Guildford Lib Dems welcome question to Parliament regarding local concerns about proposed new A3/M25 Junction at Wisley
Guildford Liberal Democrats
Contact: Caroline Reeves caroliner.libdem@gmail.com
EMBARGO: 11am Tuesday 17th November 2020
Guildford Lib Dems welcome question to Parliament regarding local concerns about proposed new A3/M25 Junction at Wisley
Guildford Liberal Democrats have welcomed the Early Day Motion tabled by Liberal Democrat MP for St Albans Daisy Cooper which raises concerns regarding the proposed new M25/A3 junction alongside RHS Wisley.
In the motion Daisy Cooper MP highlights RHS Wisley's concerns around the impact the proposal will have on 44 trees along their boundary with the A3, including the felling of 17 Grade II Heritage trees and 27 other trees being negatively impacted by the undermining of their root strength. She also notes local concerns from residents and the local councils about the wider environmental impact as a result of the unnecessary extra mileage and inevitable increased pollution created by the junction, ending with a call for the Government to stop the proposal and require Highways England to consider and implement an alternative approach.
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Guildford and Cranleigh Zöe Franklin said:
"I am grateful to Daisy Cooper MP for raising the concerns of RHS and their members, and also those of local people about the negative impact of the current design proposal from Highways England for this is new junction.
"The Liberal Democrats are committed to protecting our environment and ensuring that the health and needs of local communities are prioritised when considering new infrastructure and development. Where proposals are not right it is crucial the Government take note, then consider and implement alternative approaches that put the environment, local health and needs of communities front and centre.
"However, it is disappointing that none of our local Conservative MPs have been leading on this issue. It has caused so much concern for both RHS, its members and local residents. Their silence is noticeable."
Notes to editors:
The text of the Early Day Motion by Daisy Cooper MP is as follows:
That this House expresses its concern at Highways England's proposal for a new M25/A3 junction alongside RHS Wisley, near Guildford, Surrey; notes the impact the proposal has on 44 trees along the RHS Wisley boundary with the A3 including the felling of 17 Grade II Heritage tree, and 27 other trees (including North American redwood species and 5 Grade II* Heritage Trees) being negatively impacted by the undermining of their root strength; further notes the negative impact on the local road network and thereby local residents; recognises that the proposal will have a wider environmental impact as a result of the unnecessary extra mileage and inevitable increased pollution created by the junction; and calls on the Government to stop the Highways England proposal which has been opposed by the RHS, its members, local residents and local councils and require Highways England to consider and implement an alternative approach.
Full details of the Early Day Motion including an up-to-date list of MPs supporting the motion can be found at: https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/57706/highways-england-wisley-m25a3-junction-proposal