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Red light for tewkesbury bypass
6 March 1997
Tewkesbury and District Friends of the Earth are celebrating following a decision by Gloucestershire County Council to mount an eighteen month investigation into alternatives to the controversial Tewkesbury bypass [1]. The road - which now seems unlikely to be built- would have wiped out one of Britain's most significant colonies of the declining glow-worm[2].
The Tewkesbury bypass, which was to have been paid for by 'planning gain' money from supermarket giant Safeway, is deeply unpopular in the town. 97 per cent said that they opposed the road in a survey carried out by Tewkesbury FOE.
Jan Lucas of Tewkesbury and District Friends of the Earth said:
"I am extremely pleased that this incredibly damaging and unpopular road has not been given the go-ahead, and feel sure that alternative solutions to local traffic problems can be found. Tewkesbury is home to one of the largest colonies of rare glow worms, it would be utter vandalism to put a road through the middle. I am glad that common sense seems to have prevailed and thank local people for their help. I am sure that this road will not now be built."
Tewkesbury and District FOE have a double celebration. Today is the first anniversary of the founding of the group.
Notes
[1] Councillors unanimously voted on Wednesday to suspend a final decision on the building of the Tewkesbury bypass until new studies into alternatives have been undertaken. Councillors at the meeting gave the strong impression that the road was now unlikely to be built.
[2] Glow-worms in Britain have been declining since the Fifties and Sixties. Many experts blame this on the destruction of glow-worm habitats caused by intensive agri-business, i.e. mono-cultures, pesticides and fertilizers. Glow-worms are beetles, not worms.
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Dec 2008
