Road Block is a project of Transport 2000
PRESS RELEASE – 10th January 2007
TRANSPORT GROUPS JOIN FORCES TO FIGHT BIG ROAD THREATS
In the week the Government announced the awarding of a massive roadbuilding contract [1], two of this country’s most respected and effective transport campaigning organisations announce they have joined forces.
“The roads threat has grown and therefore so must we,” says Rebecca Lush, coordinator of Road Block. Since 1 January, Road Block has been a project of Transport 2000 [2]. Road Block is a network of community groups opposing road schemes. It will continue to operate as a network, with Rebecca providing advice, support and publicity for these community groups within her role for Transport 2000. She will also conduct national policy work and research for Transport 2000.
Stephen Joseph, Executive Director of Transport 2000, says the merger will strengthen Transport 2000’s campaigning voice:
"We are very excited to have Road Block, and Rebecca, join us. We have a long history of creating and supporting networks of groups to successfully argue for sustainable alternatives to roadbuilding, and we believe we can help the Road Block network – and they can help us. This merger enables us to increase our campaigning on roadbuilding, in a year when the Government has big funding decisions to make. With road transport contributing over one-fifth of UK CO2 emissions, the issues could not be more serious or urgent."
Emma Lawrence of the Save Swallows Wood campaign group, which has been working with Road Block to oppose the A628 Mottram to Tintwistle Bypass through the Peak District National Park , is one of the many local groups pleased about this new alliance:
"We are delighted that Road Block has become part of Transport 2000 , and that roads campaigning will have the support of such a respected and effective campaigning body. Strong resistance to government roadbuilding plans is needed now more than ever as the Government allows traffic and carbon dioxide levels to rise with more roadbuilding."
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Notes for Editors:
[1] On Monday, the government announced the awarding of a contract to widen 23 miles of the M1 between junctions 25 and 28 (through Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire), at a cost to the taxpayer of £340 million. Shortly the government must decide whether to give the go-ahead to the single biggest road contract: the £2.9 billion M6 widening from Birmingham to Manchester .
[2] Transport 2000 is an independent campaigning and research body that represents the key transport interests of around 40 environmental groups, transport organisations and transport unions. We bring together people who seek to reduce the damaging environmental and social effects of transport through encouraging less use of cars, lorries and planes and more use of rail, buses, trams, cycling and walking.
Further information :
Rebecca Lush, Roads and Climate Campaigner
P: 020 7613 7721
m: 07854 693 067
Jason Torrance , Campaigns Director:
p: 020 7613 7717
m: 07949 597 880
Estelle Taylor , Communications Director:
p. 020 7613 7720
m: 07984 773 468
[PR 003/07]
Transport 2000 Ltd is registered as a limited company
President: Michael Palin CBE
Vice-Presidents: Lord Faulkner of Worcester, Suzanne May OBE, Harley Sherlock, Lord Whitty of Camberwell
Patrons: Jenny Agutter, Ros Coward, Steve Norris, Tracy Marchioness of Worcester
Directors: John Stewart (Chair), Alastair Hanton (Treasurer), Dick Barry, Jonathan
Bray, Chris Dale, David Harby, James Harkins, Mark Kelleher, Nicola Marsden,
Andy Pike, Jenny Raggett, Frank Ward
Executive Director: Stephen Joseph OBE
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Transport 2000 : Putting people and the environment first
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12-18 Hoxton Street
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Telephone: 020 7613 7720
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communications@transport2000.org.uk
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Expanding the railways, improving bus services, demanding streets for people, tackling the growth in aviation and addressing the root causes of climate change are Transport 2000 ’s key campaign priorities in 2007.
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