The Live Wire



Press Release

ICONIC LANDSCAPE THREATENED

Countryside campaigners (CPRE) [1] are calling for one of England’s iconic landscapes to be saved from a highly damaging road scheme.

The route of the proposed A350 Westbury Eastern Bypass in Wiltshire is set to cut through the protected landscape [2] below the famous Westbury white horse [3].

Despite fierce local opposition and the fact the road scheme is not included in the recently recommended transport projects for the South West region, Wiltshire County Council seems determined to press ahead.

‘It is incredible that the county council wants to push forward this intrusive and damaging scheme. It would have a major impact on an historic landscape,’ said Laura Jansen, Senior Campaigner at CPRE.

‘It does not say much for the scheme that it was not even included in the list of 80 transport schemes for the South West that a panel of inspectors wanted to see progressed [4]. Why should such a precious landscape have to be damaged by what is clearly not a key priority for the region?,’ she concluded.

Campaigners want to see the county council switch to a more appropriate solution to the west of Westbury [5]. This would not only mean no large bypass, it would also connect up with local public transport links.

The Westbury Eastern Bypass is going to a public inquiry later this year where campaigners will continue to fight for an outcome that will protect this iconic landscape.



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