The view from the trees

[ Tree camp, Bingley ]
Interview with Oliver, member of the Rye Loaf Hill Camp, Bingley, December 20 1997.

What's your reaction to the results of KDIS's pollution report for Bingley in 2000?

The original research commissioned by Chris Leslie deliberately ignored areas of Bingley where increases in air pollution seemed likely. It concentrated solely on Bingley Main Street. Yet Mr. Leslie used the evidence to claim an overall decrease in air pollution. The additional research done by KDIS shows that this clearly isn't true - pollution will increase overall and be partially displaced from one side of Bingley to the other. Particularly worrying is the doubling of Nitrous Oxide levels in the playground at Park Road First School.

What do you think about Chris Leslie MP?

5 years ago Chris Leslie produced a leaflet opposing the building of the road, which he claimed, would be "disastrous for Bingley." He went on to list the adverse effects the new road would have on Bingley and how it would fail to solve the traffic problems. Since then he has totally changed his position, becoming the leading proponent of the new road and even denying he ever opposed it. He is knowingly promoting a road that he knows is a mistake - you've got to ask yourself why?

What do you think will be the likely outcome of the government's review of the road next Spring?

The Bingley road protest probably has one of the best chances of any road protest of ending in a direct victory. The government knows that road building is expensive and ultimately fails to solve congestion problems. More roads equal more cars. Road protests such as Newbury and Fairmile have helped turn public opinion against roads. The only factions urging the government not to axe the road are a small sector of local people in support of it and the influence of the road building consortiums. Bingley is right on the borderline of what may or may not be built. We have a very good chance of stopping it.

What is the background of the tree camp?

We set up a tree camp south of Bingley in the summer of 1966. At that point the road was due to be built starting in the spring of 1997 and the debate over it was effectively closed. We got a lot of publicity initially as people expected Bingley to become "The Dewberry of the north". This helped to reopen the debate on the road and also led to vehement attacks on the protest by the road supporters.

Following the election of a new government, the road was put under review and we realised that we had a real chance of stopping it rather than just being evicted from the camp. Some local supporters of the road seriously thought they were losing the battle and began to focus their frustration on the camp members. At one point one of the camps (there were two at the time) was attacked and one persons dwelling was burnt down. The young lads who perpetrated the attack were not particularly motivated by the road issue, but they acted in a climate where they were hardly likely to be condemned by the "respectable" leaders of the road movement. Despite being arrested at the scene they walked out of court Scott free after charges were dropped.

The overall effect of our pressure has been to increase the doubts in people's minds over the effects of the new road. More and more people are coming to accept we have a valid point and are showing their support.

The final decision about the road will be made next spring when we will either be celebrating or building our defences as we become the last line of defence for the environment.


Back to Main Story