§ Mr. Bowen Wells (Hertford and Stortford)I have the honour to present three petitions from my assiduous constituents. The first is from the East Hertfordshire district council and with it, on the same subject, there is a similar petition from Bishop's Stortford town council. The two town councils are concerned about the problems that the Department of Transport has visited upon them by proposing the construction of a motorway service area at the Birchhanger interchange of the A120 and the M11.
The Petitioners believe that it will intrude badly into the protective green belt between Bishop's Stortford and the M11 and prevent the two councils from controlling further development in that area, which is under heavy developmental pressure. Therefore the East Hertfordshire district council
(a) urge the Secretary of State for Transport to reconsider the decision taken by the said Secretary of State in relation to the proposed erection of a Motorway Service Area at Birchhanger near Bishop's Stortford, and(b) in the meantime require the Secretary of State to order the cessation of all activities in relation to the proposed erection of the said Motorway Service Area in order that the adverse impact upon the amenities of local residents and the danger to road users in this part of Hertfordshire be alleviated.And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.
§ To lie upon the Table.
§
Similarly, the Bishop's Stortford town council petition reads as follows:
your petitioners pray that your honourable house (a) urge the Secretary of State for Transport to reconsider the decision taken by the said Secretary of State in relation to the proposed erection of a Motorway Service Area at Birchanger near Bishop's Stortford, and
(b) in the meantime require the Secretary of State to order the cessation of all activities in relation to the proposed erection of the said Motorway Service Area in order that the adverse impact upon this part of Hertfordshire be alleviated.
§ And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.