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| Oxford-Cambridge expressway plans make a mockery of local democracy | Oxford-Cambridge expressway plans make a mockery of local democracy |
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| George Monbiot’s article about the proposed Oxford-Cambridge expressway exposes how grand schemes are conceived and presented for “consultation” when only the trivial issues remain (These projects shape our lives. But we have no say in them, Journal, 22 August). | George Monbiot’s article about the proposed Oxford-Cambridge expressway exposes how grand schemes are conceived and presented for “consultation” when only the trivial issues remain (These projects shape our lives. But we have no say in them, Journal, 22 August). |
| My work takes me to parts of the world often criticised for being undemocratic, where plans worked out behind closed doors and backed by powerful interest groups are indeed presented for “consultation”. This fait accompli approach fails to give people a real say, however, and gives a veneer of democratic accountability to projects with negative social and environmental impacts. Western governments express concern over how local rights are ignored in such places, but this is also happening here. | My work takes me to parts of the world often criticised for being undemocratic, where plans worked out behind closed doors and backed by powerful interest groups are indeed presented for “consultation”. This fait accompli approach fails to give people a real say, however, and gives a veneer of democratic accountability to projects with negative social and environmental impacts. Western governments express concern over how local rights are ignored in such places, but this is also happening here. |
| To expressways and HS2s, add hundreds of smaller decisions imposed on people against their wishes. In my town, in spite of 100% local opposition, a successful secondary school was closed, with serious consequences for local demographics and economic life. Local voices in the UK are powerless against a system that is essentially authoritarian, blind to community issues and needs, and light years away from asking if the relentless pursuit of growth really is the solution to all our problems. As in many countries where democracy is cosmetic, our leaders resort to “national interest” or “we know best” arguments, while pandering to corporate interests or driven blindly by political targets. | To expressways and HS2s, add hundreds of smaller decisions imposed on people against their wishes. In my town, in spite of 100% local opposition, a successful secondary school was closed, with serious consequences for local demographics and economic life. Local voices in the UK are powerless against a system that is essentially authoritarian, blind to community issues and needs, and light years away from asking if the relentless pursuit of growth really is the solution to all our problems. As in many countries where democracy is cosmetic, our leaders resort to “national interest” or “we know best” arguments, while pandering to corporate interests or driven blindly by political targets. |
| The Oxford-Cambridge expressway is an example of a much deeper malaise at the heart of our democracy, where people have little say over what really affects their lives.Christopher TannerLlandovery, Carmarthenshire | The Oxford-Cambridge expressway is an example of a much deeper malaise at the heart of our democracy, where people have little say over what really affects their lives.Christopher TannerLlandovery, Carmarthenshire |
| • George Monbiot references the National Infrastructure Commission’s justification that the scheme is to enable the region “to maximise its economic potential”, and that Oxbridge “will be left behind, damaging the UK’s global competitiveness”, but fails to challenge whether the Oxbridge axis is actually the right place for such investment at all. | • George Monbiot references the National Infrastructure Commission’s justification that the scheme is to enable the region “to maximise its economic potential”, and that Oxbridge “will be left behind, damaging the UK’s global competitiveness”, but fails to challenge whether the Oxbridge axis is actually the right place for such investment at all. |
| Indeed, in the age of digital communications and the growth of digital industries, why is road connection required at all, especially as East West Rail (the Oxford to Cambridge enhanced rail line) is currently under construction? Many private Oxford-Cambridge transport schemes (road, rail and air) have failed through lack of demand. | Indeed, in the age of digital communications and the growth of digital industries, why is road connection required at all, especially as East West Rail (the Oxford to Cambridge enhanced rail line) is currently under construction? Many private Oxford-Cambridge transport schemes (road, rail and air) have failed through lack of demand. |
