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Bypass security costs exceed one million pounds
8 March 1996
The Highways Agency has confirmed that security costs for building the controversial Newbury bypass have already soared past one million pounds. In an answer to a Parliamentary Question from Jeremy Corbyn security costs alone are put at 1, 182, 000.
The announcement comes as the Highway's Agency have reportedly [1]pushed back its tree clearance deadline - said to be 5 April - and upped the security budget. Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News the Highways Agency are reported as saying "We are aware of the problems on site and if necessary, we will grant an extension, They [the clearance contractors,C. A. Blackwell] will not be penalised because of problems with protesters."
Tony Juniper, Deputy Campaigns Director, of Friends of the Earth said:
"More and more money is being wasted on this highly destructive and unnecessary road. This money would be far better spent on real and lasting solutions to Newbury's traffic problems. Building this road at any cost is short-sighted pigheadedness and shows that the Highways Agency is out of touch with reality".
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] Newbury Weekly NewsThursday 7 March 1996
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Sep 2008
