Objectors lose battle against first toll M-way
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II Plans to build Britain's first tolled motorway have been given the legal all-clear by the High Court. The Alliance Against the Birmingham Northern Relief Road and other local objectors had asked Mr Justice Latham in London to quash environment secretary John Prescott's decision to allow the £.700m project to go ahead.
Campaigners argue that the 27-mile highway, aimed at easing jams on the M6, will cut a huge swathe through the green
belt, cross two protected nature sites, destroy scores of homes and blight others, and threaten local jobs by encouraging centralisation of employment.
But the judge rejected a claim that Prescott acted illegally under the influence of immaterial factors, including compensation that the Government would have to pay if the concession with motorway constructors and managers Midland Expressway was cancelled.
Objectors say that before the General Election Labour promised it would not build the road because noise and air pollution would harm the health and amenities of local people. Yet soon after it came to power the road was given the go-ahead.