Birmingham Friends of the Earth Action Briefing Feb/Mar 99

BNRR Update

As you may be fully aware, the month of December saw the evictions at Moneymore dominate local news. The Birmingham Northern Relief Road (BNRR) was once again in the forefront of people's minds as a massive operation and media feeding frenzy were played out on our TV screens, radios and in the print media. This also saw the Evening Mail try and turn public opinion against the protesters which resulted in a massive letter bag in support of the protest. The cost of the operation was also highlighted and the questions as to why MEL (Midlands Expressway Limited) are not picking up the tab were neatly avoided. MEL are conspicuous by their absence, but are attracting the sort of publicity that no other commercial organisation commands, namely featuring in regular editions of Private Eye.

The evictions at Moneymore saw over 30 people arrested and a return for those not arrested to Green Wood. Most of those arrested have now attended Tamworth Magistrates Court where, in the main, they have been fined and allowed to go free. This may well see some protestors returning to the area or moving away for a well earned rest. Either way, the campaign against this economic and environmental disaster goes on. A new camp has been established at The Spinney, Turf Pits Lane, near Canwell, B75 with the site mobile on 07970 301978. This is receiving support from local people. The reason for a new camp being established is that protestors were essentially tricked out of Green Wood. A number of officers raided Green Wood without any bailiffs and secured the site. Little respect for nature was shown as the trees were ravaged by chainsaws and de-boughed. Nature may well have the last laugh as spring arrives and Green Wood indeed becomes green again but maybe not as green as in previous years.

A nuclear bunker was also taken over which would have been an excellent location from which to mount a campaign but due to the sensitivities of the landowner the protestors agreed to leave. The police however decided to arrest all of the protestors who are now either in prison on remand or on severe bail conditions away from the area. Their cases come up on February 9th in Tamworth.

Meanwhile the costs to the public of the private road continue to rise. On February 21st in the House of Commons Glenda Jackson admitted that the public bills so far are over £21 million including ~£10 million on the costs of selecting MEL £1 million of which was in legal fees and £11.4 million when the road was a public scheme.

There is also a small matter of reconstructing part of the M42 near Water Orton projected at £20 million but no doubt rising fast.

And finally the Alliance Against the BNRR are off to the High Court on February 22nd to hear their appeal against MEL and the quashing orders. So this campaign is far from over and please support it in any way you can.

Sally Fletcher