"BNRR will not stop the M6 jams!" ran the headline in the Birmingham Post on March 16th 2001. The Highways Agency
had written to South Staffs District Council informing them that their assumptions
on traffic numbers dropping on the M6 south of Cannock post-BNRR were wrong.
They went on to say that due to suppressed demand any space created on the M6
will be taken up, resulting in no overall reduction on the M6. Even the Post
editorial, a long term supporter of the scheme, was forced to concede that while
the awful loss of countryside was a price worth paying for a free- running M6,
it might be a price too much for the situation just to stand still. "Precisely"
was heard echoing around Allison Street. This has been our point and that of
the alliance all along. Indeed as one national journalist pointed out, the BNRR
does not want the M6 to be free flowing: it is a congested M6 or the perception
of a congested M6 which will set the toll booths' tills ringing. So there was
consternation within the business community as they regrouped to issue a press
release returning us to the dark old days of the great car economy. If only they
would think about the real needs of business within the region and not their
own selfish journey habits.
Abbey National AGM anyone?????
This event takes place on 26th April 2001 at the Barbican, London, from 11.00am.
We will be having a string of activities in the run-up to the AGM, reminding
Abbey National of the folly of the BNRR and asking shareholders to put pressure
on the bank for supporting the BNRR. If you know of any shareholders, or are
one yourself, then please make representations to Abbey National on your concerns
about their involvement with the BNRR. Of course the AGM may well be overshadowed
by the Lloyds takeover issue. If this is successful the focus on Abbey National
will transfer to Lloyds. Please contact Karen Leach 0121 632 6909 for more info
on this.
Sally Caley