Road Block is a project of Transport 2000

 

 

M11 widening: a “climate double whammy”

  

27 February  2007

 

Campaign group Transport 2000 [1] has condemned today’s announcement by the Transport Minister that plans to widen the M11 around Stansted Airport will be progressed [2].

 

Rebecca Lush, T2000’s roads and climate campaigner, said:

 

“Widening the M11 would be a double whammy as far as climate change is concerned. The widening will allow more car-based sprawl in this already congested, over-stretched part of the country, and would assist in the climate-damaging expansion of Stansted airport. The Government needs to match its rhetoric on tackling climate change with action, and cancel plans to widen the M11 around Stansted.”

 

The widening plans between junctions 6 and 8 on the M11, estimated to cost £698 million [3], are now out for public consultation, with the Written Statement by the Secretary of State saying "Widening of the M11 is also important to the growth of Stansted airport". The minister also announced that BAA would be part-funding the widening plans.

 

Notes to Editors

[1]  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 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.

 

[2] Written Statement by Secretary of State for Transport Douglas Alexander, 27 February 2007:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/m11improvements?version=1

 

[3] The Highways Agency website contains further information about the roads scheme: http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/14466.aspx

 

- ends –

 

For more information:

 

Becca Lush, Roads and Climate Campaigner

P: 020 7613 7721

m: 07854 693 067

 

Jason Torrance, Campaigns Director

p: 0207 613 7717  

m: 07949 597 880

 

Estelle Taylor, Communications Director

p: 020 7613 7720

m: 07984 773 468

 

[PR 015/07]