Archived press release

Labour's Roads Review Fails to Scrap Worst Schemes

19 June 1997

Friends of the Earth reacted with disappointment to Transport Minister, Gavin Strang's announcement today that no trunk road projects would be scrapped prior to Labour's long-promised roads review, although it welcomed the fact that the review was taking place [1].

Friends of the Earth had written earlier this month to the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr John Prescott urging him to scrap two of the most contentious trunk road projects - the Birmingham Northern Relief Road (BNRR) and the A36 Salisbury Bypass - immediately.

Scrapping the BNRR would fulfil a pledge made by Frank Dobson MP, when Shadow Secretary of State in 1994, that "Labour would not build the BNRR", a 27-mile toll motorway to the north and east of the West Midlands [2]. If built, it would run entirely through the Green Belt.

Abandoning the A36 Salisbury Bypass would follow the spirit of a promise made by Mr Andrew Smith MP, when Shadow Secretary of State in 1996, that there would be "no more Twyford Downs with Labour" [3]. The proposed bypass is opposed by English Heritage,English Nature and the Countryside Commission, as well as the Labour Party locally. If built, it would damage two nationally significant sites for wildlife.

Roger Higman, Friends of the Earth's Senior Transport Campaigner said:

"FOE is disappointed that Mr Strang hasn't scrapped the Salisbury Bypass and Birmingham Northern Relief Road now. But we welcome the fact that speedy decisions will be made about these and ten other contentious roads and trust that this will lead to their cancellation.

"The Government's commitment to sustainable transport policies and countryside protection will be completely undermined if these schemes are not scrapped quickly."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Mr Gavin Strang, speaking in Parliament today, announced Labour's long expected review of the trunk roads programme.

[2] Mr Dobson was quoted by Mr. Mike O'Brien MP in a press release dated 21/9/94.

[3] Mr Smith made his pledge in a speech to the Labour Party conference on 2 October,1996.

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