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Recent News
Recent Campaigns and Issues
Mersey Gateway
CPRE North West has submitted a joint objection with the North West Transport Activists Roundtable (NW TAR) to the "Mersey Gateway", a proposed new toll bridge over the Mersey between Runcron and Widnes, with substantial alterations to existing roads. The scheme could have significant and far-reaching negative environmental impacts. Our joint submission can be downloaded from the NW TAR website by clicking on "Mersey Gateway" above and following the link there.
Regional Housing Strategy
The Regional Housing Strategy is being reviewed. CPRE North West Regional Group are involved as members of the Sustainability Appraisal group as well as as stakeholder consultees. We are keen to ensure that the strategy is robust in its treatment of the links between housing, the environment, and wider sustainability issues; that rural issues are effectively mainstreamed throughout it; that high quality design and local character and distinctiveness are seen as key issues, including for affordable housing; and that it will contribute to creating mixed, functioning communities in both urban and rural areas.
Tranquillity and intrusion
Tranquil countryside is being steadily eroded by urban sprawl and infrastructure for transport, energy and waste. Even though only around 12% of the England is actually developed, the ‘shadow’ of development – the areas which are affected by development through visual or noise intrusion – falls across 50% of the country. Check out our maps showing the increasing impact of this intrusion in the North West
M6 widening
The Highways Agency is examining options for tackling congestion on the M6 in Staffordshire and Cheshire (from Junction 11a to Junction 19). The Government has previously favoured proposals to increase capacity by either building a new "Expressway" through open countryside or widening the motorway to four lanes. However it now seems that the more sustainable "Active Traffic Management", including hard shoulder running, may be a real possibility - although even this will increase traffic levels and carbon emissions.
New regional governance arrangements
The Government is proposing to abolish Regional Assemblies, give their powers for planning, transport and housing to Regional Development Agencies, and focus regional policy and strategies on narrow economic growth instead of enviornmentally sustainable development.
Mottram-Tintwistle bypass
CPRE NW is part of a coalition of environmental organisations opposing the proposed Mottram-Tintwistle bypass at public inquiry. This bypass, and the linked Glossop Spur, run through both the Greater Manchester Green Belt and the Peak District National Park.
Heysham-M6 Link Road
CPRE NW led a coalition of environmental and transport NGOs (the Environmental and Sustainable Transport Alliance) in opposing this proposal for a bypass - "the Monster Road" - through the North Lancashire Green Belt. In February 2008 the Secretary of State decided to grant planning permission, despite acknowledging serious damage to the Green Belt, landscape character and diversity, and dramatically increased greenhouse gas emissions. But the scheme still doesn't have funding guaranteed, and the fight goes on.
Regional Spatial Strategy - partial review
The Panel who examined the RSS concluded that there were a number of aspects of the plan that required an immediate review. CPRE NW are playing an active role in this review, sitting on the steering group for the review project as well as contributing as consultees.
Regional Spatial Strategy
The main focus of CPRE NW''s work is to influence the development and implementation of the Regional Spatial Strategy, to make it more environmentally sustainable and address rural issues more effectively.
support
CPRE is a voice for everyone who wants a sustainable future in which our countryside is protected and enhanced, while our towns and cities are made more attractive places to live. But to make this vision a reality we need your support.
about
CPRE are the champions of England's countryside, promoting the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England by encouraging the sustainable use of land and other natural resources in town and country. Find out more about our North West Regional Group here.
contact
Find CPRE contacts in the North West here