| As Oxford and Cambridge benefit from almost full employment, but also suffer the highest housing costs in the UK outside London, it also begs the question of how those moving to the region necessary to support the jobs will be able to afford the houses being built there. | As Oxford and Cambridge benefit from almost full employment, but also suffer the highest housing costs in the UK outside London, it also begs the question of how those moving to the region necessary to support the jobs will be able to afford the houses being built there. |
| More importantly, while Oxbridge’s contribution to the economy is significant, it is significantly less than that of the N8 Research Partnership universities. Many of the UK’s Catapult centres (set up to support the development and growth of Britain technology startups) are founded on these universities and are well north of Watford. That such world-class universities/facilities are well placed to support and enhance the northern powerhouse seems to be irrelevant. | More importantly, while Oxbridge’s contribution to the economy is significant, it is significantly less than that of the N8 Research Partnership universities. Many of the UK’s Catapult centres (set up to support the development and growth of Britain technology startups) are founded on these universities and are well north of Watford. That such world-class universities/facilities are well placed to support and enhance the northern powerhouse seems to be irrelevant. |
| It is interesting to muse on the significance of much of the land to be developed being owned by the universities, and on the preponderance of Oxbridge alumni in government circles including (at the time the plan was hatched) the local West Oxfordshire MP/prime minister.Peter GoreAbingdon, Oxfordshire | It is interesting to muse on the significance of much of the land to be developed being owned by the universities, and on the preponderance of Oxbridge alumni in government circles including (at the time the plan was hatched) the local West Oxfordshire MP/prime minister.Peter GoreAbingdon, Oxfordshire |
| • The expressway is a stalking horse for 1 million new homes between Oxford and Cambridge; equivalent to more than four cities the size of Sheffield in the rural south-east. In Oxfordshire, we are struggling to build 100,000 homes by 2031. This is already three times more than can be filled according to population projections from the Office for National Statistics. If we were, magically, to build 300,000 of the homes for the expressway in Oxfordshire, by 2050 we would have more than twice as many homes as households. Put another way, half of the homes in our county would lie empty. Are we gearing up for a massive housing crash? | • The expressway is a stalking horse for 1 million new homes between Oxford and Cambridge; equivalent to more than four cities the size of Sheffield in the rural south-east. In Oxfordshire, we are struggling to build 100,000 homes by 2031. This is already three times more than can be filled according to population projections from the Office for National Statistics. If we were, magically, to build 300,000 of the homes for the expressway in Oxfordshire, by 2050 we would have more than twice as many homes as households. Put another way, half of the homes in our county would lie empty. Are we gearing up for a massive housing crash? |
| The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England is calling for a public inquiry into the need for an expressway and the associated growth agenda.Prof Richard Harding Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, Oxfordshire, Dr Sue Roberts South Oxfordshire Sustainability | The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England is calling for a public inquiry into the need for an expressway and the associated growth agenda.Prof Richard Harding Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, Oxfordshire, Dr Sue Roberts South Oxfordshire Sustainability |
| • Where in the country could “developers” reap greater rewards than from a conurbation built on farmland; sprawling between two beautiful university cities and within easy commuting distance of London? Imagine what price they will ask for the houses. | • Where in the country could “developers” reap greater rewards than from a conurbation built on farmland; sprawling between two beautiful university cities and within easy commuting distance of London? Imagine what price they will ask for the houses. |
| It is yet more over-development in the south-east; yet more destruction of precious countryside and yet another project to stoke up pressure in the area around the Great Wen, with no hope for those on low or modest incomes. | It is yet more over-development in the south-east; yet more destruction of precious countryside and yet another project to stoke up pressure in the area around the Great Wen, with no hope for those on low or modest incomes. |
| The people planning this can see a further lucrative consequence: as commuter routes blossom, the area between this elongated housing estate and London will become even more available for development. The Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty will eventually survive only as a few green pockets for dog walkers, within a great suburban sprawl. Just watch the money.Dr Trevor HusseyHigh Wycombe, Buckinghamshire | The people planning this can see a further lucrative consequence: as commuter routes blossom, the area between this elongated housing estate and London will become even more available for development. The Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty will eventually survive only as a few green pockets for dog walkers, within a great suburban sprawl. Just watch the money.Dr Trevor HusseyHigh Wycombe, Buckinghamshire |
