The Green Party aims to create a just, equitable and sustainable society.

The Stafford and Stone Green Party is an independent branch of the Green Party representing the constituencies of Stafford & Stone. Working closely with the North Staffordshire Green Party and other ‘green’ groups to promote environmental responsibility, social justice and sustainable economics,

Come along to our monthly meetings which are friendly and informative including a different discussion topic every month.

NO to Stafford Western By-Pass/Access Road

Stafford and Stone Green Party says ‘No’ to Stafford Western Access Road and ‘YES!’ to an Integrated Transport Policy

In the month of the Copenhagen Summit, where the world's political leaders are trying to save half of the species on the planet Earth from extinction due to Climate Change, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is at the top of the agenda. However, going against both the perceived wisdom and the UK Government's 2007 Climate Act, (which obliges the nation to reduce greenhouse emissions by 80% by 2050), Staffordshire County Council is proposing the building of a new road (www.staffordshire.gov.uk/westernaccess). The Green Party opposes these plans and believes the answers to congestion lie in an integrated transport policy, including prioritising cycling and walking, a sensible bus service, Stafford Bus Station and Park and Ride schemes.

 Reasons to Oppose the Plans

• All of the proposed routes would have a considerable negative impact on local residents and the local nature reserve 'Doxey Marshes', a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
• The road is not a ‘bypass’ but an ‘access road’, as its main purpose would be to provide access to Burleyfields, the remaining stretch of green, farming land around Stafford Castle between the Newport Road, Doxey Road and M6.
• The County Council website states the £36 million for the scheme would come from Government funding. That is not the case. £5 million would be paid by any company wishing to build houses on Burleyfields.
• Although it is being claimed that this road would reduce congestion, building thousands more homes will mean putting thousands more cars on our roads, surely making congestion worse.
• These kinds of projects tend to go dramatically over budget, leaving Council Tax payers to pick up the tab.
• If constructed how long will it be before they start talking about widening the road, with the need for compulsorily purchasing and destroying more land and homes?
• Why hold the consultation over the busy Christmas and New Year period? At best, the timing is ill-judged, undemocratic and unprofessional, and at worst it would appear to have been planned to minimise the chance of serious debate and involvement by local residents.
• Many people in Stafford are asking why this road is being discussed at all. They consider other routes, such as the Lichfield and Wolverhampton roads, the ‘Tesco problem’ and much debated Eastern Distributor Road (EDA), to be far greater priorities.
• Are the County Council and Highways Department simply backing this because they feel that any ‘free gift’ on offer from Westminster is better than none, even when it is not what the town really needs?
• At a time when public services are facing dramatic cuts should £31 million of tax payers’ cash not be being spent on something more urgent, such as sorting out Stafford District General Hospital?

What Stafford Really Needs

• Stafford needs an improved and integrated public transport system. It has to be easy and comfortable for people get from A to B and reduce congestion in the town. Other towns can do it so why can’t we?
• Stafford needs Stafford Bus Station. Is the current system of seemingly randomly placed bus stops and passengers being left exposed to the weather making public transport attractive and fair?
• Stafford needs 'Park and Ride' schemes. Will Staffordshire County Council be the last local authority in England to see the benefits of Park and Ride?

Your Voice Counts – We Can Win Again

• Nothing has been decided, it is all to play for. We understand it when people say “it is going to go ahead anyway, whatever I do”, but this road can be stopped and a message sent to the County Council.
• The Department of Transport requires the survey results to show clear support for the plans. If there is sufficient opposition from the public the road building process will be stopped.
• Many similar proposals, such as the original plans to build on Burleyfields and those to sell off parts of Rowley Park, Stafford Common and Coton Field Allotments, have been stopped through campaigns by Stafford residents in the past.
• This case is no different. We can win this if we want to.

How to Get Involved

• Please take one minute to fill in the survey (http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/static/snap/survey/hwstwaccess1109.htm) and give the following answers – 1. Strongly Disagree, 2. Do nothing, 3. Yes, 4. “Stafford does not need more roads. It needs an improved and integrated public transport policy, including prioritising cycling and walking, a sensible bus service, Stafford Bus Station being built and extensive and affordable Park and Ride schemes.”
• Visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/integratedtransportforstafford/ and sign the petition.
• Join the facebook group at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=192783802346
• Download the PDF and send it to your friends.
• Email us at transport@staffordandstonegreenparty.org with your views and ideas.