Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Could trams or a tunnel be the answer to road misery?
gwarren@thekmgroup.co.uk RADICAL schemes to ease traffic woes in Canterbury include a “rollercoaster-style” train and an underground tunnel beneath railway tracks in Wincheap.
The ambitious ideas were put forward this week by Ian Taylor, of the Kent Alliance of British Drivers, and businesswoman Kathryn Nevell.
They each claim their schemes could solve the city’s congestion problems and provide an alternative to the Westgate Towers traffic trial.
Mr Taylor says an overhead rail line for trains or trams is a “real alternative” which would be relatively cheap to build and run.
His vision is taken from a prototype being considered in Japan, which featured recently in New Scientist magazine. He said: “It is based upon the tried and tested model of the roller coaster – using gentle slopes to remove the need for power motors.
“On a larger scale, no doubt some limited electric motor use would be required, but it would still be easy and relatively cheap to build and to run – meaning no huge subsidy, with cheap fares too.
“Little power consumption should make it appeal to the green element, and taking no road space is another benefit. It’s a real alternative, without having to be restrictive on road vehicles. The only problem might be the routing, so as not to spoil views or invade property privacy.”
Mrs Nevell, from Harbledown, is suggesting a road tunnel under the railway line between Simmonds Road in Wincheap and the end of St Andrew’s Close which would help relieve one of the worst traffic pinch points in the city.
The 59-year-old, who runs a property and farming business, said: “I am not a supporter of the Westgate Towers scheme because it has caused so much disruption and distress.
“But I am proposing a short but potentially very useful link which would help unplug the frequent snarl-ups at the Wincheap roundabout. I believe a tunnel under the railway line between Simmonds Road and St Andrew’s Close could relieve a lot of pressure at what has become quite a pinch point and affects the whole ring road.
“It could prove especially important if the Wincheap business estate is developed as hoped in the future.”
Sustainable transport expert Dr Lynn Sloman, who will launch her blueprint for sustainable transport in Canterbury today, does not advocate further road building in her vision.
Instead she says cutting parking spaces and improving public transport, cycling routes and car sharing is the way forward.
She also believes the city council needs to plan any new housing near economic hubs so fewer people will need to drive to work.