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WORK STARTS AGAIN ON NEWBURY BYPASS
6 August 1996
WORK STARTS AGAIN ON NEWBURY BYPASS
Work has begun again on building the controversial Newbury bypass.Hundreds of police, security and contractors moved in first thing this morning and a compound is being built at Speen. This is the first significant work on the bypass since evictions finished in early April.
Friends of the Earth and the Third Battle of Newbury condemned the decision to continue work and called again for the Government to implement sensible alternatives for dealing with Newbury's traffic problems.
Andrew Wood of Third Battle of Newbury said:
"We will continue to peacefully oppose the construction of this highly destructive road. Scores of protesters and campaigners are already in Newbury and we are expecting many more people to arrive when they hear that work has started."
Roger Higman of Friends of the Earth said:
"Building this bypass is not the solution to Newbury's traffic problems. There is still time to stop this motorway madness and invest the money saved in sensible alternatives instead. Friends of the Earth will continue to campaign against the construction of this road and the road building mentality which is used to justify it."
The Highway's Agency has so far cleared 10,000 trees that were on the route of the Newbury bypass but the main and most damaging part of the contract, actually building the road, is yet to begin.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Sep 2008
