As threat grows from A27 expansion plans
Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP with Robin Crane CBE, chairman of the South Downs Campaign, holding a signed copy of the Confirmation Order, 12 November, 2009
Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth (BHFOE) is today celebrating the 5th anniversary of the signing of the South Downs National Park Confirmation Order by the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP in Ditchling, who was the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 2009.
This was the final hurdle to establishing the South Downs National Park, which came into existence on 31 March 2010.
BHFOE believes that the National Park has been an important development in safeguarding and championing the South Downs landscape. However, on this important anniversary, it is clear from the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday that the South Downs National Park is under threat from the Government’s £15 billion new roads programme. (Incidentally this about equals the amount taken from local government over the past few years).
Chris Todd from BHFOE said:
“Today is the 5th anniversary of an important milestone in the history of the South Downs. 5 years ago we thought the future of the South Downs had been secured when it became England’s newest National Park. Yet already, this Government, egged on by many local authorities, seems hell bent on road building in the South Downs.
“The impact of individual schemes at Arundel, Worthing and between Lewes and Polegate is bad enough, but the cumulative impact could be devastating. It is bound to increase pressure for further road expansion on the A27 as the congestion just moves to other places on the network. It’s a bit like searching for the Holy Grail. It will require more and more effort and ultimately we risk destroying an iconic landscape in a rather fruitless search for economic prosperity.”
Brighton & Hove Friends of the Earth 