Archived press release

INVASION OF THE MULTIPLEX MONSTERS - Cinema boom threatens traffic and pollution chaos

6 June 1998

INVASION OF THE MULTIPLEX MONSTERS Cinema boom threatens traffic and pollution chaos
An invasion of American-style monster multiplex cinemas threatens to cause traffic and pollution chaos in British towns and cities warned Friends of the Earth today on the eve of National Cinema Day [1].

Multiplexes with huge car parks have been proposed in Liverpool, London, Newport,Worcester, Bicester and many other towns. If approved they will fuel further growth in leisure travel which has already risen by a fifth in the last decade [2] and encourage further applications. Cinema operators estimate that 84% of movie-goers arrive by car [3].

Preventing these and similar traffic-generating developments will be a key task for Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, if he is to be successful in his wish to see “many more people using public transport and far fewer journeys by car” in five years time [4].

Tony Bosworth, Friends of the Earth's Transport Campaigner, said:

“More and more people are going to the pictures. That's good news, but it could cause traffic chaos and more pollution if most arrive by car. The Government must stop multiplexes being built with massive car parks and make sure they are sited where people can reach them by public transport, by bike or on foot”.

“John Prescott has a starring role in this drama. He must turn down the applications that are on his desk at the moment and bring in tougher controls on traffic generating development in his Transport White Paper later this month.”

“Up to 24,000 people die prematurely every year because of air pollution. That's the equivalent of fourteen Titanics. Action to cut car use is essential if these deaths are to be stopped”.

The most controversial currently proposed multiplexes include [5]:

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. Liverpool Docks - a multiplex with 4000 parking spaces. The Government has called in application because of its traffic impacts. A public inquiry is due in the autumn with a final decision down to Mr Prescott

. Hounslow - a 24 screen multiplex with 1200 car parking spaces. The application was approved by Hounslow council, but “called in” by the Government. A public inquiry will follow and a final decision will be made by Mr Prescott

. Newport - a 20 screen multiplex with 1500 parking spaces. A public inquiry was held earlier this year. A decision by Mr Prescott is awaited.

. Crystal Palace - a 20 screen multiplex with 950 parking spaces on Metropolitan Open Land. John Prescott refused to “call in” this application after local council gave it planning permission. Local residents are challenging the decision in the courts.

. Enfield - a 15 screen multiplex with 780 parking spaces partly on a school playing field and huge local concern about traffic. Planning decision expected within weeks.

. Tower Hamlets - a 20 screen multiplex with 1500 parking spaces in an area with good public transport. No planning decision yet taken but the council is supportive.

. Worcester - an 8 screen multiplex with new multistorey car park. A planning decision is due within months.

. Bicester - an 8 screen multiplex with 850 car parking spaces. It is opposed by the County Council on traffic grounds. A decision on planning permission is due soon

Banning monster multiplexes with acres of car parking would not harm the movie industry. There are also many new multiplexes being built or proposed without parking in town and city centres including Cardiff, Norwich and Nottingham. Such a move would also help preserve many smaller cinemas which, in many cases, are vitally important for local regeneration.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Cinema attendances in the UK have risen from 54 million per year in 1984 to 139 million in 1997,and a forecast of 171 million in 2000. This growth is fuelling the boom in the development of multiplex cinemas. The first multiplex in Britain was opened in Milton Keynes in 1985. There are currently about 100 multiplexes, and it is predicted that 100 more will open in coming years.

[2] Source: National Travel Survey 1994/96

[3] Figures from UCI Cinemas

[4] Guardian, 6th June 1997

[5] Briefing with fuller details on these schemes available from Friends of the Earth

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust