11.06.05: Northern Route R.I.P ?
Reports of the death of the Northern Route have been greatly exaggerated!
It’s been a heady time for all of us who oppose the Northern Route proposals.
Firstly, our M.P. derided the plan. Then, our “yellow voting card” poll revealed that only 10% of people supported the building of any Link road. Then the Department of Transport announced that road user charging is the way to beat congestion (“We can’t build our way out of our present problems”). Finally, a local newspaper has declared that the road will be a total waste of taxpayer’s money, and has launched a road campaign of its own.
So that must mean the end of the road for the monster nightmare, right?
Well in a sane world it would, but the building of the Northern Route remains Lancashire County Council’s number one transport priority. All its efforts remain concentrated on this madcap scheme. Notice that the County Council has said nothing – it is quietly moving ahead with its plans. Councillors will shortly make a planning application, effectively to themselves, and then hey presto they give themselves the green light!
We believe a public enquiry should then be held to look at the road and other options to solve the congestion problem. Other options like vastly improved public transport systems, travel plans for workplaces, schools and individuals should be considered. Options, which are even described in the Council’s draft Local Transport Plan, but not for Lancaster and Morecambe!
We must keep fighting to kill off the Northern Route. If we get distracted now by other competing proposals we may well find that the monster is still alive and kicking and out to get us! Remember all of the people power and brute force required to finally topple that statue of Saddam Hussein? Our job is far from done. You have, so far, done a spectacular job in letting the community and the politicians know how you feel about this lame duck project but you must keep fighting to get the monster to fall.
It is critical that you write or e-mail to the newspapers and your elected representatives now, and tell them in your own words that
- the Northern Route will not solve our congestion problem
- that it costs too much
- that it will destroy our countryside
- Lancashire County Council must stop, once and for all, wasting any more time and money on the project
- it should look at real alternatives to solve the congestion problem
While you’re at it, send a copy of your views to us and we will post them on our web site, without your addresses of course!
We have a chance to finish the monster nightmare, lets do it!
David Gate, Chair TSLM.