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

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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

CH
Homepage: http://www.jam74.org