As most of us will be well aware, over the last 3 weeks since 21/09/15 there’s been a lot of activity on Rimrose Valley by the Geotechnical consultants and engineers working on behalf of Highways England.  They’ve been carrying out early studies into the feasibility of an option of a road through Rimrose Valley.

We’ve seen Ground Sampling devices and CCTV cameras monitoring footfall. We’ve heard the repetitive ‘thud-thud-thud’ sound of boreholes drilling into the substrate.  We’ve seen men and women in hard hats and luminous jackets with a job to do.

For many it’s been a disturbing sight that’s raised the anxiety and worry over the prospect of a future road destroying our cherished Rimrose Valley.  Our oasis that breathes life into our communities, feeds our souls, keeps us healthy and soothes us from the stresses and strains of daily life.  Our green lung that is home to amazing biodiversity, feeding and sheltering the flora and fauna that enriches our environment, is rare and is of national interest.

The current sampling and survey work has now finished, and over the next week or two a surveyor working on behalf of Highways England will check the condition of the ground to ensure it’s been left in a good and safe condition.  Once he or she has completed their survey we’ll carry out our own, feeding back to Highways England any issues that we may find to be rectified.

Where does this leave us regarding a possible future road?

Currently, and until a proposal is put forward next spring which may or may not involve Rimrose Valley, the fact remains the same; which is that there are no plans to build a road through Rimrose Valley.  All we can do is remain active in the feasibility process so that we’re closely involved and in a solid position should a road ever reach planning stage.  We’re gathering new Friends on a daily basis, we’re at 360 at the time of writing, so that if it’s ever needed we will have a strong voice made up of hundreds of people who will speak up together for Rimrose Valley.  We don’t need to speak up against a road yet, there’s nothing planned to speak up against and to try will only weaken our voice if that day comes, but we’ll be ready if we ever find we do need to.

This recent sampling and survey work has been for Highways England and their consultants to get a high level understanding, to help them to work out what they need to do next to decide whether or not Rimrose Valley may be a viable option for them.  It is documented in their own reports that the strength of public feeling against a possible future road through Rimrose Valley is going to be notable (note 1 below). The decision of how to get the increased traffic flows to the Port of Liverpool will largely come down to how much it will cost when compared with other options.  This is good news for us as we’ve got important facts on our side:

1. The condition of the ground underneath the surface is terrible and although it’s perfectly fine for its current purpose, we anticipate that it will cost an enormous amount to make it suitable for a road
2. By law, money will have to be allocated to mitigating the impact of any road.  The impact on the communities and biodiversity in and around Rimrose Valley will be enormous.  Should a road through Rimrose Valley ever reach proposal stage, we will of course be speaking up for, monitoring and facilitating the required discussions to ensure the true mitigation costs are clearly understood.  Our aim will be to ensure the mitigation costs are accurate, meaning the figures will be so high that a road through Rimrose Valley simply cannot be justified (see notes 2 and 3 below)

Rimrose Valley Friends will continue to keep a watchful eye on developments, reporting back when there’s anything worth saying. We will continue to keep open communications with the bodies concerned, asking questions and making sure the facts are clearly known.

What can each of us do in the meantime?

Right now there are a few things each of  can do to stand up for Rimrose Valley. Please do what you can:

1. Sign up as a Friend here, and encourage as many of your friends, family and neighbours to do the same – We don’t know when the future of Rimrose Valley could depend on a large number of us speaking up together to defend it
2. Visit Rimrose Valley, use it!  The more of us who regularly visit Rimrose Valley the more other people will be attracted to do the same.  Bring your friends and family. Encourage your neighbours. Many people just don’t realise what an amazing place it is.  Some people may prefer to do their own thing, yet others enjoy our regular organised walks and events.  Either way – do it!  Showing Rimrose Valley is well used could shift the balance of a road away from Rimrose Valley
3. Join the lively discussions on our active Facebook group
4. Got some spare time?  Volunteer to help out.  We have some key roles that still need filling – we’re in immediate need of a suitably experienced Treasurer.
5. Make a donation via PayPal.  We need cash to fund our work. We’re all working for free, but everything we need to buy costs money and all donations will be gratefully received.

Thank you for your continued support.

Notes

1. Item 5.7.2 on page 56 of the Access to the Port of Liverpool Study Stage 2 Report states “The PAL [Port Access Link through Rimrose Valley] proposals, which are part of Package 4, will generate local opposition”
2. Item 5.4.8 on page 49 of the Access to the Port of Liverpool Study Stage 2 Report states “there would be clear local environmental and social adverse impacts associated with constructing a new road in an area which currently provides significant leisure amenities for the local population, particularly including the Rimrose Valley Country Park and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
3. Item 5.5.7 on page 52 of the Access to the Port of Liverpool Study Stage 2 Report states “potentially significant impacts to the Natural Environment and Landscape of the Rimrose Valley as a result of the construction of a new highway through this existing green area”