The Government's premature decision to go-ahead with the controversial A34 Newbury Bypass scheme after it was announced as under review in December 1994 has exposed Dr. Brian Mawhinney's Great Transport Debate' as a sham. The final decision on the scheme was to be made "towards the end of the year" [1].

The premature announcement made months in advance of the expected date has rendered valueless the efforts of local communtity representatives and organisations like Friends of the Earth who have been engaged in a search for solution to Newbury's transport problems that would avoid the environmental devastation that will result from the bypass if built [2].

Tony Juniper, Acting Campaigns Director at Friends of the Earth, said:

"We feel badly let down. The cynical release of this information on a busy news day makes a mockery of the "Great Transport Debate". The local people have been preparing to start local dialogue this month on alternatives to the plan but will now have their efforts thrown back in their face by a Government committed to road building as a matter of dogma".

"Instead of pouring oil on the troubled waters of transport policy, the Government seems intent on pouring concrete on Britains finest countryside".

"This decision will further unite the diverse UK environmental movement against Government transport policy and reaffirm Newbury as a focus of opposition to it".

"The road has not even been reviewed. Some civil servants have reconfirmed in secret the Government's flawed logic on the advantages of new roads. They have not published a report, talked to local people or even considered the impacts that traffic reduction might have on local conditions".

Friends of the Earth will consult with other organisations in the UK environmental movement to establish an emergency strategy to fight the road.

Tony Juniper continued.

"This road must be stopped at all costs. It is one of the most destructive schemes in the whole national roads programme and sybolises all that is flawed in transport policy in this country today. It will mobilise massive countrywide opposition".

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Dr Mawhinney announced that he would take a decision in "about a year's time, when I announce road scheme starts for 1996-97". Department of Transport press release 19/12/94.

The Highways authority has already confirmed that the review is "considering all practical options for relieving congestion at newbury and all factors, including environmental issues, relevant to the choice of route".

[2] There is widespread recognition that, if built, the A34 Newbury bypass will be one of the most environmentally destructive roads in the country. The road scheme will have plough through spectacular English countryside, and will:

* Destroy part of Snelsmore Common, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and one of the best remaining heathlands in Berkshire;

* Cause flooding of the river Kennet (designated a SSSI), so threatening protected species like the Kingfisher and Hobby;

* Wrecke the idyllic rural atmosphere in the picturesque village of Bagnor and the acclaimed Watermill Theatre;

* Damage the river Lambourn (designated as a SSSI), and the local nature reserve Rack Marsh, a habitat for protected wildlife;

* Destroy the unique setting of the Historic Garden at Donnington Grove and Donnington Castle, a Scheduled Ancient Monument and site of the Second Battle of Newbury;

* Pass through the site of the First Battle of Newbury, damaging part of the site and effectively destroying the peace and tranquility of the area;

* Run through the middle of Redding Copse which harbours bats and dormice, animals protected under the new European Habitats Directive;

* Pass three times through the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Tony Juniper 020 7490 2664