Landscapes Under Threat - The M6 Expressway
The M6 Expressway is a proposed new toll road extending the existing M6 Toll through Staffordshire and Cheshire from M6 Junction 11a to M6 Junction 19 or 20. The exact route is not yet known, but we do know that it would cut out a swathe of countryside parallel to the existing M6 and would need dedicated approach roads and land-hungry toll booths at each end and in the middle. It will inevitably devastate wildlife and rural communities.
This picture is of the farmland near Hanchurch in Staffordshire, a village already suffering from its proximity to the M6. The landscape here is typical of that which will be lost if the Expressway is built.
The Expressway consultation was announced by Alistair Darling on July 6 th '04 and ended on 21 st October. In that short period massive opposition was mobilised by local communities, the CPRE, FoE and other environmental groups in Staffordshire and Cheshire. There was a letter writing campaign, a petition and a rally in Stafford organised by the Stafford Group GAME (Group Against Motorway Expansion).
On March 24 th 2005 the Parliamentary Transport Committee strongly criticised the Expressway concept, but Alistair Darling has not yet given his final decision. If he decides to go ahead against public opinion and the advice of the Select Committee, then the campaign will continue. We will make them fight for every foot of road.
To contact GAME phone 01785 214894 or email: mel.ellis2@ntlworld.com
Or contact Staffordshire CPRE: phone 01785 277890 or email: protect@cprestaffordshire.org.uk