CAMPAIGNERS against a controversial bypass joined a nationwide “banner drop” protest with Extinction Rebellion to show their discontent.
Activists linked with Roads Rebellion, a branch of Extinction Rebellion (XR), dropped banners all across the UK on Saturday in protest at the Department for Transport’s £24.7 billion plan to build new trunk roads.
Members from XR groups in Brighton, Worthing and Chichester came to support a group called “stop the Arundel Bypass alliance”. The groups came together to protest against road plans and the link between more roads causing more congestion in the area.
The groups gathered on the Arundel river bridge and also hung a banner on the Ford Road Roundabout, near Arundel.
The banners read “climate and ecological emergency: stop the £27bn spend on roads” and “more roads = more congestion: stop the Arundel Bypass”.
Emma Tristram, from Binsted, who opposes the A27 Arundel Bypass, said: “New roads cause more traffic and that causes more congestion.
“It’s a vicious spiral that eats up money, destroys the countryside and makes climate change worse. This bypass scheme would ruin three villages and a fantastic wildlife area. It’s time it was stopped.”
People from Arundel, Tortington, Ford, Binsted, Walberton and Fontwell say they are angry at the “lack of clarity and consistency” in National Highways’ answers to their questions.
Some people say they have been left frustrated and “almost in tears” attending consultation events which have highlighted the scale of the proposals.
One of the main concerns is how close the bypass is to nearby schools.
Out of six options considered, the current “grey route” is the only one which does not involve plans to build on the South Downs, which the authority wants to avoid if possible.
However, people in Walberton and Binsted want it to be moved further away from Walberton and Binsted Primary School, Walberton Play Centre, Walberton Pre-School and Walberton Toddler playgroup as it sits less than 200 metres from the proposed route.
National Highways has said before it encourages people to “have their say” and said it is interested in all views regarding the bypass.
There is a consultation being run by National Highways which finished at midnight on Tuesday, March 8.
The work is currently set to start next year.
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