Contemporary Conflicts And Challenges- Newbury Bypass

Question 1

Where?

Answer 1

Town of Newbury, in Berkshire, England

Question 2

What?

Answer 2

9 mile stretch of dual carriage way that bypasses Newbury

West if the town, part of A34 road

Question 3

Why?

Answer 3

solve traffic problems

1980s-50,000 vehicles passing Newbury per day, congestion

Question 4

When?

Answer 4

Proposed in 1982

Opened in 1998

Question 5

How?

Answer 5

Exhibitions of poss routes

Brochures/questionnaires

Question 6

Objections

Answer 6

Wouldn’t solve problems, a lot of traffic local
Environmental-crossed 3 sites of special scientific interest, 6 wildlife sites, 10,000 trees cut, habitats affected
2 civil war sites, 12 archeological sites

Question 7

Objections

Answer 7

Campaigning from local residents and national organisations, including WWF, Greenpeace etc
Camped by bypass, tried to prevent clearing for bypass

Question 8

Support

Answer 8

Newbury bypass supporters association, 6000 signatures

Local MP

Question 9

Resolution

Answer 9

Public inquiry/review
1988
147 witnesses
Support-4 councils, association
Opposition-SPEWBY (local farmers, parish council,  national trust, national rivers authority)
1990-announcement it would go ahead

Question 10

Resolution

Answer 10

Police/600+ security guards remove protesters-5 weeks
£30 million on security
900+ protesters arrested

Question 11

Now…

Answer 11

Conflict continues
Anti-bypassCampaigners raise awareness of negatives
Ongoing environmental assessment