High Peak MP Robert Largan has condemned a legal challenge by professional lobbyist organisation, CPRE, to the Mottram Bypass.
This follows the historic decision by the Secretary of State for Transport in November to finally approve the Mottram Bypass through a Development Consent Order after nearly 50 years of waiting.
Glossop Labour Party members formally passed a motion in 2021 committing to “campaign vigorously” against the bypass plans and even committed to donate money to CPRE’s campaign against the scheme.
It has since emerged that CPRE rejected Labour's attempt to donate money.
In Glossop Labour’s official response to the consultation in 2022, they formally objected to the proposals, describing the bypass “half-baked” and claiming it would deliver “no benefit” to residents.
Local MP and Glossop resident Robert Largan has campaigned tirelessly to finally get the bypass built. Mr Largan is the first MP to live in Glossop since 1929 and organised a long-running petition to build the bypass that was signed by nearly 4,000 local residents.
Before being elected in December 2019, the last time the Mottram Bypass was mentioned in Parliament was in May 2016. Since then, Mr Largan has raised the bypass on several occasions in Parliament; met with the Roads Minister to discuss the issue; worked on a cross-party basis with Stalybridge & Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds; and ensured a commitment to the bypass was included in the Government’s Road Investment Strategy.
Studies show that the Mottram Bypass & Glossop Spur will reduce congestion, improve air quality, and reduce journey times. It will make it much easier to get out of Glossop or Hadfield and onto the M67. The bypass will also significantly reduce rat-running through Gamesley and Charlesworth.
The studies also show that the bypass will lead to a modest increase in the number of cars. However, this is only because journey times will be reduced as Mottram Moor and Woolley Lane will no longer be gridlocked every rush hour.
Mr Largan has also committed to continue to fight for the key second phase of the bypass around Tintwistle and is working with local residents on proposal for a “Village Gateway” traffic calming scheme.
Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, commented:
“I am deeply disappointed with Glossop Labour Party who have committed to “campaign vigorously” against the bypass and even tried to donate money towards professional lobbyists who are now trying to block the bypass in the courts.
“We must not let them succeed. After over 50 years of waiting, we have never been so close to finally getting the bypass built. The people of Glossop deserve better.”
