Bullies

This is a rather long post, but very important. It demonstrates clearly that the A27 Reference Group, which sounds like an important component of responsible transport planning, is in fact a self-selecting bunch of politicians determined to bully through a new dual carriageway from Lewes to Polegate, with little regard for cost and none for the environment. It is also a sad tale of the people who have jumped to their aggressive bidding.

After pressure at public meetings, Maria Caulfield, MP, current chair of the Reference Group, has instructed East Sussex County Council to publish the minutes of four meetings of this group. It's clear from the start that they were frustrated to have a £450m bid for the new road turned down in 2016. The Department for Transport agreed with its qualified advisors that it was poor value for money and bad for the environment. The MPs were more than miffed, and set about having another go.  Here's a selection from the minutes, with my comments and notes in italics.

From the redacted minutes of A27 Reference Group meeting July 2016

"Both CA [former Conservative MP for Eastbourne Caroline Ansell] and BS [Cllr Bob Standley, Leader, Wealden District Council] confirmed that the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Andrew Jones MP, is very positive about the proposed larger scheme and he has remained in post during the recent Cabinet reshuffle. "

"It has been agreed with the DfT [Department for Transport] that ESCC [East Sussex County Council] will take the lead in developing the scheme."

[This is already inappropriate - Highways England is the body which is responsible for the Strategic Road Network]

"XXXXXX [probably Rupert Clubb, Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, East Sussex County Council] is liaising with xxxxx who undertook the previous study and they are interested in the commission. So long as their brief/fee is acceptable then ESCC will commission them to update that element of the previous study. This will be funded from ESCC current budgets.

[One hopes this went through Council approvals - normally this would be HE spend]

"There have been positive discussions with the DfT and they recognise that they may have not taken into consideration certain things. Depending on the outcome, if successful, ESCC would co-locate a team to HE to produce a more detailed design."

From the redacted minutes of the A27 Reference Group meeting October 2016

This meeting was held at Portcullis House next to the House of Commons, and two officials from Highways England, and one from their transport consultants Atkins, were brought before the MPs and Councillors to be told what's what. 

"XX [Probably Rupert Clubb again] explained that he reviewed the impact of the proposed increase of housing and employment in the Hailsham/Polegate area. It is showing that offline dualling of the A27 is necessary to support the planned growth. 

"XXXX were commissioned to carry out work on a new benefit cost ratio. They used the same model and same scheme options as the 2014 study. The only thing that changed was the additional information from the housing identified in Wealden’s local plan. The result was a revised benefit cost ratio for option a (offline dualling) of XXXXX previously. XX explained that further work would be required to take the scheme forward as this is just a basic calculation.

[Remember, this is a council officer is using 2014 costs (in 2016) of £450m, then making the proposed road longer and more complex at Copthall and Southerham, and bingo, it's all suddenly value for money]

"HE [Highways England] confirmed that as they work for the DfT, they need instruction from them as to proceed in a different way if this is required.

[Brave Highways England, reminding the committee who they work for....]

"Next Steps
ACTION – ESCC will ensure DfT and HE have sight of the additional testing carried out by XX.
ACTION – XX will share the outcome of the review with the East Sussex MPs.
ACTION – The East Sussex MPs will approach Chris Grayling MP and the Treasury Team to put forward this information and lobby for the scheme to be in RIS2.

From the redacted minutes of the A27 Reference Group meeting September 2017

(Nothing much to report here, other than XX (again, Rupert Clubb) reporting on how he and the ESCC are driving fowards the A27 East of Lewes Study, meeting monthly with Highways England, who might think they're in charge, but we know better....)

"In terms of timescales for delivery, start of construction of an offline dual
carriageway would be towards the back end of the RIS2 period. It is likely it would
require a DCO [Development Consent Order] which includes a public inquiry. The negative environmental impact is where issues with a DCO would arise.

[You betcha !]

From the redacted minutes of the A27 Reference Group meeting February 2018

"XX  [probably Rupert Clubb again]  updated the group on progress regarding the A27 East of Lewes (EoL) Study.

"Scope includes the section between Southerham Roundabout and Beddingham Roundabout (online widening), Beddingham Roundabout to Cophall Roundabout (new offline route), and Cophall Roundabout (at-grade or grade-separation for east-west movements).

"Cllr Hollidge asked what could be the likely objections. XXXXX [no clues] advised that as long as there is clear mitigation around the environment they don't foresee major objections and the National Park are currently engaged. MC [Maria Caulfield] mentioned that Gatwick Airport is supportive as it helps their case for a second runway.

[Everyone is looking forward to the 'clear mitigation around the environment' for a road that will add at least 25% to pollution, and drive through sensitive wildlife habitats and landscapes largely unchanged since Roman times. How amusing that our in-touch politicians 'don't foresee major objections']

"Next Steps
ACTION - The A27 Reference Group will meet again in XXXX for Highways England to update on the business case.
ACTION - MP's to meet with the Minister for Transport regarding the business case in April
ACTION - and to draft a briefing for local stakeholders and possibly the media on the work being undertaken on the A27 East of Lewes.

[There are no minutes from the final meeting with Highways England.  The briefing for 'local stakeholders and possibly the media' was the first time residents were told that the plans for a new dual carriageway were all go again, after more than two years of secret planning and lobbying.]