Action Briefing Oct 2003 - Nov 2003
	The Newsletter of Birmingham Friends of the Earth

End of the Road for the Western Bypasses

In July, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling announced in the Transport Investment Plan that the hugely controversial proposed bypasses of Stourbridge and Wolverhampton would be dropped once and for all and the widening of the M42 deferred. With the Western Bypasses out of the frame, we can concentrate more on campaigning for solutions to the transport problems that bedevil the region, and less on defeating white elephants.

As well as the Western Bypasses, some of the other worst schemes proposed by the Government-commissioned “multi-modal studies” have been dropped, such as the Arundel bypass, which would have cut through ancient woodland and water meadows.

A 12-lane M42 would have been a huge over-reaction to the present situation, and would have fuelled further development in this overcrowded area.

Welcome also are the commitment to minimising the environmental impact of an M54-M6 Toll link road; the £1 billion of extra local transport spending in the West Midlands metropolitan area, coupled to the acknowledgement that local bus solutions will be central to this; and the commitment to support local authorities introducing congestion charging and a road user charging feasibility study.

However, other destructive schemes got Government backing, including widening on the M1, M11, M25 and M62, which could damage several nationally designated wildlife sites. A return to the controversial Hastings bypass plans is also threatened, with Mr Darling inviting East Sussex Council to make further proposals on the Bexhill-Hastings link road.

We regret that some rail improvements critical to the region’s image, particularly the New Street station upgrade, have not been accelerated. This could damage the region’s long term future if it isn’t addressed as soon as possible. We desperately need to invest in mass transit systems within the conurbation for all, whether they be a car owner or not, if we are to resist demands for more of our countryside to disappear under concrete and tarmac.

The Government is still entrenched in the idea that road building can solve Britain’s transport crisis. But as has been proved time and again, it can’t and it won’t. More roads mean more cars, more pollution and more congestion.

We haven’t got ten years to wait for road charging to begin. We need better public transport and more help for pedestrians and cyclists today. It is essential that we invest in the alternatives within the conurbation so that the car is not the automatic choice for every journey.

James Botham with thanks to Chris Crean and Gerald Kells