WE WARMLY welcome Hilton Dawson's recent statement on the Western Bypass.
Friends of the Earth has argued for many years that road building often creates more problems than it solves: contrary to their promoters' expectations, many new roads have increased traffic, reduced the viability of public transport and drained jobs out of an area.
John Prescott realised several years ago that 'we cannot build our way out of congestion'. Recent government policy documents, and the decision to reject the Hastings Bypass, clearly show that central government no longer sees road building as a panacea for an area's traffic and economic problems.
Hilton is therefore being very realistic when he recognises that the Western Bypass is not attainable.
Similar realism from other politicians would mean that everyone's efforts could be directed towards actually trying to solve our local transport problems, rather than chasing the unattainable.
Anne Chapman
Co-ordinator
North Lancs
Friends of the Earth
Ulster Road
Lancaster
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