Glasgow: M74 Court Case Ends
CH | 28.06.2006 16:23 | Ecology
The court case against the absurd M74 Extension through the south of Glasgow is over. This clears the way for the roadbuilders to start in the near future.
This afternoon, Friends of the Earth pulled out of their suit against the Executive for disregarding the result of the Public Local Inquiry that said the road would have serious adverse impacts on the local environment.
According to their final diary entry (see link below), the judge spent the morning re-characterising the findings of the Inquiry as matters of "policy discretion" rather than Fact.
Details aren't given but that would seem to include such matters as:
- increased "community severance"
- increased CO2 emissions, contrary to their stated policy objectives.
- increased traffic, contrary to wanting to reduce them.
The end of the legal action leaves it open for work to begin on the road extremely soon, given that certain road-promoting interests seem to have carried on regardless.
See also:
http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/about/m74_diary.html
According to their final diary entry (see link below), the judge spent the morning re-characterising the findings of the Inquiry as matters of "policy discretion" rather than Fact.
Details aren't given but that would seem to include such matters as:
- increased "community severance"
- increased CO2 emissions, contrary to their stated policy objectives.
- increased traffic, contrary to wanting to reduce them.
The end of the legal action leaves it open for work to begin on the road extremely soon, given that certain road-promoting interests seem to have carried on regardless.
See also:
http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/about/m74_diary.html
CH
Additions
Additional Information
28.06.2006 21:14
Some clarification. The BBC is reporting that they are aiming to start construction in 2008. Certain design processes and land purchases have carried on in the background ever since the PLI report was handed to the Executive. Recent work along the route has led locals to suspect advance clearing of the route.
The BBC report also quotes Council Leader Stephen Purcell stretching the truth somewhat to justify pissing away (at least) £45M of Glasgow funds to make it's poorest communities more ill and more excluded.
He says: "will bring economic and social benefits to the entire west of Scotland".
The report says: "largely a redistribution of jobs from other parts" (11.62) and "effect of these various adverse impacts on these communities … very severe [during construction and permanently]" (11.35)
He says: "help reduce congestion in different areas of Glasgow".
Report says: "would not provide free flowing conditions on the Glasgow motorway network" (11.14) and "in fundamental conflict with the policy commitment to reduce vehicle use" (11.13)
The numbers refer to the Conclusions of the Public Local Inquiry, downloadable from:
http://scotland.indymedia.org/usermedia/application/6/1_m74_inquiry_report_conclusions.pdf
The BBC report also quotes Council Leader Stephen Purcell stretching the truth somewhat to justify pissing away (at least) £45M of Glasgow funds to make it's poorest communities more ill and more excluded.
He says: "will bring economic and social benefits to the entire west of Scotland".
The report says: "largely a redistribution of jobs from other parts" (11.62) and "effect of these various adverse impacts on these communities … very severe [during construction and permanently]" (11.35)
He says: "help reduce congestion in different areas of Glasgow".
Report says: "would not provide free flowing conditions on the Glasgow motorway network" (11.14) and "in fundamental conflict with the policy commitment to reduce vehicle use" (11.13)
The numbers refer to the Conclusions of the Public Local Inquiry, downloadable from:
http://scotland.indymedia.org/usermedia/application/6/1_m74_inquiry_report_conclusions.pdf
CH
Homepage:
http://www.jam74.org
Comments
Hide the following 2 comments
They obviously had a good case
28.06.2006 18:57
The judges wanted the case finished by Friday, perhaps because they are going on holiday. Presumably they saw that the good case Friends of the Earth had might keep them from whatever they are doing after Friday.
Once again the law shows it is an ass, only interested in protecting powerful vested interests.
A N Other
Not my concern but an obvious reprint of interest
30.06.2006 00:38
MEDIA RELEASE
M74 court case
Joint Action against the M74 (JAM74) have today
expressed their disappointment at the withdrawal
of the Friends of the Earth court case against
the proposed M74 urban motorway. [1]
Will Jess, Chair of JAM74, said:
"We praise Friends of the Earth's courageous
efforts to challenge this damaging project at the
highest levels, and are disappointed that the
legal challenge did not succeed. It is
unfortunate that the prohibitive cost of legal
action means that access to justice is denied to
community campaigns such as JAM74.
"JAM74 engaged fully in the planning process and
comprehensively defeated the Scottish Executive
at the independent public local inquiry. The
inquiry concluded that the new motorway would be
bad for the environment, bad for social justice
and bad for the economy. [2] The Scottish
Executive's decision to overturn the findings of
the planning inquiry demonstrates its contempt
for community involvement in the planning system.
"The M74 will devastate the environment of
already disadvantaged communities in southern
Glasgow. The project is an outrageous waste of
money, £1 billion that would be much better spent
improving Glasgow's dismal public transport
rather than further worsening the city's grim
public health record. The Scottish Executive and
Glasgow City Council have condemned Glaswegians
to a legacy of air pollution and chromium
contamination."
ENDS
Contacts:
Will Jess, Chair of JAM74, on 07773 771319.
Notes to Editors:
[1] See
and
for further details.
[2] See for a
summary of the public inquiry recommendations.
[3] See for background briefing.
END OF PRESS RELEASE
Reposter