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A small number of people are protesting loudly against the building of the Newbury bypass because they claim it will damage the countryside. A larger number want to travel freely round or through Newbury.
The Government must balance these conflicting demands and provide an infrastructure enabling this country to function efficiently and effectively while minimising damage to the environment. Public consultation on Newbury started in 1982 and the final decision to go ahead was taken in July 1995, 13 years later. The route was changed to reduce its impact on Snelsmore Common, the only site of special scientific interest directly affected.
Congestion is a recognised problem in Newbury and is getting worse. This bypass will remove more than 20,000 vehicles a day from the centre of this old market town - including 400 heavy lorries an hour. Our analysis indicated the bypass would reduce traffic flows through the town by about 40 per cent and improve average peak journey times by 15 minutes. The amount of additional traffic likely to be generated was less than 10 per cent over 15 years. The local community will benefit from improved air quality, reduced road noise, dust and vibration. Cyclists and pedestrians will be able to travel more safely and easily. Over the next 30 years an estimated 28 lives will be saved because of the bypass.
We work closely with English Nature, English Heritage and the National Rivers Authority, and employ experts to minimise environmentaldamage. Wildlife will be protected. Artifical badger setts have been created; there will be 12 miles of fencing to prevent animals from straying on to the new road and a small number of dormice were relocated, so successfully that a pregnant dormouse gave birth to six offspring at the new location. If other animals are found during construction we will work with English Nature to protect them. They are not aware of any Desmoulins whorl snails on the route, but we will monitor the situation carefully.
The route follows the embankment of an old railway line, thereby avoiding the area of the main Civil War battlefield site. About 10,000 trees need to come down but we will be planting more than 100,000 new trees and shrubs of native woodland species to create new woodland habitats and to link existing wooded areas.
In a recent poll 70 per cent of local people supported the building of the bypass. Opposition comes mainly from people who do not live near Newbury and who are placing a heavy burden on the taxpayer who has to foot the bill for the additional security costs.
The times for discussion and debate about whether or not this road is needed has passed. It is now the time to build it. Those responsible for building the Newbury bypass should be left in peace to get on with their job.
The writer is Minister for Railways and Roads.
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