BY-PASS TRAFFIC GROWS RAPIDLY

Researchers studied three controversial major schemes of recent years, including the A27 Polegate bypass.

They found traffic on these roads had reached or exceeded the levels forecast for the year 2010.

And extra traffic - over and above the gradual increase happening everywhere - had flowed onto local roads as a result of the schemes, undermining the claim that the bypasses would reduce congestion.

The study found there was above average traffic growth, increased development pressures on undeveloped land nearby and significant damage to landscape.

The study concludes that Government is failing to learn the lessons which could lead to better transport policies and decisions.

At Polegate, the new bypass did reduce town centre traffic. But the reductions were not as much as originally forecast.

Town centre shops in Polegate suffering from losses in trade have been campaigning for signs to be installed on the bypass, directing traffic back into town.

The study concluded that the effect of the new Polegate bypass had been to generate 27 per cent additional traffic in the area - one year after it opened.

CPRE chief executive Shaun Spiers said: 'New roads damage the countryside and the wider environment. They blight favourite views, and their noise can carry for miles.

'We must learn from past mistakes but, so far as road building is concerned, this study shows we are continuing to repeat them.'

The report recommends:

p Post-construction evaluation schemes for roads to have a stronger influence on transport policy and road investment decisions.

p More weight given to landscape and environmental impacts in the decision-making process for road schemes.

p Alternative approaches to be seriously investigated before new roads are built, such as improvements to public transport and facilities for walking and cycling.

p Stricter rules governing bypasses to prevent infill development.