The alliance argues that an expanded roads programme would undermine Labour's claim to put the environment at the heart of government.

The alliance estimates that road schemes currently under discussion could damage ay least 28 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (many of which are also designated as being of European or international importance), five current or planned National Parks, eight Areas of Outstanding National Beauty and two World Heritage Sites.

The threat is revealed in a report also published today by Transport 2000, CPRE and Friends of the Earth.

It comes shortly before Transport Minister Lord Macdonald is expected to announce a further expansion of the roads programmme, and on the day before a major 'green' speech by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The Roads to Ruin alliance has also published a joint statement detailing their opposition to these damaging road schemes.

"Roads to Ruin: The environmental impact of Labour's new roads programme" highlights more than 50 of the most damaging road schemes that are planned or could get the go-ahead soon.

As well as damaging environmentally sensitive sites, the highlighted road schemes will increase traffic on surrounding roads, with more noise, air pollution and accidents.

They would increase pressure for green field development and undermine efforts to encourage greater use of public transport.

The scale of road-building that could result from current Government plans would be comparable to that of the previous government in the 1990s.

The Government's change of tack appears to be a panic reaction to claims that it is 'anti-motorist'.

"Roads to Ruin: The environmental impact of Labour's new roads programme" is available from Transport 2000, price £10.


Some of the schemes identified in the report are firm commitments. Others are likely to emerge from a Government request to regional planning bodies to draw up a roads 'wish list'.


Others may come out of a series of multi-modal studies covering much of the country. Final decisions on many of the schemes are still to be made, but they are a best guess at what a new roads programme could contain.


The Roads to Ruin Alliance is supported by the Railway Development Society, the Civic Trust, the Council for National Parks, CPRE, CTC, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, the Pedestrians' Association, the Ramblers' Association, RSPB, the Slower Speeds Initiative, Transport 2000, the Wildlife Trusts and WWF.


Contact: The Railway Development Society, Alix Stredwick, Campaigns Director.
Telephone 020 8981 2992 Fax 020 8981 2994
Email: alix at therailcampaign.org.uk
Mobile 07712 471411


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