Birmingham Friends of the Earth West Midlands Transport Campaign

House Of Commons
London SW1A OAA

Mike O' Brien MP

ref MOB/FMC

5th November 1999

Dear Chris

My constituents were disappointed by the decision to build the BNRR. They believe it will destroy our local environment and will not resolve the problems of congestion on the M6.

After the BNRR decision the White Paper on Transport appeared a progressive document that marks a break with the previous governments agenda of more cars, more roads, more cars. It set out a case for a more balanced transport policy that was sustainable and environmentally appropriate. It ended the total reliance on predict and provide as the basis for road building decisions and showed a real concern for the environmental impact on transport policy.

Therefore the decision on BNRR should not dishearten those who believe that we must protect our environment because the government has shown that on a broader canvas it is prepared to protect the environment. Those who are concerned about the environment must continue to campaign strongly on these issues. Cars have their place, so does public transport, but most importantly so does our environment - after all, we all live in it.

Yours Sincerely

Mike O' Brien MP

House of Commons,
Westminster,
London,
SW1A 0AA.