Darling acts to protect South Downs

9 July 2003

"A welcome acknowledgement of the Government's commitment to National Parks" is the reaction from the Council for National Parks (CNP) (1) to the Transport Secretary's decision (2) to reject the Arundel bypass and other damaging road schemes in the South Downs.

CNP Policy Director Ruth Chambers said: "This road building in the South Downs would have damaged the landscape, tranquillity and wildlife of the proposed National Park and people's enjoyment of it.  The Government has upheld its own test on road building in nationally important landscapes, which is that they should meet a national need and be without alternative".

"The Transport Secretary has also sent the Highways Agency back to the drawing board on other proposed road schemes in the South Downs at Chichester and Worthing, where a suggested tunnel has been rejected because of unacceptable and avoidable environmental consequences.  At Beddingham, the Agency has been asked to find an alternative with less landscape impact.  CNP hopes that decisions on potential road schemes at Wilmington and Selmeston will also be environment-led".

"CNP welcomes the Transport Secretary's recognition that we can't build ourselves out of all the pressures we face and his clear rejection of road schemes which would have seriously damaged the proposed South Downs National Park", Ruth Chambers concluded.

Notes to editors

1.              The Council for National Parks is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.

2.              Transport Secretary Alistair Darling MP's Transport Investment Statement in the House of Commons, 9 July.

For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222