Newbury Still Under Attack

Less than a year since the Newbury Bypass opened, the road lobby's claims that it would not result in infill development are exposed as the lies we always thought they were. West Berkshire Council has approved an application by Vodaphone for an out-of-town development on 40 acres of greenfield land to the North of Newbury.

Local Voices, an active anti-bypass group, is opposing the plans. They commented: 'Vodaphone threatened to pull out of Newbury (where they already have a major office) if they did not get the go-ahead. We have quite literally been blackmailed'.

The application will now go to the Government Office of the South East which will decide in two or three weeks whether to submit the scheme to a public enquiry or not.

Other developments also threaten the Berkshire countryside between the bypass and the town including warehouses, industrial depots and housing developments.

We have also received news that an extension of the bypass to link its northern end to Chieveley junction on the M4 is being considered. The EF!AU has been unable to get any more info on this but it will presumably threaten the 4 trees which were saved back in 1996 at the former Mary Hare camp.

For further details contact the Third Battle of Newbury, on 07000 785201. Possible Vodaphone action in Newbury on June the 18th (with time to get to London for the Carnival) - meet Newbury Train Station 8am, or contact Reading Roadbusters.