meaning that fewer schoolchildren would use the road.
Story Homes is also in talks about changes to the traffic light sequences at Netherhall Corner, which many residents have been requesting for several years.
Mr Story was speaking after Story Homes gave a presentation to Maryport Town Council about its controversial proposal.
It follows concern about road safety issues raised by the Friends of Deer Park group who are opposed to the housing scheme.
Shaun Ritson, of the Friends of Deer Park, said the traffic light alteration would be welcome, but added: “The benefit will be lost by the increased traffic from the new houses.”
He was concerned that a traffic island opposite Netherhall School would be dangerous as a crossing point for pupils.
Janet Carruthers, Story group planner, suggested to Maryport council on Monday that the majority of people in the town had not objected to the plan.
She said that a proposed archaeological site investigation and dig would be carried out under the guidance and control of English Heritage.
The stewardship of any significant findings would be within the jurisdiction of English Heritage, with all costs met by Story Homes.
Richard Evans, project planner for Story Homes, said that Maryport could no longer expand east and west. The natural expansion, he added, now should be north and south, with closer access to the town centre and better bus routes, which would benefit the town.
Mr Ritson challenged Mr Story to prove that most Maryport people supported the development.
Maryport councillors will discuss its views at a later date, but the final planning decision will be made by Allerdale council.
First published at 19:22, Thursday, 16 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk
You nimbys don't give a damn about Maryport or it's future, you just want your house on the edge of town and no one else's! When you see the facts it sounds exactly what Maryport desperately needs.
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Instead of building near Netherhall, why not build something where the empty Cumbrian Seafoods factory is, which is standing in a state of disrepair. Also the land opposite where the old Button Factory was knocked down? It's a disgrace for the residents having to look onto such eyesores. Houses would be better.
Posted by Anon on 24 August 2012 at 18:54