Letter: Salisbury wants less congestion and if that means a bypass, then we must have it
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As A long-suffering resident living on the A36, I can assure you that the Salisbury bypass is very much wanted by local people ("Do we really need a dual carriageway here?", 14 July).
The argument that most traffic jams are due to local traffic is true but irrelevant - the same congestion problems are encountered in any town and can only be addressed by a more pro-active national transport policy. What must be discussed is whether the socio-economic benefits justify the financial cost and environmental impact.
Although the bypass will re-route traffic rather than spirit away congestion, this is in itself enough of a benefit. But there will also be fewer vehicles that treat the road as a trunk road and thus fewer which speed in a residential area. We will also be rid of the heavy traffic that thunders through the city all day and night. The bypass may well have an environmental impact. However, it will only cut through farmland and not the water meadows made famous by Constable's painting. Indeed, if your photographer had turned the other way he would have had a shot of the city's sewage works. It is questionable whether this view needs to be preserved.
Rosalind Chaloner
Salisbury, Wiltshire
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments