Route could lose town its status

WITH regards to Bob Donnelley’s pro-eastern route comments for the bypass, not wishing to go into too much detail, I view this route to be rather ‘outlandish’ with regard to Ashbourne as an iconic market town, the so called Gateway to Dovedale, the Southern approach to the Peak District. It is an image that Ashbourne is proud of, losing it could be detrimental to its status.

To take this wide sweeping route through our cherished countryside would, I think, be a mistake for our future generations as it provides an enclosed area. I can see the developers already rubbing their hands!

Ashbourne is not in an urban conurbation – as yet! Two generations from now, say 60 years, would I am sure see housing and industry in this enclosed environ and we will have suburbia. Gone will be that iconic market town.

There is a big enough threat to the towns image by the Airfield development, already embryonic suburbia in itself!

Also, Bob Donnelly infers that both the B5035 and the A517 would be neglected by the Western routes of the bypass. Surely these are local routes with traffic coming to and from the town and even those passing through would take advantage of calling.

Don’t forget the concern by local businesses who quite rightly want passing traffic, we mustn’t allow all travellers to dodge us.

The A52 bypass that we currently enjoy has matured into an insignificant and appropriate structure, this next one needs to complement it. Please leave that huge swathe of countryside to the North West be.

K Haywood Martinslow