P.O. BOX 5520, Newbury, Berks. RG14 7YW.
Tel: 01635 45544 Fax: 01635 45545 24 hr info: 01635 550552
E-mail: info@battle3.demon.co.uk URL: http://www.gn.apc.org/newbury
Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE
HANDS ACROSS THE WATER MEADOWS - SALISBURY PUBLIC TRANSPORT LINK TO NEWBURY !
SUNDAY 1ST DECEMBER 1996
GUEST SPEAKER : GEORGE MONBIOT
A cordial invitation has been issed to the people of Salisbury by the residents of Newbury, in particular the Local Voices grouping. A great number of lessons have been learnt from the months and years of campaigning against the Western Bypass, many of them painful. This event is part of a broad commitment to help others who feel just as strongly as we do to build their own campaign.
The battle continues, the cause is just and road protestors appear in all walks of life. SEE ATTACHED for joint Land is Ours/Corporate Watch Press Release based on a leak from the heart of the Civil Service - this is very topical timing as George Monbiot will be one of the speakers on Sunday, following a visit to the Inst of Civil Engineers conference. The leaked document acknowledges the pointlessness of the current roadbuilding programme - it costs too much and more than is usually admitted to, it creates more traffic, does not alleviate congestion and is dependent on Ministers holding to an untenable line.
Sound familiar ? And yet Sir George Young et al are "minded to approve" the proposed Salisbury Bypass, another potential sword thrust through the heart of Middle England.
As part of the local campaign in Salisbury, a double decker London bus has been hired to bring people to Newbury to see what environmental safeguards means to the local landscape. At the Waterside, there will be plenty of opportunity for them to quiz local and national campaigners. For example, the sham of the protection offered by SSSI or proposed SAC, endangered and protected species status as demonstrated at Newbury, is very much an issue at Salisbury; then there is the European road network, the minimal amount of traffic actually bypassing the town, themoney to be made from infill and so on.
Notes for editors
The outline programme for the day follows. Most of the day will provide photo and interview opportunities. Press coordinators for the day will be:
Newbury campaign: Andrew Wood -
Salisbury camapaign: Colin Hall - mobile
more
SUNDAY 1st DECEMBER 1996
11.45 MEET AT THE WHARF CAR PARK (opp. Museum by the canal)
12.00 WALK ALONG THE TOWPATH TO BYPASS ROUTE
Opportunity to discuss aspects of landscape impact, housing in-fill, gravel extraction. Photo call at Kennet crossing.
14.30 RETURN TO WATERSIDE CENTRE FOR TEA/COFFEE ETC
15.00 SPEAKERS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, including:
The early Newbury campaign, protection for sites eg SSSIs, SAC etc,
media work and on-route activities.
16.00 QUESTION TIME local campaigners on hand to share experiences
17.00 HOME TIME & a chance to see an excellent video.
Organised by Newbury "Local Voices". Campaign videos will be on sale
Further Information: Third Battle of Newbury Office 01635 45544