An alliance against road building

PRESS RELEASE: for immediate release - 12.30pm, 17th January 2005

MIDDLE ENGLAND SCARES OFF THE ROAD BULLDOZERS

Local residents opposed to the Stoke Hammond to Linslade Bypass [1] today saw off clearance work due to start on the scheme.  Although main construction is not due to start for some weeks, today was the date for a crucial operation of moving a pipe from the path of the bypass.

Bedfordshire residents had been tipped off that the preliminary contract was to begin this morning.  Contractor vehicles and equipment were present at the site in the early hours, however no work took place in the face of 40 local residents bearing banners and placards reading 'no more roads' and 'trees not trucks'.

The protesters celebrated this first success by signing a 'beat the bulldozer', which promises opposition to destructive development plans.  The new bypass is just part of a hugely controversial development in the east of England region based on the expansion of Luton Airport [2].

The protest occurred at the same time as a new national alliance against road building - Road Block - was launched [3].

Road Block Campaigner Rebecca Lush was at the proposed bypass site with Bedfordshire residents.  Rebecca Lush said:

"It is so inspiring to see this level of commitment amongst local residents to protecting their area from the futility of road building.  This protest showed the Government that people are prepared to stand up and oppose unsustainable development plans.  Today's protest is only the beginning: Road Block is forming an alliance of all the local groups around the country facing the same fate as the residents of Linslade."


Victoria Harvey of South Bedfordshire Friends of the Earth said:

"This is the beginning of John Prescott's housing plans, and also the beginning of the resistance to them.  We need affordable houses and doctors in Leighton Buzzard, not roads that won't help congestion, nor stop the lorries going through the town.  Most of the area will be gridlocked according to Government figures, even with the bypass.  I'm amazed that they can find the money for roads, but not for homes for key public sector workers."

For video footage from today's gathering contact Zoë Broughton on 01865 771076.  For photos contact Hugh Warwick on 07815 042452. Update as of 6pm, 18th January 2005 Local residents again turned up before work in freezing cold conditions.  Scouts on the bypass route today reported surveying work taking place - trees to be felled have been marked.  Contractors Fitzpatricks arrived, but made no attempt at work.  Contractors have told us that the County Council and contractors have had emergency meetings to discuss how to progress in the face of protests.  Local residents have spent the day putting up posters in town.

ENDS

Contact:
Road Block: Rebecca Lush on 07854 693067 or Melanie Jarman on 01803 847649 or office@roadblock.org.uk
South Bedfordshire Friends of the Earth: Victoria Harvey on 01525 385 097 and 07815 817108 or vharvey@btopenworld.com


EDITOR'S NOTES:
[1] The Stoke Hammond and Linslade Western Bypass is the first of four bypasses, which will provide a dual carriageway between Milton Keynes and Aylesbury. This is in one of the Government's 'growth areas', with Milton Keynes set to have 44,000 new homes by 2021, South Bedfordshire 26,000, and Aylesbury 15,000.
[2] Many of the local councils are opposed to the housing development plans.  The East of England Regional Assembly has withdrawn support for the housing plans in the region because there is not enough money for the infrastructure.  There are also serious concerns about the demands on the natural resources such as water.
[3]  Road Block is an alliance of community groups and individuals opposed to road building.  Road Block launched on Monday 16th January, and will support these groups. Local anti-roads groups from Edinburgh to Cornwall, via the route of the proposed 51-mile M6 Expressway, are joining the Road Block alliance.
[3]  For more info on road schemes see www.transport2000.org.uk
[4]  Support for people taking direct action against road building is available from Road Alert! at www.roadalert.org.uk .



01803 847 649 07854 693067
office[at]roadblock.org.uk
www.roadblock.org.uk