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The Coggeshall Public
meeting was a success for those supporting the Nigel Edey route. With a good turnout of between 150 and 200, it enabled the residents
to air their concerns and discuss alternative routes.
Present at the meeting was Lady Newton, Alan Hurst MP, Nigel Edey, representatives of the Cressing Action Group and
residents from the affected parishes. Councillor Nigel Edey told the meeting that Essex CC will not support the Blackwater Valley route.
He passed on the view of Rodney Bass, Essex CC cabinet member for transport, namely that he wants all the District Councils and the County Council to speak
with one voice. Essex CC still prefer the route coming out between Witham and Kelvedon.
He stated “We want the Highways Agency to study these other routes as there is clear opposition
to this current proposed route.”
Alan Perry from the Cressing Action Group informed the meeting that.
“The Highways Agency’s route would devastate Cressing village with flyovers etc.
We reject the Highways Agency’s route and have a campaign going against it. We haven't put forward another route but wish to find a solution and are for
Councillor Edey’s approach”
he continued,
“we are very pleased that Coggeshall is having tonight's meeting and wish to work with other
groups,”
Petra Ward Chairman of Essex CPRE (Council for the Protection of Rural England) said that the CPRE are very much opposed the Highways Agency’s route through
the River Blackwater Valley. At the Coggeshall meeting Roger Hadlee of the Historic
Grade I listed Coggeshall Abbey on the River Blackwater announced that plans were being made for a walk along the heritage-rich River on May Bank
Holiday Monday 2nd.
“Getting people to see it and walk along it will make them all the more keen to save the River Blackwater Valley from the A120!”
he said. Roger Hadlee spoke passionately about the area’s rich heritage and environmental beauty and the centuries of that have gone into
producing such a special area that the Highways Agency were proposing to destroy.
“We can win this battle, but not with the sword as in ancient
times. The pen and the laptop are mightier than the sword: write to tell them what you think."
If you wish details on the walk please email the a120forum.
We shall leave you with this quote from Alan Hurst MP from the meeting.
“I have discussed this matter with the Minister 18 months ago and he showed me
thirteen routes. This is now down to one! Write in your hundreds and thousands to get the Highways Agency to stop the proposed route through
the Blackwater Valley. This will force them then to evaluate alternatives which it has not previously rejected.”
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