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GREEN GUMMER STILL IN SHADOW OF GREY CABINET
9 October 1996
For example the Department of Transport is putting roads through nationally and internationally important 'protected' sites. Last week it was reported that the Salisbury bypass - one of the most damaging road schemes under consideration - is to be given Government approval despite opposition from Mr Gummer. The road is being backed by Transport Secretary and self-avowed Friend of the Earth, Sir George Young.
Furthermore, within a month of Mr Gummer announcing a set of 116 Biodiversity Action Plans for declining species, including a plan to bring the rare Desmoulin's whorl snail back from the threat of extinction in the UK, the Highways Agency announced it was putting the Newbury Bypass through some of the best habitat for the species in Europe. The Bypass will cross the Kennet and Lambourn valley Site of Special Scientific Interest which is proposed as a Special Area of Conservation under the European Habitats Directive because it is so significant for Desmoulin's whorl snail.
Tony Juniper, Deputy Campaigns Director of Friends of the Earth said:
"John Gummer is probably one of the greenest Environment Secretary's we've ever had, but his views are sadly not shared by the rest of the Cabinet. If the Conservatives think that tarmacking over some of the UK's finest wildlife habitats is popular with the electorate, then they have made a serious mis-judgment."
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Sep 2008