| • Here in Oxfordshire we are campaigning against the Oxford-Cambridge expressway but George Monbiot’s weighty and well-thought-out arguments – questioning the justification, the speed and the process of appraising large-scale projects – apply whether you are concerned by a development in your county or the new runway at Heathrow. | • Here in Oxfordshire we are campaigning against the Oxford-Cambridge expressway but George Monbiot’s weighty and well-thought-out arguments – questioning the justification, the speed and the process of appraising large-scale projects – apply whether you are concerned by a development in your county or the new runway at Heathrow. |
| Wherever you happen to live, in Skye or Skegness, London or the Lothians, if you support democracy, a sustainable future and the environment, please support our campaign (saveotmoor.org).Dr Mavis BaytonOxford | Wherever you happen to live, in Skye or Skegness, London or the Lothians, if you support democracy, a sustainable future and the environment, please support our campaign (saveotmoor.org).Dr Mavis BaytonOxford |
| • Where I live, halfway between David Cameron’s old constituency of Witney and Oxford city, there are plans for a “garden village” a road’s width apart from Eynsham, plus a further extension to the west of Eynsham. Together these plans will result in 3,200 houses attached to the existing settlement of roughly 2,000 houses. Never mind that the location of the garden village contravenes the definition of the term, and that there appears to be no coordination between West Oxfordshire district council, who control the housing, and Oxford county council, who control the highways (and crucially, the A40, the main artery for the new developments and one of the most congested roads in the county); the consultation processes pay lip service to the views of the local community, who support development, but on a scale commensurate with existing settlements and with supporting infrastructure. With no apparent irony, the consultation paper for Eynsham’s western development describes the benefits it will bring as including “publicly accessible open space” and “improved access to the surrounding countryside”; local residents would point out that these are precisely the benefits that will soon be denied them.Judith LunaEynsham, Oxfordshire | • Where I live, halfway between David Cameron’s old constituency of Witney and Oxford city, there are plans for a “garden village” a road’s width apart from Eynsham, plus a further extension to the west of Eynsham. Together these plans will result in 3,200 houses attached to the existing settlement of roughly 2,000 houses. Never mind that the location of the garden village contravenes the definition of the term, and that there appears to be no coordination between West Oxfordshire district council, who control the housing, and Oxford county council, who control the highways (and crucially, the A40, the main artery for the new developments and one of the most congested roads in the county); the consultation processes pay lip service to the views of the local community, who support development, but on a scale commensurate with existing settlements and with supporting infrastructure. With no apparent irony, the consultation paper for Eynsham’s western development describes the benefits it will bring as including “publicly accessible open space” and “improved access to the surrounding countryside”; local residents would point out that these are precisely the benefits that will soon be denied them.Judith LunaEynsham, Oxfordshire |
| George Monbiot’s excellent dissection of the profoundly undemocratic plans for the Oxford-Cambridge expressway will ring true with all those of us here on the frontline. We have been lobbying our elected representatives, locally and nationally, about this for months. Please support our efforts to oppose this misguided scheme by signing an online petition (petition.parliament.uk/petitions/217244)to protect an outstanding area of natural beauty and a conservation area, Otmoor, near Oxford. It has just under the 10,000 signatures necessary to require a government response. Adrian YoungChair, Oddington Parish Meeting | George Monbiot’s excellent dissection of the profoundly undemocratic plans for the Oxford-Cambridge expressway will ring true with all those of us here on the frontline. We have been lobbying our elected representatives, locally and nationally, about this for months. Please support our efforts to oppose this misguided scheme by signing an online petition (petition.parliament.uk/petitions/217244)to protect an outstanding area of natural beauty and a conservation area, Otmoor, near Oxford. It has just under the 10,000 signatures necessary to require a government response. Adrian YoungChair, Oddington Parish Meeting |
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