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Linslade Western Bypass |
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History of the Linslade Western Bypass
The bypass has been around since 1982
More Recent/The Public Inquiry in 2003
The Government decides to go ahead in 2004 In April 2004 The Inspector’s report was published and it supported the road, and the Secretary of State supported the road. We had only six weeks to decide whether to challenge this in the High Court. This is called “Statutory Challenge.” Our Barrister said that we had a good case on two grounds. First that government transport policy had not been applied to the road scheme. Secondly that Bucks County Council had breached their obligations under the European Habitats Directive and under the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. We tried everything to find the funding, in the six weeks allowed. However if we were to loose this case we would risk incurring costs of the other side of around £40,000, that is excluding our own costs.
In June 2004 Victoria Harvey spoke about this as an example of the lack of environmental justice in this country at a Parliamentary Seminar at the House of Commons on Access to Justice. There were three MPs, Michael Meacher, Norman Baker, the Lib Dem Environment spokesperson, and Peter Ainsworth (Con) Chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee, and several top lawyers and the Lord Chancellor’s department. There is hope that the law will be changed in future so that people can pursue environmental justice without the fear of being penalised with huge costs. In December 2004, The Secretary of State for Transport granted £43 million to Bucks CC to build the road.
The Arguments from Buckinghamshire County Council
Our Arguments against the bypass
Achievements
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