21st July 2007

I am pleased to read of County Councillor Waddington's decision to see sense regarding the Parkway Station. It would give a greater sense of ease if this new commitment extended to the other elements of the scheme at Elmbridge (which were always by far the major expense) the new road systems and huge car park. It has been claimed that these are green schemes, but they are far from this. They are on Green Fields; they will increase traffic; and they are not in the right places. Indeed, the rail station was the main excuse for locating this scheme at Elmbridge. This has now gone, and with it threats to compulsorily purchase this farm land should also go.

It would be far better to open or reopen rail stations in places like Churchdown and other sites where they serve existing settlements. Smaller car parks at these could serve a park and ride purpose. This would require real commitment to rail as a viable option for local transport in the county. Investment in local trains running at useful times of day, would enable people to get to work reliably, on time and bypass future standing traffic on Gloucester roads.

The Green party alone of all the political parties in the County has opposed the Parkway project and suggested more sustainable alternatives. We have done this without wasting a single penny from the public purse. How much has been wasted on promoting this scheme against the wishes of virtually all local tax payers?

Bryan Meloy (pictured above)
Gloucester Green Party