HAIRY MOG

Guildford's A320 Road Protest Camp - NEWS


Tuesday 13th May 1997


So... it looks a bit like we've won!
The 8th May saw an eviction order go through against Teapot Junction- things were looking ropey and eviction was expected on Monday 12th. But where were the bailiffs? There weren't any, and at 1pm the council called an emergency meeting. At 3pm, a press release was made to the effect that owing to lack of funds, they "regrettably" wouldn't be able to proceed with the A320 widening and straightening scheme!! Cue party from many very very happy protestors...

But... where do we go from here? Firstly, we want something more than a press release to assure the safety of the Common for the future, to protect it against further sudden Surrey County Council U-turns (delighted as we are with this one!) Till then, it seems a bit premature to pack bags and vanish...

As far as I know, this is the only instance we've had of actually winning a dispute once it had reached this incredibly late stage, with planning permission granted, and eviction orders through. We've always thought it possible on the 320, with the particularly tight budget constraints of County Council level, and the sea-change in opinion since the scheme was devised during the old "Roads for Prosperity" days of Mrs T. So... hope for the future? :) You bet.

E-Mail gemma@quarks-ss.quarks.co.uk.


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