M25 - "Raising head above parapet"

For several months this year, to add to the already heavy workload for members of your Committee, there were meetings with the Action Group, the Contractors, the Highways Agency, and Council members. Because the meetings were confidential, it was not possible to give much information away at the time.

The events brought home to me just how important a hard working, proactive group can be. I still shudder to think on what so nearly happened to our town. Today I can walk past Long Lane and see a green field where birds sing. It is only necessary to walk along Chalfont Road and see the thick dust on plants in the neighbouring field to realize the narrow escape we had.

The speed at which events happened was startling: what felt like nerve-shredding months took place in weeks. Not that those of us in the thick of it were able to relax once the decision to site the compound away from Junction 17 was taken because there were still the large bunds to deal with, but it did give us hope where there had appeared to be none.

At the time, the 5th February seemed a very dark day for Ricky. Looking back now, however, I think of those who came out on one of the worst winter nights to pack Watersmeet, and of the intelligent and cogent questions and comments made by the audience.

A heart-warming aspect has been the way the whole town combined to fight the original ill-conceived plans. I was present at the open TRDC meeting at which Council members of all political persuasions voted unanimously to refuse permission for Council-owned land to be used (the Contractors' plans showed the inclusion of TRDC land for the bunds). That evening I saw an example of good sense and care for the community cutting across party manoeuvring that could teach MPs a thing or two.
It was the united front of the whole town, together with the speed and relevance of our response, that worked the apparent miracle. Our council negotiated hard on this, but could not have been effective without our wholehearted support. Residents in Long Lane and surrounds set up a highly effective Action Group. Members of the Heronsgate Action Group, who had already fought off a similar assault on their neighbourhood, contributed valuable knowledge and experience. Our MP agreed to present a petition to the House, and I was told the sheets left with local shops were filled in record time. We also received support from the Watford Observer. Your Residents Association liaised with and supported all these groups.
All of these efforts would have been unavailing without the staunch determination of farmer John Findlay to protect his land. At the darkest moment of the campaign, when many would have taken the offered money and accepted the fait acompli, a clear-sighted member of the Junction 17 Action Group told me "John Findlay is a fighter". Just how true that is we soon found out. The Findlays' refusal to give in to overwhelming odds bought valuable time for us to pursue all options to find an alternative answer.
The field at Long Lane is still there, but the view from Oaklands Farm is less pleasant. Farmer John Findlay recently commented: at the 5th February meeting, 'David Blackburn made the following two statements: "We have to consider agricultural land" and "We have a nice area here". These remarks came from the person who had been atempting to bulldose through their plans for a compound at the site in front of the Bilton Estate only two months earlier.' Mr Findlay also commented on their policy of selecting landfill sites. 'When we were first in contact with SBB during the autumn of 2008 it was made clear to me by Mr Steve Phipps that all landfill had to be carried out on sites that were between the M25 and areas of housing, however small. This meant that the Environment Agency would treat their activities as being beneficial to the neighbourhood and not be liable to Landfill Tax, since the landfill would be reducing "both the noise and visual impact" of the motorway. Mr Findlay recalled, 'at the Watersmeet meeting in February, Mr Blackburn was asked "Do you pay Landfill Tax?" He replied, "We are working for the Government, we do not pay Landfill Tax". That was not an accurate statement.'

R&DRA celebrated its 80th year with a party for Road Representatives on 29th September 2009.

Unfortunately John and Sally Findley, who were invited as Guests of Honour, were unable to attend because of John's illness, a chest infection, that day. They sent their thanks for our support, which were warmly reciprocated.

Shirley Jacobs

The Action Group, supported by members of your Committee, successfully held demonstrations in several local areas on Saturday 31st January. We are told that the only supermarket that turned demonstrators away was Waitrose. Curious: I thought they wanted to encourage a good relationship with the local population.

As at 23 February, three Waitrose managers - including their Environment manager - have chosen not to comment on the above statement. Waitrose continue to block pavements in the High Street with their advertising staff, to which they evidently give a different priority than to those trying to protect the community.

Shirley Jacobs