Archived press release

Hastings bypass. don't turn a blind eye mr prescott!

14 February 2001

11am, Wednesday 14 February, outside DETR (Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1)
Late Anglo-Saxon monarch King Harold will visit the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions today (Wednesday) to warn John Prescott against building two new bypasses around Hastings [1]. The King, in full period armour and wounded by an arrow, will be accompanied by a retinue of retainers. Their shields will bear messages such as ”Hastings bypass - don't turn a blind eye Mr Prescott”, “Are you up for a second battle of Hastings, John?” and “No more Hastings eyesores - stop the bypass!”.

King Harold will visit the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions today(Wednesday) to warn Mr Prescott against two new bypasses around Hastings [1]. The South East England Regional Assembly is expected to give its approval to the bypasses following its meeting (1:30pm) in Aylesbury today. However, the final decision rests with the Deputy Prime Minister who could announce the result before the General Election. The Hastings bypasses are Britain's most controversial new road-building scheme.

Tony Bosworth, Friends of the Earth's Transport Campaigner, said:
“John Prescott's decision on the Hastings bypasses will determine whether New Labour is prepared to drive roads through our most beautiful landscapes and best wildlife sites. This is the first big test of Government policy, and Mr Prescott must stand firm. If he caves in and approves the new roads, he'll have a second Battle of Hastings on his hands”.

The Hastings bypasses will damage three of Britain's finest wildife sites and pass through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The roads are intended to regenerate the town of Hastings,but Government consultants have concluded that there are great doubts whether this will be achieved. The bypasses will also generate traffic both in residential areas of Hastings and further along the coast in historic towns such as Rye [3].

FOE briefing: www.foe.co.uk/pubsinfo/briefings/pdf/20010207104420.pdf

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust