Happy Camping On Birmingham Northern Relief Road Route

A camp has been set up on the route of the proposed Birmingham Northern Relief Road. The new residents describe it as principally a starter site to introduce people already involved in the campaign to nonviolent direct action and to inform others. Although construction isn't due to start for about 14 months, hopes to raise the political and financial profile of the campaign have already paid off. Since the camp was set up the campaign has been in local or national media every day. To date the site features a couple of treehouses and a roundhouse which acts as an information centre, "the nicest yet" according to its creators.

The 27 miles long, 6 lane-wide Birmingham Northern Relief Road will be Britain's first privately owned toll motorway although research has already suggested that the road will not be economically viable. The Department of Transport's own figures predict that the road will actually increase congestion northwards on the M6 by 40%. The Highways Agency are therefore planning to spend £415million of public money on widening the M6 to cope with the extra traffic, all part of the London to Manchester superhighway and Euroroute to Dublin.

Despite winter's icy blasts spirits remain high and others are welcome to join, "If you're feeling adventurous or just very, very bored then perhaps you'd like to come and spend a while on site. Experience the thrill of living in the trees, the excitement of cooking over an open fire, the intellectually stimulating conversations about whether humus is better than cheese..." They also promise not to sing Bob Dylan songs but there are no tin whistles nailed to posts as yet. For directions and further info contact 0797 0301978