Archived press release
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Britain's largest ever anti-road-building protest
12 February 1996
Up to 8000 people converged on Newbury this Sunday to express their
opposition to the construction of the proposed Western bypass - the largest
road demonstration ever in the UK. Friends of the Earth, the Third Battle
of Newbury and Greenpeace - the joint organisers - were delighted at the
enormous opposition to present government road building policy that the
event represented.
Local residents joined forces with people from all over the country, from
all walks of life, in a peaceful walk along two miles of the northern
section of the proposed route. Celebrities who came on the walk included
Johnny Morris (of Animal Magic fame) and Maggie Philbin (from Tomorrows
world). Local gentry and war veterans were amongst the thousands who joined
the protesters who have lived on route over the past few months.
At the end of the walk, people congregated in a field near Bagnor. All
through the day, a long line of people still walking the route could be
seen stretching off into the distance. Speakers at the end included Charles
Secrett, Director of Friends of the Earth, and local campaigner Jill
Eisele. All called on the government to put a halt to this massively
destructive scheme and bring about fundamental changes to its confused
transport policy.
Neither Britain or Newbury had ever seen its like before.
Tony Juniper, Deputy Campaigns Director of Friends of the Earth said:
"Middle England has turned out today to see how the proposed Newbury Bypass
would damage some of our most beautiful countryside. Everyone was appalled
at the prospect of a major dual-carriageway running through the area,
shattering the peace and quiet and damaging sensitive wildlife sites. This
rally sends a clear message to Government that the Newbury bypass is
wrong."
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Sep 2008
