ocid schemes halted by minorities
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POLITICIANS have been ac:used of using public parti:ipation as a delaying tactic to woid putting road plans into )peration.
, British Roads Federation Erector Robert Phillipson told he Institution of Highway E:ngineers last week that he iad a clear impression that xiliticians are looking hard for 'easons not to provide for road isers.
"Public participation is proTiding a ready weapon for deay — and downright disrupion — in the hands of deternined minorities. Not only is he process taking too long but he result we are getting is inreliable and no real guide to he way local people believe nd act," said Mr Phillipson.
He cited the case of a deision on the route of the new 41 from Kirkhamgate to )ishforth in Yorkshire where decision had been made by he Transport Minister Villiam Rodgers in favour of )cal residents after a small pinion poll had been conLicted.
The route chosen was that ivoured by the residents and ot that which both the tradig and employers' organ-' ations had backed.
"This shows, in probably the 'orst single decision of its fpe, the pure lunacy of public articipation," said Mr hillipson. "The public who articipated numbered less ian one per cent of the local apulation."
He added that "this kind of 3nsense" downgraded local wernment and elevated par.7.ipation far beyond what it as intended to be.