M25 link road condemned1 September 2002
North Londoners have put a stop to plans for an M25 link road promoted by Enfield Council and local businesses for 6 years.
The Northern Gateway Access Road (NGAR) would have buried Rammey marsh - home to bee orchids and nightingales.
Image ©
DigitalVision
DigitalVision
But it would have done little to regenerate the area.
Local alliances saved the day
Friends of the Earth local groups - in Enfield and Tottenham and Wood Green - joined forces with others - such as the Enfield Lock Action Group - to stop the road.
Together, they proved at the public inquiry how environmentally damaging the road would be.
The planning inspector subsequently condemned the road as deeply flawed and concluded that:
The alleged benefits are speculative and very probably slight.
NGAR Public Inquiry Report
The Secretary of State, John Prescott, has upheld the inquiry's findings.
Looking to the future
John Prescott's decision to stop the link road is welcome. It is time for the London Borough of Enfield to take note and find long-term ways of improving the area rather than building environmentally damaging roads.
Friends of the Earth says
- Local regeneration must not be at the expense of wildlife and the environment.
Get involved with other Friends of the Earth Transport campaigns.
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© Paul Neilsen
