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A417 Air Balloon Demonstration - 22 March 2004 | ||
| Over 150
people turned out near the Air Balloon Inn on Monday 22 March 2004 to
demonstrate against a road proposal they fear would devastate the local
countryside with a five lane highway just as steep as the present one,
and result in the demolition of the local pub. |
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| This is a mock-up of what the loop could look like in the future! And this is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Cotswold Edge!? | |
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| The
roundabout forms the junction between the A417 and the A429, and is on
the missing link in the mainly dual carriagewayed road from Swindon, via
Cirencester to Gloucester and Cheltenham at Junction 11a on the M5. It is an accident blackspot. |
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| Gloucestershire's
Ramblers joined locals and environmental groups including Friends of the
Earth and Transport 2000 in protesting against the Highways Agency's
proposals to scar the wonderful countryside of the Cotswolds AONB (Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty). Mavis Rear (left) said, "The real answer is a tunnel. Get the thing underground, get rid of all the traffic that is here, and we wouldn't get all these problems of lorries breaking down on the steep gradient - and people could enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the countryside!" |
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| Ramblers held aloft home-made signs and banners saying "Toot for a Tunnel" and "Don't scar Crickley Hill". | |
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| They demanded: "Safer footpath crossings" and "No new road". Both the Cotwold Way National Trail and the Gloucestershire Way have crossings near to the ancient inn. | |
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| John and Mike encouraged the drivers to "Toot for a Tunnel"! As trucks thundered past, the drivers beeping their horns in support, demonstrators threw their arms in the air and cheered. | |
| Click
here or the picture above to download a movie (1.12MB)
In the movie you will see on the left Mavis being interviewed by the press and on the right Tony Drake (in green) moving towards the kerb to take a photo of the heavy traffic. I am afraid it pans rather quickly, but you can always watch it more than once. It only lasts 7 seconds! |
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