...as road schemes lost
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• The Government has delayed a decision on five road schemes, including the widening of the M25, and it has scrapped the Salisbury Bypass and the A40 West London approach road.
However, the Birmingham Relief Road (the UK's first private toll motorway), the M66 Manchester Orbital and three other schemes have been given the green light.
The Freight Transport Association says it is amazed by the M25 and the Salisbury bypass decisions as both schemes would provide essential relief from the road congestion which will inevitably increase over the next 10 years.
It moved quickly to warn the Government that the decision to abandon the two schemes "must not be the herald of further massive roads cuts when the full roads review is announced next spring".
Road Haulage Association director-general Steven Norris has written to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott urging him to approve the M25 scheme.
"If we do not proceed with any or all of these schemes all well and good, provided that we are clear that there is a viable transport solution," says Norris.