Archived press release

Prescott faces hastings bypasses legal challenge

10 April 2001

John Prescott could face legal action if he allows the Hastings bypasses to be built, Friends of the Earth and Transport 2000 warned today [1].

In a letter to the Deputy Prime Minister, Solicitors (Leigh Day and Co) for Friends of the Earth and Transport 2000 say that giving the green light to the bypasses would be unlawful on four grounds:

• The bypasses seriously conflict with Government policy of a strong presumption against road schemes through environmentally sensitive sites;

• The Government hasn't shown that the bypasses would achieve their stated aim of regenerating the Hastings economy. Nor have they demonstrated that there is no valid alternative solution;

• The 1995/96 public inquiry is not a valid basis for proceeding, as this was based on different transport policy, a different objective for the bypasses and a different assessment methodology;

• The decision-making process is not in line with Article 6 of the Human Rights Act, as there is no impartial decision-maker; The Secretary of State is both promoting the road and taking the final decision on whether it should be built.

Tony Bosworth, Transport Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
“The Hastings bypasses will cause enormous damage to the environment and may not solve the town's economic problems. We believe that giving the go-ahead would also be unlawful. If Mr Prescott doesn't turn down the bypasses, or at least call another public inquiry, he may have to justify his actions in court”.

Lynn Sloman, Assistant Director of Transport 2000, said:
"The Government promised a presumption against new roads through environmentally sensitive sites, and said any such road schemes could only be built if they were in the over-riding public interest. We do not believe this has been demonstrated at Hastings. The answer to the problems of Hastings lies in better public transport, traffic management, safe routes to school and moves to help the local economy through training to tackle skills shortages"

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The Bexhill and Hastings Western Bypass and the Hastings Eastern Bypass would create a new 21 km road around Hastings and Bexhill, nearly all of which would be dual carriageway, damaging three SSSIs _ Pevensey Levels, which is also a Ramsar site, Combe Haven and Marline Valley Woods - and the High Weald AONB. The aim of the new roads would be to regenerate Hastings, but a study by consultants for the Government concluded that there were major doubts whether this would be achieved. The South East England Regional Assembly voted on February 14th to recommend building the bypasses. The final decision lies with the Secretary of State.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust