A130 inquiry: New road will be 'obnoxious'

Barrie Sanderson lost his Rawreth home six years ago under a compulsory purchase order when moves were first made to start building the controversial A130.

Mr Sanderson, 63, of Old London Road, Rawreth, now lives just 500 yards from the planned route of the new dual carriageway.

He told a public inquiry into the proposed highway: "The road will be obnoxious. We are going to be forced to look at this visual monstrosity and such a busy road will make the pollution, noise and traffic in the area much worse.

"Children going to school will be dicing with death with all the new traffic that will be created."

The father-of-two suggested an alternative route for the four-lane carriageway planned by Essex County Council, which would run between Shotgate and Rawreth Shot to the south of the Southend to London rail line.

He added: "Another option is to build a tunnel under Rawreth. The effect of a road going right through the Rawreth community would be devastating to the people who live there."

Mr Sanderson was joined at the inquiry in the former Park School in Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh, by Fred Matthews, of the Ramblers' Association.

Mr Matthews wants Essex County Council to look at plans for a road which would bypass Rawreth and dual the existing road around Battlesbridge.

But a Rawreth parish councillor is worried the suggested route would destroy Rawreth.

Alistir Matthews said: "Such a route would mean bulldozing two nurseries and destroying a reservoir which is full of birdlife. It would split the historic centre of Rawreth."

David Smith, representing Essex County Council, will be summing up the council's case for the four- lane highway tomorrow.

Inspector Allan Blackeley will make a decision on the route of the A130 once the inquiry is concluded and he could order the county council to look at alternative routes for the road.

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