This was the last of the highways agency's consultations for phase 2 of the M1 widening in our area, phase 1 had no consultation as they claimed not to have to do one as they already own the land. Tell that to all the people who will be affected by it, we are looking into the legality of not consulting on phase 1.

Again we met lots of angry local people who do not want to see the M1 widened, and feel that they are not being listened to at all. Lots of them signed our petition against the widening.

We even met one of Nottinghamshires county councillers who was visiting the exhibition who agreed with us on all our points, yet still said it should be widened because 'we have to do something don't we'.

All in all we have had a successful run visiting these exhibitions, and have gained lots more useful knowledge that will aid the campaign. We also are managing to make links with the people in the areas that will be immediatly affected by the widening.

Below is a sample letter to Alister Darling, the minister responsible for roads that you can ammend and send to register your own opposition.

=========================================================

Rt Hon Alistair Darling
Secretary of State for Transport
Department of Transport
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR

Dear Mr Darling,

I am writing to you to register my opposition to the proposed widening of the M1.

Road building in general terms has been shown to increase traffic and therefore not be a solution to congestion problems. Also any measures that might increase traffic growth are clearly counter-productive to the government’s aim of reducing CO2 emissions, and taking serious action on climate change.

With regards to the M1 there are two obvious and cheap alternatives to the congestion problem. Reducing the speed limit, to perhaps 55 mph would reduce bunching and improve flow. From this reduced speed limit there would also be additional benefits of increased fuel efficiency and hopefully a reduction in accidents. Secondly there could be a concerted effort to move freight onto the railways.

My final point is the obscene quantity of money these schemes cost. The estimate for the widening of the road between junctions 30-42 alone is £1.3 billion. This money would be better spent on making public transport cheaper and more reliable.

I look forward to your response on this matter.

Yours sincerely