GOOD NEWS!!!

Round 1 to the protesters. The following is an extract from the South staffordshire Review (the local council newspaper) "Round one in the fight to stop South Staffordshire being carved up by motorway-style by-passess has gone to the Council and its allies opposing the schemes - the parishes and local action groups.

A panel of experts apponited by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott were sceptical about the arguments put forward in favour of the Western By-passes by the West Midlands Local Government's Association in their new draft regional plan.

The panel carefully considered the pro's and con's of the multi-lane highways at a special inquiry held in Birmingham over the summer.

Their conclusion was:'We are not convinced by the arguments for the regeneration benefits of the Western By-passes'.

The office of the Deputy Prime Minister will now consider the report with the aim of publishing proposed changes in early 2003. A 12 week consultation will then follow."

More information can be obtained from Steve Winterflood at South Staffs Council