Highways England has responded to Aggregate Industries’ planning application 20/2542/FUL, the one wishing "to facilitate an efficient crossing point for the current dairy herd at Straitgate Farm."
Highways England reminds us that "development that results in an unacceptable impact on highway safety can be refused on highways grounds in line with paragraph 109 of the NPPF", and warns:
Whilst the B3174 forms part of the local highway network and therefore falls within the responsibility of Devon County Council, given the proximity of the crossing point to the A30 westbound offslip, any increase in the frequency of livestock crossing movements and therefore the period of time the B3174 will be closed may result in queuing vehicles extending further back towards the A30, and potentially onto the A30 mainline.
The closure of the B3174 during the network peak periods when traffic is at its heaviest may result in queues extending back to the A30 and should more frequent crossings be proposed than set out above (i.e. no longer by exception only), the impact of this on the daily operation of the A30 would need to be assessed to ensure an unacceptable safety impact would not occur.
Highways England offers no objection to Aggregate Industries’ application, providing "the frequency of livestock crossing movements does not increase... subject to the following advice":
Should any increase in the frequency and/or duration of closures of the B3174 be proposed in future (to facilitate the crossing of livestock), an assessment of the impact of this on the safe operation of the A30 trunk road must be undertaken.
Currently, livestock cross the B3174 Exeter Road infrequently, at quiet times, and in low numbers.
What assurances has Highways England sought from Aggregate Industries to arrive at this recommendation? Highways England says:
The applicant’s agent, Clive Tompkins of Aggregate Industries UK Limited, has confirmed to Highways England that no increase in the frequency of livestock crossings/B3174 road closures is proposed by the application.
And that's right. The application does not propose an increase. The application is for a gate.
In fact, Aggregate Industries expressly fails to mention the frequency of crossings to alternative pasture on the south side of the B3174, save to say that moving the herd may be required in "certain circumstances". As we posted:
What "certain circumstances" means for this efficient crossing point for the current dairy herd we are not told. Four times a day? For ever more? Who knows?
However, Aggregate Industries’ planning application to quarry Straitgate is another matter entirely. That application would obviously necessitate an increase in crossings. How could it not, if almost 90% of the available pasture is swallowed for mineral extraction? In which case, according to Highways England, "an assessment of the impact of this on the safe operation of the A30 trunk road must be undertaken."
To date, Aggregate Industries has not wanted to assess such an impact. One can only guess why not.
